Greek stuffed vine leaves filled with rice, onion, fresh herbs and pine nuts, simmered slowly in lemon and olive oil. Served warm or at room temperature as a meze.
Dolmades have been on Greek and Ottoman tables since the medieval period, with the rice-and-herb (yalantzi) version distinguished from the meat-stuffed version. Athens tavernas serve both; the yalantzi version is the Lenten-friendly mezze that anchors every mezedopoleio in the city. Tzitzikas kai Mermigas, Mavro Provato and the neighborhood tavernas of Pangrati all plate the canonical version, served warm with lemon and a drizzle of olive oil.
4 editor picks for Dolmades in Athens, ranked by editorial score. All Athens signature dishes · Dolmades across every city.
Mavro Provato ★ 4.5
pangrati · Arrianou 31-33, Pangrati
Mavro Provato in Pangrati is the daily Athens mezedopoleio favourite for small-plate Greek cooking with regulars on the pavement from 14:00.
Karavitis Tavern ★ 4.4
pangrati · Pausaniou 4 Pangrati, Athina 11635, Greece
Karavitis in Pangrati has cooked the Athens taverna canon since 1926, a rustic room with a courtyard, barrels of house wine and the bekri-meze stew.
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas ★ 4.3
syntagma-historic-centre · Mitropoleos 12, Athina
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas on Mitropoleos has cooked Greek small plates with seasonal ingredients off Syntagma Square in Athens for three decades.
Klimataria ★ 4.3
psyrri · Plateia Theatrou 2, Athina 105 52
Klimataria on Theatre Square has poured Athens taverna food since 1927, a Psyrri institution where rebetiko plays live on most evenings from around 22:00.