Athens: Walking Food Tour with Market Tastings & Meze Lunch

Summary

Athens flavors street food market strolls cheese meze wine

You’ll walk through Athens’ lively markets and side streets with a local guide, tasting olives, cheeses, pastries and classic street food along the way. Enjoy a generous meze lunch with wine or beer in a neighborhood taverna—and finish with dessert and strong Greek coffee as ancient ruins glow nearby.

What’s the experience like?

"Try this—just a little bit of everything," our guide, Eleni, grinned as she handed me a plate piled with olives and something crunchy I couldn't name. We’d only just met in Monastiraki, right in the middle of Athens’ noisy heart, but it already felt like we were old friends. The air was thick with the smell of roasting meat and fresh bread, and I kept losing track of what she was saying because there was just so much to look at—vendors shouting over each other, pigeons darting between tables, the Acropolis peeking out from behind rooftops. I didn’t expect to feel so instantly pulled into the city’s rhythm.

We wandered down Athinas Street and into the Central Market—honestly, it was louder than any market I’ve ever been to. Fishmongers slapped octopus on ice while butchers waved knives around (in a friendly way). Eleni explained how Athenians shop daily for their food—no giant weekly supermarkets here. She pointed out barrels of feta and let us sniff oregano that made my nose tingle. I tried to ask for loukoumades using her pronunciation—Li laughed when I tried to say it in Greek; probably butchered it. We tasted cheese that squeaked between my teeth and some kind of cured meat that left my fingers oily but happy.

I liked Psiri best—the walls covered in graffiti art, tiny tavernas wedged between hardware stores. There was this one old man outside a bakery who nodded at us as we passed; Eleni said he’s been selling koulouri since before she was born. The meze lunch felt endless: little plates kept arriving—salty, sweet, spicy—all at once. At some point someone poured tsipouro (it burns a bit going down), and we toasted “yamas!” with strangers at the next table. It’s funny how quickly you start feeling like you belong somewhere new when you’re sharing food.

The tour ended near Aiolou Street with sticky baklava and coffee so strong it made my hands shake a little. I still think about that view back toward the Agora—the light turning gold over the ruins while people argued gently about soccer nearby. If you’re looking for an Athens food tour that actually feels like Athens (messy, loud, generous), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Athens food and culture walking tour

• Begin at Monastiraki square
• Walk down Athinas Street
• Visit Athens Central Market
• Explore Psirri neighborhood
• Discover Evripidou Street delicatessens
• End near Aiolou Street

Top questions

How long does the Athens food tour last?

The walking food tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is lunch included on this Athens food tour?

Yes, a seated lunch or dinner featuring Greek meze and regional specialties is included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, you’ll enjoy wine or beer during your meal and may sample tsipouro during tastings.

Is this Athens food tour suitable for vegetarians?

Vegetarian-friendly options are available during meals.

Are gluten-free or vegan diets accommodated?

The tour has limited options for gluten free/vegan/lactose-free/low carb diets.

Where does the Athens walking food tour start?

The tour begins in downtown Athens near Monastiraki Square.

Will we visit the Central Market on this tour?

The itinerary includes Athens Central Market except during evening tours when it is closed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup; guests meet at a designated point in central Athens.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings of Greek olives with dakos rusks, artisanal cheeses, savory pies or street foods like souvlaki or gyros, charcuterie paired with wine or tsipouro, a full meze lunch or dinner with regional specialties (plus vegetarian options), dessert such as loukoumades or baklava, and all guided walks through Monastiraki, Athinas Street markets, Psiri neighborhood and Evripidou Street’s delicatessens before finishing near Aiolou Street—with all tastings and drinks included along the way.