A Day in Athens: My Hometown Guide for First-Time Visitors
Through the Lens of My Athens Foodie Tour
Athens isn’t just where I grew up—it’s where I learned that food tells the best stories. When I take guests on my Athens Foodie Tour, I don’t just show them what to eat. I share the places that shaped me, the markets that raised me, and the flavors that I still crave every time I come home.
If you’re visiting Athens for the first time, come hungry. Here’s how I’d spend the perfect food-filled day:
👉 Check out my Athens Foodie Map here
🥧 Stop 1: Bougatsadiko Psiri — Bougatsa for Breakfast
We start with something sweet (or savory, depending on your mood): bougatsa. This phyllo pie can be filled with custard, cheese, or minced meat, but my go-to is the custard version, dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It’s flaky, creamy, and the perfect way to kick off a day of eating like an Athenian.
🥯 Stop 2: Koulouradiko Psiri — The Sesame Bread Ring
Next up is the humble but iconic koulouri. You’ll see vendors selling them on almost every street corner, but at Koulouradiko you’ll find the real deal: fresh, warm, and perfectly crunchy on the outside with just enough chew inside. It’s a snack that has fueled Athenians for generations.
🥓 Stop 3: Miran — Soutzouk, Pastourma & Cheese Heaven
Now we head into old-school territory. Miran has been around since 1922, serving up cured meats like soutzouk (a spicy sausage) and pastourma, along with an incredible selection of cheeses. The aroma hits you the moment you walk in—spices, smoke, and history all packed into one shop. It’s a little taste of Asia Minor right in the heart of Athens.
GK explaining the different selection of cured meats and cheeses.
🧄 Stop 4: Varvakios Central Market & Evripidou Street Spice Shops
This is where the tour gets interactive. At the Varvakios Central Market, you feel the pulse of Athens: fishmongers shouting, butchers working lamb carcasses, and produce stalls piled high with seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Then just around the corner is Evripidou Street, lined with spice shops that smell like an open pantry. You’ll find oregano, mountain tea, saffron, cinnamon sticks, and every spice Athenians have been cooking with for centuries.
This stop is also about storytelling—I like to remind guests that for many families, coming to central Athens was their big monthly trip. If your local village had a post office, you were lucky. The city market was where people came for everything.
🥙 Stop 5: Souvlaki at Tylixto or Kebab at Thanasis
By now, it’s time for something hot off the grill. You can’t leave Athens without eating souvlaki or kebab, and these two spots are my go-tos.
At Tylixto, grab a classic souvlaki wrapped in pita with tomato, onion, fries, and tzatziki.
Or head to Thanasis for their famous kebab—juicy, spiced just right, and served with warm pita.
Either way, you’ll understand why this is the ultimate comfort food of Athens.
🍯 Stop 6: Loukoumades — A Sweet Finish
Finally, dessert. Loukoumades are Greek honey donuts—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and usually drizzled with honey and walnuts. That’s the traditional way. But me? I go for the version topped with pistachio praline sauce and crushed pistachios. It’s indulgent, modern, and the perfect end to a food lover’s walk through Athens.
GK handing out Loukoumades
📍 Explore It All on My Map
I’ve pinned all of these stops, plus a few extras, on a map you can use when you’re in Athens:
👉 GK Eats Athens Foodie Tour Map
Athens is chaotic, delicious, and unforgettable—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you only have one day here, spend it eating like a local. You’ll leave not just full, but connected to the soul of the city.
With love (and plenty of loukoumades),
GK
GK FOOD TOURS, Athens 2024 Felloship Vacations
