Athens Restaurant & Tavern

What is Athens Restaurant & Tavern? Holding down the eastern stretch of the Danforth at 707 Danforth Avenue since 1977, Athens Restaurant & Tavern is one of Toronto's most steadfast homes for authentic Greek tavern cooking and traditional slow-braised *magirefta*. The dining room carries the unvarnished charm of an old-school Aegean taverna, featuring warm wood accents, low-key lighting, and an open kitchen layout where staff often invite guests to preview the day's hot stew trays. During the warmer months, casual outdoor sidewalk seating offers prime people-watching along the Blake-Jones strip.

Athens Restaurant & Tavern Menu & What to Order The kitchen excels at rustic home cooking rather than shortcut combo plates, making the slow-cooked village lamb shank and the fork-tender kokkinisto veal braised in tomato sauce mandatory orders. Seafood lovers should start with the char-grilled octopus or the bubbling shrimp and feta saganaki, best washed down with cold Mythos beer or Greek house wine. Hearty vegetable braises like gemista (stuffed peppers) and briam cater generously to vegetarian diners, while a gluten-free moussaka ensures comfort food for all diets.

Know Before You Go Tables fill up quickly with large family groups and neighbourhood regulars on Friday and Saturday evenings, so call ahead to reserve a spot, though early evening walk-ins generally find a seat without a fuss. The restaurant sits a short two-minute walk east of Pape subway station, with metered street parking and Green P lots nearby. Athens is closed on Mondays and serves continuously from lunch through late night from Tuesday through Sunday.