The Ultimate Guide To Being Vegan In Athens
For all those vegans and vegetarians planning to visit Athens and wondering if the Greek menu is all about souvlaki… well, we have a surprise for you! Turns out there are plenty of options for vegetarian food in Athens and throughout all of Greece.
While lamb, beef, and pork are popular dishes in Greece, much of Greek cuisine is vegetarian-based — and anything that isn’t vegetarian can be made to suit the vegetarian diet. Which is actually not so surprising, because vegetarianism originated in the civilizations of ancient India and, yes, ancient Greece.
Meanwhile, today, the Greek diet is famed for its healthy approach to eating, with a heavy emphasis on fresh, colorful produce. Greece’s climate makes it ideal for growing fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, spinach, artichokes, fennel, lettuce, cabbage, zucchini, eggplant, and peppers — all popular ingredients in Greek cuisine.
So if you’re visiting Athens, don’t be misled by restaurants or tavernas advertising souvlaki to the majority of tourists! Take a closer look at their menus, and you’ll find a great variety of fresh fish, eggplant, and zucchini pies, salads, pligouri burgers, soups, boiled greens such as vlita, and much more. There is a variety of delicious vegetarian or vegan gourmets in every tavern you visit.
Here are some of our favorites you have to try:
Briam: Chunks of zucchini, potatoes, and eggplant (sometimes with cheese), seasoned with tomato sauce and olive oil, and baked in an oven.
Dakos: Cretan-style barley rusk with tomato, feta cheese, onion, and olive oil.
Dolmathes: Grape leaves stuffed with lemon-flavored rice and spices.
Fava: Blended chickpeas or split peas garnished with olive oil and served as a dip for bread.
Gigantes: Baked broad beans (butter beans), generally in a sweet onion tomato sauce — but you may occasionally find different variations.
Greek salad. The most famous Greek dish, and the most simplest of salads — tomato, black olives, cucumber, onion, and feta cheese, seasoned with salt and oregano, olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice. Delicious!
Imam: An eggplant stuffed with onions, tomatoes, and spices, and baked in an oven.
Spanakopita: Also known as spinach pie, this baked filo pastry is stuffed with spinach, feta cheese, and onion.
Tzatziki: a delicious yogurt-based dip, with cucumbers, dill, and garlic. This can be served as a dip or topping to accompany almost any Greek dish.
Eating Out – Restaurant Recommendations
Avocado
Avocado was one of the first vegetarian/vegan restaurants to open in the capital. This is the best place to experience unique Greek and oriental flavors such as, Indian soups, Greek salad, falafel, veggie paella, and vegan burgers,
Operating Hours:
Monday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Tuesday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Wednesday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Thursday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Friday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Saturday: 11.00 am – 09.00 pm
Sunday: 12.00 pm – 05.00 pm
Address: Nikis 30, Athina 105 57
Contact Phone: + 30 21 0323 7878
The restaurant Ivis4 is here to offer a new unique gastronomic experience to anyone who visits. Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, we have created an imaginative menu with “teasing” in classic recipes but also with the addition of innovative ideas that will make your palate forget what it knew about the food in Psyrri.
The menu is full of dishes for every hour of the day and the bar of Ivis4 comes to offer unique signature cocktails that will be combined with your meal and will launch the culinary experience.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Tuesday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Wednesday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Thursday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Friday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Saturday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Sunday: 07.15 am – 11.30 pm
Address: Ivis 4, Athina 105 54
Contact Phone: + 30 21 0321 3340
Eating In – Takeaway Recommendations
Mama Tierra was recently awarded the ‘Michelin Plate’ by foodie maestro Michelin and they offer quality vegan dishes like quinoa salad, moussaka made from coconut milk, and guacamole with homemade nachos.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Tuesday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Wednesday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Thursday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Friday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Saturday: 01.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Address: Greece, Akadimias 84, Athina 106 78
Contact Phone: + 30 21 1411 4420
Located in the heart of Athens, Vegan Beat offers a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for all diners. Specializing in plant-based cuisine, the restaurant prides itself on serving delicious, healthy, and eco-friendly dishes. From hearty burgers and wraps to fresh salads and smoothies, the menu is crafted to delight the taste buds while promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Whether you’re a dedicated vegan or simply exploring plant-based options, Vegan Beat provides a cozy and modern setting to enjoy wholesome, flavorful meals.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Tuesday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Wednesday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Thursday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Friday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Saturday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Sunday: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
Address: Perikleous 56, Athina 105 60
Contact Phone: + 30 21 0321 3009
Vegan Options at the Market
Every city in Greece has its own laiki street market, where farmers and vendors from villages across the countryside come into town to sell their products. Big cities usually have more than one laiki located in different neighborhoods and they’re usually held once a week. Here you will find a wide variety of raw seasonal vegetables, fresh fruits, organic honey and local spirits.
Everyday: Main city market.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Tuesday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Wednesday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Thursday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Friday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Saturday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Sunday: 07.00 am – 06.00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Address: Athinas 42, Athens
Friday: Organic Market (morning). Sq. Dexameni, Kolonaki
Operating Hours: Friday: 07:00 am – 03:00 pm
Address: Dexamenis Square, Xenokratous Street, Kolonaki, Athens
Saturday: Exarchia Laiki Market (morning). St. Kalidromiou, Exarcheia
Operating Hours: Saturday: 07:00 am – 03:00 pm
Address: Kallidromiou Street, Exarcheia, Athens
Vegan Shopping
4 Season Bio Shop is a health store where you can find vegan products such as meat and cheese vegan substitutes, organic wines and other organic and dry food. You should find a variety of organic cosmetics here too.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 08.00 am – 09.30 pm
Tuesday: 08.00 am – 09.30 pm
Wednesday: 08.00 am – 09.30 pm
Thursday: 08.00 am – 09.30 pm
Friday: 08.00 am – 09.30 pm
Saturday: 08.00 am – 08.00 pm
Sunday: 12.00 am – 08.00 pm
Address: St. Nikis 30, Athens 105 57
Tel: +30 21 0322 9078
Bamboo Vegan
Bamboo Vegan is a grocery and health store in Exarcheia Neighborhood that where you can find vegetarian and vegan products such as, vegan cheese, superfoods and dry fruits as well, serves yummy vegan sandwiches, pies and cakes.
Operating Hours:
Monday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 05:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 01:00 am
Saturday: 11:00 am – 04:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
Address: Zoodochou Pigis 36, Athina 106 81
Tel: +30 21 0330 0018
Make your trip even healthier (and happier) by checking out our Athens Wellness Guide, which gives you the lowdown on the latest health and wellness options in Athens and beyond…
