The 4 Best Food Markets In Athens

The fastest way to taste the true flavor of any city is to wander through the local food markets. Athens in particular is loaded with some of the best food markets in all of Europe.

You can easily build a few walking street market tours into just about any Athens food tour to get to know the local flavors. They’re loaded with fresh produce, local farm-raised meats, fresh fish, olive oils, and other local delicacies to sample. Many food markets also have cafes, and street food stands or sell directly to local tavernas where you can sample their wares.

While it might be impossible to see them all in a single trip, one or two of the following Athens food markets are a good place to start.

The Central Municipal Athens Market

Known locally as the Varvakios Market, the Central Municipal Athens Market is the best place to tap into the local flavors. If you only have time in your food tour to stop at one market, this is my top recommendation.

The Athens Central Market is a vibrant culinary district nestled in the heart of Athens, between Omonia and Monastiraki. Like many large European municipal markets, it’s divided into different sections, allowing you to sample multiple offerings of the same type of food.

One could argue that the seafood section is the beating heart of the Varvakios Market. Athens and much of Greece have a close relationship to the sea, and this is the perfect place to explore fresh-caught Mediterranean fish, shellfish, and seafood.

The Athens Central Market is also a great place to sample locally-grown produce. The fruits, vegetables, olives, herbs, and spices are a true feast for the senses. It’s visually stunning, the aromas are mouthwatering, and you can pick up tasting fresh organic treats to fill the refrigerator at your vacation rental.

There’s also an area for cheese and olive oil vendors that will stop you in your tracks. It’s one of the best places to sample authentic Greek cheeses like feta and kasseri. Depending on the season, you can find barrels of olives, nuts, and even dried fruits.

Of course, a lot of the food stalls offer samples that will help you recognize ingredients in the restaurants you enjoy throughout your food tour of Athens. There are even a few popup street food vendors and small eateries with booths like Mezze and Epirus. They offer a great opportunity to enjoy gyros, souvlaki, or spanakopita.

If you get a chance I recommend keeping an eye out for Ariston Bakery’s stall. The main shop is in Syntagma Square, and sometimes they’ll offer their spanakopita in the Central Market. I adore the way they tease richness into the dish while still keeping it light, with a perfect phyllo-to-filling ratio.

Central Municipal Athens Market – Located between Athinas, Sofokleous, Euripidou, and Aiolou Streets – Open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Laiki Agora

Laiki Agora are farmers’ markets that pop up in different parts of Athens during the week. The largest and most consistent are usually found in Pagrati, Kolonaki, or Koukaki. Their hours vary based on how fast vendors sell out of their products. Most open around 7:00 AM and wrap up in the early afternoon.

The vendors at Laiki Agora offer a vibrant assortment of fresh, seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and olives. All of which are directly sourced from local farmers. Depending on the season you might also find locally produced honey, cheeses, and nuts.

One of the things I like about Laiki Agora is that it allows you to experience a genuine slice of daily Athenian life. The vendors are very friendly. If your Greek is passable, they can give you deep insights into how their produce was grown or what makes it special.  Most are happy to let you sample some things before buying.

Autumn is my favorite time of year to visit Laiki Agora, as that’s when the olives come to market and It’s the perfect opportunity to sample directly from the producer. 

Laiki Agora – Often found in Pagrati, Kolonaki, or Koukaki. – Open from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, but hours vary based on supplies.

Koukaki Market

Nestled in Athen’s vibrant Koukaki neighborhood this market is a secret gem offering local flavors and a glimpse of modern Greek culture. It’s also conveniently located near major attractions like the Acropolis Museum and Filopappou Hill, making it an easy stop while sightseeing.

Much of it is an open-air market, though there are many covered stalls, which gives it a casual feel. Just bear in mind that while many of them speak fluent English, some of the vendors only speak Greek. So, being able to speak Greek at a functional level, or having a reliable translator app on your phone is a definite bonus. 

Koukaki Market mostly sells locally sourced products, with a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, tripe, and cheeses. It also has plenty og artisanal baked goods, homespun crafts, and aromatic spices. If you’re a foodie, and you want to try cooking Greek back at your vacation rental kitchen, you’ll find a lot of inspiring ingredients. 

I think the secret gem at the Koukaki Market is the souvlaki. There are usually several l vendors selling freshly grilled souvlaki. The skewers of marinated meat are richly flavorful and almost remind me of barbecue joints back home. Except it’s served in pita bread with fresh local vegetables sourced from the market, which reminds me that I’m in Greece.  

Koukaki Market – Dimitrakopoulou 99, Athina 117 41, Greece – Open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Ermou Street Market

Photo credit: Ermou Street Market

The Athens Ermou Street Market connects Syntagma Square to Monastiraki. They are best known for selling international clothing, shoes, accessories, and souvenirs. They also have a small number of food vendors and pop-up cafes offering a taste of Greek cuisine. 

Some of my favorite places to sample the food at the Ermou Street Market include Tazza, Mokka Specialty Coffee, Paul Boulangerie & Patisserie, Oven Sesame, and Koulourades. Each offers a little something special to taste while you shop. Most have a good command of the English language, which makes it easy to order something special.

If you’re looking for authentic Greek flavors at the Ermou Street Market, I think your best bet is Tazza. It’s a cozy café with excellent coffee, fresh juices, and Greek pastries. It’s an ideal spot for a light snack and coffee while shopping.

Their kataifi and galaktoboureko are some of the best in the city. However, I really appreciate their take on baklava. They make it in a roll, which is uncommon in Athens’s cafes and pastry shops. Yet it’s made with all the same ingredients and traditional flavors of authentic baklava. It’s just a lot easier to eat out of hand, which is nice when you’re doing a little shopping.

Ermou Street Market – Ermou Street, Athens, 105 63, Greece – Open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Conclusion

Athens is full of great food markets that will give you a firsthand taste of the city and Greek cuisine. The Athens Central Market is the best place to start, yet it’s so immense that you could easily spend an entire day exploring it and still not see everything. If you’re in the Pagrati, Kolonaki, or Koukaki neighborhoods one of the Laiki Agora farmers markets tends to be easier to navigate.