Thanasis

This is one of those places that travellers mark on maps long before they arrive. YouTube has already done its job. And yet, when you finally stand in front of the restaurant, there is no English signage to offer easy reassurance. People hover, step back and then step forward again. Is this the place? But that uncertainty, strangely, feels right. The staff are familiar with this dance. A waiter glances over, instantly reads the hesitation, and with a small gesture confirms, 'Yes, this is the place.' Sit. No explanation is needed. Experience has taught them how to welcome the undecided. The souvlaki is exactly as advertised. There are no surprises or clever twists. Just steady, reliable deliciousness. In a heavily touristed area, that kind of consistency doesn't come cheap; it's earned. The price feels fair given the location, the portion size, and the guarantee of not being disappointed. Large groups are seated at the main tables. Solo diners and couples are shown to the semi-outdoor terrace, which is slightly exposed and provisional. That's fine. This is not a place that flatters you — it feeds you. Perhaps it's not somewhere you'd return to endlessly. But it never disappoints first-time visitors. It is this quiet honesty that has ensured its longevity.

We had a great meal — everything was very delicious, especially the meat, perfectly grilled and full of flavor. The atmosphere is cosy and lively, giving you a real local taverna feeling right in the city center. Portions are generous, prices are not expensive at all, and the quality you get is excellent for the value.

Very good grill restaurant in a busy area. Moussaka was one of the best ones I had in Greece during this trip. Chicken souvlaki platter was very good too.

I had the yogurtlu kebab, and it was tasty and full of flavor. The portion size was huge, and although the prices are high, it was okay considering the restaurants location and the big portion size. The place was packed and had a lively vibe. We also got tzatziki, pita bread to dip in the tzatziki, and red wine, all of which were good. Due to its touristic location, the restaurant might look like a tourist trap, but they actually serve delicious food.

This place was absolutely amazing. Our server was Arsed, and his cousin. They both took great care of us and went above and beyond. The food was great, the owner should be very proud and costa the support staff was also very generous and helpful. Great place, great prices, highly recommend. Great local authentic Greek food as well.

This was our very first meal in Athens during the heat wave, and my son couldn’t have picked a better spot. It’s in the busy area by Monastiraki Square, but the service is super fast. The yogurt kebab was juicy and packed with flavor, and the Greek salad tasted so fresh. Portions are generous, the beer was ice-cold, and the lively vibe made the crazy heat much easier to handle. Such a great start to our trip. Highly recommend!

We sought out O Thanasis for lunch, and it was a fun and enjoyable experience. It's mainly outside with plenty of tables ensuring an easy seating. We enjoyed the souvlaki, gyros, pita and tzaziki which were brought quickly with large portions. The prices were very reasonable too. The area is lively with music and street performers. Well worth the trip!

The best food we had in Athens. Was very flavorful and in the middle of the hustling and bustling streets. It was very very busy and we had to find seats ourself as people were leaving, but the servers were friendly and gave recommendations on what to get. It was worth the wait - Thank you!