Greece and delicious food are practically synonymous, so when my husband and I planned to go to Athens for the first time, we knew a food tour was essential. I love doing food tours in every new city I visit. They are great opportunities to engage with the local culture through vibrant flavors and dishes. I recommend a food tour in Athens for anyone who considers themselves a foodie and wants to taste authentic Greek dishes with a local guide. Below, I dive into the food tour my husband and I did and what I thought of each location and dish we tried. I hope this post helps you decide if this food tour in Athens is right for you!
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Greek Pies
In Athens, many small shops sell a vast assortment of Greek pies. The pies can have various fillings, from savory to sweet, so you can always pick the best pie for your pallet. Our guide first took us to a small, local shop where we tasted spinach, chicken, cheese, and sweet pie. The outer layers of the pie were thin and flakey, while the insides were rich. All the variations we tried were fantastic, but my husband and I loved the chicken pie the most.
Greek Coffee
After walking through a bustling meat and fish market, we were introduced to the brewing methods of traditional Greek coffee. Like Turkish coffee, Greek coffee is brewed in a small pot called a briki and heated in hot sand. Our guide took us to a cafe where you could watch the workers brew the coffee using this method and taste it for yourself. Watching the coffee bubble in the briki was so interesting, and the flavor was nice and strong.
Traditional Greek Restaurant
My favorite stop on the tour was at a local restaurant in the heart of Athens you’d undoubtedly look over as a tourist. The restaurant was a “no frills” place packed with people sharing small plates of food with their friends and family. We started the meal with a shot of Greek Ouzo, an aperitif similar to sambuca, before diving into an array of small, tapas-styled plates with our group. We tried baked feta, sardines, falafel, tzatziki, vegetables, pork, seafood, and chicken. It was all spectacular, but I especially loved the seasoned butterbeans, baked feta, and the lemon sardines.
Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting
After the small plates, we took a short walk to a hotel for an olive oil tasting. We learned about several varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and tasted them as well. When tasting the different oils side-by-side, it’s easy to spot the difference between the flavor profiles. This part of the tour gave me a new appreciation for oil and vinegar, and I ended up purchasing a bottle of the truffle-infused balsamic we tried.
Loukoumades
After tasting so many savory foods on the tour, it was time for something sweet! Loukoumades are essentially Greek donuts that are drizzled with honey or melted chocolate. Our guide took us to one of the most renowned places in Athens for Loukoumades, and we had the opportunity to try them with honey, chocolate, and white chocolate. The honey was my absolute favorite.
Gyros
If you didn’t stop for a gyro, can you say you went on a Greek food tour in Athens? The last stop of our tour was at a large, busy gyro restaurant. Here, each group member got to pick out their own gyro. I decided to try the falafel, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t say I liked it because it tasted bland and was served in a wrap instead of in a traditional pita. However, Ja ordered a beef gyro, and it was delicious. Overall, it was a great stop; I just want to warn you not to order the falafel – definitely opt for the meat!
Final Thoughts
This Athens food tour was a great way to get a little taste of various Greek specialties. Do this tour on the first evening of your visit so you can see what you might be interested in trying more of and what local restaurants the guide recommends. Our knowledgeable guide sent us a reference email with over 40 recommendations! Also, remember to arrive with an empty stomach because, after 4 hours of eating, you will feel the joy that comes with a soul nourished by Greek cuisine.
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