Antonis from Athens

Antonis Tsapepas (1974) About me I was born in Athens, a few metres from the Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos, as were my father and my grandfather. Therefore, I consider myself a native of this unique city. Perhaps these images of the ancient monuments from my childhood made me want to become an archaeologist. I was able to do this by earning a degree in archaeology from t...
Sep 8, 2025

Valitsa Athens

Great food in excellent setting

"My walk usually ends up in Valitsa, a beautiful cafe and restaurant. Valitsa has a unique interior, with one wall covered by old, authentic suitcases."

One of my favourite walks in Athens is in the picturesque and peaceful neighbourhood of Ano Petralona. Starting from Filopappos Hill, I go downhill towards Troon Street to end up at Merkouri Square. On the way, I come across the well-kept detached houses of the previous decades, the small gardens, the local stores, and the numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants of the area.

My walk usually ends up in Valitsa (which means suitcase in Greek), a beautiful cafe and restaurant. First of all, Valitsa has a unique interior, with one wall covered by old, authentic suitcases. The suitcases have different colours and sizes, some in good condition and others damaged by the passage of time. When you look at them, it is as if they all want to tell you their stories. Valitsa also houses a grocery store with traditional Greek products.

But don't forget that all of these are accompanied by a variety of extraordinary Greek dishes. Although the main influences are from Cretan cuisine, you will also taste flavours from other parts of Greece. Among the dishes that stand out are zucchini flowers stuffed with rice, skioufihta (traditional pasta) baked in the oven, and stuffed sausages (with sun-dried tomato and feta cheese). However, a special mention must be made of the excellent "Valitsa" salad (a nest of dough with lola, arugula, sun-dried tomato, walnut, green apple, and Gruyere flakes). Valitsa is a well-welcoming place with great food, excellent decoration and service with a smile.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

About this spot

Dimofontos 80

Skioufihta:

8

+30

2103470828

Our Athens City Guide

Find your way with 264 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

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

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. 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

Santaroza

Asian film noir

Its trademark is the long, wooden bar that, with a length of 14 meters is perhaps the longest bar in Athens. It's the best place for negronis and whiskeys.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Oct 11, 2025

Matchpoint bar

Calm, cool and collected

Matchpoint's interior is tastefully decorated, and the music is lovely but my favorite is sitting outside enjoying my drink and watching the world go by.

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

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Oct 11, 2025

Ode to socks

Greek culture encapsulated

Ode to socks has made good use of the local greek heroes such as the priest (pappa), the priest's wife, the sailor, and the fisherman, who are characteristic figures in every Greek's childhood.

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

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Oct 11, 2025

Mandragoras

Every time is like the first time

There are always dishes of the day in addition to the set menu, so no two visits to Mandragoras are ever the same. And kontosouvli is always available.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Oct 7, 2025

Mouries in Kolonos

Authentic Athenian

It does not matter what you order when you visit Mouries because everything is made with the same care (however, my favorite dish here is the meatballs).

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Oct 6, 2025

Hatzigeorgiou

Αdding flavour to life

Every time I cross Evripidou Street, I am overwhelmed by the aroma of cinnamon, pepper, and oregano, and images of Eastern bazaars come to mind.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Oct 4, 2025

To Laini

Where the Cretan heart beats

My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Oct 3, 2025

"Mauricio the cat" bookstore

A cultivated cat

Mauricio the cat likes to carry the latest publications, bringing attention to quality and design, and often hosts events such as reading time meetings with popular authors for his little friends.

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

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Oct 3, 2025

Prigkiponisia

Traditional tsoureki bread

"Prigkiponisia" is one of my favorite pastry shops in Palaio Faliro, Athens. They're well known for their tsoureki bread & ice cream

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sofia

Skioti

Oct 2, 2025

Koukaki

My dearest neighborhood

"Koukaki", the neighborhood in the center of Athens, is my favorite neighborhood anywhere in the world! Just come explore -- you won't regret it...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Oct 2, 2025

The Clumsies

Nice and cozy

"The Clumsies" in Athens - my personal 'love at first sight'. This bar is different: let the world-class bartenders charm you with their cocktails...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Oct 2, 2025

Melanthiou street

Cyclists' joint

"Melanthiou street" used to be an Athens street where drug addicts frequented - now it's a cyclist's joint, full of refreshing bars and creative studios.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Oct 2, 2025

Heading to Athens?

264 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

Heading to Athens?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

264 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 499 Spotters.
Filters