GUARANTEE

Since 1988, Giannis and his wife Xaroula have been feeding patient customers who line up for their delicious sandwiches. They have a variety of vegetarian options, but for those who eat meat, try their beef sandie with homemade béarnaise sauce.

41 Veikou, Koukaki (near the Acropolis and Syngrou Fix metro stations), tel. 210.922.6924

ARISTON BAKERY

This bakery has been operating for 111 years and produces 25 different types of pies, but is most famous for its kourou cheese pie which is buttery, flaky and addictive. The pies are made in the basement, so they’re always piping hot.

 10 Voulis, Syntagma, tel. 210.322.7626

KOULOURI OF PSYRRI

You can find koulouria, bread rings covered in sesame seeds, all over Athens. It’s a snack that hails from Byzantine times and one that many people eat after a late night out or for breakfast. If you want to get yours at the source, come to this bakery. The first trays come out of the oven a little after midnight.

 23 Karaiskaiki, Psyrri (near Monastiraki), tel. 210.321.5962

KOSTAS SOUVLAKI

If you’re looking for the best souvlaki in Athens, this is the real deal. Open from morning until a little after 15:30, it serves the most delicious and simple souvlaki you can find – meat, parsley, onion, tomato, and nothing else.

Pentelis, Syntagma Square. tel. 210.322.8502

FEYROUZ

For a taste of the East, this place, which is run by a family from Lebanon, is where to go. Be sure to try laxmatzoun, a flat bread topped with meat and/or vegetables. Also worth trying is the peinirli with smoked eggplant and pork.

23 Karori, Monastiraki, tel. 213.031.8060

FALAFELLAS

This hole in the wall put falafel on the Athens street food map. There’s always a long line, but service is fast. Enjoy your falafel on the bench just outside where there’s almost always someone playing traditional Greek music.

51 Aiolou, Monastiraki, tel. 210.323.9809

HONEY-SOAKED DELIGHT

The loukouma dough fritter, drenched in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and sometimes sesame, is a classic Greek indulgence and in past years was even the occasion for a Sunday family outing.

Ktistakis – although located in a neighborhood that can get a bit dodgy come nightfall – makes its loukoumades small and succulent, as though pumped full of honey (42 Sokratous,Omonoia).

At Krinos (87 Aiolou, Monastiraki) they look more like classic donuts.