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Ah, souvlaki. Feasting on mouthwatering skewers of marinated grilled meat is a Greek pastime at this level. For these unfamiliar with souvlaki, which interprets to ‘spit’ or ‘skewer,’ it’s been part of Greek delicacies on islands like Santorini and Crete in some kind for the reason that seventeenth century BC.
I’m usually requested on my Athens meals excursions the place to seek out the very best souvlaki in Athens; actually, it’s fairly a tough query to reply! The town is populated with some unbelievable souvlaki locations, however once I replicate on my journeys right here, I’ve observed a couple of spots that at all times spring to thoughts.
Look no additional than these pleasant eateries for the tastiest souvlaki in Athens, Greece.
Aspro Alogo – Conventional Greek Meals
Aspro Alogo is positioned near Plaka, and it’s the form of place that hasn’t misplaced an oz. of its appeal regardless of how fashionable Athens has develop into.
This cozy Athenian taverna is crammed with rustic mismatched tables and chairs that spill out on the patio from the quiet indoor space.
The workforce right here serves up a number of the greatest meals for those who’re craving conventional Greek flavors. They whip some very good Greek salads, grilled aubergine, and meatballs, however their pork and rooster souvlaki plate is the shining star of the menu.
This combined meat providing got here with crunchy cucumbers and candy tomatoes, each of which contrasted the strong flavors of the spicy marinade. I completely loved the pork and the rooster skewer, however the deep, savory notes from the pork received me over.
Aspro Alogo – Conventional Greek Meals (€6-€9.50 / $6.50-$10.30) – Apollonos, Athina 105 57, Greece – Open day by day from 9:00 am to five:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.
O Thanasis
Photograph credit score: O Thanasis
I got here throughout O Thanasis in Monastiraki a few years again after strolling down from the Acropolis, solely to be taught that it’s identified for crafting a number of the greatest souvlaki in Athens! Though I solely heard about this afterward, I can completely see why it’s such an esteemed spot.
An old-school taverna, O Thanasis has all of the elements of a homely Greek eatery: welcoming workers, checkered tablecloths, and easy picket decor.
As a result of I needed one thing fast, I used to be initially planning on grabbing some gyros to-go, however I had a change of coronary heart once I noticed the veal souvlaki plate on the menu.
Like a traditional souvlaki plate, the meat got here with some chewy pita, salted fries, and contemporary salad, however the veal took this dish up a notch. The delicate however mildly beefy flavors labored amazingly properly with the straightforward mixture of herbs and spices; each chew was simply so good.
O Thanasis (€9.40-€11.50 ~ $10.20-$12.40) – Mitropoleos 69, Athina 105 55, Greece – Open day by day from 10:00 am to 2:00 am.
Lefteris O Politis
Photograph credit score: Lefteris O Politis
Lefteris O Politis has been serving up the residents of Omonia with high quality Greek souvlaki since 1951 and is displaying no indicators of slowing down.
It’s a modest kebab store with a bunch of standing tables exterior, and chowing down on some souvlaki at considered one of them is as native of an expertise as you will get!
There was meatball-style souvlaki right here, and I hadn’t seen this dish made with minced meat in lots of different locations, which made me much more desperate to attempt it.
I wasn’t positive what to anticipate, however the beef’s wealthy, grassy flavors had been wonderful, and the workers even cooked the pita in these mouthwatering juices. The veggies had been additionally distinctive, particularly the fruity peppers and aromatic purple onions.
Lefteris O Politis (€2.30-€8 ~ $2.50-$8.60) – Satovriandou 20, Athina 104 32, Greece – Open each Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am to five:30 pm, closed each Sunday.
Elvis
If I’m being utterly upfront, as quickly as I heard this place was referred to as ‘Elvis,’ I used to be eager to see what it was like! It’s only a stone’s throw from the Panathenaic Stadium, so I needed to swing by on my method there.
Elvis is a former butcher store turned quick meals spot. Whereas this pint-sized eatery does have various posters and photographs devoted to The King, it’s a lot greater than its quirky decor.
Some drool-worthy souvlaki choices had been on the menu, and I used to be struggling to determine between the sausage, pork stomach, and rooster thigh. The pork stomach wasn’t one thing I’d had in souvlaki kind, so it felt like the correct selection.
I am keen on the combo of tender meat and crispy pores and skin that pork stomach provides, and on this case, every of these layers was teamed with mild paprika seasoning. Had these skewers not been so indulgent and filling, I’d simply have ordered a number of extra.
Elvis (€2.20-€8 ~ $2.40-$8.60) – Archimidous 1-5, Athina 116 35, Greece – Open day by day from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am.
Meat the Greek
Photograph credit score: Meat the Greek
There are a few spots within the Syntagma Sq. space which have some fairly stellar souvlaki, however in my expertise, Meat the Greek will at all times come out on prime.
A informal however fashionable hole-in-the-wall, Meat the Greek has a number of the greatest souvlaki in Athens. My solely remorse is that I want I’d discovered about this place sooner!
I used to be just a little disillusioned at first, as they’d run out of their well-known pork souvlaki by the point I arrived. Due to this, I went for his or her rooster model as a substitute, which turned out to be unimaginable and remarkably underrated.
Every chunk was completely succulent and juicy. Better of all, the gentle flavors of the meat allowed the hints of spicy mustard, sharp lemon, and earthy parsley from the marinade to actually come by.
Meat the Greek (€2.50-€12 ~ $2.70-$13) – Fokionos 2-4, Athina 105 63, Greece – Open each Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed each Sunday.
Conclusion
Whereas there are lots extra souvlaki outlets I’m eager to attempt, I usually discover myself drawn again to those no-frills tavernas and quick meals joints. If it’s your first time dabbling within the Greek road meals scene, there’s no higher place to start out than with a number of the greatest souvlaki in Athens!
Sources:
Aspro Alogo – Conventional Greek Meals. (n.d.). Aspro Alogo – Apollonos, Athina 105 57, Greece. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d1227879-Opinions-Aspro_Alogo-Athens_Attica.html
Lefteris O Politis. (n.d.). Lefteris O Politis – Satovriandou 20, Athina 104 32, Greece. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d6731564-Opinions-Lefteris_o_Politis-Athens_Attica.html
Elvis. (n.d.). Elvis – Archimidous 1-5, Athina 116 35, Greece. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189400-d1227879-Opinions-Elvis-Athens_Attica.html
Meat the Greek. (n.d.). Meat the Greek – Fokionos 2-4, Athina 105 63, Greece. Retrieved from http://meatthegreek.gr/en/%CEpercentB1percentCFpercent81percentCFpercent87percentCEpercentB9percentCEpercentBApercentCEpercentB7-english/
