Athens - in many ways, is a modern city. Similar to cities like Barcelona, a massive popular boom post-WWII led to a fast development of the city. The neoclassical and low-rise historic buildings were largely demolished to make way for the new developer apartment complexes that exist today.
An expansion of the city and its population boom caused restaurants to sprout up throughout the city, providing food for the new neighborhoods. A plaka restaurant is a typical family-run eaterie that services the typical dishes like lamb chops, moussaka, and souvlaki-style dishes. These dishes have become iconic in Greece and what tourists expect, or at least are lead to believe as authentic Greek food. Like every great culinary city in the world, that leads to a lot of touristy restaurants. Doesn't mean they are bad, but keep this in mind.
Plaka restaurants are scattered throughout Athens and your best bet when looking for these authentic restaurants is to wander in a residential neighborhood. People who serve food to their own people often are honest people, and will serve honest food.
You won't find many of these style restaurants on this list primarily because there are in abundance - and for you to find. If you've noticed the travel trends over the recent years, Athens is having, what some may say a renaissance. A new style of restaurants that focuses on aethstetic over authentic is the theme. These restaurants are run by a new group of entrepreneurs. The food is good, heck, it's even great! Go to them, enjoy them, drink the wine, enjoy the conversation.
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