For thousands of years, Athens is a busy market place, filled with bustling economic activities, even today. The Central Market of Athens is a great place to observe the energy that fills the air, to watch locals animatedly strike a bargain, to taste the freshest keftedes ever. Really? Yes, grilled lamb keftedes right from the source!
Ouzeri Karayiannis in the Central Market of Athens
We chanced upon this ouzeri while visiting the Central Market of Athens, and it was such a great find! An ouzeri is where (mostly) men sit around after work to enjoy a shot of the very strong ouzo (a anise-flavoured liquor), and also to enjoy grilled keftedes. Here, the meat is fresh from the market and you cannot get better meat than that!
The prices are extremely reasonable, and it is surely one of the things on a foodie’s bucket list! To be honest, this was one of the major highlights of our stay in Athens.
Since ouzo was a bit too strong for lunch (for me at least), we had it with beer.
The owners were extremely friendly and conversant. We chatted about the origin of the Ouzeri Karayiannis following their migration from Constantinople.
Getting there
Getting to the central market of Athens is easy, but finding Ouzeri Karayiannis may not. It is located in a small connecting alley between the meat market and the fish market, opposite the fish shop “Korakis”. If in doubt, just follow your nose.
Central Market Athens
Athinas 42,
Athens 999-20,
Greece
Ouzeri Karayiannis
Opposite the Fish Shop “Korakis”
Tel: +30 21 3248 174
*Note: Many thanks to Greek Gastronomy Guide for the additional information.
