Avissinia is a restaurant located in the heart of the Monastiraki antique market. A veritable institution, this tavern upholds the tradition handed down from mother to son, with a style and cuisine all its own. It comes alive at weekends with a musical program.
A tavern among antique dealers
You have to look hard to find this tavern, located between two antique stalls in Monastiraki flea market.
The building is rather plain on the outside, but much more original when you step inside. It extends over three levels:
- On the ground floor, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. You immediately feel at home in this slightly retro décor: a Parisian café-style bar counter, flowery wallpaper and numerous objects collected by the owners.
- The second floor is accessed via a staircase loaded with paintings. This second room has a beautiful view thanks to a huge bay window, but lacks a little charm.
- Finally, the top floor boasts a lovely terrace overlooking the Acropolis and the beautiful gardens of the ancient Agora.
Home cooking from Northern Greece
The café was founded in 1985 by Ketty. This chef, originally from Macedonia (in northern Greece), has created a menu of hearty, fragrant dishes. She no longer works in the restaurant, but her son continues the tradition. The dishes on offer are always based on her mother’s recipes, which have even been published in a book sold in the restaurant.
On the menu you’ll find many classic mezzes: eggplant salad, marinated anchovies and octopus, for example. But the tavern also offers more original hot mezzes based on mussels, snails or mushrooms. We loved the smoked eel with fresh onions.
As for the main courses, they are varied: vegetarian, fish or meat-based. For once, we recommend you to try the Moussaka either the classic one, or the one with spinach (house specialty). And if you’re looking for something more original, try octopus simmered in a tomato sauce, or wild boar stew if it’s in season.
As far as prices are concerned, the tavern’s prices are a little high, probably because of its privileged location and the fact that its clientele is mainly made up of tourists. You should expect to pay between 12 and 14 euros for main courses, and around 8 euros for starters.
Live music at weekends
The tavern has not lost its musical tradition. Every week the restaurant welcomes musicians. The program includes accordion and voice on weekends from 3pm to 7pm, and piano and voice on Saturdays from 9pm to 1am.
- Address: Kinetou 7, Athina 105 55. Monastitaki district (M1,M3)
- Open Tuesday to Saturday 12am-1am, Sunday 11am-7pm, closed Monday
- Live Music Saturday and Sunday 3pm to 7pm
- Website
- Price €€
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Sophie B.
Updated April 23, 2024
