I had been hearing about Lelouda’s tavern in Athens for a long time now, but every time I planned to visit it something would always come up. I managed to do it just recently and it was the first of many to come.

Let me start by saying that this tavern began operating in 1928 by the grandfather’s uncle of today’s owner, who later on went on and bought it in 1932 and finally named it after him, (Dimitris) Leloudas. Another thing you must know is that the tavern has an exquisite wine, handmade by Mr. Dimitris himself, in his 48 barrels. The tavern attracts a heterogeneous variety of people from doctors and lawyers, to artists or even priests, but the most familiar crowd is truck drivers, as the area is teeming with warehouses. There you will also meet the tavern’s mascot, Mustache Mitsos. He started out as a regular customer, who then became a friend and ended up working in the tavern. And this is what I enjoyed the most in this place: the feeling that everyone is one company hanging out in one’s house.

Now about the food, everything I have tried was simple, yet amazing; the Greek salad, the meatballs, the cheese from Kythnos island and of course the house specialty cod with skordalia (a thick puree of garlic and potatoes) among others.

So, right after shopping at the Scavenger’s flea market, have at least a drink or even better stay for a meal in Lelouda’s tavern.