ATHENS | If you’re in the mood for affordable, traditional taverna-style Greek dishes, served in a homely, unpretentious space, Avli is the place for you. Located in Psirri, a central Athens neighbourhood known for its vibrant hospitality and entertainment scene, Avli is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Hidden down a narrow passageway, with just a small sign above, means that despite Avli’s location, you’ll only find the restaurant if you know where to look. Even then, you might miss it. The dining space is squeezed into a covered outdoor alleyway between two old workshops. White painted walls, blue doors and windows, chequered tablecloths, and assorted family trinkets all add to the traditional taverna atmosphere.
The family that started Avli originally opened it as a cafe to serve nearby shopkeepers, in a part of town that, until the late 1990s, was predominantly working class neighbourhood with a rough reputation. The blue painted doors you see in the alleyway, were the entrances to a variety of workshops. Takis Stamatelopoulos, who started working at Avli in the 1980s, eventually took over the cafe and gradually expanded the menu, turning Avli into what it is today.
The compact menu features classic taverna dishes cooked using recipes from Takis’ extended family. Things like keftedakia (crisp crusted fried meatballs with a moist interior); pan-fried meats and offal; dolmades, saganaki, and salads.
I ordered Greek salad, saganaki, dolmades, house sausage with mustard, and fried liver. All of the dishes were outstanding, with the latter being particularly nostalgic. Free crusty bread to mop up the salad juice and wonderful sauces, is much appreciated. To drink, a nip of tsipouro and a glass of the house red, matched the meal perfectly.
Do be aware that Avli doesn’t take bookings. If you want to avoid a wait of up to an hour during peak times, I advise arriving for lunch at 1:00pm, when Avli opens.
Avli
Ag. Dimitriou 12
Athina 105 54
Greece
Telephone: 021 0321 7642
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Wed – Mon: 1:00pm to 2:00am