As you place your foot at their entrance, you will think that you have been transferred back in time. Cookhouses with authentic recipes and a nostalgic environment that offer you an experience that is straight out of the Old Athens.
The authentic cookhouses in the city centre are valuable sites worth visiting. The retro environment and the traditional Greek cuisine comprise an irresistible combination.
Martinis Kitchen, in Athens
Housed in a building dating back to 1888, the Martinis Kitchen,offers to its visitors about 40 different recipes each day. Being in operation for more than half a century and with recipes of the traditional Greek cuisine, one understands why it has so many adoring patrons.
There, you will find food cooked with great passion each and every day. Old, tried, tested and timeless recipes.
Address: 289 Patision ave & Iakovaton street
Tel: 210 2111063
Website: martiniskouzina.gr
Facebook Page: Martinis Cookery - Martinis Kouzina
Traditional Cookhouse (Evgenia)
The "Traditional Cookhouse" (Paradosiako Oinomageirio) has been in operation since 1987 offering large and tasty plates. Its big advantage is the seafood. Although it is located in a purely touristy place, it does not alleviate its quality. You will find excellent quality fish, fresh salads and delicious appetizers. The service goes hand in hand with the same excellent quality.
A guaranteed choice with the perfume of the old days passed.
Address: 44A arliamVoulis street in Plaka District
Tel: 210 3214121
Barbayiannis Kitchen
After almost half a century of life, Barbayannis Kitchen boasts as an all-time classic cook-house in Athens. It started selling wine and charcoal many years ago and now, it is one of the best cook-houses. Its hotpot tastes like those of the old and beautiful Athens, and its prices remain at reasonable levels. Nice taste, excellent prices and a retro environment.
What else do you need? Don't forget that this is where George Tzavella's film "The drunkard" was shot, starring Orestis Makris. Eating in Barbayiannis', you will fill like being the star in a movie a long lost era.
Address: 94 Emmanouil Benaki street - Exarchia District
Tel: 210 3824138
Facebook Page: Barbayiannis Winery
Bouka
One more cook-house in Exarcheia District that emits the aroma of tradition. You will find well-cooked hotpot reminiscent of your ... mom and prices that are perfectly reasonable so that you can later leave full and happy. Just like the old days.
A plus is its wide variety of dishes you can choose from. And everything is served in large portions.
Address: 29 Solomou street - Exarchia District
Tel: 210 3800365
Facebook page: Bouka-cook-house
Legendary cinemas in Athens that have lasted the pass of time.
Diporto, in Athens
One of the most characteristic cook-houses of Old Athens. An underground space dominated by large wine-barrels. It's like you're starring in an old Greek movie. You will taste fresh fish and choose from 5-6 different daily dishes. You will not be disappointed.
In this underground "shebeen" in a 150-year-old building, you will have a pleasant time with tasty food and a journey to the past. The shop is usually full, so you might have to be a little patient. However, as soon as you sit down, your order will be in no time.
Address: 9 Sokratous Street - in Athens
Phone Number: 210 3211463
Kitsulas
Photo Source: Kitsulas Tavern
It may not be in the centre of Athens but it has raised generations of people in Halandri District. A cook-house with a long history and, of course, good food. It serves traditional Greek food since 1946 and, no doubt, it is on the list of the cook-houses of the Old Athens.
The homemade delicious food is accompanied by excellent service and also very good prices. If you're in Halandri district, make a visit.
Address: 25 Fillikis Etairias Street - Halandri District
Tel: 210 6814798
Facebook page: Kitsoulas Tavern
Epirus Cook-house
One of the most traditional kitchens in Athens. A historic food shop inside Varvakeios Agora. You will enjoy traditional recipes from Epirus (a north-western area of Greece bordering to Albania) and soups of very high demand. The cuisine of Epirus, moreover, is famous for its beautiful traditional flavours.
Goat, veal and yuvarelakia (a special greek recipe of meatballs with rice) are on top of the list. If you're a fan of patsas (a soup made of stomach and legs of lamb or pork), you've found the kitchen you are going to visit again and again.
Address: 4 Filopoimenos Street - in Athens
Tel: 210 3240773
Facebook Page: Epirus Cook-house
Oikonomou
With many decades of operation to its credit, "Oikonomou" is one of the standard cook-houses in the picturesque neighbourhood of Petralona District. The cook-house has been operating since the 1930s and will take you to old Athens with its flavours.
Its food and appetizers are of a bygone era, having nothing in common with the usual fast food. The menu has specific choices only but they are all worth trying.
Address: 41 Troon & Kidantidon streets - Ano Petralona District
Phone Number: 210 3467555
Facebook Page: Oikonomou Tavern
Wine shop, in Athens
Psyrris District is synonymous to old Athens. The Wine Shop is one of the oldest traditional wineries in Psyrris District operating since 1928. In addition to nice traditional food, you will also find good wine. Don't forget to try the "kasopita" of Epirusas well as the "apaki" (smoked pork tenderloin) with thyme.
Lamb chops are delicious and on top of that, you can also add the live music that takes you to old Athens.
Address: 12A Aeschylus street - in Athens
Tel: 213 0081461
Facebook Page: Wine Shop
Philipou
A historical cook-house that has been operating since 1923 at the same place in Kolonaki District, in the basement of an apartment building. Grandpa Costas' recipes remain unchanged over time and this is what makes the difference. A minimal retro environment that reminds you of older times.
Since 1968, in fact, it has an open kitchen (the kitchen is in the same space with the dining room), something which was very innovative for that time. If you pass by, you'll understand why.
Address: 19 Xenokratus street - Kolonaki District
Tel: 210 7216390
Website: filippou.gr
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