Reviewer: Foodnut.com |
Here are Restaurant Reviews and Notes from our Summer 2024 trip to Greece – Athen and Naxos.
Where to buy a SIM card or eSIM at the Athens ATH airport.
When arriving internationally, there is a Vodaphone Tourist Pack SIM card vending machine before you leave the secure area. 25GB Data, 200 local minutes, EU Roaming for 30€ SIM card or eSIM. Unlimited data, 200 local minutes, EU Roaming for 40€. If you exit security, there is a booth selling the same ones for about 5e more, but you can test it out.
If you wait and visit a Cosmote Store in Athens, you can get 7 days of Unlimited data SIM card or eSIM for only 13€! Vodaphone has street vendors selling their SIMs for a similar price.
Greece Tourist Notes
- Athens was unbearably hot during the summer. Even at 9am, the real feel was 90. Visit Athens at another time. Naxos was cooler and you could jump in the water.
- Naxos vs Santorini vs Mykonos – We picked Naxos because there are a lot less visitors to the island. Mykonos and Santorini are notably overrun with tourists especially when during the day when cruise ships arrive.
- We stayed at a resort on the beach, 20 minutes from the main town. We think this is the best way to avoid the cruise ship madness. Visit the rest of the island, and save the city center for when there are fewer ships.
- There is more to Greece than Instagram photos, visit the historical sites!
- No Uber on naxos
- No Yelp in Greece. It was hard to read between the lines of Google reviews. Ignore places in tourist zones, run away from barkers
- Buy Rick Steves book
Athens Restaurant Reviews
Last Visit: 7/15/2024
EATERY Bairaktaris Aiolou 29
Aiolou 29
Athina 105 51
21 0322 0203
https://linktr.ee/eateryathens
EATERY is highly rated on Google and was a nice cheap bet for lunch. Lots of people stroll by this alley of restaurants. Fans keep customers cool.
They have cheap pitas for less than 5€.
Food Review:
ICEBERG WEDGE (6.90€) cherry tomato, sour cream-chive dressing, crispy bacon, string cheese & pita crumbs hit the spot for vegetarians. 8/10
HUMMUS PLATE ($4.99€) tahini sauce, crispy chickpeas, tomato, harissa, warm pita was huge. Topped with tomatoes, fried chickpeas. 9/10
KEBAB (8.50€) tomato, onion, paprika & tzatziki on pita bread had 3 Long pieces of tender meat on a half pita. Half the price of ones at home. 8/10
Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Excellent
Service – Very Good
Value – Very Good
Would we come back – Yes
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Last Visit: 7/15/2024
LIONDI Traditional Greek Restaurant
Makrigianni 19-21
Athina 117 42
21 0921 9994
https://www.liondi.com
Liondi has traditional greek food with high 4.7 google ratings, it is located just north of the Acropolis along tourist row outside the Acropolis museum.
A friendly crew causes this place to be busier than others on this strip of restaurants geared towards tourists. Check for 2 people ended up being almost 90€, not cheap. Our Michelin starred meal the next day was cheaper!
Food was solid making this an okay bet for dinner. Inside is air conditioned.
Food Review:
Skin potatoes with cheese (7.50€) was a big, rich starter. 7.5/10
Roast Lamb (24.90€) was long cooked making it tender. Large portion size. Could have used more flavor. 7/10
Grilled veggie plate (13.50€) was customized for us. Eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini and more. 9/10
Dolmas (8.50€) are better than the ones in the US. 8.5/10
Gemista Stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice (13.50€) is perfect for those vegetarian, gluten free. Large plate. 8/10
Complimentary dessert.
Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Very Good
Would we come back – No
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Last Visit: 7/15/24
Varoulko Seaside
Akti Koumoundourou 54
Pireas 185 33
21 0522 8400
Varoulko Seaside is a One Michelin star restaurant situated by a marina in Athens. We watched the sailboats, SUP, and other boats cruise around. Easy online reservation. It has a beautiful view and a welcome change of pace from the touristy city center area. The food prices are about half what we would pay in San Francisco.
Food quality was top notch, as one would expect. You can eat yourself extremely full with a starter, appetizer, entree.
We got an early 4:30pm reservation for dinner. Service was professional albeit a little distant.
Food Review
Gazpacho (18) tomato, strawberry, crayfish tartar, basil is cold refreshing on such a hot day. 8.5/10
Squid on the grill (22€) salsify cream, roasted brocollini, ouzo gel is grilled just right and not overly chewy. Ouzo is weird. 8.5/10
Cuttlefish risotto (27) (Also served on its ink) is nice and black. Strong flavors and lots of cuttlefish chunks. Big dish. 9/10
Vegetarian (20) Risotto with artichoke, black truffle was cooked without butter. Nice and light rice dish with good flavor. 9/10
Sorbet (12) was a variety of 4 flavors. Clearly homemade. Some tart. 8.5/10
Overall – Excellent
Food – Excellent
Decor – Excellent
Service – Very Good
Value – Excellent
Would we come back – Yes
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Last Visit: 7/17/2024
Nikos & Maria Restaurant
Πλάκα 843 00
Nikos, Greece
2285042670
Nikos & Maria Restaurant is a beach front restaurant on the island of Naxos, Greece. It was just down the way from our hotel, Ammothines, which is great, so we went for dinner there on recommendation by the manager. The restaurant has seating at the beach and also inside the restaurant. Quite busy on a Wednesday night. They’ve been around since 1974.
The food was better than expected and half the price of food back home in San Francisco.
Service was solid, not Michelin quality, but passable.
Food Review:
Fava Beans (7e) were smashed like mashed potatoes – different than expected but still tasted good for vegetarians. 8/10
Greek Salad (9.50) was huge and had a dressing that wasn’t too vinegary unlike most in the US. A lot better than home. Huge pieces of feta. 9/10
Grilled octopus (18) with sautéed vegetables was a huge portion that literally did not fit on the plate. One of the best ones we’ve tried. Tender, not overcooked and cheap! 9/10
Overall – Very Good
Food – Very Good
Decor – Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Excellent
Would we come back – Yes
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Last Visit: 7/18/2024
To Elliniko Restaurant
Ioannou Paparigopoulou
Naxos 843 00, Greece
2285 027050
To Elliniko is a traditional greek restaurant on the island of Naxos. It was recommended, so we gave it a try even though it is right on the busy and touristy Ioannou Paparigopoulou street.
The food was super cheap and great, something every tourist seeks. What a pleasant surprise on our last night on beautiful Naxos. Menu has English.
Service was warm and helpful, although laid back, so you need to drive things.
Food Review
Bulgur Salad (9) bulgur peas, cucumber, spring onion,
dill, fennel & strawberries was a nice different salad from the usual greek one. Nice light flavors and just a little strawberry. 8.5/10
Eggplant in the oven (9.50) with tomatoes, onion, garlic & parsley is a heavy vegetarian entry. Lots of food. Well done. 9/10
Goat Stew (13) was fantastic, the server recommended it. Tender goat with an awesome tomato sauce and chunks of potato. Must order. Easily $55 in Kokkari in San Francisco, and not as good. 10/10
Side of vegetables (6) helped augment the lack of veggies. 7.5/10
Bread (1) is forgettable. 5/10
Complimentary yogurt dessert was a bit sweet but tangy and wonderful.
Overall – Excellent
Food – Excellent
Decor – Very Good
Service – Very Good
Value – Excellent
Would we come back – Yes
Restaurant Map: