Athens

Savvas
Gkanogianni 85

For quick, decent and low-budget meals that do not fall into the commercialized fast food category, try a souvlaki' pronounced soo- VLAH-kee, mainly grilled meat pork, chicken, it's your choice vegetables tomato and onion slices and greek 'tzatziki' pronounced tzah-TZEE-khee which is yogurt enriched with garlic and cucumber. All the above often accompanied by french fries are wrapped inside a thin slice of pan bread, named 'pita' PEE-tah. Prices of 'souvlaki' vary according to the confidence and/or nerve of the cornershop owner, but usually you can get one from €1.70 to €2.20; add some soda, salad and french fries and you can have lunch for no more than €7 - if you ask for a take away, the price is considerably cheaper than if you sit at a table. You can get souvlaki just about everywhere, especially where tourists roam, though they are a bit more expensive in those regions. The best souvlaki stands in central Athens are both in Monastiraki, adjacent to each other and just off the main square in front of the Metro stop: Savvas at Mitropoleas 86-88 and O Thanasis at Mitropoleos 69.

Γρηγόρης

If you're interested in a sandwich, cheese pie, spinach pie or the equivalent of a fast snack, try Grigoris Γρηγόρης or Everest, two chains of fast food to be found in most districts of Athens and the rest of Greece. Goody's is the Greek equivalent of McDonald's and offers a fair variety of tasty meals, including pasta, different salads, burgers etc.

For listings of specific restaurants, see the individual district sections, especially Kolonaki and Plaka.