We wander the city to celebrate Tsiknopempti as it deserves with rich mutton and aromatic tripe soup all the way to medium rare meats from rare breeds fresh or dry aged.
Taking the official day of the spit and the grill as our cue we gather restaurants and tavernas that celebrate premium carnivory and serve us delicious protein at its best. We choose classic tavernas, gastrotavernas, neo-tavernas, meat bistros, highlight some of their meaty standouts and kick off the feast...
Γίδι
In its beautiful courtyard you have a view of the meat collection and the grills that never stop. Vasilis Akrivos always has aces up his sleeve with chops or short ribs that come from Veria, Komotini, Epirus or Larissa and surprises, like patsas. Especially for Tsiknopempti there’s an unmissable bonus antikristo. Leoforos Tatoiou 17, Metamorfosi
Τηλέμαχος Athens
A constant value for years as it initiated us to the fine dining side of mutton and black pig. Giorgos Tsiligkiris has Greek and foreign meats at his fingertips. He serves them raw, grills them, ages them and cooks them, like the sensational goat pasta. Panepistimiou 10, Athens
Base grill
The meat taverna that turned Peristeri into a destination raised the carnivory experience. We go for the best liver, the terrific picanha, the tender rib steak and the viral fries with egg. A tip, before you choose it’s worth a tour of the aging options and the home made charcuterie of the Liakos brothers. Leoforos Konstantinoupoleos 64, Peristeri
Steak Alive
An old mansion in Korydallos has literally been transformed into a temple of meat as there you can find whatever your soul desires. To get a taste note rib eye, tomahawk, shank, handmade burgers and best of all, luscious, well-roasted suckling pig. Agiou Georgiou 76, Korydallos
To Κρέας
True to its name this old house in Petralona has been completely transformed into a meating point. The Josper fires up and puts us in an American Spanish rhythm serving black pig spare ribs, tagliata, Black Angus picanha and teres major. Dimofontos 96, Athens
Ο Χρύσανθος
And something traditional, simple and deeply meaty in Vrilissia. You sit at wooden tables indoors or out and have a great time with a few things done right. For decades Chrysanthos has been grilling with the same passion, juicy tbone and little steaks and pairs them with thick-cut fries and hefty Greek salads. Kolokotroni 10, Vrilissia
Po Boys
Vasilis Sporos has prepared a special Tsiknopempti menu firing up the smoker to the max. Among the treats he slow-cooks the mutton and the suckling pig definitely stand out smoked low and slow for ten hours and served in fluffy rolls or in brioche buns. Pair them with the house fries which are drenched with Xanthi kasseri and caramelized onions. Agatharchou 12 and Lepeniotou, Athens
Brutus Tavern
The new take on the modern meat taverna is in Kolonaki in a tasteful bistro space. Indeed Brutus makes the twist and brings marrow and lamb chops from the fields to the salons and places them next to famous cuts and exceptional dry aged meats. Leventi 3, Athens
SpitJack
What could be more fitting than the spit which is the souvla and the spit jack the machine that turns it? On Skoufu we experience the new era of the spit with crispy duck, juicy porchetta and incredibly tasty chicken and we eat dishes like beef cheeks, with red wine sauce and truffle purée. Skoufu 10, Athens
Ox Athens
At the meat haunt behind the Hilton kokoretsi and kontosouvli go «posh» but keep their deep umami character. Put them in your order and not alone because equally strong are the homemade sausages, the burgers and the must chops. For sides you won’t miss the classics but upgraded dips like tzatziki and eggplant salad. Chatzigianni Mexi 9, Athens
Source: Reader.gr
