Taverna Plus

Tzitzingas & Mermingas, an olive stone’s throw from Syntagma Square, encapsulates all that a ‘moderni’ or ‘creative’ (dimiourghiki) taverna should be, and arguably pioneered the genre when the original opened in Ano Patissia in 1995 (there’s another in Xhalandri). The non-discerning tourist might overlook it because there’s no view in Mitropoleos Street, but that’s fine with Victoria Dima, daughter of one of the founders and co-manager of the Syntagma branch: “we cater for everyone, not especially for tourists,” she says. The place buzzes with Athenians having a break from work or shopping, and fast-moving waiters. And the prices are extraordinarily reasonable (“Greeks spend maybe €20-25 a head, tourists €16-22 because they eat less,”) for the imaginative and excellent food. There is not one tired taverna dish on the menu. As with many of the New Age eateries, traditional divisions of taverna and mezzedopoleio are fudged, and each customer is given an ouzerie-style glass of raki and saucer of olives on the house. A poikilia for a crowd to dip into might include mille-feuille with grilled vegetables, xhorta with feta, tomato, and herbs, and succulent sesame chicken bites. Main course favourites are pork fillet with wine, capers, and aubergine and potato mash, and chicken with mastic sauce and bacon. There are nice touches: cutlery is found in the drawer of each table, and the designer quality-paper table covers are the classiest in town. Traditional meets modern in the interior design, with high walls lined with shelves like in an old grocery store.

Cafe Avissinia in Monastiraki, located amongst the open-air antique shops, also has strong regional flavour, and a dark, cosy, ‘paradosiako’ (Greek for traditional) interior. For the price of two servings of delicious moussaka with spinach you could buy a copy of the cook book by owner Keti Koufonikola.

Rustic furniture and a hint of Greece décor are de rigueur in the New Look taverna but given a chic makeover. Gone are flag blue and varnish- brown woodwork; in come chilled out blues, greys, eau de nil, teal and terracotta. Trata, on the edge of bustling Exarcheia sticks to a reasonably priced, standard fish taverna menu, but backlit, shiny metal colanders stud its walls, and with the white-on-white colour scheme, provide a suitable backdrop for the trendy young professional clientele.

The colourful use of vintage advertisements and posters make Oineas, in the lively heart of Psyrri, stand out, and so does its idiosyncratic but still identifiably Greek cuisine. But when does a taverna become a restaurant? ManiMani in Koukaki is my favourite top-end modern taverna. I feel as if I am eating authentic Greek food – ingredients and inspiration are from the Peloponnese. But dishes such the Maniot vegetable tower and pepper sauce, or pork with Mani goats cheese and figs in honey and almond sauce, are spiced with a real sense of adventure. There are ghosts of traditional taverna style in the tables and chairs. With its candlelit stairs leading up to elegant neo-Classical dining rooms, and restaurant manners and service, it is not exactly ‘for the people’, but restaurants like this remain accessible to the average pocket and are certainly giving a much-needed boost to Greek cooking.