Day-by-day eating plans for Athens. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Athens Friday-Saturday: souvlaki, mageirio and a rooftop cocktail ★ 4.7

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A two-day plan built around the food Athens cooks best, from the Kostas counter at lunch to the Pangrati mageirio at dinner, plus one Acropolis-view rooftop bar.

  1. Day 1: Friday: Monastiraki souvlaki, Plaka taverna, Praxitelous cocktails

    Morning
    Coffee at Taf Coffee in Exarchia from 09:00. Walk down to the Acropolis afterwards if you arrived without the morning queue.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Kostas Souvlaki on Agia Irini Square at 13:30. Two pork pitas with the house tomato sauce. Walk through Monastiraki market to Ariston for a spanakopita at 16:00.
    Evening
    Dinner at Taverna Saita in Plaka at 21:00. Bakaliaros skordalia, lamb chops and retsina. Cocktail nightcap at The Clumsies from 23:00.

  2. Day 2: Saturday: Varvakios market, Pangrati lunch, Acropolis rooftop

    Morning
    Coffee at Little Tree Books and Coffee at 09:30. Walk Varvakios Central Market from 10:30 for the spice and olive stalls on Evripidou.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Karavitis Tavern in Pangrati from 14:00. Bekri meze, vine leaves and a carafe of the house red. Loukoumades at Krinos on Aiolou at 17:00.
    Evening
    Sunset cocktail at A for Athens rooftop above Monastiraki Square from 19:00. Dinner late at Atlantikos in Psyrri from 21:30.

Athens three days: the souvlaki and meze deep dive ★ 4.6

Returning visitor, three days3 days

Three days built around the souvlaki canon and the city's mezedopoleio culture, with stops at Mavro Provato, Ta Karamanlidika and the Pangrati neighbourhood lunches.

  1. Day 1: Monday: Kostas, the central market, Pangrati meze

    Morning
    Coffee at The Underdog in Thissio at 09:30. Walk Iraklidon to the ancient agora.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Kostas Souvlaki on Agia Irini Square at 13:30. Walk Varvakios Central Market at 15:00 for the fish, meat and spice halls.
    Evening
    Mezedopoleio dinner at Mavro Provato in Pangrati from 21:00. Saganaki, smoked aubergine and a carafe of house white.

  2. Day 2: Tuesday: Ariston breakfast, Karamanlidika lunch, Spondi dinner

    Morning
    Spanakopita at Ariston Pies on Voulis at 09:00. Coffee at Taf Coffee afterwards.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani on Sokratous from 14:00. Pastourma, sausages and a half-litre of the house white.
    Evening
    Michelin tasting dinner at Spondi in Pangrati at 21:00. The Discovery menu and the optional wine pairing.

  3. Day 3: Wednesday: Diporto lunch, Strange Brew, Petralona mageirio dinner

    Morning
    Loukoumades at Krinos on Aiolou at 11:00 for a late breakfast with a Greek coffee.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Diporto basement koutouki on Sokratous from 13:00. Revithia stew and a small glass of retsina from the barrel.
    Evening
    Craft beer at Strange Brew Taproom in Koukaki from 18:30. Dinner at Taverna tou Oikonomou in Ano Petralona from 20:30; point at the trays for the daily stew.

Athens with a family: pies, ice cream and a museum lunch ★ 4.4

Family with kids, two days2 days

A family-friendly food weekend built around the Acropolis Museum and Plaka, with pies at Ariston, loukoumades at Lukumades and a long lunch at Manimani.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: Acropolis Museum lunch, Plaka taverna, loukoumades

    Morning
    Spanakopita and tyropita at Ariston Pies on Voulis at 09:30 for a stand-up bakery breakfast.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Manimani in Koukaki near the Acropolis Museum at 13:30. Handmade Mani pasta with siglino and a chocolate dessert for the kids.
    Evening
    Family dinner at Taverna Platanos in Plaka under the plane tree from 19:30. Loukoumades at Lukumades on Agia Irini afterwards.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: brunch, Kolonaki cheese counter, Plaka dinner

    Morning
    Sunday brunch at Mama Roux on Aiolou at 11:00 for the multi-ethnic plate; book ahead.
    Afternoon
    Cheese-counter lunch at Kostarelos in Kolonaki at 13:30; the Sunday counter opens for the graviera and feta boards. Coffee at Little Tree Books and Coffee in Koukaki at 16:00.
    Evening
    Family dinner at Taverna Saita in Plaka from 19:30. Bakaliaros skordalia, lamb chops and the Byzantine-courtyard view.

Itineraries in Athens, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Athens?

Peak food season in Athens is year-round.

What time do people eat in Athens?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Athens?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Athens?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Athens rewards trust.

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