Exploring Athens Off the Beaten Path: Where to Eat

Year after year, Athens makes the top of bucket lists for family travelers looking to explore the world. But while most visitors hit up the popular tourist attractions, a dedicated explorer will go the extra mile to discover the city off the beaten path, finding the hidden gems that are the heartbeat of the city.

For delicious cuisine, downtown Athens is a hotbed of interesting, traditional eateries, but to enjoy a fantastic meal and catch a glimpse of the everyday life of an Athenian, head to Diporto, a traditional basement taverna in the heart of the city. This little spot has offered an authentic local experience, serving fresh, traditional food and local Greek wine for lunch since the 1950s.

The name, which means “two doors,” is well-known among locals who will happily point you in the right direction to the little eatery located at 9 Sokratous Street, near the entrance to the popular Athens Central Municipal Market. Marked by two doors on either side of the restaurant, there are no signs to tell you that you’ve arrived, simply the smell of delicious food wafting up the stairs.

There are no menus to peruse; the chef and owner, Mitzos, simply serves up whatever is fresh at the market that day. Dishes like grilled fish, Kokkonistó (beef in tomato), Revithia (garbanzo bean soup) and a traditional cucumber and tomato salad are served family style — and don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing a table with a stranger or seeing people grabbing a quick bite on the stairs!