Greece › Athens › Best Restaurants › Avli
Updated: October 14, 2021
By Santorini Dave
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Avli is a hidden gem serving authentic Greek dishes in a charming alley near Monastiraki.
Avli is an erstwhile coffee shop that used to serve coffee and sweet liquors to workshops nearby. They then added omelets and sausages, followed by meze (small dishes) and poikilia (a variety of grilled or fried appetizers). The alley between the now-closed workshops has been turned into a charming courtyard with outdoor seating. The whitewashed walls, blue doors and windows, wooden wicker chairs, blue tables, music, and aromas give it a fabulous Greek vibe. The very affordable menu offers traditional Greek dishes and some vegetarian options, and they are really popular for their succulent meatballs and fluffy omelets. Family-friendly and always busy, but no reservations, so be prepared to wait a little.
Avli Hours and Information
- Season: Open year-round.
- Hours: 11 am-2 am every day, upto 3 am on Friday and Saturday. Closed on Tuesdays.
- Website: facebook.com
- Location: Agiou Dimitriou 12, a side street in Psirri.
- Telephone: +30 210 321 7642
- View: It’s in an alley so there are no views.
- Parking: A parking garage is 200m away, next to Saint Demetrius of Psyri Church. Parking along the street as well.
- Metro: Monastiraki metro station is 500m south.
Avli
Avli is tucked away next to a shuttered, graffitied shop, and is easy to miss. The tiny entrance is labeled “αυλή” (Avli).
Inside, a small alley has been converted into a charming Greek courtyard with lots of small tables.
Avli’s small kitchen and pantry.
Doors of erstwhile workshops have been painted a cheery blue, and a dining area now occupies the open space in between.
The whitewashed walls, blue doors and windows, furniture, and music give the space a great Greek vibe.
The courtyard is actually quite long and features several tables.
Every available inch of the space has been used to maximize seating…
Each nook and cranny has been painted, decorated, and fitted with tables and chairs.
Water is served in the same bright red aluminum jugs that were used to deliver coffee to the workshops in the 80s.
Omelets are their specialty as it was the first dish they started serving apart from coffee and sweet liquors.
A colorful and refreshing Greek salad.
Keftedes (Greek meatballs) with onions are succulent on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Guests love Avli’s kolokithokeftedes (zucchini balls) and homemade dip.
The owner, Takis, worked as a server in the original coffee shop and then bought the place and turned it into a restaurant.
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