O Thanasis

O Thanasis has been serving kebab and souvlaki on Monastiraki Square since 1964, which makes it one of the oldest souvlaki tavernas in Athens and one of the most famous. Its tables spill onto the corner of Mitropoleos Street, facing the square, the metro station and, above the rooftops, the Acropolis. Food guide Taste Atlas has listed it among the most legendary restaurants in Greece.

The house speciality is the kebab, served on pitta with thin slices of onion, fresh tomato and a sprinkle of paprika. Alongside it, the menu covers rotating pork and chicken gyros, beef and chicken platters, chips, grilled cheese, green salads and tzatziki, with beer, soft drinks, ouzo, tsipouro and wine to drink. It is a straightforward menu and service is fast, which suits the constant stream of customers. Order a couple of kebabs with tzatziki and a salad to share for a quick, inexpensive meal.

This is a busy, noisy, cheerful place rather than a quiet taverna. It suits families, budget travellers and anyone who wants a classic, low-cost Athens meal in the thick of things. The outdoor tables are great for people-watching over the square, and takeaway is available if you would rather keep moving. It fills up quickly at weekends, so expect to wait for a table at peak times or come slightly earlier or later than the main lunch and dinner rush.

O Thanasis is open every day from 10:00 to 02:00 throughout the year, according to published listings, so it is equally useful for a late lunch after the Acropolis or a meal at the end of a night out. There is wheelchair access, and free wifi for customers.

Monastiraki metro station, on Lines 1 and 3, is about a minute's walk away. From here, the flea market, the Ancient Agora and the bars of Psirri are all within a few minutes on foot, and the Acropolis is around 15 minutes' walk uphill through Plaka. On busy evenings, ordering at the takeaway counter can be quicker than waiting for a table, and if you want to linger, ouzo and tsipouro are on the drinks list.