Athens & Santorini Food Diary 🇬🇷

Just spent a few days exploring Athens and Santorini—Greek food is beautiful, affordable, and delicious 😍 (though a bit too salty sometimes!). Check out these popular spots, from Michelin-recognized gems to budget-friendly street eats: 📍 ManhManh (ManiMani): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Michelin-recommended 🏆 spot with gorgeous window-side seating (book ahead!). We rushed in at 2 PM right when they opened. Highlights: homemade bread with olive oil 🥖✨, "pizza-flavored" baguette with sausage 🍕😂, and the showstopper—juicy quail risotto 🐦🍚 (huge portions!). €30-40 per person. 📍 Nolan: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Trendy Asian-Greek fusion in a lively area 🍴🌆. Must-book! Surprise hit: roasted cabbage with sweet-sour sauce 🥬🔥. Thai-style shrimp (tom yum vibes 🍤), truffle beef cheek croquettes 🧆✨ (rich!), and "dumpling-inspired" pasta (fun but not better than real dumplings 🥟). Downsides: small portions, and servers auto-added 15% tip 💸. €40 per person. 📍 Karamanlidika: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My favorite! 🥇 Part deli, part restaurant—free pre-meal ham/cheese 🧀 and post-meal yogurt 🍶. Didn’t try the famous shakshuka 🍳, but the sizzling fried eggs with cured meat 🌶️🥓 and sausage-pita wraps 🌯 were insanely flavorful (but salty!). Super affordable: €10-20 per person. 📍 Atlantikos: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bustling seafood joint 🦑🍤—packed even late at night! Must-order: grilled squid (perfect texture!), fried seafood platter 🍟🐟 (tasty but took 40 mins 😅). Loved the shrimp pasta 🍝—rich tomato sauce with "Chinese-style" noodles! €10-20 per person. 📍 Corner Restaurant: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Santorini Edition!) A Fira spot for off-season breakfast 🥞☕. Limited menu, but sitting by the window with a view 🌞🏖️ = instant mood boost! Prices higher than Athens: €10-20 per person. #GreekCuisine#AthensEats #SantoriniTravel #MichelinEats #BudgetTravel #SeafoodLovers#FoodieDiary #TravelGreece