Exploring Athens for Authentic Greek Food, Athens, Greece (B)

There's no better point to start a gastronomic walk of Athens than Varvakeios, the city's central market, also known as Dimotiki Agora or Nea Agora. Bordered by Evripidou, Eolou and Sofokleous streets, this market straddles the busy Athinas street and comprises two main sections: a 19th-century iron-and-glass complex for meat, fish and seafood on the one side, and an open-air part for vegetables and fruits on the other. Remarkably clean (in line with the EU sanitary regulations), this massive emporium features immaculate butchery work and great deals on meat, including some truly weird animals also available during a season, plus a wealth of fruits of the sea with some of the biggest prawns ever to be seen (note the amount of water usually present on the floor, requiring more than just a pair of flip flops), and the most colorful fruits (giant lemons, peaches and more). Smaller alleys extending from each section host an array of stalls and shops offering a multitude of local products (canned and dry) and delicacies, as well as a number of no-name cafes and taverns commonly referred to as the “working class restaurants” for their unpretentious yet very fresh, traditional food. Varvakeios is undoubtedly one the best places in town for authentic Greek lunches, local food specialties, and edible souvenirs such as fresh olives (many olive vendors here have vacuum-seal equipment, so you can easily take your purchase back home), feta cheeses (made from sheep's, goat's, or cow's milk, varying in texture from the young cottage-cheese-like to the aged hard, granular kind, and ultimately, kefalotyri – hard, salty sheep’s milk cheese), and herbs. A truly incredible introduction to the Balkan market culture! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).