The Revolution
A New Greek Cuisine
For decades, Greek cuisine was defined internationally by its most basic expressions — souvlaki, moussaka, Greek salad. These dishes are genuinely delicious, but they represent only a fraction of a culinary tradition of extraordinary depth and sophistication.
A new generation of Athenian chefs is changing that perception. Drawing on the full breadth of Greek ingredients — the olive oils of Crete and the Peloponnese, the cheeses of Epirus and Macedonia, the seafood of the Aegean, the wild herbs of the mountains — they are creating a cuisine that is unmistakably Greek and unmistakably contemporary.
Where to Eat
The Athens Dining Scene
The neighbourhoods of Kolonaki, Koukaki, and Monastiraki are the epicentres of the new Athens dining scene. But the city rewards exploration — some of the most interesting restaurants are in unexpected neighbourhoods, serving food that is both deeply rooted in Greek tradition and genuinely innovative.
The Central Market (Varvakios Agora) remains the heart of Athenian food culture — a magnificent covered market where butchers, fishmongers, and spice merchants have traded for generations.