Experiences · 28 of the best in Athens

Culinary Backstreets

Food walking tour·Central Market (Varvakios)·€€€€

Food writers’ walks

Small-group food walks through Plaka, Exarchia and the Central Market, led by food writers.

A charcuterie seller at his counter lined with cured meats — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

Souvlaki wraps being finished on the grill — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

Plates of loukoumades being served — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

Sesame koulouri rings stacked in a bakery window — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

Honey poured over a bowl of yoghurt and walnuts at an Athens dairy bar — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

A glass of yoghurt with honey on a saucer — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

Guests choosing olives at a market stall on a Culinary Backstreets walk — Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Culinary Backstreets

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About Culinary Backstreets

Culinary Backstreets began as Istanbul Eats in 2009 and now walks the backstreets of Athens with tour leaders who are food journalists, chefs and long-time residents. Groups stay at seven guests or fewer, and the company takes no free meals or commissions from the places it visits. The Culinary Secrets of Downtown Athens walk runs for about five and a half hours, from honeyed yoghurt at an old dairy bar to meze in the fishmongers’ hall at Varvakios and olive tastings across the street; Plaka, Plaka at Twilight and Exarchia have walks of their own. Book it for your first or second day, then eat your way through the rest of the trip using your guide’s list. Our advice: book on the Culinary Backstreets site well ahead in high season, and come with an empty stomach.