Culinary Secrets of Downtown Athens
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Our approach is different than most tour companies. Each of our culinary walks is the outcome of considerable research. We work with academics in the field and our own team of experienced professionals – both guides and local journalists. Our ongoing publishing of articles, from restaurant reviews to features about the intersection of food and culture, constantly feeds new material into the culinary walks, so they evolve and constantly improve. Though costly, we believe that this is how to create the quality experiences we strive for. We practice honest tourism and would never accept a free lunch or any sort of commission. On the contrary, we are proud to know that the money spent during the culinary walk goes to support businesses that we believe in, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the cities we love so dearly.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Snacks
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Coffee and/or Tea
What To Expect
Central Market Athens
On this 5½-hour food tour, we will explore the culinary backstreets and secrets of downtown Athens, in search of the soul of this historic yet always vibrant city.
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Culinary Secrets of Downtown Athens
Reviews
102 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Athens is Delicious!
Journey768557,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour was terrific. We ended up just being with Constantine alone. He’s knowledgeable about food of course but also the history. My husband has limited mobility and he was very thoughtful to have us experience everything at a slower pace. So we had ice cream for breakfast! My only complaint…there’s a lot to eat! The food was delicious but pace yourself!
A MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE!
Z5607FOelizabethd,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Culinary Secrets of Downtown Athens was a highlight tour for us during our month of travel and filled us with fascinating food facts and tastings, Greek cultural history related to food traditions, and social joy shared between our passionate guide, Carolina, and our small group of participants. The tour was deliberately designed to be both an informational as well as a very friendly experience. SO GREEK! In the large city of Athens, we wove our way through top quality shops and markets that our expert selected for us to enjoy a wide variety of Greek food and drinks. The experience was soulful, unique, and satisfying. We learned so much! The tour felt very personal as though we were someone's guests. We googled Carolina Doriti our expert guide and found our suspicions to be spot on. Her knowledge is exceptional for a reason. Turns out she is a cook book author from a multi-generational family of chefs and food authors. She is the culinary producer of a show broadcast by PBS television in USA and Canada! And modest! Her vast knowledge and expertise delivered with friendly and approachable confidence is her advertisement. Our adult children are all hobby cooks who enjoy the experience of cooking fresh and delicious daily meals for their families. We bought Greek cookbooks we found were authored by Carolina which we ordered online to send home to our kids and ourselves. We travel with carry-on luggage and collect very few souvenirs. Our kids are thrilled about our gift selection for them. The cookbooks are as informational, practical, and artful as was the tour. A wonderful and useful momento of a wonderful travel experience and a helpful publication that connects Greek History to food.
Amazing experience, a must do!
919janette,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! My husband and I love food tours and decided to do one in Athens and wanted a smaller experience. This one fit the bill and a wonderful mix of history and food. My only advice is to pace yourself with food as it's 5 hrs and by hour ~3 I was already full!
10/10, would do it again in a heartbeat
Road769016,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was extremely knowledgeable and a great communicator, the food was amazing, we had a great time overall. We got a great variety of local foods and learned a ton about the history and culture of Greek food while walking Athens.
Great first experience, definitely will do again!
emmahE8314DJ,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour! Katia was very knowledgeable about the area and stores around the food as well. Had great information on the food itself and recommendations for what to do in Athens. Was a wonderful experience and we will definitely do this again in another city!
Recommend this tour
R1824CXmikec,
Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had been told by friends about Culinary Backstreets, and were very interested in taking this tour to get a taste of Athens. We were not disappointed. Our guide, Katia, was delightful and had first-hand knowledge of all the streets and establishments we stopped at. The food was delicious, authentic, and plentiful. Just what I was looking for. From cheese pies, Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts, souvlaki, and a meze lunch with seafood, dolmades, and much more. Every bite was a joy. And the things we saw along the walk were fascinating, especially the meat market. Definitely recommend this tour.
deliciousness in places i’d never think to try
gabrielratchet,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A really wonderful adventure - all the food, yes, but a sense of the arch of time through the spaces we explored, the buildings we saw and walked through, the quality of life integrated with the quality of ingredients and preparation. Costantinos was a lively and knowledgeable shepherd for the group, but most of all the perfect personable and entertaining dining companion.
Fun food tour
Happy2GoAnywhere,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fun tour. Nice to be able to sample some of the typical Greek dishes. It was nice to have a small group. We tasted yummy cheese, spinach and custard pies; cheeses; coffee; souvlaki; and enes with a family-styled lunch with a variety of dishes. I would have liked to have more vegetables in the mix, but you can only eat so much.
Outstanding and delicious.
iz1989,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding food & tour guide, Katia was exceptional. Lots of delicious & authentic food (don’t eat beforehand). Can’t recommend more highly.
An Authentic and Flavorful Journey Through Athens with Katia!
nicpouliot,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We just completed the Secrets of Downtown Athens tour with Katia, and it was absolutely incredible from start to finish, tying with the Istanbul Two Continents tour as my favorite Culinary Backstreets experience. As a local from the neighborhood, Katia wove her own childhood memories into every stop, sharing hidden gems that have been part of her personal story for generations. This made the experience feel deeply authentic and intimate, far beyond any typical tourist tour. We explored traditional Greek foods at family-run restaurants that have stood the test of time, enjoying hearty meze, fresh seafood bites, and soul-warming sweets that transported us back decades. We tasted plenty (come hungry!), and I was a fan of most dishes, especially the beef souvlaki its simplicity was deceptive, with incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced flavors that burst with every bite. I left with a deeper appreciation for Athens' culinary soul. Katia's passion shines through in every story and recommendation; you can tell it comes straight from the heart. Even though she only started guiding this tour this year, her genuine connection to the area made her a natural. If you're in Athens, this tour is a must for foodies craving real, lived-in vibes over scripted perfection. Thank you, Katia, for an unforgettable afternoon! Highly recommend. 🌟🍴
From $140.00
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