MaryXXX

Would love to hear recommendations regarding quaint greek tavernas that are worth a visit in Athens. We would like to go to a place that is geared for locals not tourists. We'd also love to find a good spot to listen to live traditonal music.

Any suggestions?

brotherleelove2004

Using this link to a map of Athens, find Karaiskaki Square west of Omonia Square and the Exarchia and Neapoli neighborhoods below Strefi Hill. Both these areas have recently been recommended to me as good areas for "local" atmosphere, not yet too gentrified or touristy.

http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm

Grasshopper

Whatever you do, don't let a taxi driver take you &quot;to a place by the sea... a place where his <i>mother</i> likes to eat.&quot;

brotherleelove2004

very GOOD advice!!

Nikki

I'm interested in the answers to this also, leaving for Athens next Thursday.

Vera

Best way to find a quaint taverna is to wander through the Plaka district. Have a great time!
Vera

Grandmere1

Try the classic Taverna Xinos, at Odos Anghelou Gheronta 4, in Plaka; it has stood the test of time, and you will find many Athenians there, and also some tourists. The stuffed grape leaves with lemon sauce are wonderful. Open Mon-Fri. Make reservations if going in high season. Have fun!

Eleni

most of the tavernas in Plaka are not very good
try the Psiri area instead, which is just the other side of Plaka and well worth the detour. more greeks than tourists, vs. plaka with more tourists than greeks

repete

great advice, eleni. psiri is wonderful.

MaryXXX

Thanks to all for your wonderful suggestions. We are actually staying in the Psyrri area at the new(ish) Fresh Hotel. I went to a Psyrri website that listed a lot of places -- if anyone could help narrow down the possibilities, I'd appreciate it!

yipper

Hi,
I have to agree with Grandmere 1, Xinos is a nice traverna in the Plaka area. They also have nice live music. It is a tourist area, but the taverna is delightful. So if you find yourself in the Plaka and are hungry, seek this place out.

stanbr

Can't remember the name of our favorite taverna in Monistraki but this is how you can get to it. Go to the Monistraki subway station, stand with your back to the McDonald's restaurant (try not to be tempted by a Big Mac!) and walk straight ahead, across the square. Right on the edge of the square at the corner of the first street you come to is the place. Established in the &quot;1890's&quot; on the sign. It is on the edge of the Plaka area, many Greeks frequent this place, live music on the weekends; locals sing along. The red house wine is wonderful, and the dalmandes are huge and are the best we have tasted. Very inexpensive.

Nikki

Back from Greece. We enjoyed the following tavernas, in all of which we were the only visible non-Greeks.

Plateia Iroon, located on the plateia of the same name, in Psiri. Tel. 210 3211.915. Live music (bouzouki and guitar) started around 10:30.

Mandras, just a block away from Plateia Iroon, at the corner of Anargyron and Taki. Tel. 210 321 3765. Live music which might go all afternoon and evening. We passed by one night when there was a singer and a band, and ate there another night when there were two guys playing keyboard and guitar and singing quite well.

Hermion Restaurant, 15 Pandrossou in the Plaka. Te. 210 32 47 148. They have a website at www.hermion.gr. This place was recommended by the Greek woman who sat next to me on the plane. There were groups of people arriving in their business suits after work when we ate there. Live music when we visited which started out as one guy on a guitar, who was joined after a while by a woman singing, and after another while by a guy playing bouzouki. The web site says there is music on Friday and Saturday, but we were there on Thursday night and there was music.

You say you want live traditional music? We went to Stoa Athanaton at Sofokleous 19 in the Central meat market building. Tel. 210 321 4362. Live rembetika music until dawn. I believe there is also an afternoon show. We were the first to leave at 2 AM. The place was sold out, filled with Greeks, dancing and singing along to many of the songs. At least when we went, reservations were essential.

MaryXXX

Thanks so much Nikki. I'm adding your suggestions to my list. Which of these places was your favorite?

Nikki

Favorite? I don't know, I liked them all, but maybe the atmosphere was the most warm at the first one, Plateia Iroon. My daughter didn't like the grilled veal she ordered for her main course, though. We both liked our dishes at the other places. And the Stoa Athanaton is a very different experience, not really a restaurant.

For fuller descriptions, you can take a look at my trip report, which is admittedly VERY long, and which I have just finished posting. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34589254