Central Athens is absolutely perfect for culinary backstreet explorations. Food-loving tourists should not miss the opportunity to explore in and around Athens Central Market District. Fortunately, when the #winelover community met for our 4th anniversary celebrations in Athens, Greece we did just that. During our tour we were introduced to the culinary backstreets, with a few heritage highlights thrown in along the route. This photo journalist post will highlight some of our food and wine encounters.
#Winelovers take a walk through Central Athens
Our second day began with a walking tour.
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| #Winelovers, Walking Tour of Athens © Spaswinefood |
After gathering at our hotel entrance to meet our guide we were off.
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| Walking Tour of Athens © Spaswinefood |
Here are some of the stops that we made on the walking tour:
Stani
Just around the corner from our hotel was Stani (M Kotopouli 10, Omonoia). This cafe has a long history, dating back to 1931.
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| Stani, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
We entered to discover some special treats being offered at this cafe. YES, I should have skipped breakfast given that Stani our first stop. It is such a charming cafe, with tempting offerings.
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| Stani, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
Let us take a look at a few of those tempting offerings.
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| Culinary Delights at Stani, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
Of course there were some goodies for us to sample.
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| Tasting at Stani, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
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| "Being Tempted" Stani Style, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
Stani is well known for its yogurt, with honey and walnuts.
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| Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts, Stani © Spaswinefood |
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| Greek Yogurt, Stani © Spaswinefood |
There were also donuts.
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| Donuts, Stani © Spaswinefood |
I can only imagine having coffee and donuts, followed by Greek yogurt.
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| Photoing Donuts, Stani © Spaswinefood |
Yes, I did see the display case and the other tempting goodies being offered.
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| Yogurt & Sweet Display, Stani © Spaswinefood |
My "sweet" imagination could go wild here.
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| Cookie Jars, Stani © Spaswinefood |
Soon we were off, but not before I noted the name of the cafe. This is one place I want to return.
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| Stani, A Must in Central Athens @Spaswinefood |
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| Stani, Until Next Time © Spaswinefood |
A Few Heritage Details
After leaving Stani we focused on the architecture features of a few of buildings. Today you can still view some of the archeological ruins while exploring the central area.
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| #Winelovers, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
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| Viewing the Ruins, Central Athens © Spaswinefood |
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| Pausing to View the Ruins © Spaswinefood |
The Public Market Place of Athens
Next stop was The Public Market Place of Athens. Athens Public Market was founded in 1880. We walked through the fish, meat, and fruit and vegetable areas of the public market.
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The Public Market Place of Athens © Spaswinefood
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| Fresh Fish, Athens Public Market © Spaswinefood |
While it is not easy for some of us to walk through a pubic market, I did. Soon, we arrived in the fruits and vegetables section.
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| The Colorful Athens Public Market © Spaswinefood |
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| Fruits & Vegetables, Athens Public Market © Spaswinefood |
This historical public market is a must for visitors to Central Athens.
Miran Pastourma
Miran Pastourma is a deli store located in Athens Central Market District at 45 Evipidou Street. It specializes in pastourma, a dehydrated goat, beef, lamb or camel meat, which is covered in çemeni, a cumin paste made from cumin, fenugreek, garlic and hot paprika. The store also offers other deli products, such as sujuk, which is made from lamb or beef.
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| Miran Pastourma, Athens © Spaswinefood |
As you approach the store you will see various deli products on display.
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| Deli Display, Miran © Spaswinefood |
The store also sells spices. I am assuming that such species are mainly used in meat preservation, as well as, in other food preparations.
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| Spices, Miran © Spaswinefood |
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| More Spices, Miran © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Miran Pastourma © Spaswinefood |
Again, there were samples for our group to try.
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| Tasting, Miran Pastourma © Spaswinefood |
I managed to capture a picture of the garlic and pepper display before leaving.
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| Garlic & Pepper, Miran © Spaswinefood |
Then we were off to explore some more.
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| #Winelovers Exploring Athens © Spaswinefood |
The Bath House of the Winds
Yes, we made a quick stop at the Museum of Greek Folk Art, once a public bath. It is the only serviving public bath of Athens. The bath house dates to 1453-1669, during a period of Turkish rule. It was used as a public bath until 1956. Afterwards it became the property of Ministry of Culture, with the bath house being ceded to the Museum of Greek Folk Art in 1984.
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| Museum of Greek Folk Art © Spaswinefood |
Before moving on we sampled some traditional sweets.
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| Sweet Time © Spaswinefood |
Sure, I know given I am so Spaswinefood focused, I did not mention some of the happenings during the walk. Moreover, there is so much to explore in Central Athens. Nevertheless, visitors should not forget to dine at one of the many tavernas in and around the central market area.
Greek Meze Lunch at"To Kafeneio"
After our walking tour we enjoyed a typical Greek meze lunch at a popular local meze tavern, “To Kafeneio”. Meze is a small dish, or side dish that is commonly served for appetizers or lunch/dinner with alcohol, such as wine.
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Begin with Yamas, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood
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Let us take a peek at some of those maze plates we had for lunch.
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| Tempting Appetizer, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Bread & Wine, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Greens, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Meze Plates, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine & More, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Tempting Pastry, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Meze Time, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Eggplant, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Meatballs, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
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| Meat Meze Plate, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
But of course there were sweets.
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| Honey & More, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there was dessert with sweet wine, and coffee.
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| Dessert with Sweet Wine, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
While dining at To Kafeneio I could not help notice the tile designs.
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| Tables Tiles, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
Did I forget to say, it is always delightful to dine with fellow #winelovers.
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| Lunch, To Kafeneio © Spaswinefood |
Great service, good food with wines, and #winelover conversations made it a fabulous lunch.
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| To Kafeneio, Athens © Spaswinefood |
After lunch we explored a little more before heading out for our afternoon wine activity. Big Olive, City Walks that specializes in thematic guided experience, provided our walking tour of Central Athens. Yes, Athens, one of the world's top travel destinations, is perfect for #winelover explorations in its culinary backstreets. Athens Central Market District is indeed a must visit. While our #winelover group had come for the wines we so enjoyed our tour of Central Athens.
Yes, you too can discover that special #winelover magic of Athens on a walking tour. Sure, while you are in Athens checkout the ruins but also while you are doing so, do not forget to also make it a Greek wine and food adventure. I look forward to writing about other Greek #winelover experiences at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
Athens, Greece
February 2016
© Spaswinefood
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Note: While in Athens we stayed at the Hotel Meliá.
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