Athens: Evening Food Tour in Monastiraki & Psirri with Dinner

Summary

Evening strolls through Athens with souvlaki, laughter, and local flavors

You’ll wander Athens’ lively streets at night with a local guide, sampling souvlaki in Monastiraki, flaky pies in Psirri, and sharing meze dishes over dinner in a buzzing taverna. Taste Greek wines and finish sweetly with loukoumades or baklava. Expect laughter, new flavors, and that feeling you only get when you’re part of the city’s rhythm for an evening.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Athens smells like after dark? Not just the grilled meat smoke curling out from street corners — though that’s definitely there — but also something warmer, like bread baking somewhere you can’t see. We met our guide, Eleni, right by the Monastiraki square where the stones still felt warm from the day. She grinned when she realized I’d never tried proper Greek souvlaki (the real deal, not the sad version back home). We started there, standing in a tight little circle outside a shop older than my parents. The pita was soft and greasy in my hands — I got tzatziki all over my sleeve. Worth it.

We wandered through Monastiraki’s maze — past old book stalls and a guy playing bouzouki under a flickering lamp. Eleni pointed out Hadrian’s Library (“Romans loved their libraries,” she said with a shrug), then led us into Psirri where things felt looser and louder. There were groups of friends squeezed around tiny tables, plates clattering, someone shouting for more wine. We tried these flaky pies filled with cheese and herbs; I burned my tongue because I couldn’t wait for them to cool down. Eleni laughed and handed me her napkin — “Happens every time.”

I lost track of how many stops we made — there was a deli with cold cuts and sharp feta that made my mouth water, then finally a taverna tucked behind some wild street art (I still think about that mural of Athena with blue hair). Dinner was loud and messy: little plates everywhere, glasses clinking, someone telling a story about their grandmother’s baklava recipe. Dessert was loukoumades dripping honey; I swear I could smell cinnamon even before they hit the table. Walking back toward Monastiraki under those yellow streetlights, I felt like maybe I understood Athens just a bit better — or at least its appetite.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening food tour in Athens neighborhoods

• Start walking tour in Monastiraki
• Taste Souvlaki or Gyros
• Explore landmarks and hidden gems
• Visit Psirri neighborhood
• Try Greek traditional puff pastry pie
• Stroll central Athens neighborhood
• Taste Greek cold cuts and cheeses
• Enjoy seated traditional dinner
• Have classic Greek dessert

Top questions

Where does the Athens evening food tour start?

The tour begins near Monastiraki Square in central Athens.

Is dinner included on this evening food tour?

Yes, a seated dinner featuring traditional Greek meze is included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

You’ll enjoy wine or beer during dinner and tastings of Tsipouro during the charcuterie stop.

Can vegetarians join this Athens food tour?

Vegetarian-friendly options are available throughout the tour.

Is this food tour suitable for gluten-free or vegan diets?

The tour has limited options for gluten-free or vegan diets; it’s not recommended for strict dietary needs.

Does the tour include dessert?

Yes—dessert such as loukoumades (honey dough balls) or baklava is included at the end.

How long does this Athens evening food tour last?

The experience typically lasts several hours as you walk between stops in Monastiraki and Psirri.

Are children or strollers allowed on this food tour?

Yes—infants and small children can join using prams or strollers; routes are generally accessible.

What’s included

Your evening includes meeting your group near Monastiraki Square before strolling to taste souvlaki or gyros from historic eateries, sampling flaky traditional pies in Psirri, trying Greek olives and Dakos rusks, enjoying cold cuts and cheeses paired with Tsipouro or wine at a deli stop, then sitting down to a spread of classic meze dishes with more wine or beer at dinner. Dessert—loukoumades or baklava—wraps things up before returning to your starting point.