Greece : Enjoying yourself

Timetable Greece

In Greece, people eat later than in France. Lunch is usually served from 1:30 pm to 4 pm and dinner from 9:30 pm to 11 pm. However, in Athens and in all the tourist sites you can eat all day long without any problem. And throughout the day, from the door of some restaurants, waiters will try to attract you.

Budget & Tips Greece

While restaurants (estiatório) are slightly more expensive than taverns or ouzeries, eating out is still very affordable in mainland Greece. Unless you go to a trendy or very chic restaurant in Athens, you will have to count about 15 euros per person for a full meal with a carafe of local wine or raki/ouzo. There is one exception: fresh fish, sold by the kilo, is always expensive. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the time of the bill, go and choose your fish in the kitchen and ask for the price before ordering it because the bill goes up quickly. In taverns, dessert (watermelon slices, halva plate, cake...) is often offered. In spite of the crisis, Greeks still do not depart from this pleasant tradition. But this is not a must: in the most touristic places, like Olympia, you can always wait!

What costs extra Greece

Some taverns and restaurants charge an additional fee of about €1 for cutlery and bread, which is not always offered. Water in a carafe is free, but in some of the more upscale restaurants, you will often be served a bottle of mineral water as standard. This is not a big charge, but it is better to know this before you dispute the bill! Finally, when paying, always bring cash because credit cards are not accepted everywhere. And leave a tip of about 10%.

The local way Greece

The service can be very long: there is no need to get nervous, but plan ahead and don't wait until you are hungry to sit down, especially with children. Also note: the dishes arrive as they are prepared, so don't expect to eat an appetizer first and then a main course. The dishes that arrive are shared, and guests often pick from the same dish. Another sign of hospitality: a small dessert or a glass of liquor is often offered at the end of the meal. But in Greece, you will never be pressured to leave the table or recommend that you do so once your meal is over. Unless you ask for the bill, you will be left to enjoy your meal without necessarily clearing the table. And if there are a lot of leftovers on the table and you are renting, don't hesitate to ask for a "paqueto" (a "doggy bag") to prolong the experience at home..

To be avoided Greece

Greek cuisine is generous and should be shared. In taverns, avoid ordering one dish per person, as in the French. And if you go to a restaurant with Greeks, pay the bill or have the meal offered to you, but avoid counting what each person has eaten to pay only your share. This is not a common practice, if not downright rude. Also, if you are celebrating your birthday at a restaurant during your stay, you should invite guests, not the other way around.

Kids Greece

Children are kings in Greece. The advantage is that they are welcome everywhere and well received. Here, there is no separation of generations, no attempt to silence noisy children or to force them to sit still. The children are invited to the adults' table and can run their own show (often with a cell phone), without trying to contain themselves or the adults. This results in a joyful - sometimes noisy! - hubbub. And in the evening, when dinner drags on, they can play in the streets until well after midnight, while their parents quietly finish their ouzo.

Smokers Greece

Smoking is theoretically prohibited in public places in Greece. But the law is not always enforced. And in some remote rooms of restaurants, smoking a cigarette at the end of the meal, or even during the meal, is tolerated. However, this is less and less common. Greece has been widely criticized for its tolerance of smoking in public places.

Tourist traps Greece

Let's just say that, as everywhere, it's rarely in establishments with a reel at the entrance that you eat best..

Greece : Take a break

Timetable Greece

In tourist areas, bar and cafe owners have to cover the summer season in order to survive all year round, so they are open every day from morning to night, and the hours depend on the number of people. Some night bars only open from 6-7pm and stay open until the early hours of the morning. Some traditional kafeneio open early in the morning and again around 6pm but close a few hours after lunch. But most of the time these places are open continuously: in summer, the waiters just wait for the last customer to leave before closing.
This flexibility can be extended out of season, especially on weekends, in establishments that remain open. In Greece, you will never be pressured to leave an establishment or recommended once you have finished your drink. Unless you ask for the bill, you will be left to enjoy it, without necessarily clearing the table. However, it is important to keep your wits about you: if you see that you are the last ones and that the waiters are exhausted, it may be time to leave!

Budget & Tips Greece

Drinks, ice cream or coffee are affordable in Greece except in very touristy places where prices tend to go up in summer.

Age restrictions Greece

There is no legal provision that prohibits children and youth from purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine or spirits. In premises open to the public, however, the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors is prohibited.

What's very local Greece

Coffee shops are an institution in Greece. Spending hours in front of a cup of coffee while looking at the passers-by and chatting is a tradition. Eating an ice cream while walking is also a tradition.

Kids Greece

Children are welcome everywhere in Greece, including in bars and of course in restaurants. It is up to the parents to decide

Bars, private clubs: minors (under 18 years old) are not allowed to enter or be present in entertainment businesses and bars

Discotheques, casinos: minors not accompanied by their parents or persons responsible for their education are not allowed

Smokers Greece

Tolerance for smokers in Greece is legendary and continues, although it will eventually disappear!

Tourist traps Greece

Don't let yourself be swayed: it's not the establishments with touts that are the most typical or the most friendly.