The Absolute best Souvlaki in Athens

Athens is also the arena’s best possible reasonable eats town due to the plethora of souvlaki retail outlets. No longer simply in vacationer spaces, those retail outlets are far and wide town.

Athens side road meals fanatics line up in any respect hours of the day and evening for souvlaki sandwiches full of grilled meats and contemporary greens. They in finding the most affordable souvlaki for less than 2€, with few costing us greater than 3€.

Learn our Athens meals information for the ones occasions that you just’re now not within the temper for souvlaki.

We arrived in Athens curious in regards to the town’s souvlaki scene. Having grown up with Greek diners in america, we had been accustomed to souvlaki however we had been curious to check out the Greek rapid meals favourite in its Greece place of origin.

Because it seems, we had just a little to be informed about souvlaki. Fortunately, we’re rapid beginners on the subject of just right meals.

For the uninitiated, the straightforward souvlaki definition is grilled meat on a skewer. The beef can range from red meat to pork to hen to lamb and will have to be grilled contemporary to reserve. And, since one souvlaki skewer isn’t sufficient, it’s necessary to grasp that the plural of souvlaki is souvlakia.

Although you’ll consume a souvlaki platter, Greeks in most cases consume souvlaki on a pita that’s full of the grilled meat in addition to tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce, chili pepper flakes and french fries. Sure, maximum side road souvlaki sandwiches in Athens come with french fries inside of the pita.

Carefully associated with souvlaki, gyros are pitas full of meat shaved off a spinning rotisserie wheel. Gyro pitas have the similar substances as souvlaki pitas. The important thing distinction between gyro and souvlaki is that the beef is shredded in Greek gyros versus the cubed meat utilized in souvlaki.

Apparently, folks in Athens come with kebabs and gyros after they check with souvlaki, as an alternative calling the skewers kalamaki. So… we’re opting to incorporate kebabs and gyros on this article. With meals commute, it’s key to consume like an area. And in Athens, the locals have a wide definition of souvlaki. On the finish of the day, this simply approach extra nice Greek side road meals for everyone.

With a month in Athens to consume Greek souvlaki, we had time to scour the traditional town to seek out the most productive souvlaki in Athens. We discovered our favorites the place we returned time and again in addition to others that didn’t make the reduce to be featured right here.

We by no means ate unhealthy souvlaki in Athens. That’s pronouncing so much making an allowance for how a lot of the Greek meals favourite that we ate in a month. Learn directly to discover our favourite souvlaki retail outlets for skewers, gyros and kebabs:

1. Lefteris O Politis (Λευτέρης Ο Πολίτης)

This straightforward stand within the blighted Satovriandou group serves just one form of sandwich however oh what a sandwich it’s. Small crowds accumulate because the workforce grills floor pork on skewers and stuffs the cooked meat into pitas in conjunction with tomatoes, onions, parsley and a liberal sprinkling of chili powder.

Professional Tip
Because the kebabs at Lefteris O Politis are at the smaller aspect, plan on ordering two… or possibly 3.

For those who’re searching for pork souvlaki in Athens, Lefteris O Politis will have to be your first prevent. In contrast to many retail outlets and eating places in Europe, the beef this is juicy with fats. That juiciness melds with the chili powder to create a robust taste punch in a compact package deal that price us simply €1.90 (roughly $2.25 USD) – worth topic to modify.

Mindi loved hers such a lot she began calling them “Crack Kebabs.” They’re that just right.

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Following our personal recommendation, Lefteris O Politis used to be our first souvlaki prevent once we returned to Athens. After one chunk, we remembered why this souvlaki store used to be and nonetheless is our pick out for the most productive souvlaki in Athens.

Lefteris O Politis is situated at Satovriandou 20, Athina 104 32, Greece.

Open since 1950, Kostas is an area Athens side road meals favourite and excessive at the listing of many hungry guests together with us. On the other hand, regardless of our just right intentions to check out the well-known souvlaki, Kostas wasn’t open the primary few occasions we visited.

Kostas closes after they promote out of product and may be closed on weekends and vacations. When open, traces of souvlaki fans spill out the door and onto Agia Irini sq., making the tiny stand laborious to pass over.

Kostas isn’t fancy and there’s slightly sufficient seating to house shoppers. Plus, the Greek souvlaki menu is restricted to 2 forms of meat – cubed red meat and pork patties.

It’s possible you’ll surprise why this joint is so in style in a town stuffed with souvlaki stands. A part of the solution is the custom that seeps from the grill and onto the pitas, however the principle reason why is also the Kostas souvlaki recipe which provides highly spiced tomato sauce to every souvlaki sandwich.

We heard that the recipe is a secret. As for the flavour – the name of the game is out.

Professional Tip
Jump over to Hoocut (see under) if Kostas is closed. It’s simply across the nook.

Kostas is situated at Pl. Agias Irinis 2, Athina 105 60, Greece.

While you bump into Thanasis you realize that you just’ve stumbled upon an establishment. Where is massive with its sprawling patio simply off Monastiraki Sq. and a big indoor eating space that reminded us of Katz’s deli in New York Town.

In the beginning look, we idea that Thanasis seemed like a vacationer entice. We had been mistaken! Regardless of the consistent crowds of visitors, Thanasis’ meals and repair are on level.

Thanasis has a complete menu past grilled red meat and hen souvlaki sandwiches. We couldn’t withstand ordering gyros throughout our first seek advice from when we noticed the workforce hand reducing meat from massive wheels. We beloved our gyros however used to be our love justified?

To make sure, we returned for a repeat efficiency. Yep – the Thanasis gyros had been simply as juicy as we remembered and had been seasoned to salty goodness. If now not the most productive gyros in Athens, they indisputably are a peak contender.

We additionally loved Thanasis’ horiatiki (Greek salad) and saganaki (fried cheese) starters throughout our visits.

Professional Tip
Don’t really feel obligated to reserve a large plate of meals at Thanasis Souvlaki. Although wraps aren’t outstanding at the menu, you’ll order gyros and souvlaki in pita with out all of the accouterments.

Thanasis Kebab Monastiraki is situated at Mitropoleos 69, Athina 105 55, Greece.

Elvis Presley used to be a fancy persona, however souvlaki store Elvis is ready as fundamental because it will get. Input the quirky Athens grill stand, with two places in Gazi and Pagrati, and also you’ll choose between 4 other skewers – hen, lamb kebab, cubed red meat stomach and red meat sausage.

The Athens model of Elvis takes souvlaki meat critically with probably the most juiciest, bite-snappingly just right red meat sausage served this aspect of Memphis. If that’s now not sufficient, the King serves a robust shot of raki to every buyer ordering a skewer as a welcoming gesture.

Professional Tip
Head to Elvis to fulfill your past due evening cravings. In contrast to the actual Elvis, this Elvis infrequently leaves the development.

Souvlaki skewers at Elvis are served with fries and a facet of bread. You’ll even order grilled pita on request for a small surcharge.

Experience your meal whilst glancing on the colourful inner that includes Greek Elvis memorabilia. Move forward and order two in the event you’re hungry – every skewer at Elvis price all of €1.70 on the time of our visits.

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Once we couldn’t lend a hand falling in love with Elvis’ souvlaki skewers, we glad our burning love two occasions throughout our go back seek advice from to Athens. What are we able to say apart from that they’re at all times on our thoughts.

Elvis has two places in Gazi and Pagrati. We’ve eaten at each and suggest whichever one is extra handy. They’re each nice.

We walked up a steep hill to upscale Kolonaki expressly to consume ‘meat on a stick’ choices like ribeye, hen, red meat, lamb and turkey at Kalamaki Kolonaki.

Since Athens’ maximum elegant group reminded us of New york’s tony Higher East Facet, we had been pleasantly shocked via the eating place’s at ease setting, out of doors seating and olive tree – to not point out a menu with a number of salad choices.

We give thumbs as much as each the ribeye skewer cooked medium uncommon to our specification and the well-seasoned red meat kebob that we ate throughout our lunch. Although we loved our loaded Cretian dako (rusk) salad, we skilled primary meals envy as we watched our dapper, suited neighbors dig into their colourful, hefty Greek salad.

Including salt to our jealous fireplace, our different neighbors, a trio of girls of a definite age, plowed into what appeared to be a dozen (or extra!) skewers as though there have been no the next day to come.

Professional Tip
In contrast to lots of the sit-down souvlaki eating places in Athens, Kalamaki Kolonaki does now not have a devoted web account. Plan on folks looking at throughout your meal as an alternative of browsing the web

Kalamaki Kolonaki is situated at Ploutarchou 32, Athina 106 75, Greece.

Although now not the most productive within the town, the next Athens souvlaki retail outlets are nicely value a seek advice from or two. Let’s face it, they’re nonetheless beautiful darn wonderful.

6. O Kostas (Ο Κώστας)

To not be puzzled with the extra well-known Kostas (above) on Agia Irini Sq., O Kostas is a superb selection for red meat souvlaki throughout an afternoon of traveling. The tiny storefront store serves straight-up souvlaki the similar approach they’ve been doing it since 1950.

Every pita comes full of meat, tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, parsley and a splash of chili. The inevitable line in most cases has a mixture of locals and vacationers, with many in line purchasing two souvlaki sandwiches for an inexpensive however filling lunch.

Professional Tip
Arrive early at this souvlaki area to keep away from sadness. Despite the fact that O Kostas formally closes at 3 pm, they prevent serving meals after they run out of meat. O Kostas actually ran out of souvlaki whilst we had been in line at 2 pm throughout our first seek advice from. We returned previous the following two visits with higher luck.

O Kostas is situated at Pentelis 5, Athina 105 57, Greece.

Kalamaki Bar is a contemporary eating choice close to the Acropolis with a pleasing choice of souvlaki kalamaki and Greek meals favorites, all made with in the neighborhood sourced merchandise. Throughout our lunch, we ate plenty of skewers with veal, lamb, red meat and hen.

We loved our meal – particularly the french fries and grilled halloumi. The heaping serving to of fries, served in an ice cream scooper, is also our favourite fried potatoes in all of Athens. The large chunks of halloumi superbly charred and served on skewers with inexperienced and crimson peppers had been similarly spectacular.

For those who’re staying within the Acropolis space, Kalamaki Bar is a forged selection for a leisurely Greek-style lunch, stand-alone dinner or a late-night snack after a large evening of partying.

Whether or not you order a dinner party of Greek dishes or simply lamb souvlaki with fries, you’ll feel free along with your meal.

Professional Tip
Order the enormous Dakos (rusk) crowned with tomato and feta in the event you’re feeling further hungry. It’s a ravishing dish.

Kalamaki Bar is situated at Dimitrakopoulou ke Drakou, Athina 117 42, Greece.

Proper close to Monastiraki Sq., Savvas is a multi-story souvlaki eating place the place diners can consume at the entrance sidewalk, within the eating place or at the roof. We selected to consume a kebab at a high-top desk simply outdoor the eating place since we had been in just a little of a hurry, even though the top seats are at the roof the place the Acropolis is in complete view.

Savvas assets its meat from its personal manufacturing unit. Although the eating place serves several types of souvlaki and different Greek meals favorites, kebab is the object to reserve right here – it’s the eating place’s forte. You’ll get it on a platter, in a pita or crowned with yogurt.

Professional Tip
You’ll fulfill your late-night and early-morning souvlaki cravings at Savvas. This Athens souvlaki store is open from 9 am to 4 am on a daily basis of the week.

Savvas is situated at Ermou 91, Athina 105 55, Greece.

Opened via 5 cooks in 2018, Hoocut is a long time more youthful than its Athens souvlaki friends. On the other hand, don’t bargain this souvlaki upstart simply off Agia Irini sq. the place the preferred side road meals is increased with contemporary substances and considerate preparation. At Hoocut, meat choices come with red meat, hen, pork, lamb and minced pork which can also be ordered with pita, in pita or over french fries.

For our meal, we opted to check out two of Hoocut’s ‘true pita’ sandwiches. Mindi ate the lamb model with tzatziki, highly spiced sauce, tomato and onion, while Daryl ate the meat model, which reminded him of a Philly cheesesteak, crowned with highly spiced sauce, tomato, yogurt and onion.

Professional Tip
Don’t be expecting french fries inside of your true pita sandwiches at Hoocut. (The cooks purposely go away them off.) You’ll wish to order a facet if you wish to have shoestring fried potatoes along with your sandwich.

Although Hoocut’s pita sandwiches had been smaller than many others we ate within the town, we each agreed that they had been scrumptious. On the other hand, we agreed to disagree as to which one used to be higher.

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There have been no disagreements once we returned to Hoocut throughout our moment travel to Athens. Handiest smiles. Loads of smiles.

Hoocut is situated at Pl. Agias Irinis 9, Athina 105 63, Greece.

This Souvlaki joint simply off Omonia Sq. is a good selection in the event you’re searching for a snappy reasonable sharable chunk and occur to be passing in the course of the group. €5 gets you a plate of 3 skewers of red meat grilled over charcoal with fries and a bottomless bowl of bread, a just right deal even for Athens.

You’ll most probably additionally revel in some a laugh native Athens characters milling across the sq. throughout your meal. Something about Athens – the locals are by no means afraid to speak. It’s now not unusual for a 30-second dialog to stretch into half-hour.

Professional Tip
Don’t be insulted via surly carrier at Souvlaki Leivadia. Throughout our meal, we had been berated for calling name skewers kalamaki – which is what they’re.

Souvlaki Leivadia is situated at Kaniggos 2, Athina 106 77, Greece.

Shhh. We’re about to let you know a filthy little secret…

Although some Athens gyros and souvlaki retail outlets are higher than others, they’re all awesome to retail outlets outdoor of Greece. While you consider it, this makes very best sense. Locals take their souvlaki very critically in Athens, so a nasty souvlaki store wouldn’t keep in industry for lengthy.

Along with consuming at Athens’ best possible and most renowned souvlaki retail outlets, we additionally adopted our noses into souvlaki retail outlets adjoining to the Central Marketplace and within the Pagrati group close to our condo. To our delightful marvel, we ate very good gyros and kebabs for particularly reasonable costs at each.

Professional Tip
Don’t be afraid to consume souvlaki off the map in Athens. For those who see locals consuming at a store, it’s most probably value a seek advice from. Plus, at underneath €3, it’s a low-risk proposition.

Community souvlaki retail outlets are situated far and wide Athens.

Additional Afield Souvlaki

We get it. You might be most probably visiting more than a few islands throughout your time in Greece. We did too – Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini.

For those who’re nervous about discovering just right Greek souvlaki outdoor of Athens, you’ll prevent being worried now. Souvlaki is to be had far and wide Greece. And, just like the group Athens souvlaki retail outlets, it’s higher than any souvlaki you’ll in finding outdoor of Greece.

For instance, we ate tasty gyros at Kalamaki Mykonos. Although proper within the center of the island’s vacationer heart, the souvlaki area served us massive, made-to-order gyros that didn’t damage our financial institution. As our YouTube fans already know, the server even danced with Daryl when he paid the take a look at on the finish of the meal.

Professional Tip
No longer certain the place to seek out the most productive souvlaki whilst you arrive at a brand new Greek town or island like Santorini? Ask locals for his or her favourite native souvlaki spots.

Athens Souvlaki Video

Watch our YouTube video to peer us consume on the ten best possible Athens souvlaki retail outlets so you’ll pick out your individual favourite.

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