The best “hidden” traditional taverns in the southern suburbs of Athens

The most up-to-date guide with the best taverns in the southern suburbs of Athens, where you can find quality Greek cuisine, fresh fish and well-cooked meat.

• 29/01/2022
• Author: NouPou.gr

The Greek cuisine at its best with delicious homemade food, meat “cooked-to-order” and fresh fish and seafood: After countless tastings, we created a list with all the taverns in the southern suburbs of Athens that have preserved their original character and are truly worth going out of the usual tourist ways to discover.

Taverns for meat:

Myrtia, Nea Smyrni

The “Myrtia” family tavern, with its covered courtyard and rustic interior, serves simple but delicious dishes. They specialize in juicy grilled meat cooked-to-order, such as steaks, burgers, sausages and of course ribs, which tend to steal the show as they are presented forming a mountain. Served with coarsely chopped, well-fried potatoes on the side. Paired excellently with saganaki (fried cheese), homemade tzatziki and fried aubergines. In general, portions are quite large, but make sure to reserve some space in your stomach for the final treat, loukoumades (fried dough) with honey and cinnamon, but also chocolate.

Myrtia: 55 Aidiniou St., Nea Smyrni, tel. 210 9370708

Babis, Palaio Faliro

In Palaio Faliro, Babis has been a destination for foodies for many decades; the tavern is famous for its juicy burgers, prepared with the same recipe since 1967. In addition, its regular customers show a particular preference to its well-cooked fish. Besides good food, it has fast service and a modest environment, but its quality is non-negotiable.

Babis: 73 Amfitheas Avenue, Palaio Faliro, tel. 210 9431064.

Koutouki Kalypso, Palaio Faliro

It opened in the early 1990s in a restored mansion built in 1927. It has an inner courtyard filled with flowers, but in the summer most people prefer the outdoor courtyard, which is shaded by reeds. Try the fried liver, the steak, the burgers, the perfectly cooked pork tenderloin and the mini cheese pies. For dessert, they will treat you to loukoumades and semolina halva.

Kalypso: 41-43 Pentelis St., Palaio Faliro, tel. 210 9422513

Stathis & Giota, Palaio Faliro

A beautiful neighborhood tavern in Palaio Faliro, know for its good meat. If you are in the mood for “stable” steak, ribs, veal liver and juicy burgers with freshly fried potatoes on the side, this is the place for you. The impeccable and polite service is another plus.

Stathis & Giota: 46 Ichous St., Palaio Faliro, tel. 213 0342951.

Remoutsiko, Agios Dimitrios

One of the best taverns in Athens to eat meat. It is a regular destination for juicy kontosouvli (spit roasted meat), grilled ribs, stuffed burgers, grilled chicken with lemon and mustard, and delicious pork pancetta. We recommended making a reservation if you want to go on the weekend or on Friday night. Do not forget to try the pastirma mini pies!

Remoutsiko: 120 Agiou Dimitriou Av., Agios Dimitrios, tel. 210 9704515.

Barba Mitsos-Ladokolla, Agios Dimitrios

An old-school neighborhood tavern that has maintained its regular customers for over thirty years. Relatively small and decorated with photographs and murals reminiscent of the era of ‘rebetiko’, this tavern almost always has a full house. Its secret? It has no menu. There are three options to choose from: burger, sausage and steak, served en papillote. The only exception to this logic of simplicity is that the food is served with french fries and that you can accompany it with spicy cheese dip, tzatziki, salad and feta cheese. Keeping it simple and clear, with really low prices.

Barba Mitsos-Ladokolla: 11 Ioustinianou St., Agios Dimitrios, tel. 210 9335052.

Kyra-Ourania, Ilioupoli

Possibly the most tasty burgers in Athens. Lightly roasted on the outside and juicy on the inside, Mrs. Ourania first made them in the 80’s, because she wanted to take care of a beloved customer. They have remained the tavern’s specialty ever since. Beside the famous burgers, do not hesitate to order the ribs and steak, which are masterfully grilled. Also, french fries.

Kyra-Ourania: 85 Iroon Polytechneiou, Ilioupoli, tel. 210 9914896.

O Roumeliotis, Glyfada

Tucked away in the alleys of Ano Glyfada, in a garden full of mulberries, Roumeliotis is famous for its gigantic rib steak, large freshly cut salads, juicy kontosouvli and traditional kokoretsi (usually on Friday nights and weekends), as well as its fries with fried eggs and red spicy homemade cheese dip. For dessert, you will always be treated to orange cake and ice cream.

O Roumeliotis: 10 Cheimmaras St., Ano Glyfada, tel. 210 9607562.

To Drami, Glyfada

In a modern environment, but still reminiscent of a traditional tavern, Drami serves dishes inspired by the cuisine of different Greek regions. Try sharing the appetizers and make sure to order the homemade meatballs or the aromatic zucchini balls, the “nest” made of kataifi pastry, stuffed with chicken fillet, smoked aubergine and metsovone sauce, the cheese fritters, grilled mushrooms and the chicken stir-fry.

To Drami: 22 Laodikis St., Glyfada, tel. 210 8944959

Ziogas, Glyfada

It has been at the same spot since 1928. It started in a very small space, serving wine and meze, and it grew in size as it quickly gained loyal customers. It has managed to preserve its original identity over time. Up to this day, it is a classic destination for kontosouvli, kokoretsi and stuffed burger. The lamb on the spit is also worth ordering.

Ziogas: 95 Saki Karagiorga, Glyfada, tel. 210 9626117

Voskopoula, Vari

This tavern opened in 1966 in Vlachika, Vari, one of the most famous Athens districts for meat lovers at the time, and since then it has remained open all year round. The meat has Greek origin and they use fresh charcoal every day for grilling. They are well-known for their traditional kokoretsi, juicy kontosouvli, lamb on the spit, ribs and goat cooked in the hull.

Voskopoula: 41 Varis Avenue, Vari, tel. 210 8957875

Tsolias, Vari

Another family tavern in Vlachika, named after the owner’s brother who was an Evzonas or Tsolias (military rank in the Greek army). It has built a good reputation and loyal clientele thanks to its steaks (especially the “stable” steak), kokoretsi, kontosouvli, sausages and its well-done lamb on the spit. The service is impeccable even during rush hour. Omar Sharif, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Ursula Andress and Brigitte Bardot have all dined here in the past.

O Tsolias: 45 Varis Avenue, Vari, tel. 210 8952446.

Ta Vlachika, Vari

Time stopped at this tavern at some unspecified moment thirty years ago. The tavern opened in 1983 and was named after the region where shepherds used to rest with their flocks before going to the mountains. The honeyed lamb in the hull accompanied by potatoes with lemon, the spicy tzatziki and the well-balanced kokoretsi are some of the menu items that stand out.

Ta Vlachika: 35 Varis Avenue, Vari, tel. 210 8956141

Taverns for fish:

This fish tavern has hosted great Greek musicians and artists, who fell in love with its simplicity and delicious dishes. Fresh fish is carefully cooked on the grill or in the pan, while the Platamonas shrimps are to die for. It is a must to order the caramelized octopus with black-eyed beans and cherry tomatoes, the homemade taramosalata (fish roe dip) and the delicious fish soup.

Pezoulas: 11 Peisistratou, Kallithea, tel. 210 9422684

Taverns for traditional greek cuisine:

Ramona, Kallithea

A traditional cookhouse, Ramona has been open for decades and it is loved by its many loyal customers. Their specialty is stews, especially beef stew with pasta or french fries, cabbage rolls and snail stew. It has a cozy, cramped interior, but what catches the eye are the large wine barrels “dressed” in vine leaves, as well as the black and white photos of the city on the walls.

Ramona: 11-13 Minoos St., Kallithea, tel. 210 9515952.

Palia Fava, Palaio Faliro

Mrs Ntina, a formidable cook with experience of over 30 years, opened Palia Fava in 2005 in one of the narrow alleys of Palaio Faliro. This tavern is characterized by its retro look and it focuses on traditional Greek cuisine. Its authentic Greek dishes, such as soutzoukakia (a type of meatballs), dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), mini cheese pies, bean and other soups are definitely worth trying. The portions are large, and before you leave they will treat you to dessert, prepared with the available seasonal ingredients.

Palia Fava: 38 Achaion St., Palaio Faliro, tel. 210 9311994

Taverna Vasilis, Alimos

Here you will find a wide variety of casserole dishes, such as cabbage rolls, Imam Bayildi, oven-roasted lamb and moussaka, while the tavern is also known for its veal steak and grilled chicken burger. There is no lack of fresh fish, depending of course on what they can find, and there is a spit for kontosouvli and kokoretsi in the weekends. At the end of your meal, they will treat you to loukoumades and homemade ravani (sweet semolina cake).

Vasilis: 3 Synt. Davaki, Alimos, tel. 210 9839250

Giouvetsakia, Ano Glyfada

This is the place to taste authentic Greek dishes, wholesome, balanced and delicious food prepared with authentic local products. Here you will indulge in a proper choriatiki salad (traditional Greek salad), with delicious tomatoes, wonderfully-fragrant cucumber and feta cheese with a full flavor. The appetizers are also traditional Greek dishes, all of which are prepared with extra-fresh ingredients, but their giouvetsi, a traditional recipe with orzo and pieces of meat, is an absolute must; after all, this is where the restaurant’s name comes from.

Giouvetsakia: 45 Moreos st, Glyfada