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Welcome to Athens Market Taverna

Athens Market Taverna, nestled in the heart of San Diego, brings the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine to life. Founded by Mary Pappas, the taverna offers an authentic experience filled with warmth and hospitality. Guests can savor traditional dishes like Moussaka and succulent Beef Souvlaki, alongside delightful appetizers such as Hummus and Grilled Baby Octopus. The establishment thrives on community, where locals gather to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and fine Greek wines. With a commitment to quality and a genuine atmosphere, Athens Market Taverna invites you to indulge in a culinary journey that feels like home, making every visit a memorable occasion.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Athens Market Taverna, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of San Diego at 109 F St, where Mediterranean flavors dance joyfully on your palate. This lively eatery captures the very essence of Greek cuisine and hospitality, making it a standout destination for both locals and visitors alike. As you step inside, you're embraced by an atmosphere filled with warmth, genuine service, and the melodic hum of vibrant conversations—a true reflection of Greek culture.

The menu is a meticulously crafted collection of traditional dishes that honor time-honored recipes while infusing a refreshing twist. Start your culinary journey with their Horiatiki Village Salad, a colorful medley of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese, elegantly drizzled with rich olive oil and oregano for just $14.95. Another popular choice is the Champagne Spring Salad, bursting with flavors from crumbled bleu cheese and cranberries, all enveloped in a champagne vinaigrette for a delightful $13.95.

When it comes to entrées, every dish is made with love and intention. The Vegan Gyros Special offers a modern take on an iconic classic, serving thin slices of vegan gyro alongside warm pita. If seafood piques your interest, you cannot miss the Grilled Salmon, marinated to perfection and grilled just right for $28.95. For pasta lovers, the Shrimp Metaxa—brandy-seared shrimp elegantly paired with penne noodles in a creamy parmesan sauce—is an indulgence worth savoring.

Athens Market Taverna also shines in its appetizer selection. The Melitzanasalata, a savory eggplant dip, is a luscious choice, complemented by warm pita bread for $9.95. Or, indulge in the fragrant Dolmathes, delightful grape leaves stuffed with ground sirloin and rice, perfect for sharing at $14.95.

But what truly elevates your dining experience here is the exceptional service. Guests rave about the friendly staff, particularly the beloved owner, Mary Pappas, whose hospitality transforms each visit into a personal connection. From engaging conversations to tailored recommendations, the team goes above and beyond to ensure every meal is nothing short of memorable. One customer fondly reminisced, “What a wonderful staff! They made sure we had an awesome evening.”

And don’t forget to save room for dessert! The rice pudding and freshly baked bread served warm with sweet butter are the perfect finishing touches to your meal, cementing your desire to return. Whether you're planning a casual lunch, a dinner with friends, or a significant celebration like a birthday party, Athens Market Taverna seamlessly accommodates your needs.

If you haven’t yet visited Athens Market Taverna, make it your next dining destination. Dive into an experience filled with enticing flavors, warm company, and an ambiance that feels like home away from home. With every plate served and every detail attended to, this taverna is more than just a restaurant—it's a place where memories are deliciously crafted and connections are nurtured.

For reservations or inquiries, call them at (619) 234-1955. Your taste buds will thank you!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Athens Market Taverna
J S.
J S.

What a great experience! The food was outstanding! The service was outstanding! The vibe and ambiance were outstanding! We were greeted by a warm, friendly woman who took us to our table. Crazy as it sounds, we asked to be moved to the bar for 15 minutes to watch the end of the basketball game...women's Final Four. My team won! We sat there and enjoyed the friendly people...all locals. Which is what we loved...no tourists. We then went to our table and enjoyed one of the best dinners I've ever had. We started with the trio of dips and warm pita. Each of the dips was obviously freshly made. And they were great! We asked for extra hummus and they brought it quickly so we could enjoy all of our dip. My friend had the lamb chops, green beans and potatoes. Delicious! She likes them medium rare and that's exactly how they came. The potatoes were firm and flavorful. The green beans were over cooked but really well seasoned. I had the moussaka and it was comparable to the moussaka I had in Greece. I had the same potatoes and green beans. The portions are large so arrive with an appetite. We both had the house rose. We were both happy with it. Very dry...just the way we like it. We also had cocktails and they have a good pour. I like strong drinks and that's what they brought. What a wonderful staff! Steve, Sara and Mary made sure we had an awesome evening after a very long day. I'll definitely be back when I return to San Diego!

Rick S.
Rick S.

I love Mary Pappas Athens Market. They still have lunch but only on Wednesday. The food is absolutely delicious and the bread and butter and Lentil soup are the best in the world. This place rocks and thank God it made it through Covid. Been going since 1985!!!

Cara N.
Cara N.

Great local Greek restaurant. Food is authentic. Staff has been there a long time. Brian & Rosalee are my favorite servers. Very clean, nice white table cloths. Wine, grape leaves and spanakopita. Soups & desserts.

Scott B.
Scott B.

We found this wonderful restaurant online while in town for meetings. We love Greek food especially when served up in an atmosphere that feels genuine and there is evidence of warmth with how the staff works together. Athen Market Taverna is genuine, warm, and offers fabulous cuisine! It met all our high expectations and now I am hoping I can get back there before the meetings are over and I head back east again. Don't miss this gem!

Nicole M.
Nicole M.

So many wonderful things to say about Athens Market Taverna, where do I begin? I attended a party here for a family friend and it was such a great time with amazing food and wine. So of course when the planning began for my grandmother's 80th birthday, I threw AMT in the hat and pitched the idea. My mom and aunts and I decided to come down and order a bit of everything on the menu so I could show them how gorgeous the private party room is and how uniquely delicious the food was. Mary Papas treated us like family... heck! She even treated us to a bottle of her favorite Greek wine! Needless to say we booked the party that night. She noted what we liked best and we crafted a custom menu on the spot. Fast forward a couple of months and email exchanges: Party night was a hit. They let us bring some flowers and light table decor, as well as music. Connie and Robert were so attentive to every detail on the big night, and took great care of every guest. They went above and beyond with some of our more particular eaters and those with dietary needs. THE FOOD!! Everyone gushed about how incredible it was, it was unlike any Greek restaurant they had been to before. The wines from Greece were the perfect complement. People were texting us the next morning about the grilled octopus... you always hope a big party has "good food" but this was beyond expectations. Thank you so much Mary. Your warm and inviting restaurant will always be the first place on my mind when I hear of anyone looking to throw a beautiful party that they can actually ENJOY while letting someone else do the heavy lifting. !

Kathy B.
Kathy B.

Athens Market is always a solid choice for Greek food. Mary, the owner, is friendly and makes you feel welcome upon entry. Both the Kotopoulo and Chicken Souvlaki are great options (as is everything else on the menu). Good service, but the place can be quite loud during the week with a packed house standing in and around the bar area.

Claudia P.
Claudia P.

I was working downtown today and felt like eating Greek food. I looked and Yelp suggested this Greek restaurant,,,So Delicious!!!!! It's a busy restaurant with a lot of professionals dining there, we got there at 11:45am and we beat the lunch rush. It got so busy. A lot of very good looking men too, great spot to meet someone single? I saw a really good looking man with a grey hoodie eating at the bar with his computer but I didn't have the courage to say hello,,,,maybe next time? My girlfriend and I ordered the same salad. The Horiatiki farm salad, mine with baked chicken and she chose the gyro meat as her protein. Absolutely Delicious!!! Chicken was cooked perfectly and they gyro meat was also delicious. Robert our waiter was so nice and helpful. We finished our meal with the rice pudding and it was so delicious too, cold and not overly sweet. I couldn't finish my salad but I took it home for a snack later in the day. Athena's Market restaurant is Fantastic spot to grab a great lunch or dinner. Love it!!! On my top list of delicious places to eat in San Diego.

Hanafi M.
Hanafi M.

And when the delicious bread is served warm to your table accompanied by soft sweet butter; well then you know you're in the RIGHT PLACE! I've had the utter pleasure of dining here since 2017. Need I say more. Parking is less than anyone in their right mind would desire. You would be hard pressed to find better service in SD than here. Getting ready 4 outdoor dining, too! I had lunch there Wednesday past, always quite enjoyable.