Bairaktaris on Monastiraki Square in Athens runs until 02:00 every night, the long-running souvlaki counter that has fed the after-bar crowd since the late 19th century.
Must order: A pork souvlaki pita with extra tzatziki and a glass of the house retsina.
Tip: The pita window faces the square; the sit-down room behind is a separate bill and longer wait.
Address: Pl. Monastirakiou 5, 10555, Athina, Athens
Falafellas on Aiolou near Monastiraki in Athens runs the falafel pita counter until 23:30, the takeaway window built fresh with tahini, salad and chilli.
Try: Falafel pita with tahini and salad
Order: The classic falafel pita with extra tahini and a side of pickled chilli.
Tip: Queue runs longest at lunch; late-night orders move fast through the open kitchen.
Lukumades on Aiolou and Agia Irini Square in Athens runs the loukoumades counter until 23:00, the post-dinner doughnut destination with cream fillings and espresso.
Try: Loukoumades with honey or fillings
Order: The injected loukoumades with cream and a double espresso to go.
Tip: Queue runs longest on summer Friday and Saturday evenings; doughnuts are made to order.
Atlantikos in Psyrri Athens is the late-night seafood pick on Avliton 7, the small dining room and annex where the daily catch goes on grill until 01:00 every night.
Try: Grilled octopus and the daily catch
Order: The grilled octopus, sea bream carpaccio and a chilled assyrtiko by the glass.
Tip: The annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays; book the original room.
O Telis on Evripidou in central Athens grills pork chops over coals until 23:00, the king-of-Evripidou-Street counter with chips, salad, bread and the house red.
Try: Grilled pork chops with chips and salad
Order: The pork chops with chips, salad, bread and the carafe of the house red wine.
Tip: No menu; the order is pork chops with chips, salad, bread and red wine. Closed Sundays.
Falafellas on Aiolou near Monastiraki in Athens runs the falafel pita counter until 23:30, the takeaway window built fresh with tahini, salad and chilli.
Try: Falafel pita with tahini and salad
Order: The classic falafel pita with extra tahini and a side of pickled chilli.
Tip: Queue runs longest at lunch; late-night orders move fast through the open kitchen.
Klimataria on Theatre Square in Athens runs until past midnight every night, the Psyrri institution since 1927 where rebetiko plays live and the wine comes from the barrels.
Try: Slow-cooked lamb with house red from barrels
Order: Gigandes plaki, slow-cooked lamb and a half-kilo of the house red from the barrel.
Tip: Live music runs most evenings from around 22:00; book a fortnight ahead for the weekend seatings.
Lukumades on Aiolou and Agia Irini Square in Athens runs the loukoumades counter until 23:00, the post-dinner doughnut destination with cream fillings and espresso.
Try: Loukoumades with honey or fillings
Order: The injected loukoumades with cream and a double espresso to go.
Tip: Queue runs longest on summer Friday and Saturday evenings; doughnuts are made to order.
The Clumsies on Praxitelous in central Athens runs until 02:00 weeknights and 04:00 weekends, the World's 50 Best Bars regular for the after-dinner cocktail.
Try: Signature cocktails with bar snacks
Order: The bartender's signature pick with one of the bar snacks from the kitchen.
Tip: Late-night Friday and Saturday is queue-only; the back room takes bookings six weeks ahead.
