The 4 Best Moussaka in Athens

Moussaka is one of the cornerstones of Greek cuisine, and one could argue that no Athens food tour is complete without trying it. Athens has tons of great authentic Greek restaurants offering some of the best Moussaka in all of Greece.

Traditional moussaka is made from thin layers of aubergine eggplant, separating layers of ground meat in tomato sauce. Then the whole thing is bathed in a rich bechamel sauce. You can find it in a lot of places, from humble tavernas like To Kati Allo to high-end Athenian restaurants like Kuzina.  

To save you some time and ensure you get an authentic taste of traditional moussaka, I recommend trying one of the following eateries

To Kati Allo

Photo credit: To Kati Allo

To Kati Allo is a family-run taverna near Athens Acropolis Museum and the Philopappos Hill. They offer an authentic taste of traditional Greek cuisine, including some of the best moussaka in all of Greece.  

The ambiance in To Kati Allow is unpretentious with the atmosphere and simple décor you expect at a classical Greek taverna. The open kitchen also lets you watch the food being prepared. It gives you a little bit more of a connection to the meal, as well as feeling the energetic vibe of a Greek kitchen.

To Kati Allo makes a very traditional moussaka with layers of eggplant, ground meat, and béchamel sauce. I love the richness of the béchamel, which plays an important part in tying all the elements together. To the point that it almost felt like a meaty take on eggplant parmesan.

I also appreciate the consistent thickness of the eggplant slices, which ensures that each layer cooks properly with the same level of doneness. This might seem like a little thing, but it’s attention to detail like this that shows true mastery of the craft of cooking a great moussaka.

To Kati Allo (€7 to €9) Chatzichristou 12, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Kuzina

Photo credit: Kuzina

You’ll find Kuzina, in the Thissio district down the quaint pedestrian-only Adrianou Street. This gives it a quietness that lets you enjoy one of the best moussakas, and other classical Greek delicacies, away from some of the hustle and bustle of nearby tourist attractions.

The atmosphere in Kuzina is a careful blend of contemporary and neoclassical Greek décor. In pleasant weather, they open the rooftop terrace, which lets you enjoy a stunning view of the Acropolis and the Temple of Hephaestus.

Kuzina’s menu is largely based on classical Greek dishes, as well as other Mediterranean delicacies like Cretan pappardelle and chicken with figs. However, it’s the belly-filling power of the moussaka that makes Kuzina popular with tourists and locals alike.

I’m particularly fond of the thickness of the ground beef layers. It ensures you get a hearty bite every time. The volume of beef also allows the slices of eggplant to absorb more beef flavor making it exceptionally filling.

Kuzina (€15 to €25) – Adrianou 9, Athina 105 55, Greece – Open every day from 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

Arcadia Restaurant

Photo credit: Arcadia Restaurant

Arcadia Restaurant is known for its authentic Greek cuisine, including rich flavorful moussaka. They’re located in the Plaka neighborhood, which is close to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Making it a great place to stop for a quality meal after a long day on your feet.

The décor at Arcadia is rustic with wooden tables, and classical Greek-themed accents, that give it an inviting vibe. I also like the large windows which let in the perfect amount of natural light, while also giving you the chance to do a little people watching.  

Arcadia has a well-earned reputation for rich, flavorful moussaka. They make their best effort to source ingredients locally, which I think makes a difference in the end product. At the peak of summer when eggplant is in season, you can taste it in the thin layers of the moussaka. I appreciate the vegetal depth of flavor and the toothsomeness of each forkful.

Arcadia Restaurant (€12 to €14) – Makrigianni 23-27, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open every day from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Mani Mani

Photo credit: Mani Mani

Located near the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis, Mani Mani restaurant is an excellent place to stop for a tasty meal after a day of sightseeing. While they do draw a large number of tourists, locals also come to Mani Mani for their flavorful authentic moussaka.

The atmosphere in Mani Mani comfortably blends modern design with rustic Greek accents from the Mani region of southern Greece. If you look with the right sort of eyes, the exposed stone walls, wooden elements, and warm lighting seem to transport you back in time to a bygone era of Athens. Especially if you can score a table on their rooftop terrace.

Mani Mani is well-known for their innovative take on Greek classics, with moussaka being one of their most beloved dishes. It’s prepared with a lighter touch than some other moussaka-focused restaurants.  

The last time I was there, the moussaka was made with ground lamb, which I really noticed. The grass-finished flavor of the lamb seemed to wake up the vegetable flavor of the thinly sliced eggplant.

Mani Mani is a great place to enjoy Greek wines. My server recommended a glass of agiorgitiko from Santorini to pair with the moussaka. It had a rich, fruity body with just the slightest hint of spice, that perfectly complemented the flavor of the lamb.

Mani Mani (€12-€15) – Falirou 10, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open every day from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Conclusion

Moussaka is a much-beloved Greek food that deserves a taste on any Athens food tour. You can find high-quality versions in tavernas like To Kati Allo as well as restaurants like Arcadia. While most of the moussaka restaurants you’ll find on an Athens food tour use ground beef, a few like Mani Mani will sometimes offer it with ground lamb filling.