Food: the 50 eats in Athens you simply cannot miss

It’s been a long time coming. A list with all the small  bites, the delicious sins and the signature dishes that rule the food scene of Athens. Some all time classics and others fairly fresh and new; but both good enough to tangle our palate and make us go back for yet one more time.

Here is the top 50 eats in Athens you simply cannot miss!

Small bites

Athens is quickly becoming a melting pot of cultures with tourism booming in the last decade or so. And this has definitely made it to its food scene, with Athenians perfecting classic dishes of Greece like koulouri and bougatsa from Thessaloniki and other top eats from far flung places like Japan and their milk bread toasted sandwich and the US with their soft-baked cookie.

1. Koulouri, Papaspirou
2. Cheese bougatsa, Makedonikon
3. Cheese pie, Alma Patisserie
4. Sandwich, Guarantee
5. Souvlaki, Kostas
6. Butter croissant, Pavlov’s Lab
7. Cinnamon croissant, Akra
8. Milk Bun Toasted sandwich, Morning Bar
9. Yoghurt berries granola, Me Kolonaki
10. Soft-baked cookie, Feelings

Delicious sins

Whether it’s early in the morning or late at night, there’s always something to crave for if you’re looking to escape your healthy diet. Ridiculously delicious sins involving fat, sugar and salt everyone loves in Athens! If you haven’t tried all of these then you’d better get on it. Fast.

1. Beastly Brekkie, Different Beast
2. Smash burger, EKIBEN
3. Fried chicken burger, Chicken Picnic
4. Peinirli, Eleftheriadis
5. Pizza delivery, Portofino

On the side

And then there’s the appetisers and something to share on the side, when you’re out with a big crowd or a more intimate one on one. Most of the list revolves around seafood meze but equally so we’ve thrown in a super category of its own: the french fries. Whether you’re looking for the classic handcut ones, the round thin chips or simply pommes frites we got you covered!

1. Octopus, Lesvion
2. Fried calamari, Paramalo
3. Fried zucchini, Foititis
4. Boiled zucchini, Michalis
5. French fries,  Foititis (classic handcut), FITA (round thin chips), Spiros k Vasilis (pommes frites)

Signature dishes

The main course category is a very dear one and the basis of this long-lasting race. According to the web a signature dish is “a recipe that identifies an individual chef or restaurant”. According to us, it’s a simple, recognisable umami experience you simply cannot forget.

1. Crayfish nigiri, Sushimou
2. Fried red mullets, Margaro
3. Fried shrimps, Ta Kanaria
4. Grilled baby crabs, Zarkadoulas
5. Cannolicchios, Paramalo
6. Pasta alle vongole, LSANDSIA
7. Cacio e pepe, Brunello
8. Cacio e Pepe Pasta with shrimps tartare, Jerar
9. Deconstructed Pasticcio, Aleria
10. Papardelle Ragu, Seychelles
11. Veal cheeks hilopittes, Seramiko
12. Fried cheese pie, Stou Koutrouli
13. Chestnuts stew, Pharaoh
14. Fried meatballs, Avli tou Psyrri
15. Lamb chomps, Axotis
16. Beef patty, Michalis
17. Entrecôte Cafe de Paris, Blue Pine
18. Beef bourguignon, Wine Is Fine
19. Pork knuckle, To Palio Tahydromeio
20. Pizza Bianca, ALIO

Desserts

And last but not least, the perfect way to end a meal in Athens… or simply another treat if you’re a sweet-tooth like me.

1. Panettone, Selekos
2. Tsoureki, Riviera
3. Rice pudding, Epik Gelato
4. Karioka, Papaparaskevas
5. Chocolate babka, The Roosters
6. Crepes Suzette, L’Abreuvoir
7. Tsoureki French Toast, NEW Hotel
8. Creme Caramel with rock salt, LSANDSIA
9. Tiramisu, Innamorata
10. Halva and citrus preserve, Ta Kanaria