Athens Eats
The popular restaurants in Athens are often swanky rooftops with a view of the Acropolis. We tried a couple of these places and found that while the views were, indeed, spectacular, the food was expensive and somewhat overrated. We preferred the less lofty, more traditional places beloved by locals. Also, Athens is a metropolis with many great restaurants that serve other cuisines besides Greek.
Scholarchio - This family-run cafe in Plaka recommended by our guide, Charis, offered a daily selection of homemade mezedes (small plates). When we ate there with the kids, the suggested meal for five people included twelve mezedes, plus drinks and desserts, for just €20 per person. It was an abundance of delicious food! My favorite was their version of tiropita (cheese pie), which had red bell peppers and olives for added flavor. We all loved the intensely garlicky mashed potatoes, called skordalia. We weren't sure if it was meant to be a dip, a sauce, or a base, so we tried it all three ways and found that it enhanced the taste of everything. We enjoyed Scholarchio so much that Steve and I returned for more on our next visit to Athens. (No reservations, but worth the wait.)
Nikitas - As we walked through the trendy and charming Psyrri neighborhood, we passed by many touristy restaurants with pushy hosts and empty tables. But then we turned a corner, and there was Nikitas, a family-run taverna with every table occupied. The simple daily menu offered traditional dishes at very low prices. The cabbage leaves stuffed with minced pork and covered in lemon sauce were surprisingly delicious. It was fun being serenaded by street musicians, too. (No reservations, but worth the wait.)
Spit Jack - This restaurant near Syntagma Square had a modern, eclectic vibe - sort of a western saloon with chandeliers, neon signs, and celebrity portraits. Their specialty was rotisserie meats. The succulent crackling porchetta was lip-smackingly good, especially with the truffle Jack Daniels sauce . The homemade potato chips were perfectly crispy and served with cacio e Pepe sauce. I hope we return to Athens someday so I can have more meals at Spit Jack.
