Souvlaki is by far Greece’s most popular and famous street food. And with so many souvlaki shops in Athens to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to our Top 10 Souvlaki spots for you to try on your next visit to the Greek Capital.
Hoocut
For the coolest souvlaki joint in Athens, head to Hoocut (created by five talented Greek chefs) it features a butchers counter, bakery, and grocer store on site. Everything here is made from scratch, including the pita bread and homemade fries; and you can watch the creative chefs in action as they cook your meat exactly the way you like it.
A: 9 Agia Eirini Square, Monastiraki
O Thanassis
By far one of the most well-known souvlaki stores in Athens, the family-run shop opened its doors in 1964 and is located in the heart of Monastiraki, at the bottom of Mitropoleos Street. Here you will find crowds of people waiting to try Thanassis’ famous pork, beef, or chicken souvlaki.
A: 69 Mitropoleos, Monastiraki
Lefteris O Politis
Located right behind Omonia Square, Lefteris o Politis opened back in 1951 and has been a local favourite ever since. Don’t expect to find a menu here, as there is only one souvlaki served- spicy meat made of beef (which originated in Constantinople) cooked on a traditional grill and served with tomato, onion, and parsley.
A: Satovriandou 20, Athina
Nomsy
A new stylish souvlaki restaurant that’s just opened up in the Athens Riviera neighbourhood of Glyfada. Nomsy serves traditional kebab, skewers, gyros dishes and they process all the meat themselves using their own recipes. Nomsy’s have unique Black Angus gyros and some international influences or fusions too.
A: Artemidos 3, Glyfada
O Kostas
By far the most popular souvlaki store amongst Athenians, Kostas’ has been serving its traditional souvlaki for over 70 years. Don’t expect anything fancy, here it’s all about quality and authenticity. The meat is cooked to perfection and served on pita bread with plain Greek yogurt (not tzatziki), tomatoes, and onion. Hands down one of the best souvlaki we’ve ever tasted.
A: 5 Pentelis, Syntagma
Achilleas
This traditional souvlaki and gyros shop located in the centre of Athens, at Exarcheia, is a great spot for a traditional souvlaki wrap on the run. Here you can choose from chicken, pork, kebab, or sausage.
A: Valtsetsiou 62, Athens
Kostas
Another local fave, Kostas (not O Kostas) always has queues of people waiting to grab a simple yet tasty pork kalamaki that is served with homemade fries, onion, tomato, and a rich and spicy homemade tomato sauce (their own secret recipe).
A: 2 Agia Eirinis, Monastiraki
Tsi Tsi
With three shops in Athens, one located on the main shopping strip of Glyfada, another in Agia Paraskevi and the third in Kifisia, Tsi Tsi serves traditional souvlaki made using high-quality meat. The modern eatery has indoor and outdoor seating, or you can order your souvlaki and take it away as you enjoy your day of shopping.
A: Leof. Dimarchou Aggelou Metaxa 50, Glyfada; Agia Paraskevi in Agio Ioannou 42; Kifisia Street Ilision 25
Kalamakia O Elvis
With one store in Kerameikos and another in Pangrati, Elvis’ offers great pork and chicken souvlaki. Open till late, it’s the ideal place to stop off in the early hours of the morning (after a big night out).
A: 29 Plateon, Kerameikos; 1 Archimidous, Pangrati
Kalamaki Bar
Located in Koukaki and only three blocks away from the famous Acropolis, this modern grill house serves good quality meat skewers using free-range chicken, lamb, or pork that can be served traditionally or for something different, combine it with Haloumi (cheese) or mushrooms.
A: Drakou 15, Koukaki
