Diporto
Sokratous & Theatrou, Athens
T 210 321 1463
Diporto, a workers taverna established in 1887 is located next to Varvakeios agora, Athens’ meat and fish market bustling with energy every weekday. The basement-level Rustic taverna filled with wine barrels, whose name means “having two doors,” is easy to miss, given the lack of a sign and fact that the place is literally underground. Well known for its salads, stews, and delicious revithia (chickpeas) and gigantes (butter beans or giant beans) has been offering the same menu for 2 centuries. This is the kind of place where you can see pretty much anyone from the mayor of Athens to elderly men working in the market.
Kanaria
Kanari Street 116-119, Moschato
T 2109422119
Definitely the best fried shrimps & fried red mullets (barbounia) in town.The decor and the environment look as if time stopped at 1950's and Melina Mercouri and Jules Dassin are about to walk in. This is the top fish taverna in Athens-Pireaus a 15 min drive from the center of Athens, with a most beautiful environment, remembrance of old Athens and a little terrace with all sorts of flowers.
Tellis
Evripidou 86, Psirri
T 210 324 2775
Tellis has been slaving over the flame grill at this fluoro-lit, bare-walled, paper-tablecloth grill, cooking his famous pork chops, since 1978. There’s nothing else on the menu – just meat, chips and Greek salad, washed down with rough house wine or beer.
Ilias
Eptahalkou 5, Thision
T 210 345 8052
You’ll often see people waiting for a table at this grill (psistaria in Greek), famous for its tasty grilled lamb and pork chops. With tables under the trees on the quiet pedestrian strip opposite the church, it’s a no-frills place with barrel wine and simple dips, chips and salads.
Therapeutirio
Kallisthenous & Kydantidon 41, Petralona
T 210 3412538
A well kept secret among Athenians located away from the main tourist attractions, only a 15 minute walk from Thession Temple. It was recently redecorated. There are several other restaurants and taverns in the area,most of them packed with locals, but this the one to try. You will get excellent cooked meals and fresh fish when available.
Karavitis
Arktinou 35 and Pausaniou 4 ,Pagrati
T 2107215155
Close to the Panathenaic Stadium, this place serves the best authentic Greek dishes. With lots of meat dishes to choose from and some casserole cooked dishes, and meze. The place opens only at night, around 8pm. If the weather is nice you get to sit in the courtyard for a proper tavern experience. . Cosmopolitan and populace, extrovert yet lonesome. see a more detailed review http://www.gourmed.com/%5D/karavitis-famous-historical-and-all-encompassing
Τrata
Themistokleous 8 & Nikitara 9, Omonoia
T 210 3838531
Trata is a clean and inconspicuous place, decorated in island white, staffed by friendly people whose judgment on the catch of the day can be trusted. A good choice would be to try pasta with seafood. If you want something light, enjoy the extremely tasty meze like tarama salad (taramosalata) and drink their famous tsipouro (Greek Grappa).