Plaka souvlaki stall since 1946, six stools, a charcoal grill, the canonical pita.
Kostas has been grilling pork souvlaki on Pentelis in Plaka since 1946, six stools at a counter, a charcoal grill at the back, a homemade pita that the family has been making in the same wood oven for three generations. The format is one item, two ways: souvlaki in pita, or souvlaki on the plate with the same pita on the side. The line at lunch wraps the corner; the line is the right line. For the Istanbul cosmopolitan, Kostas is the cousin to the late-night Beyoğlu kebab counter, the cheap, perfect, unrepeatable street-food gesture the chapter notes for what it actually is rather than for any pretension to be more.
Open until the daily pita runs out, usually 16:00–17:00 in summer, earlier on weekends. Cash only, no reservations, the line moves fast. One souvlaki in pita with everything is the canonical order.
At a Glance
View Type
Street Scene
View Quality
Limited
Quick answers about Kostas Souvlaki, reservations, hours, dress code, and price range.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info
Discover other places in the neighborhood
Psyrri
Upper-Plaka taverna since 1927, courtyard, charcoal grill, the working-Athenian institution above the tourist belt.
Psyrri (Athens Central Market)
Working-class cellar since 1887, Athens Central Market lunch room, no signs, two doors, the city's most stubbornly itself room.
Psyrri (Evripidou)
Working-class pork-chop room since 1955, Evripidou Street, one dish, the institution.
Monastiraki (Aiolou)
Aiolou loukoumas counter, the chapter's classical-Greek sweet, fried-to-order.
Syntagma (Nikis)
Nikis Street vegetarian-and-vegan day-room, the central-Athens brunch counter.
Pangrati
Athens' canonical two-Michelin-star room, Pangrati side street, restored neoclassical, classical-French foundation.
4 Restaurant, 1 Shop, 1 Bar · 6 places nearby, by straight-line distance
Distances are approximate straight lines, not walking routes. Check directions between stops.
Avocado Vegetarian Cafe
Restaurant · Vegetarian-and-vegan day-counter
Tudor Hall
Restaurant · Hotel-rooftop classical-Greek tasting
Ergon House
Restaurant · All-day food hall and contemporary-Greek counter
Varvakios Central Market
Shop · Nineteenth-century covered market hall
The Clumsies
Bar · World's 50 Best cocktail bar
Lukumades
Restaurant · Loukoumas (fried-dough) counter