Polyvios Athens

My childhood's taste

Marilena from Athens

I was born and raised in the area of Piraeus, the port next to Athens. It’s one of the main reasons I am in love with the sea and industrial places. Since I finished my studies of “Business Administration” (still do not know why I studied something that I dislike!) , I started working at my family run travel agency. Unfortunately , because of Covid we have to close that agency . But t...
""Polyvios" in Piraeus, the port of Athens, is a super-authentic place where I've been coming for souvlaki portions with my parents for almost 35 years..."

Forgeτ Wi-Fi, forget Facebook pages, forget the modern way of restaurants, and let's remember how authentic Greek restaurants that serve souvlaki (portions of it) were -- and still are.

My family and I have going to Polyvios to enjoy its amazing souvlaki since my sister and I were 5 years old. One of my very first memories as a child was looking forward to the moment that Mrs Despoina, the owner, would serve us pieces of pita covered with pieces of meat and onions and boiled tomatoes, and I would press down the tomatoes with a fork on the pita! I think this is the taste of my childhood.

You can also order your souvlaki portion, along with their amazing tzatziki and a plate full of fried potatoes. And, of course, cold beers.

The decoration is very simple, just a clock on the wall and a few pictures. It is a family-run business where Mrs Despoina has been working the last 35 years, and lately, her son's been helping out, making amazing souvlakias.

Note that this place is in Drapetsona, far away from the center of Athens. But if you are looking for an authentic place to have dinner before going to the port and boarding a ferry sailing for the islands, it's an ideal place. It is located only 10 minutes on foot from Gate E3, where the boats of Creta leave from.

PS. Ask to taste the "anameikto", a mixed plate of different types of meats.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Athens Spotter Marilena

I was born and raised in the area of Piraeus, the port next to Athens. It’s one of the main reasons I am in love with the sea and industrial places. Since I finished my studies of “Business Administration” (still do not know why I studied something that I dislike!) , I started working at my family run travel agency. Unfortunately , because of Covid we have to close that agency . But the last year my husband and cospotter Dimitris we run a channel at YouTube called “Easy Greek” where we help people learning Greek from our videos . I love music and I like  any kind of e...

About this spot

Agiou Dimitriou 28

Portion:

9

+30

2104617563

Nov 26, 2025

Our Athens City Guide

Find your way with 265 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

Kyklo

Slow Living & Zero Waste

Aspiring to be a one-stop shop for ecological and quality zero-waste solutions, Kyklo advocates for a slower and more conscious way of living.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Nov 28, 2025

Line Athens

Grapeless wine

The innovation found in Line is the why-in, meaning the grapeless wine which is produced via the same process as traditional wines, but fruit, such as figs or pomegranate, is used in the place of grapes.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Nov 28, 2025

Zen Garden

Serene island in a concrete jungle

In 2022, the garden opened to the public, after being constructed according to a biophilic design, serving as a green, calming 3.500 sq m zone in the center of the city.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Nov 28, 2025

Souvlaki Giorgos-Gyzi

Souvlaki is art

Many souvlatzidika have started adding more “modern” ingredients in their souvlaki, such as lettuce or yellow sauce. But Giorgos-Gyzi keeps things simple, fresh, and tasty.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Nov 27, 2025

Myrtillo

Everyday positivity

Founded in 2013, 90% of the team working in Myrtillo consists of people with disabilities as part of a social cooperative trying to provide a better future for vulnerable people and fight mental health stigma.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Nov 27, 2025

Museum of Ancient Greek Technology

A family visit

Ever heard about ancient Greek tech? This Athens museum offers interactive exhibits like the Antikythera Mechanism and robot-servant in a unique building.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Nov 26, 2025

Pan's Sanctuary

Find the hidden ancient god

Discover a hidden Athens' ancient sanctuary of Pan on Ardittou Street! Spot the faint Pan relief on a rock near Agia Fotini church — can you see him?

002-building
Art & culture

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Nov 26, 2025

Freatida

Ancient walls next to the sea

"Freatida" in Piraeus, the port of Athens, is an often-overlooked but beautiful and strange part of the city. Just look at those walls!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 26, 2025

Little Pot Ceramics

Beautiful handmade ceramics!

"Little Pot Ceramics" in Athens is one of my favorite ceramic shops in the city - come meet Tonia and her creative obsession with this ancient modern art!

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 26, 2025

Drapetsona

The industrial silence

"Drapetsona" is an area in Piraeus (Athens) that I love for its industrial style architecture. Drapetsona is also famous for its street art.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 26, 2025

Peiraiki

Piraeus' coastline

Peiraiki in Athens is a place that any explorer would want to spot - the coast of Piraeus that starts from the Chatzikyriakeio area and ends at Pasalimani.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 26, 2025

Lipasmata of Drapetsona

Ex-factory, now a park!

"Lipasmata of Drapetsona" in Piraeus, Athens is an ex-factory that's been turned into an urban park and recreational space! I like the concerts and sunsets

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Nov 26, 2025

Heading to Athens?

265 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Athens app Home
Athens app Home
Athens app Map
Athens app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

265 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Athens

Our team loves Athens

Get to know our other Spotters from Athens

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
41
Made with the 💚 of 497 Spotters.
Filters