Snacks

Have you ever tried “grandma’s hair”?

Maybe the translation from Greek to English not to be the ideal one, but I will explain it better later. But first a question: what does a traveler have to do? Of course taste the street food of the city he/she visits – the food you can taste while wandering around.

At Athens there are different kind of flavours that you can taste. So here we are:

1st step: “grandma’s hair”. This is the candy of our childhood! It is made only by sugar in a magical, special way.

2nd step: “a chicken-lollipop”. It is simpler than what you can imagine. It is a red lollipop which shape is a chicken. Really delicious and really bad for your teeth.

3rd step: Baked corn with butter and salt. You can find its special version decorated with a wooden, miniature flag. Really special during winter time.

4th step: Coconuts with sugar! Hidden between “fountains” – like on the picture!

5th step: Last, but not least. Our nights at the city mostly end up at a cantina. This is the place to visit after drinking & dancing the whole night. Cantina is a vehicle where its owners can make a sandwich or a hotdog with all ingredients a hungry stomach can ask for. They are spread around the big roads of the city. Some of the famous ones are at Mavili square and at Pireos street. You can find street food at central roads of Athens.

Bon apetit!

Glykis cafe is located in Plaka – the most touristic area of Athens. But what makes it not so commercial is that is hidden at a corner of two small roads. It is one of the most quiet and relaxed places all over the city. It can be a small urban jungle as there are plants and flowers around. Take a look also at its drawings that refer to traditional myths – like the mermaid that swims across the oceans.

I like it at lunch time. Their pies (cheese, spinach, etc.) are really tasteful. You can also taste “saganaki” – baked cheese or ask for a “poikilia”(like spanish tapas). And if you are in a mood for something sweet do not miss “ipovrixio vanilia” -a great candy that is ideal when you are really thirsty.

Plaka can be an interesting great neighborhood especially if you avoid the touristic traps and discover its secrets just by wandering around.

The only reason travellers – even the residents of Athens – visit Piraeus is to take a boat and travel to the islands. But as I grew up at Piraeus I really love its special neighborhoods and mostly its open air flea market! Located really close to the central station it is worth a visit.

Multi culti meets exotism! Everything can be found there, from snails to exotic fish that are imported from Iceland. You can find all cds – or even tapes! – at its record shops. You can also enjoy a lunch at its restaurants – that mostly serve great meals with meat and then take a look at exotic fruits and vegetables. Ideal time: a Saturday morning.

The best way to end your walk at this flea market is to visit the port of Piraeus that stands opposite the market. There are some nice “kafeneia”(the greek style of a cafe) inside that you can enjoy a glass of ouzo while gazing the huge boats that are ready to sail.

And you never know! Maybe you will decide to book a last minute trip a beautiful island around. Why don’t you check an on day excursion to Argosaronic islands – Aegina, Poro, Hydra or Spetses? It takes from 30 minutes to 3 hours. You can just take a boat in the morning and come back at night. My favorite one is Hydra! Really scenic, really beautiful, really aristocratic.

Lacandona is an area of rainforest which stretches from Chiapas, Mexico into Guatemala and into the southern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. But if this Lacandona is a bit far away for you, why don’t you visit our Lacandona? And what is all this about?

Lacandona is a  cafe – grocery located in the center of the city. Its main characteristic is that all the products are based on the fair trade market. This means that the products are bought directly from the producers, making for better trading conditions and promoting sustainability.

You can buy traditional products from Greece but also products from Latin America Asia and Africa. Biscuits from Kythira island, tea and chamomile from the mountains, merenda from Mexico (this is my favorite one ) but also handmade soaps and African musical instruments. But as it is a cafe also you can enjoy a double espresso from Ethiopia, a fresh pomegranate juice and many more tasteful things !

Although it is 5 minutes on foot from Syntagma metro station it is a bit complicated to find it – just check our map and you will discover our secret  colourful place.

A small classy bistro located in the most controversial neighborhood of Athens. You should definitely give it a try and enjoy excellent coffee, wine or liqueur from a wide variety accompanied with delicious snacks. First of all, as a coffee addict, I love it for the quality of coffee they serve and then for the great atmosphere that is created from the retro style and the jazz sounds. Aleksadrino combines excellent quality with reasonable prices, inside that scenery inspired by French movies of the 30′s.

However you should be prepared! Most of the time is crowded and is difficult to find a place to sit. Even if that happened to you there are many other nice bars and restaurants just next to it.

I highly recommend this place for any occasion and at any time of the day or night. All that cozy, Paris, jazz feeling that this place provides will make you feel like belonging in another era!