Strained Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil and dill, the cold side dip on every Athens taverna table and every souvlaki pita in the city.
Tzatziki shares roots with the Turkish cacik and the Indian raita, all built around yogurt and cucumber. The Greek version with garlic and olive oil dominates from the post-war taverna era. Every Athens taverna serves a small bowl of tzatziki with bread before the meal arrives, and every souvlaki pita includes a generous spoonful. The dish requires only strained yogurt, fresh cucumber and good olive oil to work; it ruins fast with bad ingredients.
3 editor picks for Tzatziki in Athens, ranked by editorial score. All Athens signature dishes · Tzatziki across every city.
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.
Taverna Saita ★ 4.3
plaka · Kydathineon 21, Plaka, Athina
Taverna Saita on Kydathineon is the rare Plaka room in Athens cooking for locals. The Zacharopoulou family has fried bakaliaros skordalia here since 1970.
Bairaktaris ★ 3.8
monastiraki · Pl. Monastirakiou 5, 10555, Athina
Bairaktaris on Monastiraki Square is the tourist-targeted Athens institution. Priced at €€. Kitchen leans souvlaki and taverna. At Pl. Monastirakiou 5.