Koulouri -- baked dough rings covered with sesame seeds -- are an Athens classic. A popular hangover cure, they've been compared to German pretzels or Jewish bagels.
Koulouri —
Koulouri -- baked dough rings covered with sesame seeds -- are an Athens classic. A popular hangover cure, they've been compared to German pretzels or Jewish bagels.
John Malathronas
Koulouri are at the center of Athens's street food revolution. An increasing number of koulouri stands are starting to resemble London or New York sandwich counters, offering fillings galore.<br />
Koulouri revolution —
Koulouri are at the center of Athens's street food revolution. An increasing number of koulouri stands are starting to resemble London or New York sandwich counters, offering fillings galore.
John Malathronas
Greek coffee is a potent, unfiltered concoction, brewed together with sugar in a traditional brass pot over a gas flame.
Greek coffee —
Greek coffee is a potent, unfiltered concoction, brewed together with sugar in a traditional brass pot over a gas flame.
John Malathronas
"Greeks are heavy coffee drinkers," says Alternative Athens tour guide Diana. "We also like to socialize in cafes unlike, say, the Italians with their quick drink-and-go espresso shots."
Cafe society —
"Greeks are heavy coffee drinkers," says Alternative Athens tour guide Diana. "We also like to socialize in cafes unlike, say, the Italians with their quick drink-and-go espresso shots."
John Malathronas
The Athens meat and vegetable market is the perfect first stop on any food tour of the Greek capital.
Athens meat and veg market —
The Athens meat and vegetable market is the perfect first stop on any food tour of the Greek capital.
John Malathronas
Kioftes is a tiny takeaway restaurant below Mount Lykabettus. It takes its name from the traditional Greek meatballs it serves up using "grandma's recipe."
Meatballs at Kioftes —
Kioftes is a tiny takeaway restaurant below Mount Lykabettus. It takes its name from the traditional Greek meatballs it serves up using "grandma's recipe."
John Malathronas
Aplotí, made with eggplants with cheese and tomato, is another specialty at Kioftes, a tiny Athens takeaway.
Aplotí —
Aplotí, made with eggplants with cheese and tomato, is another specialty at Kioftes, a tiny Athens takeaway.
John Malathronas
Olives are a staple of the Greek diet. The country is said to be one of the world's biggest consumers of olive oil per capita.
Greek olives —
Olives are a staple of the Greek diet. The country is said to be one of the world's biggest consumers of olive oil per capita.
John Malathronas
Stubby hazelnuts, pistachios in their shells, roasted peanuts, salted almonds, chopped walnuts -- nuts of all persuasions are a traditional part of the Greek diet.
Nut frenzy —
Stubby hazelnuts, pistachios in their shells, roasted peanuts, salted almonds, chopped walnuts -- nuts of all persuasions are a traditional part of the Greek diet.
John Malathronas
Loukoumades, fried dough balls in honey and cinnamon, are as unique to Greece as the Parthenon. Straight from the pan, they're delicate, fluffy and fragrant.<br />
Loukoumades —
Loukoumades, fried dough balls in honey and cinnamon, are as unique to Greece as the Parthenon. Straight from the pan, they're delicate, fluffy and fragrant.
John Malathronas
Cold frappé is claimed as Greece's other contribution to coffee culture. It's made from Nescafé instant powder beaten with cold water and ice -- a perfect thirst quencher.
Cold frappé —
Cold frappé is claimed as Greece's other contribution to coffee culture. It's made from Nescafé instant powder beaten with cold water and ice -- a perfect thirst quencher.
John Malathronas
An unusual new addition to the Greek street food landscape is the exotic hot dog. German, Japanese katsu, Korean, Mexican and even lobster dogs are served at takeaway joint Chef and the Dog.
Hot dogs —
An unusual new addition to the Greek street food landscape is the exotic hot dog. German, Japanese katsu, Korean, Mexican and even lobster dogs are served at takeaway joint Chef and the Dog.
John Malathronas