
Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 245 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour worth booking?
Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour is a 5.5-hour experience in Athens, Greece, from $140 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 245 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (245)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $140 per person
Athens’ historic Plaka may be famous for its ancient monuments, but beyond the tourist crowds lies a neighborhood where centuries of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history still shape everyday life – especially its food. On this tour, we’ll explore the Plaka’s culinary gems while discovering how this ancient district helped shape modern Athens. We’ll begin at one of the city’s finest bakeries, tasting handmade specialties with roots stretching back centuries, before wandering through the Plaka’s quieter backstreets and sampling Greek olive oils at a small specialty deli. We’ll continue through picturesque Anafiotika, stopping for regional products and classic meatballs in cumin-scented tomato sauce. Near Syntagma, we’ll taste family-made Greek kebab and visit a traditional workers’ canteen where dishes are chosen straight from the kitchen pots. Finally, we’ll finish at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries with classic desserts inspired by recipes from Hydra.
What you get
About this experience
Athens’ historic Plaka may be famous for its ancient monuments, but beyond the tourist crowds lies a neighborhood where centuries of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history still shape everyday life – especially its food. On this tour, we’ll explore the Plaka’s culinary gems while discovering how this ancient district helped shape modern Athens. We’ll begin at one of the city’s finest bakeries, tasting handmade specialties with roots stretching back centuries, before wandering through the Plaka’s quieter backstreets and sampling Greek olive oils at a small specialty deli. We’ll continue through picturesque Anafiotika, stopping for regional products and classic meatballs in cumin-scented tomato sauce. Near Syntagma, we’ll taste family-made Greek kebab and visit a traditional workers’ canteen where dishes are chosen straight from the kitchen pots. Finally, we’ll finish at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries with classic desserts inspired by recipes from Hydra.
What's included
Included
- Carbonated beverages
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Tea and coffee
What you'll see and do
Plaka
On this food tour in Plaka, we will explore the district’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens.
300 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Athens
In front of the Nike store in Syntagma Square, at the corner of Filellinos street on Syntagma Square and the pedestrian Ermou street.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
In front of the Nike store in Syntagma Square, at the corner of Filellinos street on Syntagma Square and the pedestrian Ermou street.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Culinary Backstreets Walks
Know before you go
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 239 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
239 verified traveler reviews for Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great experience and fun
Great tour guide Natalie Very informative and fun
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wonderful review. We are thrilled that you had such an informative and fun experience exploring the vibrant neighborhoods of Athens with Natali. By joining us, you are helping to support the local, unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserve their beautiful culinary traditions for the future.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience!
We had a great tour. Gulden, our guide, was terrific- we learnt much more about Athens than food alone - history, architecture and current state of affairs.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful review. We are thrilled to hear you had such a great time diving into the daily life, history, and food of Athens with your guide. Your visit helps us support the local unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserves the deep culinary traditions of the city.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect introduction to Athens
Gulden our guide was excellent! Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic giving us a deeper understanding of not only Plaka and surrounding areas but Greece in general. All of the food and their vendors were fantastic. Highly recommended! Do not eat beforehand!
Response from the operator: Hello and thank you for sharing your kind review! We are thrilled that Gulden could share the daily life of Athens with you and introduce you to our favorite unsung heroes of the kitchen. Your participation directly supports our mission of honest tourism, helping to preserve the vital craft of these traditional, family-run spots.
via Tripadvisor
History begets food
Yanis took us on a deep dive through Greek food & history We loved it! He was able to explain how the culture and food are wrapped up together like a philo pie Modern & ancient cultures provided delicious food samples We had ample time to have our questions answered
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review! We are so glad you enjoyed diving deep into the intricate relationship between Greek history and its rich food culture. Thank you for supporting our local culinary heroes and helping us preserve these invaluable daily traditions.
via Tripadvisor
My favourite food tour yet - excellent value, this turned out to be my favourite part of our Adriatic cruise trip!
Goldun was an absolute pleasure to have as our guide. I have done a couple food tours in Quebec, and the groups are much larger (around 12 to 15 people) and fewer stops, sample size portion. This tour was excellent value for the price and despite it being 5.5 hrs (which I worried about because I have nerve pain in my feet and sciatica), there were enough chances to sit and rest. I felt the tour provided a great balance of local food information, general information about the area mixed with history and a great discussion on recent events in Greece and how they have impacted citizen's way of life. I would advise people not to eat anything before the tour and not to make dinner reservations after :)
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review of your time with us in Athens. We are thrilled that you enjoyed exploring the complex history and flavors of the city at a comfortable pace. Thank you for supporting our unsung culinary heroes and helping us preserve these invaluable family-run traditions.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 86
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Culinary Backstreets Walks, who run 16 experiences we rank across 11 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.7.
See everything Culinary Backstreets Walks runsWhy this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Athens.
How much does Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour cost?
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Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Athens usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour take?
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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Athens is not rushed.
Is Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 245 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Athens, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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Around 86 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Athens can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Athens and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Athens within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Athens?
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On Outty we rank every Athens experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Athens Scenic Bike Tour with Regular or Electric Bike + Acropolis, Athens Small Group E-Bike Tour, Acropolis E-bike Tour With Entrance Tickets. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Athens?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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Included: Carbonated beverages; Alcoholic beverages; Lunch; Snacks; and Dinner. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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In front of the Nike store in Syntagma Square, at the corner of Filellinos street on Syntagma Square and the pedestrian Ermou street. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Culinary Backstreets of Plaka - Athens Food Tour?
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Across 245 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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