Bairaktaris on Monastiraki Square is the tourist-targeted Athens institution. The family has run the souvlaki and taverna room here since the late 19th century.
Signature dishes: Souvlaki, Bifteki, Mousaka
Must order: A pork souvlaki pita with extra tzatziki and a glass of the house retsina.
Tip: The square seating is the experience; the rooms behind serve a longer menu and live guitar music.
Address: Pl. Monastirakiou 5, 10555, Athina, Athens
Mama Roux on pedestrianised Aiolou is the long-running multi-ethnic Athens room near Monastiraki, an all-day brunch and dinner spot popular for the Sunday plate.
Signature: Sunday brunch plate, Pulled pork, Veggie burger
Order: The Sunday brunch plate or the pulled pork sandwich with a glass of the house red.
Tip: Brunch is bookings only on Saturday and Sunday; weekday dinners are walk-in friendly through 22:30.
Mama Roux on pedestrianised Aiolou is the long-running multi-ethnic Athens room near Monastiraki, an all-day brunch and dinner spot popular for the Sunday plate.
Signature: Sunday brunch plate, Pulled pork, Veggie burger
Order: The Sunday brunch plate or the pulled pork sandwich with a glass of the house red.
Tip: Brunch is bookings only on Saturday and Sunday; weekday dinners are walk-in friendly through 22:30.
Kostarelos on Patriarchou Ioakeim is the Kolonaki dine-in cheese deli of three generations of cheesemakers, with 14 cheeses, sandwiches and a short wine list.
Signature: Feta board, Cheese sandwiches, Greek salad
Order: The feta-and-graviera board with a glass of the house assyrtiko.
Tip: Lunch on the pavement bench faces Kolonaki Square; deli counter open until 22:00 Mon-Sat.
Mavro Provato in Pangrati is the daily Athens mezedopoleio favourite for small-plate Greek cooking with regulars on the pavement from 14:00.
Signature: Saganaki, Smoked aubergine, Pork tenderloin with prunes
Order: The smoked aubergine, the saganaki and a half-litre carafe of house white.
Tip: Book three days ahead for dinner; lunch tables on the pavement are walk-up only from 14:00 onwards.
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani on Sokratous is the Athens deli-mezedopoleio for Asia Minor cured meats: Karamanli pastourma, sausages and small plates.
Signature: Karamanli pastourma, Cappadocian sausage, Cured-meat platter
Order: The Karamanli pastourma board with sheep cheese and a carafe of tsipouro.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The deli counter runs 08:00 to 21:00 if you want to take meats home with you.
Atlantikos in Psyrri is the central Athens seafood pick: Avliton 7 fires the daily catch on the grill from lunch through to past midnight every day.
Signature: Grilled octopus, Sea bream carpaccio, Fried calamari
Order: The grilled octopus, the sea bream carpaccio and a chilled assyrtiko by the glass.
Tip: The annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays and 13:00 weekends; book the original room.
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas on Mitropoleos has cooked Greek small plates with seasonal ingredients off Syntagma Square in Athens for three decades.
Signature: Keftedakia, Kayianas allios, Greek salad
Order: The keftedakia and the kayianas allios with a glass of the house assyrtiko.
Tip: Lunch from 13:00 is the easier seating; book three days ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
