In the 1990s, Athens sustained itself on two reliable street‑side constants: souvlaki skewers and sesame‑crusted koulouri. Today, the city tells a different story. A steady influx of new cultures, matched by a distinctly Greek entrepreneurial instinct, has turned its sidewalks into something closer to an open‑air tasting menu.
You might start with a Saigon‑style banh mi, pass a stall stretching Anatolian gözleme, then stop for Roman pizza al taglio or a taco bright with Baja heat. The cooks behind these counters aren’t chasing trends. They work from memory, market produce, and technique – small, personal details that give even the quickest bite a sense of intention.
This is our tried and tested address book of Athens’s most compelling handheld food, which we make sure is regularly updated. We’ve largely left out the city’s classic souvlaki, pizza, and burger institutions – they deserve a guide of their own – and focused instead on the places that add surprise to an afternoon of wandering. Most sit within the historic center, neatly positioned between ruins and galleries. Walk, taste, repeat.
01
Ringo Kalamaki Pub
#modernsouvlaki #boldflavors #latenightenergy
Newly opened and already widely talked about, Ringo Kalamaki Pub is an edgy, music-infused hangout serving standout street food with real heart. The lamb kebab is smoky, spiced, unforgettable. Pork skewers are citrusy and melt-in-your-mouth, while the marinated chicken is juicy with charred edges and bold flavor. Liver skewers? Rare to find elsewhere and surprisingly tender and bold. Don’t miss the old-school wraps – juicy meat, no fluff. And the meatballs drizzled with chipotle and roasted tomato sauce and amazingly crisp, round, hand-cut fries? Feel-good perfection. And then there are the dips and sides you won’t find at other souvlaki place. This place hits real different.
Protogenous 8, Psirri
02
Guarantee
#classicsandwiches #customizable #budgetfriendly
Guarantee, a renowned sandwich shop in Athens, has been making queu-worthy sandwiches since 1988. Located in Koukaki, near the Syngrou Fix metro, this venue prides itself on constant improvement and high-quality ingredients. Known for its highly diverse selection of breads and eclectic fillings, it allows customers to create their dream sandwich or helps them along the way. Over the years, their menu has expanded to include nourishing salads and juices made from fresh fruit and vegetables, maintaining their commitment to unbeatable quality at affordable prices.
Veikou 41, Koukaki
03
Ekiben Kitchen
#japanesestreetfood #robatagrill #naturalwines
Ekiben Kitchen, under the visionary leadership of Chef Ari Vezené, brings the essence of Japan’s bento culture to Athens. This gastropub offers something new to Athens – an adventurous culinary experience with a menu celebrating traditional Japanese flavors with creative twists. Highlights include the kuruma shrimp sando, pork katsu don, and ondori ramen, with the standout Smash Burger drawing special attention. The intimate, Tokyo-inspired interior and outdoor seating provide the perfect ambiance for enjoying yakitori fresh off the robata grill, complemented by a curated selection of natural wines. Guests can also purchase ingredients from the market to recreate these flavors at home. Ekiben Kitchen has recently got a twin, which opened in late 2025 in Glyfada.
Skoufou 15, Syntagma
04
Street Wok
#asianstirfry #buildyourown #quickeats
This popular stop is an easy and delicious alternative to the usual Asian street food options and specializes in Asian stir-fry. It stands out with an innovative three-step menu, where customers get to pick their ingredients, including a choice of noodles or rice, a variety of vegetables, seafood or meats, and a selection of sauces, leading to a personalized meal cooked right in front of them. The concept emphasizes fresh, healthy ingredients and speedy preparation, offering a unique, customizable dining experience. Street Wok has multiple locations across Athens, including Aiolou and Syntagma, making it a convenient option for those looking to enjoy a quick and delicious Asian meal.
Aiolou 21, Monastiraki
05
Vietnam Street Food
#phobanhmi #southeastasian #casual
Whether it’s a spicy Pho (meat or vegetarian), Car Sui, fried noodle dishes with a variety of ingredients or stir-fried rice dishes, steamed or pan-sizzled dumplings or fresh or fried spring rolls that your mouth is watering for, this cheap, cheerful and authentic enough Vietnamese place delivers full Southeast Asian flavors on the hoof in the heart of Athens.
Perikleous 56, Syntagma
06
Thess Bao
#baobuns #creativefillings #sweetsavory
At Thess Bao in Syntagma, the daily-made bao buns stand out for their fluffy freshness and creative fillings, with a menu featuring popular choices like pulled beef bao with oyster sauce, fresh vegetables, cilantro yoghurt, and shimeji mushroom pickles or the BBQ pancetta bao with kimchi cucumber and smoked black garlic mayo. They also serve unique bao burgers and vegan options like mushroom gyro bao with avocado tzatziki. For dessert, their fried bao-bougatsa with cream and cinnamon is a must-try, blending traditional Greek flavors with creative twist.
Perikleous 30-32, Syntagma
07
Falafellas
#falafelwraps #middleeastern #vegetarianfriendly
Falafellas stands out for its sought-after falafel wraps. It is known for its delicious, high-quality sandwiches, with falafels served in either small and large pita wraps and enhanced with a variety of ingredients like minty yoghurt, tahini, pickled aubergine, crisp cucumber, chilli sauce, and hummus. This popular spot often sees long queues, a testament to its rewarding offerings.
Aiolou 51, Agia Irinis Sq, Monastiraki
08
Poncho Tacos
#mexicantacos #handmadetortillas #boldspice
Alfonso Alvarez, affectionately known as Poncho, runs this small and vibrant taco spot near Syntagma. The menu offers three kinds of tacos and quesadillas. Each day, Poncho and his team prepare fresh masa de mais taco dough, which is then topped with choices like mushroom, pork gyro, or chicken, and garnished with cheese, spring onion, pineapple, and coriander. For added zest, lime wedges and a selection of sauces, including salsa verde, chipotle, and habanero, are available. They also serve unique homemade beverages like agua de Jamaica and agua de tamarindo, tequila-based cocktails and craft beers.
Karytsi Sq 10, Syntagma
09
El Burro
#mexicanclassics #frozenmargaritas #casualdining
El Burro, in Koukaki, is a must-visit place for Mexican food lovers. This restaurant charms with its quirky décor, blending a canteen’s appeal with 90s nostalgia, with neon rainbows and bright, colourful details. Its menu, rich in fresh, quality ingredients, includes favourites like tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, guacamole, alongside unique dishes such as Carne Tirada con Pina and Pollo Asado. The bright atmosphere is enhanced by their signature frozen margarita.
Dimitrakopoulou 102, Koukaki
10
I Volvi
#marketsouvlaki #meatballs #oldschool
Located at the entrance of the Varvakeio Meat Market on Athinas in Psyrri, Volvi is a compact eatery, occupying just two-by-two metres, yet it’s a hub of culinary enjoyment. Specialising in a limited yet memorable menu, they serve pork souvlaki skewers and soutzoukakia, which are meatballs baked in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. Freshness is key here, as the meat is sourced daily from nearby butchers. Customers relish the tender pork skewers, served either in a pita wrap or as a main dish with tomato, onion, chilli flakes and mustard.
Evripidou 24, Psirri
11
Hoocut
#elevatedsouvlaki #premiummeats #modernsetting
This modern souvlaki joint, a creation of the team behind the chic Cookoovaya restaurant, offers a refined twist on classic street food. Located in Monastiraki in a spacious setting with high ceilings, it has four areas: a bakery, a fresh produce section, a butcher’s counter, and a grill station. At its heart lies a large marble bench where cooks in aprons meticulously prepare ingredients. The menu includes four types of premium meat – pork, beef, chicken, and ewe – presented in three styles: wrapped in small pitas, atop pitta bread, or served over thin, crispy, hand-cut fries. For those preferring vegetarian options, the eatery offers calamari or dolmadaki (stuffed vine leaves) in pita, alongside salads and aubergine dip.
Ag. Irinis Sq 9, Monastiraki
12
Galiantra
#foodtruck #creativecomfortfood #veganoptions
Galiantra, a unique food truck behind a 1920s mansion on Metaxourgeio’s Avdi Square, sells a fusion of traditional and modern street food in a carefree setting that echoes a Greek summer vibe, with a white gravel floor, colourful tin barrels as seating, young bitter-orange trees, fairy lights and flags. The truck prides itself on its homemade offerings, from sauces to bread rolls. Their grilled meatballs and fries are menu highlights, alongside inventive vegan choices like sloppy joes with braised soy mince and mushroom gyro souvlaki. Patrons are encouraged to pair their meals with a popular and refreshing frozen margarita.
Iatraki 4, Avdi Sq, Metaxourgio
13
Curry Express
#indianwraps #quickservice #heartyflavors
Managed by the same team as the Indian Chef restaurant on Syggrou Ave, this fast-food Indian outlet in Syntagma offers a pleasingly rich menu. Among their specialties are savoury Indian souvlaki-style wraps, with options like a Chicken Korma and tandoori filling. The menu also boasts a variety of dishes including delicious basmati rice bowls, a selection of chicken and vegetable dishes cooked in different styles and numerous vegetarian options. For a refreshing drink, try the Iassi, a traditional Indian yoghurt drink available plain or flavored with mango.
Kolokotroni 37, Syntagma
14
Naan Stop
#indiancomfortfood #traditionalrecipes #vegetarianfriendly
At Naan Stop in Ambelokipi, the chef’s mission is to authentically present traditional Indian cuisine in Europe. The restaurant serves fresh, spicy, and delicious dishes with a menu that keeps evolving. Choose from a selection of Indian classics and regional specialties passed down through generations, as well as plenty of vegetarian options. Notable dishes include the Makhni Curry with tomato butter cream sauce and the vegetarian Tadka Daal with creamy yellow lentils. Complement your meal with a Lassi, available in mango, strawberry, or classic sweet or salted flavors.
Leof. Alexandras 223, Ambelokipi
15
Granello
#sourdoughpizza #woodfired #modernitalian
Granello, in Monastiraki, aims to redefine Neapolitan pizza with its unique sourdough base, fermented for 48 hours for a distinctive taste. Set in a revamped 1865 brick building, this pizzeria features an impressive wood-fired oven from Naples and a stylish, somewhat futuristic interior. Their menu includes a variety of pizzas, including seasonal specialties and a standout carbonara pizza with parmesan cream and mozzarella. To drink, try a wine from their quality menu or a craft beer.
Perikleos 18, Monastiraki
16
Kalinka Malinka
#piroshki #russianflavors #sweetandsavory
Piroski from paradise can be found in Exarcheia, in this place loved for its Russian flavours. The piroski here range from fried varieties with meat or potatoes and mushrooms to lighter, baked versions, all with a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. In summer, try their diet-friendly piroski made from wholemeal flour with a mizithra filling. Complementing their savoury dishes are sweet berry-filled piroski and refreshing granitas.
Solonos 81, Exarchia
17
Cantina Mavili
#hotdogs #latenightclassic #indulgent
This is one of the city’s most beloved ‘vromiko’ (‘dirty’, the classic term Greeks use for street-food) hot dog and sandwich spots in the city. Located at the back of Mavili Square, for decades it has catered to Athens’ boozy night owls streaming from the surrounding bars since 1989. Its chicken nuggets literally covered in mayo sauce and its large hot dogs with fluffy buns, are best enjoyed loaded with coleslaw, pickled carrots, onions, and a variety of oozy sauces. Top it off with several dashes of dash of Tabasco.
Dim. Soutsou 3, Mavili Sq
18
Feyrouz
#levantinestreetfood #artisanal #familyrun
Located near Plaka and opened in 2014 by a five-member family, this place artfully merges Balkan and Levantine cuisine. With its innovative menu, it blends Eastern and Western culinary styles, featuring lahmacun, peinirli, wraps, soups, beef pies, and several vegetarian options. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the fresh, artisanal dishes that elevate traditional street food to new heights, will have you going back for more.
Karori 23, Plaka
19
Amandine’s Bagels
#handmadebagels #breakfastlunch #gourmetfillings
Amandine’s Bagels in Syntagma, is beloved especially for its diverse and delectable range of homemade bagels made with Greek flour and a French passion for food. Their speciality lies in the unique handmade sauces and varied fillings available – from goat cheese and prosciutto to jamón and cockerel, along with fresh vegetables and pickles. Customers can also buy plain bagels, cookies, eclairs, soups and other treats to enjoy at home. Whether for a quick lunch or a leisurely breakfast with coffee and a satisfying bagel, Amandine’s caters to all tastes.
Nikis 13, Syntagma
20
Hayat
#kurdishcuisine #kebabsandlahmajoun #openkitchen
Located in Exarchia, Hayat offers a genuine Kurdish culinary experience. The open kitchen showcases the creation of every dish, from toasted buns to handmade boat-shaped pineirli topped with aromatic kebabs. Try the spicy Adana kebabs, the robust eggplant salad with chunky garlic and Peinirli with egg. Diners can also savour the wafer-thin lahmajoun, the light pastourmas cake and the mercimek kofte. Hayat’s warm, unpretentious ambience complements its unforgettable, authentic Eastern flavors.
Ippokratous 78, Exarchia
21
Cocona
#greekpies #asiaminorrecipes #artisanal
Cocona, a quiet corner on a buzzy pedestrian road in Kolonaki, sells a mouthwatering array of traditional Greek pies with an Asia Minor influence. The secret to Cocona’s unparalleled taste lies in the quality of the ingredients used; the vegetables and herbs are always fresh, and they exclusively use fine extra virgin olive oil in all their preparations. The menu includes tray-baked options like the spinach and feta cheese pie, mushroom, chicken, and herb-rich greens pie. Apart from the presence of its welcoming and effervescent owner Ioanna, the most special feature is the Mikrasiatiko Gkiouzleme, a thin, curved metal-baked pastry rolled out daily using a traditional rolling pin and filled with choices fresh mushrooms, spinach with herbs, pastourma & kasseri cheese.
Milioni 10, Kolonaki
22
LaCantina
#ethnicstreetfood #creativewraps #comfortingsoups
Lacantina, a quaint eatery established in 2016 in Exarcheia, is more than meets the eye. Inspired by his travels in Asia and Europe, its owner created a canteen that doubles as a compact restaurant. Specializing in ethnic street food, it offers a culinary journey from Lebanon to India. Highlights include uniquely prepared falafel with fava beans, as made in Egypt, and unconventional salads like that with mung beans with goat cheese and balsamic dressing. The bestseller, the Chicken Curry Wrap, is a must-try, with chicken cooked in coconut milk with mushrooms and peppers. Also, the daily selection of seven velvety soups, ranging from classic celery root to chestnut soup with cognac, offer feel-good warmth on a cold day.
Zodochou Pigis 24, Exarchia
23
Borghese
#serioussandwiches #generousfills #balancedflavors
A serious sandwich address in Pangrati, with a loyal following that happily queues for its generously filled breads. The menu is broad, but the combinations show real taste and finesse: omelette with chorizo, arugula, buffalo mozzarella, and herb oil; chicken salad with curry and iceberg; truffled turkey with buffalo mozzarella, mixed leaves, and aromatic mayo; and an excellent finocchiona sandwich with ricotta, mixed greens, pickled onion, and figs. Big, balanced, and consistently satisfying.
Archelaou 19, Pangrati
24
Caprus
#housemadeeverything #sourdoughbread #craftcoldcuts
This sandwich shop does everything from scratch, and it shows. Michalis Vrachliotis bakes the sourdough focaccia and soft loaves daily, prepares every sauce in-house, smokes his own cold cuts, and slow-cooks the meats. Standouts include ewe’s milk prosciutto with San Michali cheese and fig jam, pork coppa with cream cheese and sun-dried tomato, and rosemary-stuffed pancetta with parmesan, garlic, arugula, caramelised onion, and truffle mayo. Precise, rich, and deeply personal.
Spetson 49 & Paxon, Kypseli
25
Slum It
#heartycomfort #boldsandwiches #easygoing
Bright, relaxed, and reliably tasty, this spot has become known for sandwiches and other street food delights that cover a wide spectrum of cravings. For bold flavours, there’s sourdough filled with handmade village sausage, sautéed peppers, crunchy cabbage, pickled onion, and pepper chutney. For comfort, brioche cradles slow-cooked beef in dark beer sauce with coleslaw, pickles, and crisp onion rings. Hearty, thoughtful, and easy to return to.
Vryoulon 15, Nea Filadelfeia
26
Po’ Boys
#southernbbq #slowcookedmeats #oversizedsandwiches
Born from chef Vasilis Sporos’s deep dive into authentic Southern barbecue, this Psyrri project treats low-and-slow cooking as craft rather than trend. The smoked meats shine on their own, but the oversized sandwiches are where everything comes together. The pulled pork Po’ Boy pairs smoky shoulder with dijonnaise, bourbon glaze, iceberg, tomato, and sweet-sour pickle. The shrimp roll brings sautéed shrimp, garlic butter, cheddar, herbs, lime, and cream into a soft lobster-roll bun.
Agatharchou 12, Psirri
27
Dealers Real Streetfood
loadedhotdogs #indulgent #messyfun
Queues form early and move slowly here, which tells you most of what you need to know. Dealers specialises in oversized hot dogs and loaded sandwiches that lean unapologetically indulgent. The La Bombonera is the one to order: grilled sausages in handmade bread with ketchup, mustard, tomato, onion, mayo sauce, fries, and two fried eggs. Loud, messy, and fully committed.
Taxiarchon 18, Korydallos
28
Billy’s Sandwich
#latenightclassic #bigportions #grilledsandwiches
A late-night institution, Billy’s caters to serious hunger with generously filled, grill-marked breads. Options range from pork or chicken skewers and village sausage to breaded chicken, burgers, and vegetarian choices. Portions are unapologetically large, prices remain approachable, and the goal is clear: leave full and satisfied.
Thivon 470, Ilion
29
4Stoicheia
#smashburgers #craftbeer #hiphopvibes
Opened in mid-January 2025 at the start of Mesolongiou Street, this Exarchia spot blends hip-hop soundtracks with carefully built burgers and sandwiches. Everything is prepared directly at the bar, in full view, following a smash-burger philosophy that’s currently at its peak in Athens. Craft beers from small breweries complete the picture, making this a compact, energetic stop that feels current without trying too hard.
Mesolongiou 1, Exarchia
30
Nosh
#luxurystreetfood #lobsterrolls #elevatedcomfort
Nosh rhymes with…posh. Kolonaki’s newest sandwich arrival debuted in December 2024 and quickly made its case with elevated luxury street-food execution. Lobster rolls anchor the menu, offered either Maine-style with mayo and lime or the house version with hollandaise and chives. Adding Imperia caviar is optional but encouraged. The brioche deserves special mention, one of the best versions currently in Athens, soft yet structured enough to carry the filling without distraction.
Kapsali 5, Kolonaki
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