Taverna Platanos is a plaka taverna restaurant in Plaka, Athens.
Taverna Platanos under the plane tree on Diogenous has fed Plaka in Athens since 1932, a courtyard room where slow-cooked lamb in lemon sauce is the order.
Editorially verified May 20, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Lamb in lemon sauce, Stuffed cabbage rolls, Horiatiki
Must order: Lamb in lemon sauce, stuffed cabbage rolls and a glass of retsina under the plane tree.
Tip: The courtyard opens late spring; book ten days ahead for the Friday and Saturday warm-weather seatings.
Address: Diogenous 4, Plaka, Athens
Bairaktaris on Monastiraki Square is the tourist-targeted Athens institution. Priced at €€. Kitchen leans souvlaki and taverna. At Pl. Monastirakiou 5.
Signature: Souvlaki, Bifteki, Mousaka
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.
Etnico on Kolokotroni in Monastiraki Athens cooks multi-ethnic street food across Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern menus with sit-down tables and a counter.
Signature: Burritos, Indian samosas, Tabbouleh
Order: The chimichanga or the chicken tikka burrito with a glass of the house red.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs to 04:00 on weekends; the vegan list is the longest of the Monastiraki ethnic kitchens.
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 08:00-21:00 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.
