We emphasize that the quality of a gyro depends entirely on the sourcing of the meat from regional Greek farms. A part of me thought the rich, beefy flavors might be a little overpowering, but they worked surprisingly well with the other ingredients. I was surprised to find quite a few other Mediterranean dishes on the menu, including Greek salad, falafel, and hummus. These spots represent the heart of the city’s fast-food culture, focusing on speed without compromising the integrity of the ingredients. We take pride in finding the unassuming corners where locals line up for their daily fix of pork or chicken.
When visiting O Kostas, the chef highly recommends trying the souvlaki, which is a staple of the menu and praised for its authentic flavor. While the primary focus is on meat dishes, gluten-free options are available upon request. The restaurant also features a variety of soft drinks and bottled water to quench your thirst. For a non-alcoholic option, traditional Greek lemonade is available, providing a zesty contrast to the savory dishes. Guests can enjoy refreshing Greek wines, such as Assyrtiko or Agiorgitiko, which complement the flavors of the grilled meats.
Everything somehow tasted better with every bite, from the soft fried potatoes to the chicken’s subtle lemon and spicy oregano flavors. From the first taste of the fluffy pita bread, I had a good feeling about this place. Though it’s not quite a sit-down restaurant, there are a handful of tables tucked around the back.
Taste in the shade at these courtyard taverns in Athens
On the surface, it looks like your run-of-the-mill fast food joint, but it’s home to some of the most sensational gyros I’ve found in all of Athens. They have quite a few seats in their chic outdoor area, something you don’t always get with street food spots. I wasn’t prepared to take the risk of the hot sauce, and I didn’t know if I was hungry enough for a large serving, so I stuck to classic pork gyros.
A Slice partner for 7 years, this restaurant is a mainstay of the community. If you have a family to fee or just a big appetite, you can make your meal into a feast! Kosta's homemade meatballs and sauce, topped with mozzarella and grated pecorino cheese, are served on a hoagie or pita bread. Marinated, grilled pork or chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, feta cheese, and our homemade tzatziki wrapped in a pita. Thin slices of seasoned, pressed lamb and beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, feta cheese, and our homemade tzatziki. A classic Greek lemon chicken soup made with chicken broth, orzo, shredded chicken, and a creamy lemon sauce.
There are no fries or dollops of overpowering Tzatziki drizzled over greasy meat in oily pita bread that you will find a short walk up the road. Despite its no frills unassuming presence, the simple offering is full of integrity with fresh ingredients and quality meats. Practically everyone, but that’s kind of irrelevant because it’s primarily a takeaway place.
Experience the Menu at O Kostas
We must warn you though, that it’s best to get there before midday, as there are always crowds of people waiting for their Souvlaki hit and chances, are if you arrive there after 3 pm, they will have sold out! This iconic Athenian street food store has been around since 1950 and first opened its doors in a tiny location in Plaka. If you ask locals, which is their all-time favourite Souvlaki shop in the heart of Athens? Try them for yourself and see why they're such a local favorite.
Tucked right in the heart of the city at Syntagma Square, it keeps things simple and old-school, which means, naturally, it gets very busy come lunchtime (be prepared for queues) and sells off and closes at 3pm every day. A family-run business that's been handed down through generations, Kostas is a true Athenian institution since 1950. It tastes just as good as I remember from when I first tried it nearly 20 years ago.
- In addition to classic sandwiches, the menu features sides, a selection of cold and hot beverages, and a few pastry options like Lamingtonne Pastrie.
- Try them for yourself and see why they're such a local favorite.
- Traditional Greek sausage, thinly sliced and served on fresh pita bread.
- Whether you're a local or a visitor, O Kostas invites you to savor the rich flavors of Greece in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
- This iconic Athenian street food store has been around since 1950 and first opened its doors in a tiny location in Plaka.
O Kostas, a beloved restaurant in ο κώστας Athens, Greece, offers an authentic taste of Greek cuisine with a focus on traditional souvlaki. The fastest way to taste the true flavor of any city is to wander through the local food markets. It shares its lineage with the doner kebab but has been uniquely adapted to local Greek tastes and ingredients over the decades.
This is Kosta, a legendary spot tucked into a tiny, cute little square in the city's heart, Agias Irinis Square (outdoor seating on the square is a plus). I wish I could say the same for the kebab wrap, but I suspect I was still under the spell of that pork skewer I tried first. There is a handful of seats inside, but no outdoor seating and not much charm on the surrounding pavement, so it’s very much a takeaway kind of place.
Lunch Street Food
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Whether you go for the skewered meat or the kebab, you’re in for something special. Spicy, fragrant, and utterly comforting, it's a secret family recipe and you’ll wish they sold it by the bottle (or bucket). Expect to queue, especially during peak hours, but it’s time well spent.
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