Greek food and wine tasting

REVIEW · ATHENS

Greek food and wine tasting

  • 5.018 reviews
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • From $70.89
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Operated by Cinque Wine Tastings · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (18)Duration2 hours (approx.)Price from$70.89Operated byCinque Wine TastingsBook viaViator

A tasting in Athens can feel like just another drink stop. This one also teaches you what you’re eating and why it matters, using maps and videos while you sample wines from across Greece. It’s set in Monastiraki, a practical starting point for exploring, and it runs like a small, focused session rather than a loud group event.

I really like two things about this experience: you get to choose your own wines (each person selects three), and the food comes as a proper plate with Greek specialties like cheese, charcuterie, olives, and jams. The private setup also means you can ask questions and move at a comfortable pace, with the host explaining what you picked.

One thing to consider: this is a true tasting, so you’ll want to plan for time afterward without hopping straight into heavy activities. It’s only about two hours, but between wine and food, you’ll feel it.

Key highlights I’d circle on your Athens plan

Greek food and wine tasting - Key highlights I’d circle on your Athens plan

  • Choose 3 wines each and build your own tasting lineup
  • Private, family-run feel that stays calm and social
  • Greek flavors beyond wine, including olives, jams, pita bread, and fruits/vegetables
  • PDO-style cheese and charcuterie pairing built for snacking
  • Vegetarian and vegan options so you’re not stuck with sides
  • Monastiraki location with easy access from public transport

Monastiraki meets wine: where this tasting actually works

Monastiraki is one of those Athens neighborhoods that’s easy to use as a base. You’re close to main walking routes, and you’re not stuck on the edge of the city. The tasting starts at Voreou 10, Athina 105 51, and it ends back at the same meeting point, which is handy when you’re coordinating a day with other stops.

The format also feels right for this area. Instead of a long commute, you get a concentrated experience right where you’ll already be spending time. One person described it as small and quiet, and that matches what you want from a food-and-wine session: less waiting, fewer interruptions, and more time listening to what the host is explaining.

You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Athens

How the tasting runs in practice (and why it feels personal)

Greek food and wine tasting - How the tasting runs in practice (and why it feels personal)
This isn’t a big “everyone tastes the same thing” deal. In a private experience, it’s only your group, so the host can tailor the flow to what you ordered and what you’re curious about. That shows up in the way the wine tasting is handled: each person gets to select three different wines, then your plate is built around what you’re tasting.

In real life, this kind of structure does two things well:

  • It helps you avoid decision fatigue. You’re choosing within a tasting menu rather than trying to pick random bottles later.
  • It makes questions easier. If a wine doesn’t fit your taste, you can steer the conversation right away.

The host doesn’t just pour and move on. You’ll get explanations for the wines you picked, plus context that connects the flavors to different parts of Greece. A few people specifically mentioned the attention and guidance—taking the time to explain the wines in the lineup, not rushing through them.

The Greek food you’ll actually eat: cheeses, charcuterie, olives, and more

Greek food and wine tasting - The Greek food you’ll actually eat: cheeses, charcuterie, olives, and more
The food part is built to feel like a Greek snack spread, not a token appetizer. Your tasting includes a main plate featuring Greek charcuterie and cheese (think meats and cheeses paired for variety). Alongside that core, you can expect extra items that keep it from turning into a single-note plate.

Here’s what you should look for in the experience:

  • PDO cheeses as part of the pairing concept
  • Charcuterie (meat elements) mixed into the platter
  • Olives for a salty, briny counterbalance to wine
  • Fruits and vegetables, so the plate has freshness, not just richness
  • Homemade jams and spices/jams paired with what you’re tasting
  • Pita bread, so you have something to reset your palate between bites

Vegetarian and vegan options are specifically included, which matters in a tasting format like this. One review mentioned accommodating a vegetarian diet, and that’s exactly the point: you should be able to participate fully, not just tolerate the experience.

And yes—this can turn into more than just tasting. One person said they ended up ordering more wine because it was so good, and another mentioned taking a wine home at the end. In other words, the session can be a springboard into buying a bottle you truly like, instead of grabbing something generic later.

The wines: signatures from all over Greece

Greek food and wine tasting - The wines: signatures from all over Greece
The wine lineup is meant to show you what Greece does across regions, not just one winery or one style. You’re not only tasting wines from Greek vineyards; the pairing concept connects the wines to different types of foods—cheese, meats, olives, and sweet touches like jams.

If you’re the type who wants a sense of direction (rather than tasting blindly), this format helps. Since you choose your three wines, you can steer toward what you generally like—reds, whites, something lighter, or something more structured—then let the host explain what makes each one work with the plate.

The experience also uses maps and videos, which is useful. Without that kind of context, “here’s a wine” can become a blur. With visuals, you start to connect flavors to place, which is exactly what turns a tasting from entertainment into something you’ll remember.

Maps and videos: the quiet learning moment you didn’t plan for

Greek food and wine tasting - Maps and videos: the quiet learning moment you didn’t plan for
A lot of wine tastings stop at flavor. This one adds the “why” through maps and videos—small teaching tools that keep the experience lively without turning it into a lecture. It’s a smart way to explain products from across Greece, because the geography helps you remember the differences later.

One person said they enjoyed the history behind the region as part of the explanation. Another mentioned that the host took time with the wines they chose. That’s the sweet spot: you feel like you’re learning, but you’re also eating.

If you love food but struggle to keep track of what you’re tasting, this is where the experience can help you “get your bearings fast.” You’ll have an internal map of what you ate and why, so the knowledge doesn’t evaporate the minute you leave.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Athens

Private pacing in a small setting (and how it changes the vibe)

Greek food and wine tasting - Private pacing in a small setting (and how it changes the vibe)
This is one of the most “you’ll feel it” differences between private and shared tastings. Reviews repeatedly point out that it’s calm, personal, and attentive. Since it’s private, you’re not competing for the host’s time, and you’re not forced to keep up with other people’s questions.

A review described it as more intimate and social than shared tastings, which fits the reality: you’re still in good conversation, but the volume stays reasonable. Another person mentioned that the place was small and quiet, which adds to the feeling of a proper sit-down experience rather than a quick stop.

Also, because it’s private, you can make the tasting part of your day without worrying about whether you’ll get separated from your group. The host can adapt the pace, and you won’t be waiting for a large crowd to finish before your turn.

Pairing tips you can use right away

Greek food and wine tasting - Pairing tips you can use right away
You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy this tasting. Still, a little pacing helps a lot, especially with multiple wines.

Here are practical ways to get more out of the two hours:

  • Start with the wine you think you’ll like least. It’s easier to balance your palate before you’re already full.
  • Use the bread between stronger bites. Pita bread helps reset between cheese, charcuterie, and olives.
  • When jams or sweet elements show up, treat them like a palate tool. Try them after a salty bite to see how they change the wine impression.
  • If you want the best explanations, ask early. Once you’ve tasted a few wines, you’ll know what questions to ask.

And since each person gets a platter, you can compare notes within your group without waiting for a shared board. That’s a big deal: it keeps the experience interactive instead of hierarchical.

Price and time: does $70.89 for about 2 hours make sense?

Greek food and wine tasting - Price and time: does $70.89 for about 2 hours make sense?
At $70.89 per person for roughly two hours, the value mostly comes from what’s included, not from the “event” label.

You’re getting:

  • Multiple wines (three selections per person)
  • A full platter with Greek foods: cheese, charcuterie, olives, plus extras like jams and pita
  • A private format with explanations instead of a crowded, self-guided tasting
  • Options for vegetarian and vegan needs

If you tried to build this yourself—buying wine, buying a proper cheese-and-meat spread, and then paying for someone to guide pairings—you’d usually spend more. Even if you don’t know Greek wines yet, the structured pairing helps you avoid wasting money on bottles that don’t match your taste.

Two more value points:

  • You can book lots of time slots online, and they’re precise to within about half an hour, so you’re less likely to lose time to scheduling chaos.
  • Starting in Monastiraki makes the timing easier to fit into an Athens day that already has lots of walking.

When this Athens tasting is the best fit for you

This experience is ideal if:

  • You want a small-group feel without the pressure of a large crowd.
  • You like learning while eating, especially when the host connects wine choices to Greek foods.
  • Your group has mixed preferences, because vegetarian and vegan options are part of the setup.
  • You’d rather spend two focused hours tasting and snacking than hunting for wine shops and then guessing what to buy.

It also works well at the beginning of a trip. One review called it a great way to start vacation, and that makes sense: once you understand a few wine styles and pairings, you’ll make better choices the rest of the trip.

Should you book the Greek food and wine tasting in Monastiraki?

If you’re trying to decide whether this is “worth it,” here’s my straight answer: book it if you want a calm, guided tasting where you pick what you drink and you eat a real Greek platter.

Skip it (or reconsider) if you’re the type who wants a quick drink with no structure. This is designed as a meal-plus-wine experience, not a stop-and-go sip.

One practical thought: since it’s private and you’re tasting multiple wines, treat it like a planned part of your day. Pair it with lighter activities before or after, and you’ll get the most out of the explanations and pairings.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Greek food and wine tasting?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tasting start and end?

It starts at Voreou 10, Athina 105 51, Greece and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this experience private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What language is the experience offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What food is included?

You’ll taste Greek specialties such as cheese, charcuterie, olives, fruits, vegetables, vegan options, homemade jams, and pita bread.

What wines will we taste?

You’ll discover Greek signature wines, with pairings designed around foods from across Greece.

Do I get to choose the wines?

Yes. Reviews note that each person in the party can choose three different wines.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are included.

Is it easy to reach via public transportation?

Yes. It’s near public transportation.

Can service animals attend?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

It is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

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