Culinary Secrets of Downtown Athens

4.9

125

Reviews

Recommended by 99% travellers

99% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (125)

Recommended by 99% travellers

Add to Wishlist

Show all photos

4.9

125

Reviews

Recommended by 99% travellers

99% of guests rated this experience 4 stars or higher

4.9 (125)

Recommended by 99% travellers

Earliest Date Available: October 24, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Location

Athens

Duration

5 hours 30 minutes

Group size

Max 7 guests

Accessibility

Stroller Accessible

Language

English

Location

Athens

Duration

5 hours 30 minutes

Group size

Max 7 guests

Accessibility

Stroller Accessible

Language

English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

•125 reviews

US$140.54 per guest

Guest

Adult x1

Date

Add dates

Select Options

Earliest Date Available: October 24, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.

Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience

Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world

Why book with byFood?

Japan's #1 food travel platform

Trusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT

Description

Good to Know

Downtown Athens is a place where life is lived bite by bite, from old-school dairy bars and bustling souvlaki counters to historic markets and hidden arcades. On this tour, we’ll explore the culinary backstreets of central Athens, tasting thick Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts, loukoumades, northern-style souvlaki and kebab based on a recipe brought by refugees from Constantinople. We’ll also discover the seafood eateries tucked inside the city’s traditional stoas and sample artisanal cheeses, honey and homemade spirits. At Varvakeios, Athens’ central market, we’ll explore the meat and seafood stalls before stopping for classic booze and bites at a tiny 1970s institution. We’ll then cross over to the fruit, vegetable and pickle market to taste different varieties of Greek olives. Rough, beautiful, ancient and modern, downtown Athens tells the story of the city through its food.

Snacks

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Tea and coffee

Coffee and/or Tea

5 hours 30 minutes · Admission Ticket Free

Central Market Athens

On this 5½-hour food tour, we will explore the culinary backstreets and secrets of downtown Athens, in search of the soul of this historic yet always vibrant city.

On this 5½-hour food tour, we will explore the culinary backstreets and secrets of downtown Athens,…

Meeting Point

Pl. Monastirakiou 10, Platia Monastirakiou, Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon, Greece, GR, 105 55

Open in Google Maps

We will meet you in front of Venetis Bakery on Monastiraki Square. Look for the shop with the green awning right by the kiosk.

End Point

This experience ends at the meeting point.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.

4.9

125 reviews

5 Stars

124

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

+172 photos

125 reviews

Venture788176October 2026 • TripAdvisor

Perfect Way to Begin Discovering Athens

This was the very first “ticketed” activity our group did in Athens and it didn’t disappoint. Our guide, Carolina, was not only Athenian but also a chef who knew the best shops and market stalls in the city inside and out. We tried everything from fresh shrimp and sea bream to pork souvlaki and cold cuts. Really could not recommend taking this tour enough, especially if you are staying near the Acropolis or it is your first time in Athens in general.

Response from ViatorOctober 16, 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review and for sharing your experience with us. We are so glad that Carolina could introduce you to the unsung heroes of Athens' markets and shops to start your trip. By joining our walks, you are directly supporting these dedicated food artisans and helping to preserve the daily culinary traditions that make the city so special. We hope to explore with you again in the future.

Y2526EGmelissagSeptember 2026 • TripAdvisor

enjoyment, expertise, and modern day food culture in Athens -- join the tour!

Culinary Backstreets does it again -- what a fantastic tour! After a great tour in Barcelona, I sought out CB for a tour of Athens. Our tour with Carolina was marvelous -- really, a step above anything I was expecting. We stopped in cafes, markets, and shops while Carolina shared her knowledge of Greek food culture and history with us. She's brilliant, funny, and showed us a side of Athens saved mostly for the locals. Later that night, I stopped by Asima Kopouli for a ceramic crock of sheep's mi...read more

Response from ViatorSeptember 26, 2026

Thank you for the review and for choosing to walk with us again in Athens. We deeply appreciate your support for our Honest Tourism mission and the unsung heroes who preserve the city's rich culinary traditions. It is a joy to share the daily life of these neighborhoods with you, and we cannot wait to explore more stories with you on your future travels.

jasonjB2376GLSeptember 2026 • TripAdvisor

Athens Love at First Bite

It was my first ever food tour and it was fantastic experience. Natali was a great guide, helping the group through greater understanding of the food, history, and Athens. Her knowledge and positive demeanor created a first rate experience! I have raved about the tour and experience to friends and colleagues. I recommend this specific tour to anyone if their time permits.

Response from ViatorSeptember 09, 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad that your first food tour gave you a deeper connection to the history and daily life of Athens. Your participation supports the unsung culinary heroes of the city and helps preserve these precious traditions for generations to come.

adriantK5715LQAugust 2026 • TripAdvisor

Amazing Guided Tour

Amazing tour and food. Constantine was an awesome guide - very friendly, funny and informative!

Response from ViatorAugust 07, 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review. We are so glad you enjoyed exploring the daily life and complexity of the city with us. Your support means the world to the traditional family-run spots and the unsung heroes of the kitchen who preserve these culinary traditions. We hope to share more stories with you in the future.

477aimeetAugust 2026 • TripAdvisor

Understanding Greek culture though food.

Our Culinary tour with Natali Chavez was terrific! Her knowledge and insight was impressive and she was delightful to spend the day with. It felt like walking around Athens with a friend. I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in understanding a culture through its food...and enjoying a lot of amazing food along the way. We will definitely book another Culinary Backstreets tour.

Response from ViatorAugust 06, 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review! We are so glad that exploring Athens with Natali felt like spending the day with a friend. By joining our walks, you are directly supporting the unsung heroes of the neighborhood kitchens and helping to preserve their beautiful culinary traditions. We would be honored to share the daily life of another city with you in the future.