In the last five years, the Gazi District has turned into the hottest area in central Athens. The irony? The Gazi District was once the site of the city’s gasworks, which blanketed much of the area with soot. The grime long gone and newly installed central square and metro stop gave new life to an old relic. Today, the streets are lined with bars, restaurants and cafes.

Varoulko

If you want to indulge and splurge on a nice dinner, we recommend dining at Varoulko . Chef Lefteris Lazarou cooks creative dishes like smoked eel, artichokes with fish roe, crayfish with sun-dried tomatos, monkfish livers with soy sauce, honey, and balsamic vinegar, caramelized octopus with mavrodaphne-sweetened trahana cream.

Sardelles

Frugal foodies fear not, there are many less expensive options over at nearby Sardelles. Try the deep-sea squid, thick-cut fried potatoes and taramosalata and fish roe dip.).

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