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Moussaka is likely one of the cornerstones of Greek delicacies, and one may argue that no Athens meals tour is full with out attempting it. Athens has tons of nice genuine Greek eating places providing a number of the greatest Moussaka in all of Greece.

Conventional moussaka is constructed from skinny layers of aubergine eggplant, separating layers of floor meat in tomato sauce. Then the entire thing is bathed in a wealthy bechamel sauce. You will discover it in quite a lot of locations, from humble tavernas like To Kati Allo to high-end Athenian eating places like Kuzina.  

To save lots of you a while and make sure you get an genuine style of conventional moussaka, I like to recommend attempting one of many following eateries

To Kati Allo

Photograph credit score: To Kati Allo

To Kati Allo is a family-run taverna close to Athens Acropolis Museum and the Philopappos Hill. They provide an genuine style of conventional Greek delicacies, together with a number of the greatest moussaka in all of Greece.  

The ambiance in To Kati Permit is unpretentious with the environment and easy décor you anticipate at a classical Greek taverna. The open kitchen additionally permits you to watch the meals being ready. It offers you a bit of bit extra of a connection to the meal, in addition to feeling the energetic vibe of a Greek kitchen.

To Kati Allo makes a really conventional moussaka with layers of eggplant, floor meat, and béchamel sauce. I like the richness of the béchamel, which performs an necessary half in tying all the weather collectively. To the purpose that it nearly felt like a meaty tackle eggplant parmesan.

I additionally admire the constant thickness of the eggplant slices, which ensures that every layer cooks correctly with the identical stage of doneness. This may appear to be a bit of factor, but it surely’s consideration to element like this that reveals true mastery of the craft of cooking a nice moussaka.

To Kati Allo (€7 to €9) Chatzichristou 12, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Kuzina

Photograph credit score: Kuzina

You’ll discover Kuzina, within the Thissio district down the quaint pedestrian-only Adrianou Road. This provides it a quietness that allows you to get pleasure from among the best moussakas, and different classical Greek delicacies, away from a number of the hustle and bustle of close by vacationer sights.

The environment in Kuzina is a cautious mix of latest and neoclassical Greek décor. In nice climate, they open the rooftop terrace, which helps you to get pleasure from a shocking view of the Acropolis and the Temple of Hephaestus.

Kuzina’s menu is basically based mostly on classical Greek dishes, in addition to different Mediterranean delicacies like Cretan pappardelle and hen with figs. Nonetheless, it’s the belly-filling energy of the moussaka that makes Kuzina in style with vacationers and locals alike.

I’m notably keen on the thickness of the bottom beef layers. It ensures you get a hearty chunk each time. The quantity of beef additionally permits the slices of eggplant to soak up extra beef taste making it exceptionally filling.

Kuzina (€15 to €25) – Adrianou 9, Athina 105 55, Greece – Open each day from 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

Arcadia Restaurant

Photograph credit score: Arcadia Restaurant

Arcadia Restaurant is thought for its genuine Greek delicacies, together with wealthy flavorful moussaka. They’re positioned within the Plaka neighborhood, which is near the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Making it an incredible place to cease for a top quality meal after an extended day in your toes.

The décor at Arcadia is rustic with wood tables, and classical Greek-themed accents, that give it an inviting vibe. I additionally like the massive home windows which let within the good quantity of pure mild, whereas additionally providing you with the possibility to perform a little individuals watching.  

Arcadia has a well-earned status for wealthy, flavorful moussaka. They make their greatest effort to supply elements regionally, which I feel makes a distinction ultimately product. On the peak of summer season when eggplant is in season, you’ll be able to style it within the skinny layers of the moussaka. I admire the vegetal depth of taste and the toothsomeness of every forkful.

Arcadia Restaurant (€12 to €14) – Makrigianni 23-27, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open each day from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Mani Mani

Photograph credit score: Mani Mani

Situated close to the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis, Mani Mani restaurant is a superb place to cease for a tasty meal after a day of sightseeing. Whereas they do draw a lot of vacationers, locals additionally come to Mani Mani for his or her flavorful genuine moussaka.

The environment in Mani Mani comfortably blends fashionable design with rustic Greek accents from the Mani area of southern Greece. If you happen to look with the proper kind of eyes, the uncovered stone partitions, wood parts, and heat lighting appear to move you again in time to a bygone period of Athens. Particularly in case you can rating a desk on their rooftop terrace.

Mani Mani is well-known for his or her modern tackle Greek classics, with moussaka being one in every of their most beloved dishes. It’s ready with a lighter contact than another moussaka-focused eating places.  

The final time I used to be there, the moussaka was made with floor lamb, which I actually observed. The grass-finished taste of the lamb appeared to get up the vegetable taste of the thinly sliced eggplant.

Mani Mani is a superb place to get pleasure from Greek wines. My server advisable a glass of agiorgitiko from Santorini to pair with the moussaka. It had a wealthy, fruity physique with simply the slightest trace of spice, that completely complemented the flavour of the lamb.

Mani Mani (€12-€15) – Falirou 10, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open each day from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

Conclusion

Moussaka is a much-beloved Greek meals that deserves a style on any Athens meals tour. You will discover high-quality variations in tavernas like To Kati Allo in addition to eating places like Arcadia. Whereas a lot of the moussaka eating places you’ll discover on an Athens meals tour use floor beef, a number of like Mani Mani will generally provide it with floor lamb filling.