Traditional and gourmet, vegetarian and meat-loving, super foods and kokoretsi, trahanas soup, formaela cheese saganaki and party restaurants form a strong team and Arachova enters the gastronomic arena to win every palate.
If the ski resort – the largest and best-managed in Greece- is for many one of the greatest triggers for a winter trip to the acclaimed village, food is another stimulus for both Athenians and foodies from the surrounding areas. Traditional taverns serving stews, soups, pies and other scrumptious dishes, as well as grill houses that justify the reputation of the Greek art of grill and spit, are sure to make you happy. A large part of the gastronomic scene is taken up by very well established and impressive all day modern fusion restaurants – a touch of Greek, a dash of Italian and a whiff of Asian cuisine. Super foods, exotic ingredients in salads and other light dishes, vegan and vegetarian options, pancakes, smoothies, plant-based (almond, soy, etc.) or lactose-free milk, exuberant omelettes, gluten-free bread and whatever you might fancy, you will find it.
Gourmet food, at least as interpreted in terms of unusual and expensive ingredients, declares its presence more and more dynamically year after year, the beloved Italian cuisine has its own temples, while street food maintains a mixed share, since it is mainly limited to souvlaki – Asian and Middle Eastern street food is still absent.
‘Party restaurants’ are a unique trend in Arachova’s restaurant scene. In such establishments, good food is always followed by a solid midnight shindig; around midnight the lights are dimmed, the music gets louder, a DJ takes to the decks, patrons leave their chairs and the party begins.
In short, in Arachova you will eat well in nice and well-tended restaurants – competition has its advantages, you see. The cosmopolitan village honors its culinary tradition and puts it in the foreground, alongside modern Greek cuisine, gourmet tastes, European cuisines and fusion creations. There is always something good to eat, drink, or even munch on in Arachova, 24/7. Here are our tried and tested selections.
01
To Archontiko
It started as a typical family-run tavern in 1995, serving local cuisine, but it has gradually and carefully evolved over the years. Holding fast to local flavours (lamp fricassee, kontosouvli, roasts), it bridges the gap between traditional and modern Greek cuisine.
This year, chef Michalis Tsourvas curates the menu and proposes dishes such as veal tagliata with truffle paste, pork neck with celeriac puree, beef cooked for 12 hours in cinder with petimezi (concentrated grape juice) glaze and polenta. Large dining area, beautifully painted ceilings, great view of the clock, good wine list.
Gefyra
02
Dasargyris
Even when everything has fallen apart, if anything will remain standing, it will probably be the tavern “Dasargyris” in the heart of Arachova. What else can anyone say about this timeless meat-eating joint of mainland Greece that has been around for almost a century. Ribs and roasts, kokoretsi and kontosouvli (traditional Greek rotisserie dishes), stuffed burgers, as well as soups and traditional casserole dishes are served in the charming, rusticly decorated hall, next to the fireplace.
Delfon 56
03
To Agnantio
Very beautiful two-storey stone building with an impressive fireplace, a view of the clock and a small balcony for private meals. Since opening in 1989, this tavern has earned its own dedicated audience. Apart from flawlessly grilled meats (the famous pork fillet) and kokoretsi, the menu also includes stews such as beef in clay, leek and celery pork, trahanas soup and mushrooms with formaela cheese. They also serve home-made pasta.
Delfon (next to the Folklore Museum)
04
Kaplanis
Very old and very good tavern featuring a large high-ceilinged hall with two fireplaces and a loft. Depending on the season and the crowds, apart from properly grilled meats by grill-Meister Panagiotis Kaplanis (excellent tagliata and pork fillet with smoked salt) you will also find delicious local dishes such as black-eyed peas with greens, gardoubes (lamb spleen and intestines) with greens, rooster braised in wine, stuffed cabbage rolls, fricassee lamb, etc.
Tropaion Square 1
05
Oestrus by Aktida
Very beautiful and popular restaurant in soft earthy colours, “rich curves” in the furniture inside and a few outside tables. The menu includes high-quality grilled meats, a few special cuts (tomahawk, rib-eye, etc.) and traditional dishes (lamb with greens, fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with cheese, formaela cheese and sausage saganaki, wild boar stew, rooster with hylopites (type of traditional Greek pasta), chickpeas with eggplant, etc.) made by the owner and amazing cook Aktida Koritou who oversees everything. She even serves fresh seafood dishes. Party time from 11-12pm onwards (mainly Friday and Saturday).
Papaioannou Square
06
Zahos
Old and very well-appointed tavern with a large hall, a wonderful fireplace, impressive chandeliers, white tablecloths and beautiful view of Livadi from the large windows. Delicious roasts by people who know their job – in other words, meat-specialists-, scrumptious casserole dishes such as wild boar with plums, hand-made pies and heart-warming soups – a nice warm bowl of trahanas soup is the perfect remedy for a cold winter day. Good wine list and very efficient service even when it’s crowded.
Livadi
07
Karaouli
An old traditional tavern with a large well-kept hall and a very impressive fireplace that exude a sense of luxury. Amazing roasts (including rib eye), rump steaks, excellent kontosouvli, spicy local sausages, mouth-watering lamb, wild boar and ossobuco stews, hearty pies, nice soups, fresh salads and a wide variety of desserts. Fast and efficient service.
Livadi
08
Kalyva
So very simple on the outside, yet so warm and welcoming on the inside, this traditional tavern features rustic décor and a nice big fireplace. Roasts and stews, casserole dishes such as slow-cooked veal with hylopites and braised rooster with pasta, chicken soup and home-made pies. Desserts, such as walnut pie and yogurt topped with home-made spoon sweets (traditional sweet preserves), are on the house.
Livadi
09
Tavola
A warm, welcoming trattoria on the ground floor of a stone building with the characteristic red lighting on the façade. Owner and chef Loukas Syros serves Italian dishes with Greek ingredients, resulting in very tasty and original culinary creations. The buffalo kavourmas pappardelle, the crayfish linguini, the eggplant and cherry tomato spaghetti, the black pork scaloppine with mushrooms and lemon sauce, the duck with sweet risotto, raisins and Samos muscat wine stand out. Good wine list.
Ploutarhou Pedestrian Street
10
Panagiota Plus
The sibling of the famous Panagiota quickly became very popular and remains among the first choices since its opening in 2016. The decor combines stone, wood, iron and velvet – awesome green sofa. It all sets the tone, along with the gorgeous chandelier, vintage candlesticks and impressive bar. A menu that loves traditional recipes but also flirts with gourmet flavours, an impressive cocktail list, a good wine list. A nice bar, live events, DJ sets and great music. Party time from 11-12pm onwards (mostly Friday and Saturday).
Delphon & Omirou
11
Le Sapin
An elegant space housed in a stone two-storey building with large windows on the ground floor, a fireplace and plate-glass windows on the first floor. The decoration is dominated by stone and wood, there is a large bar, monastic tables and rotundas. The menu loves “luxury” ingredients and is divided between Greek, Italian and French cuisine with a strong preference for the latter. Typical dishes include foie gras with sour apple, raisins and ginger, rooster in wine with home-made pasta and Parnassus gruyere, tagliatelle with black angus fillet and truffle, fresh sole Meunière, black angus gyros with confit cherry tomatoes and goat cheese cream. Good list of wines from Greek and French vineyards. Party time from 11-12 pm onwards (mostly Friday and Saturday).
Papaioannou Square
12
Paramount
All-day bar-restaurant spread on two levels with a sophisticated aesthetic reminiscent of an Alpine chalet. The impressive glass ceilings and large glass windows create a particularly pleasant atmosphere, as when it snows you get the feeling of being outdoors with a view of the snow-capped mountains. A large stone fireplace dominating the space, plaid fabrics and red lights convey a relaxing feeling. The menu offers everything from coffee, snacks and desserts to interesting main dishes. International flavours, with a variety of pasta and risotti, depending on the chef’s mood and availability of fresh ingredients, as well as imported American meat -rib eye, flank and picanha. Sit around the open outdoor fireplace with a glass of wine or a coffee in hand, a delightful experience. Party time from 11-12pm onwards, and often in the afternoon (mainly Friday and Saturday).
Livadi
13
Barile Resto Vino Bar
Located in the famous Lakka square, it might be one of the trendiest all-day cafe-bar-restaurants, but its cuisine deserves a special mention. Chef Konstantinos Palivos creates some amazing dishes based on Modern Greek cuisine, such as Greek carbonara with syrupy spaghetti and gruyere cream, chicken apaki with dehydrated egg yolk, steamed bread (bao ban) with spetzofai (sausage and peppers), mushroom cocktail, hot potato salad with Greek truffle cream and fried trahanas. The glass floor reveals its special cellar with a collection of 40 labels mainly from the Greek vineyard.
Lakka Square
