Evening dowtown Athens Greece on Ermou St and Monastiraki Sq - Athens best food and shopping

Downtown Athens' Monastiraki Square area is known for its dining while Ermou Street is one of the main shopping streets in Athens, known for its wide array of stores, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. As the sun sets and the city lights illuminate the street, Ermou and Monastiraki located in the same general section of Athens come alive with locals and tourists alike. Evening in this area is a vibrant and bustling experience for adult visitors but also for families with kids.

Monastiraki Square is a vibrant and bustling square located in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is named after the Monastiraki flea market, which surrounds the square and is one of the city's major tourist attractions. The square is situated at the intersection of Ermou Street and Athinas Street, two popular shopping streets in Athens.

Monastiraki Square is known for its lively atmosphere, historic landmarks, diverse range of activities and some of Athens best food. It offers a mix of traditional and modern elements, with ancient ruins, traditional tavernas, street vendors, and trendy shops coexisting in the area.

Ermou street on the other hand stretches from Syntagma Square, the central square of Athens, all the way to Monastiraki Square, offering an equally dynamic atmosphere throughout. You'll find a mix of high-end international brands, popular Greek retailers, and smaller independent shops, making it a great place for shopping enthusiasts. From clothing and accessories to electronics and souvenirs, Ermou Street caters to various tastes and budgets.

During the evening, this popular area of Athens is often crowded with people enjoying dining, leisurely strolls, browsing through the shops, and meeting up with friends. You can expect to see bustling restaurants and vibrant window displays, enticing shoppers with their wares. The lively atmosphere is accompanied by the sounds of chatter, laughter, and sometimes street performers showcasing their talents.

When it comes to food and dining options Monastiraki and Ermou Street offers a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and eateries. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Greek cuisine, international flavors, or a quick bite, you'll find plenty of Athens best food options to satisfy your taste buds. From charming sidewalk cafes where you can relax and people-watch to cozy tavernas serving delicious Greek dishes, there's something for everyone.

We've had to pleasure to spend a few evenings in this area on our recent trip to Athens with our seven and three year old and while there were some initial reservations about venturing out too late with little kids we're glad to report that we found the area very safe and with no red flags to speak of.

Below are three great dining options around Ermou Street

1. Kouzina EPE: Located at 33 Ermou Street, Kouzina EPE is a popular Greek taverna offering traditional Greek cuisine with a modern twist. You can enjoy dishes like moussaka, souvlaki, and fresh seafood in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

2. Cookoomela: Situated at 46 Ermou Street, Cookoomela is a contemporary restaurant serving a fusion of Greek and Mediterranean flavors. They offer a range of innovative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, and their menu includes vegetarian and vegan options.

3. To Kafeneio: Just a short walk from Ermou Street at 4 Karori Street, To Kafeneio is a charming traditional Greek taverna. Here, you can savor authentic Greek dishes, including grilled meats, Greek salads, and mezes, while enjoying a relaxed and cozy ambiance.

But when it comes to both shopping and dining you may want to start with the Monastiraki flea market. The market is not only a great place for shopping of course and exploring unique items, but it also offers a variety of other, street type of Athens best food options to satisfy your appetite. Here are some food choices you can find at the Monastiraki flea market:

1. Souvlaki: You'll find several souvlaki shops and food stalls scattered throughout the flea market area. Souvlaki is a popular Greek street food consisting of grilled meat (usually pork or chicken) skewered and served in a pita bread with various toppings and sauces. It's a delicious and convenient option for a quick bite.

2. Gyro: Another Greek street food staple, gyro, can obviously also be found in the area. It typically features slices of roasted meat (commonly pork or chicken) served in a warm pita bread with salad, tzatziki sauce, and sometimes fries. It's a satisfying and flavorful option.

3. Greek Pastries: Several pastry shops and bakeries in the Monastiraki area offer a tempting array of Greek pastries and sweets. You can find treats like baklava (layers of filo pastry with nuts and honey), loukoumades (Greek doughnuts), and various types of traditional cookies and cakes.

4. Local Delicacies: Some food stores and delis in the flea market area specialize in selling local Greek delicacies. These might include cheeses, olives, cured meats, honey, olive oil, and other gourmet products. You can purchase these items to enjoy as a snack or take them home as souvenirs.

5. Fresh Juices and Smoothies: If you're looking for a refreshing drink, keep an eye out for juice stands or smoothie bars in the vicinity. They offer a variety of freshly squeezed juices, fruit blends, and healthy smoothies made from local produce.

Below you can also find a map and walking directions here to some of our favorites local (described below in further detail) spots, including some shopping in the area around Ermou Street between Monastiraki and Syntagma squares which by the way is also the best area to stay in our opinion if you're visiting Athens for the first time. The two aforementioned squares themselves are an absolute must experience when visiting this ancient marvel of a city.

As you explore in the evening, you might encounter various street vendors selling snacks, souvenirs, or handmade crafts. It's a lively and dynamic atmosphere, creating a unique experience for visitors. Ermou Street offers a range of attractions and places to visit. Here are a few of our favorite places worth exploring along and around Ermou including the two aforementioned squares:

Syntagma Square: Located at the beginning of Ermou Street, Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens. It's home to the Greek Parliament and the famous Evzones, the ceremonial guards, and also offers shopping and dining options.

Attica Department Store: A prominent shopping destination, Attica is a department store that spans multiple floors and offers a wide selection of luxury brands, fashion, cosmetics, and home goods.

Hondos Center: A renowned Greek beauty and cosmetics store, Hondos Center offers a vast selection of skincare, makeup, fragrances, and personal care products.

Davinci Artisan Gelato: Amazing Gelato stand. This was perhaps our favorite pitstop when exploring Ermou Street. We went back multiple times and the kids absolutely loved all the different tastes and variety of gelato. Pro tip on getting gelato or ice cream from our kids - make sure to split each single scoop into multiple flavors, that way you get to taste twice as many flavors and most places will gladly oblige!

TAF (The Art Foundation): Tucked away on a side street off Ermou, TAF is a unique art space housed in a renovated courtyard. It hosts exhibitions, events, and a cozy café, making it a great spot to relax and soak in the artistic ambiance.

Mitropoleos Street: While not technically on Ermou Street, Mitropoleos Street intersects with Ermou and is worth mentioning. It's a historic street known for its beautiful neoclassical buildings, shops, and cafes.

SLAMDUNK: This basketball themed store is an absolute heaven for hoops fans like both of the boys in our family! As the store's website says "here you will find basketball clothing, shoes and accessories by the most premium and exclusive collections and from top brands like Nike, Adidas, Mitchell & Ness, Jordan, Converse, Under Armour, Puma, Reebok, Spalding Hyperice and many more amazing Brands!"

Monastiraki Flea Market: Near the end of Ermou Street, you'll find the bustling Monastiraki Flea Market. As I already mentioned be sure to check out this vibrant and colorful market with a wide array of shops selling antiques, souvenirs, clothing, and traditional Greek products.

Thea Terrace Rooftop Bar and Restaurant: For a stunning view of the city, head to Thea Terrace. Situated near Monastiraki Square, it offers panoramic views of the Acropolis, along with refreshing drinks and a trendy atmosphere. Our dinner here was simply amazing!

However, you must know that this area actually happens to have quite a few rooftop bars and restaurants which is really the best way to experience a nice dinner with a one-of-a-kind view. So don't fret if Thea is too busy or you're too far from it to make it. There are plenty of rooftop dining options with Athens best food and we highly recommend making that one of your must-do's when visiting Athens. Take a look at some of your other options below:

Athens Central Market: Just a short walk from Ermou Street, Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora) is a lively food market where you can immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and aromas of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and spices.

Matsoukas: Another favorite of our kids. In this hybrid between a candy shop and a cafe you will find an incredible variety of Greek sweet goods like baklava, preserved or candied fruit and even some Greek alcohol and beer. We did not try their coffee but we're sure it is equally amazing as all the other incredible goodness we stocked up on.

These are just a few of the many exciting places to explore along Ermou Street and its surrounding areas in Athens.

Whether you're visiting solo, with your significant other or an entire family you will not be disappointed by its unique blend of shopping, dining, sightseeing and people-watching opportunities. Whether you're looking for a trendy outfit, a delicious meal, or simply want to soak in the lively ambiance of the city, Ermou Street and its surroundings offer a memorable experience in the heart of Athens.

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