Veganaki used to be called ‘Zachari & Alati’ (sugar & salt) but I suppose this name was giving out the wrong message, even though they were already vegetarian. A few years ago, the owners decided to fully commit to making meals without animal products.

Veganaki, on top of being vegan, is all about healthy food. Their falafel aren’t the greasy balls you might expect to find elsewhere. Instead, these guys bake their goodies.

They used to be more of a street food/fast food place, but recently they renovated and hugely expanded the menu — and premises. Now they’re a proper vegan restaurant and one of the best in Athens at that! I’m very happy they’ve been so successful. They deserve it!

Last time I was there I tried their falafel alternative, the rovitsa, or mung bean, pita. I also got a tiramisu. They were both delicious and relatively inexpensive, if you take the top quality as well as local source of their ingredients into account. I also definitely recommend the ‘plastos’, a kind of horta pita with corn flour, spinach and leek. It’s a must-try and surprisingly filling — as is their raw salad. Their biggest hit is probably their vegan moussaka.

Perhaps best of all, for some folks at least: this spot is a discus’s throw from all the ancient stuff.

Oh, and don’t forget to try their cashew cheese. Mmmmm!