Are you a foodie traveler like me? Do you prefer finding authentic local places to eat instead of getting stuck in tourist traps? Are you craving to know where and what locals actually eat? If this sounds like you, this Athens food tour is exactly what you need to add to your itinerary!
Finding authentic food experiences in a city like Athens, filled with touristy neighborhoods, can feel overwhelming. That’s why food tours are one of the best ways to explore a new city. You’ll not only uncover foods you might never have heard of before but you’ll also get the chance to connect with locals and experience the city in a truly unique way.
As someone who’s always down for food adventures around the world—whether it’s making chocolate in Belgium, cooking tagine in Morocco, or exploring fruit markets in Colombia—I can confidently say that this Athens food tour left a lasting impression on me. It delivered everything I hoped for: incredible foods, fascinating stories, and a deeper appreciation of Greek culture.
In this article, I’ll share all the details of my experience, including why I recommend this tour, what we tried, and answers to common foodie questions about Athens. Plus, I’ll include my best tips for visiting Athens to help you make the most of your trip. If you’re not a foodie yet, by the end I hope you will be!!
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BEST Athens Food Tour: My Recommendation
Why did we choose this Athens food tour?
With so many Athens food tours to choose from, it was the selection of tastings that caught my attention. This tour offered 15 food tastings spread over a 4-hour walking tour, and while that sounds like a lot, it was perfectly paced!
Another big draw? They promise an off-the-beaten-path experience. As someone who actively avoids tourist traps, especially when it comes to food, I’m always on the hunt for tours that prioritize local, authentic experiences. The mention of small group sizes sealed the deal for me—more intimate, less chaotic, and way more enjoyable.
You can book your tour here!
What was included?
Here’s exactly what you can expect from this Athens food tour:
✅ 15 food tastings: We made eight different stops around Athens, sampling at least 15 dishes and foods. It’s important to skip breakfast beforehand so you can make the most of the experience! Arriving on an empty stomach meant I was perfectly full by the end of the tour!
✅ Local expert guide: Our guide was not only passionate about Greek cuisine but also an expert in Athenian history and culture. Have you ever been on a tour that not even a few hours after the experience, you forget almost everything they said? The storytelling from this tour left me remembering facts and stories years after – it was very engaging!
✅ Athens Central Market Visit: Visiting the bustling local market was the cherry on top of an authentic food tour.
What’s not included?
❌ Tips: Like most tours, tips aren’t included in the price. I’d recommend budgeting a little extra to thank your guide.
❌ Not wheelchair accessible: Due to Athens’ ancient architecture and uneven streets, this walking tour isn’t best suited anyone with accessibility needs.
❌ Gluten-free options only on private tours: While they accommodate different dietary needs (as long as you let them know in advance), gluten-free travelers would need to book a private tour for a fully tailored experience.
Athens Food Tour: What we tried
Here are some highlights from the tastings that made this Athens food tour unforgettable:
Koulouri
Start your day like an Athenian with Koulouri, also known as Greek bagels. These iconic street food staples are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and traditionally topped with sesame seeds. Pair one with a cup of Greek coffee, and you’ve got the quintessential Athenian breakfast! They’re the perfect on-the-go breakfast and you can grab them in most bakeries in central Athens. For those feeling adventurous, there are also sweet and savory variations, like cheese, olives, honey, or jam.
Traditional Greek Pies
Did you know that in Greek, “pita” means pie? Each pie is named after its filling. For example, Tiropita is cheese pie, Spanakopita is spinach pie and Manitaropita is mushroom pie. The pie shop on this tour made their pies with traditional phyllo pastry, which is thicker and more bread-like than modern versions, making an even tastier pastry. Flaky, savory perfection that quickly became one of my favorite snacks on the tour!
Loukoumades
One of my favourite discoveries from this Athens food tour was the Greek doughnuts, known as Loukoumades. These honey-soaked treats are as delicious as they are historic—did you know they were awarded to the champions during the Ancient Olympic Games? My mouth still waters just thinking about these doughnuts – you can’t visit Athens without trying these!
Olives, Yogurt & Feta – Oh My!
No Athens food tour would be complete without sampling these Greek staples.
- At a local dairy, we sampled various feta recipes and cheeses from across Greece.
- We also tried creamy, plain Greek yogurt topped with honey, which was simplicity at its best.
- Lastly, an olive vendor introduced us to countless varieties of olives—each with a distinct flavor and texture.
Portokalopita
This traditional orange cake was a surprising standout for me. As someone who usually prefers chocolate desserts, I didn’t expect to fall in love with Portokalopita. Remember earlier, “pita” suggests this is a pie – you’ll be surprised to learn that this is phyllo-based dessert despite it looking like a standard cake. Its soaked in deliciously creamy orange syrup – it was soft, fragrant, and paired perfectly with coffee. I still dream about it!
Athens Food Tour: My honest review
What we liked
🍽️ New food discoveries: I loved that 90% of the dishes we tried were completely new to me. It’s easy to think of Greek cuisine as just souvlaki, moussaka, and Greek salad, but this tour opened my eyes to the incredible variety of traditional dishes.
📍 Exploring hidden neighborhoods: True to its promise, this tour took us off the beaten path to neighborhoods most tourists wouldn’t find on their own. I discovered parts of Athens I might have missed otherwise and bookmarked some of these spots for future visits.
❤️ Our guide: Our guide was exceptional—fun, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. Her storytelling made the experience memorable, like I said, when you’re taught something that sticks in your memory for years after you’ve taken the tour – you know you had a good guide!
What we didn’t like
📆 Limited time slots: While the tour itself was wonderful, it only ran from 10 am to 2 pm, which made scheduling tricky for us. We had limited time in Athens and it would have been great to have more flexibility with additional time slots. That said, we still had the rest of the day to explore Athens!
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Other Tour Options
If this specific tour doesn’t work for you—whether it’s fully booked or doesn’t fit your schedule—don’t worry! Athens has no shortage of food tours to choose from. Here are a few highly-rated options on GetYourGuide that also promise incredible culinary experiences. Each of these tours has rave reviews and offers something unique, so you’re sure to find one that fits your preferences.
Athens Food Tour: FAQ
Is it vegetarian or vegan-friendly?
I traveled with a vegetarian friend, so I can confirm this Athens food tour is vegetarian-friendly. Just be sure to notify the tour company in advance of any dietary and food restrictions so they can make adjustments.
As for vegan-friendly options, I can’t say for sure. Greek cuisine often incorporates dairy products, and since I personally am not vegan, I can’t comment on whether this tour can accommodate. It’s best to contact the tour company directly to check what alternatives are available before booking.
Other Food Recommendations
🍽️ Dine at a taverna. A taverna is a traditional Greek restaurant, and it’s a must for an authentic experience. Many also feature live music to create a fun ambiance. One place I recommend is Taverna Tou Psirri – the live music was amazing and the food was incredible!
🍹 Sip a drink on a rooftop. Athens has countless rooftop bars competing for the best view of the city! A popular choice is A for Athens, where we enjoyed the stunning view and it wasn’t nearly as expensive as I was anticipating. Another excellent option is Couleur Locale, similar view with less instagram-fame!
🍩 Try the authentic Greek doughnuts.These were a highlight of the food tour! For a historic and delicious stop, head to Krinos, a famous sweet shop specializing in loukoumades.
☕ Embrace slow travel at a café. Athens’ café culture left a lasting impression on me. Each café seemed to tell its own story with unique decor and ambiance. Two standouts were: Little Kook; A themed, immersive experience (ours was Alice in Wonderland) and Zoubourlou; The café where I discovered the unforgettable orange cake.
🍴 Try Greek tapas (meze). Meze, or small plates of appetizers, is a perfect way to sample different Greek specialties. We visited Cherchez la Femme, a spot recommended by our host, and loved it!
Tips on Visiting Athens
🏨 Choose your accommodation in the right neighborhood. One of the reasons I’ve heard people didn’t enjoy Athens was because they felt unsafe. Choosing your accommodations in a good neighborhood is particularly important so you can have the best time possible in Athens. We stayed in Plaka, and it was a fantastic experience—charming, safe, and within walking distance of major attractions. If you’re looking for a vibrant neighborhood, consider Psiri—known for its atmosphere and trendy spots.
📆 Plan at least 2 days to visit Athens. There’s a lot to see in Athens and if you want to experience the city without feeling rushed, two days is the perfect amount of time to start with. During our trip, we were able to cover the key sights, even if there are some places I’d like to revisit. Two days is a great way to get acquainted with the city before moving on to Greek islands such as Santorini.
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☀️ The best time to visit Athens is in September. While we visited Athens in April, which had comfortable temperatures, September is an ideal time to visit for warm weather without the summer crowds. The mild weather is perfect for exploring the city, and the water temperatures are just right if you’re planning to swim in the sea. It’s a sweet spot between peak tourist season and the cooler, quieter winter months.
READ MORE: 7 things you need to know before visiting Athens
Enjoy your foodie adventure in Athens
If you weren’t a foodie before this, I’m sure you are now! I wholeheartedly believe that getting immersed into a country’s culture starts with the food. You can learn so much about its people, their traditions, and their history, and it’s an exciting way to discover new favorites along the way.
This Athens food tour was an absolute highlight of our trip. From exploring new areas of the city to discovering Greek foods I never knew existed, it was the perfect way to dive deeper into the city’s culinary scene. If you’re planning to visit Athens, I highly recommend adding this tour to your itinerary—it’s an experience you won’t forget!
And if Athens is just the beginning of your trip to Greece, be sure to check out my top tips for visiting Santorini, where I share another unique foodie experience, including the chance to cook in a local grandmother’s kitchen!
