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The Greeks love life and this is reflected by the large number of restaurants cafés and tavernas all over Athens and their habit of eating out for both lunch and dinner. The Plaka area is probably the most picturesque, but is also very touristy, Syntagma and Kolonaki are worth checking out too. Aim for places frequented by locals. The Glyfada and Vouliagmeni neighbourhoods are close to the sea and more upmarket. The areas around the Acropolis such as Psiri are very expensive but offer some lovely places with live music.

Although fast food chains came relatively late to Greece there are a large number of well-known brands to be found in the city - Mc Donald's, Wendy's, Pizza hut and the like. But the Greeks have their own form of fast food, namely souvlaki, which consists of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer. Souvlaki shops remain extremely popular among Greeks.

Another famous type of restaurant in Athens is the Patsatzika where soup made from beef offal is served as well as soup made from cockerel or goat. The most famous Patsatzika in Athens are to be found inside the meat market in Athinas Street, close to Monastiraki. Many of the typical tavernas, however, have been replaced by Mezedopolia which sell only varieties of Mezes (small, light dishes and Greek snacks). Eating out in Athens can be a real gourmet experience so it’s worth making the effort to try something other than the ubiquitous moussaka and stuffed tomatoes.

To sample some of Greece’s excellent fish and seafood it’s best to head down to Piraeus: along the coast in the areas of Piraiki (from which you enjoy amazing sunsets) to Zea, Kastela and Mikrolimano you can sample the local seafood surrounded by luxury yachts moored in the marinas. Some recommended other areas are along the Athens coast are Alimos, Voula, Kavouri Vouliagneni and Varkiza. The broad public transport network in the Athens region makes it easy to access these areas.

Recommended restaurants in Athens and surroundings

Taverna Margaro, 126 Hatzikyriakou Street
Diasimos fish restaurant , Peiraiki
Aganaktisi, Taxiarhon and Spetson Street
Kohili, Agiou Georgiou Street, Korydallos
Karababas at Agios Dionysios, not far from Gate 3 of Piraeus port

Recommended bars

Cubanita Bar, Karaiskaki Street 28. Each Monday, Cubanita hosts Reggaetone Party with Reggae, Merengue, RnB etc.
Bodega Bar, Ardittou 10 and Aristonikou 1, Metz. International music, beautiful view of the Parthenon.
Mike's Irish Pub, 6 Sinopis St., Ambelokipi. Some of the best bands in town with eight televisions and a 500 inch projector screen.
Central Bar in Athens, situated in Kolonaki square in the heart of the city. Both a restaurant and a lounge bar to be enjoyed at any time of the day, while every Friday afternoon it hosts the hottest after office parties in Athens.
Palenque - http://www.palenque.gr
Club 22 - 22 Vouliagmenhs Avenue, Athens