Where to eat the best souvlaki in Athens

Athinorama magazine, the most authoritative guide to the city of Athens, invited its fanatical readers to vote for their favorite souvlaki restaurant. The response was massive, and here are the results of the vote for the more famous Greek dish. Pork or Chicken Skewers 1) “Elvis” in Kerameikos Spyros Athanassiou and Vangelis Petridis turned an old butcher’s shop at Plateon Street in Kerameikos into a hit souvlaki joint. Corner of 29, Plateon & Leonidou Streets, Kerameikos 2) “Kostas” in Syntagma This historic souvlaki store first opened in 1950 in the district of Plaka. Since 2009 it moved to Syntagma, where it serves until 3.30 pm. 5, Pentelis Str., Syntagma 3) “Kyr-Aristos” in Paleo Faliro It has made a big success since its opening in 2013. You can’t book a table, and on peak days it’s just possible to find a queue in front of it. 96, Zisimopoulou Str., Paleo Faliro 4) “Lefteris” in Nea Smyrni Few things have changed over the years in this family-run business that now has a new post in the square of Nea Smyrni. 2, Irinis Str., Nea Smyrni 5) “To souvlaki tis Charokopou” (The souvlaki on Charokopou Str.) in Kallithea The tables are set in the small courtyard of an old house in Kallithea, and everything is handmade with fresh meats. 42, Charokopou Str., Kallithea  Gyros 1) “Dionysos” in Kypseli “Dionysos” opened in 1969 and ever since remains one of the most favourite souvlaki joints in Athens, without ceasing to evolve, though. 9-12, Ithakis Str., Kypseli 2) “Best” in Petralona Since 1996 the “Best” in Kato Petralona has been serving gyros with exactly the same rich taste. The gyros is prepared daily by the experienced and well-tuned production team. 23, Athinodorou Str., Petralona 3) “Gyropitoulis” in Kolonos In its huge space, which is the result of a serious investment and expansion a year ago, the industrial element meets retro style. 13, Telephanus Str., Kolonos 4) “Kalyvas” in Koukaki Yiorgos and Ioanna Kalyvas laid the foundations of this grill house, which remains a strictly family affair, in 1993, long before Koukaki became one of the hottest districts in Athens. 12, Georgiou Olympiou Str., Koukaki 5) “Meraklides” in Kypseli A very modern space, with austere lines, that does not look like a classic barbecue house at all, although it is exactly that, since 1986 when it opened. 60, Aghias Zonis Str., Kypseli  Kebab 1) “Thanassis” in Monastiraki Who doesn’t know “Thanassis”? Thanassis Golas and Christos Rabos opened this historic kebab joint in 1966. It still is a smash hit, 50 years later. 67-69, Mitropoleos Str., Mitropoleos Str., Monastiraki 2) “Kyr-Aristos” in Paleo Faliro See above 3) “Savvas Kebab” in Monastiraki This is one of the “big” names when it comes to kebab-eating in Athens. The family’s younger generation gave tradition a fresh look with a large, modern store in Monastiraki. 91, Ermou Str., Monastiraki 4) “Barbadimos” in Peristeri Here, everything is handmade, even the “doner” and the “sujuk”, and everything is made with fresh meat. 51, Paraskevopoulou Str., Bournazi Sq., Peristeri 5) “Gyropitoulis” in Kolonos See above