Explore the hidden food gems of Athens

Taste the most local food in Athens. Skip the tourist traps and discover the local bites of the greek culture. More of 14 traditional and delicious fresh cooked tastings.

We will walk in the heart of central Athens where Athenians make their shopping for the daily meal. I’ll introduce you to the vendors of my favorite local shops,

Tasting olives

I’ll take you to a traditional greek café (kafeneio), to a dairy shop which produces its own Greek yogurt and introduces you to a Greek cheese producer in its own shop. You’ll meet my old friends in the oldest vegetable, fish and meat market of Athens .

I’ll take you to the best greek traditional restaurant (mageirio) for a seated lunch and of course, you’ll try a dessert.

During the walk, you’ll also try our best wines and distillates of the region. I’ll explain to you how to cook all the dishes we’ll try, I’ll share local insights about recipes and discover you all culinary traditions

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/256850

See you in Athens

Julia

Weekly Recipe

Stay Warm in Autumn: Roasted Pumpkin Soup

More Recipes

My favourite recipe

Traditional Soutzoukakia recipe (Greek baked Meatballs in tomato sauce)

• 800g ground beef (28 ounces)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin (if you are a fan of cumin, try 2-3 teaspoons!)
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 5 slices of stale bread soaked in red wine and squeezed dry or 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• salt and freshly ground pepper

For the tomato sauce

• 3 cups tomato juice (passata)
• 1 onion, grated
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. To prepare the soutzoukakia, knead all ingredients together and leave the mixture in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Shape into oblong meatballs and shallow fry gently in oil till golden brown. Alternatively for a lighter dish, bake the soutzoukakia till golden brown.
2. To prepare the tomato sauce for the soutzoukakia, sauté the onion in olive oil. Add the squashed garlic and fry for 3-4 minutes until the onions are tender. Add the wine, the tomato juice, sugar, cumin, tomato paste, the bay leaf and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, until the sauce starts to thicken.
3. Add the fried/ baked / grilled soutzoukakia in the tomato sauce and stir gently, being careful not to brake them. Leave to simmer in low heat for 15 minutes, enabling the meatballs to absorb all the wonderful flavours from the tomato sauce.
4. Serve the soutzoukakia (baked meatballs) while still hot with some rice or mashed potatoes and lots of tomato sauce. Enjoy!!

About me

Hello, I’m Julia, an Athenian food lover. I have always loved food and I never stop cooking, eating, tasting new things but mostly exploring my city for new tasteful experiences.

My favourite food shops are located in the city centre and I have discovered it well from a very young age, since I used to shop there as a child with my grandparents.

Today, I still visit the historical shops for my everyday shopping and to buy cheese from different regions of Greece which will visit of course with you if you join me in my cheese tasting.

Let me show you my own, tasty, delicious city! You can book my tour here:

https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/256850