Athens Central Municipal Market

Location: Athinas Str.

The central market, also known as Varvakios, is an exciting place to visit and a must for all foodies!

Table of Contents:
• General info • Restaurants • Food Tours

General info

It is a food market selling meat, fresh fish, olives, nuts, herbs, spices, and all those delicious Greek products.
It is the first food market of Athens constructed in 1886 and it is located between Monastiraki and Omonia square.

One of its entrances is in Athinas street where the fish and seafood stools are. You will find here the freshest fish coming directly every day from Keratsini harbor.
If you continue further, you will find yourself in the meat department where charcuterie and cheeses are also sold.
On the opposite side of Athinas street, you will find shops with vegetables and fruit.
Small shops selling herbs, nuts, honey, wine, and oil are also located around that region.

The place is full of life. Athenians come here to shop for their households while restaurant managers will also be there trying to spot and get the finest quality products for their menu.
As in most of the food markets, it gets crowded and there is a lot of noise and yelling but we have to admit that this is part of its charm!

The food market opens in the early morning hours and closes in the afternoon.

Taverns & Restaurants

As you stroll around its corridors that are actual paved streets you will discover a few taverns and eating spots.
The oldest and most reputed one is Ipiros which serves everyday Greek dishes and soups.
One of the most famous soups is patsas made out of veal hooves, tripe and belly, all boiled together. The recipe originates from Eastern Turkey and traveled to Greece with the refugees from Asia Minor in 1922.

Another famous spot that is an important part of the urban history of Athens is Stoa ton Athanaton. It is a rebetadiko, meaning a place where you can have a glass of wine or raki and a meze and listen to live Greek music, mostly rebetika songs.
Lastly, new eating spots like sushi bars, have opened bringing a new aroma to the market.

Food tours

To get to know a city and a culture better, you should start with their eating habits.
Taking a food tour in Athens will introduce you to the town’s culinary scene while you will have the chance to discover hidden and authentic gems.

The most popular food tours are:
• Original gourmet food tour: a 4-hour walking tour, exploring and tasting at Varvakios Agora, Evripidou street and more, € 68/ person.
• The Greek food discovery in Athens: 3.5 hours morning tour, taking breakfast and coffee the traditional way and getting lost in the food market, € 54/ person.
• Athens food walking tour: includes 8-10 delicious food tastings and visit to the food markets, € 63/ person.
• Athens, the classic food tasting tour: taste traditional pies, pastries, Greek yogurt, Greek coffee and explore small shops, € 59/ person