What to Buy (and What to Avoid) at Greek Supermarkets (So You Don’t Waste Money or Starve)
/
Grocery shopping in Athens made easy—save money, eat well, and live like a local with roomsathens
Welcome to the first big test of your Erasmus independence: your first trip to the supermarket in Athens.
It sounds simple. You walk in. You grab a basket. You buy food.
Not that fast…
You’re about to walk into a loud, fluorescent-lit jungle of mystery meats, Greek-only labels, and an absurd number of yogurt brands.
If you’re not careful, you’ll leave €40 poorer, still hungry, and mad at yourself for buying five cans of tuna and nothing to eat them with.
Let’s fix that.
Step 1: Know Where to Go (Because Not All Supermarkets Are the Same)
There are 3 main types of places you'll find yourself shopping at in Athens:
Regular Supermarkets (AB, Sklavenitis, MyMarket, Lidl) These are your go-to spots for most groceries. Prices are fair. Brands are consistent. Store layout? Pure chaos. But you’ll get used to it.
Mini Markets & Periptera (Kiosks) Open late. Convenient. But overpriced for most basics. Good for emergencies (like when you realize you forgot to buy toilet paper... again).
Street Markets (Laiki Agora) Fresh produce, cheap prices, and straight-up Greek grandma energy. Cash only. You’ll want to learn the phrase: “Poso kanei afto?” (“How much is this?”)
Pro tip: Do your big shopping once a week at a supermarket, then hit the street market for fresh fruits and veggies. Your wallet will thank you.
Step 2: What to Actually Buy (So You Don’t End Up Eating Pasta Every Day)
Here’s a breakdown of what’s worth putting in your basket—and what to skip.
✅ Buy: Greek Yogurt (But Read the Labels)
Greek yogurt is the real deal- thick, creamy, and affordable.
But not all are created equal.
Look for:
10% full-fat “στραγγιστό” yogurt (strained yogurt)
Brand tip: Fage is great. Kri Kri is solid too. Olympos is yum
Don’t get tricked by flavored low-fat versions packed with sugar
💡 Example: Grab a 1kg tub of 10% yogurt (~€3.50) and drizzle it with honey and walnuts. You’ve just made the healthiest dessert on the planet for under a euro per serving.
✅ Buy: Seasonal Veggies and Fruit from Laiki (Skip Imported Stuff in Supermarkets)
The Laiki (local street market) is dirt cheap and fresher than anything at AB or Sklavenitis.
Pro move: Go an hour before they close, and you’ll get ridiculous deals. Like 1kg of tomatoes for €0.50.
Skip:
Strawberries in October
Avocados that look suspiciously perfect
💡 Example: 5 zucchinis = €1. Grate them, mix with eggs and feta, and boom - Greek-style zucchini fritters (kolokithokeftedes).
✅ Buy: Frozen Vegetables and Fish
They’re way cheaper than fresh and perfect for lazy days. Brands like Barba Stathis sell mixed veggies, chopped onions, spinach, etc.
Frozen fish (like sardines or hake) is affordable and less intimidating than the whole fish counter.
💡 Example: Throw frozen spinach in a pan with olive oil, garlic, and crumbled feta = 10-minute power meal.
✅ Buy: Dry Legumes (Lentils, Chickpeas, Beans)
Greek cuisine is built on these staples. Healthy. Cheap. Protein-packed.
Just soak them the night before and cook in bulk.
💡 Example: Lentil soup (fakes) + side of bread = under €1 and filling AF.
✅ Buy: Bread from a Bakery (NOT Pre-Packaged Bread from the Supermarket)
Supermarket bread is dry, sad, and goes stale in a day.
Your neighborhood fourno (bakery) will bake daily. Fresh, warm, and usually cheaper.
💡 Example: Grab a fresh horiatiko (village-style loaf) and pair it with cheese and tomatoes. Heaven.
✅ Buy: Store-Brand Pasta, Rice, Olive Oil
Look, name brands in Greece aren’t magical.
AB’s or Sklavenitis’ store brands are just fine- and way cheaper.
Pasta: €0.80 a bag
Rice: Try karolina rice for risotto-like meals
Olive Oil: Greek olive oil is gold. Go for 1L bottles from Crete or Kalamata
✅ Buy: Cheese - But Not Just Feta
Yes, feta is the Beyoncé of Greek cheese.
But don’t sleep on:
Kasseri – semi-hard, great on toast
Graviera – aged, nutty, pairs well with wine
Metsovone – smoked, addictive
💡 Example: Graviera grilled cheese + tomato soup = comfort food that hits.
❌ What to Avoid (Unless You Like Wasting Money)
❌ Avoid: Cereal
Tiny boxes. Ridiculous prices.
€4.90 for a sad 300g box of knockoff cornflakes?
No thanks.
💡 Do this instead: Buy oats in bulk. Add fruit and honey. Save cash. Stay full.
❌ Avoid: Pre-Made Salads and Sandwiches
Looks convenient. Costs a lot. Tastes like airplane food.
Make your own.
It’s cheaper, fresher, and takes the same amount of time.
❌ Avoid: Imported Snacks from Back Home
That peanut butter or box of Pop-Tarts might feel comforting, but the price tag will slap you back to reality.
€6 for one jar of Skippy? Nah.
💡 Alternative: Try Greek halva or sesame bars (pasteli) for local snacks.
❌ Avoid: Buying Meat from Big Chains
Supermarket meat can be low quality and overpriced.
If you’re a meat-eater, find a local butcher (kreopoleio).
Cleaner, fresher, and you get to practice Greek.
💡 Tip: Ask for “kotopoulo fillet” (chicken breast) or “mosxari” (beef).
❌ Avoid: Overbuying on Your First Visit
You’ll be tempted to stock up like a doomsday prepper. Don’t.
You don’t know how fast you’ll go through stuff. Or how small your fridge really is.
Final Tips for First-Timers
Bring a reusable bag – You’ll be charged for plastic ones
Check the bottom shelf – That’s where the good deals hide
Use a basket, not a cart – Most stores are tight and crowded
Don’t expect order – Greek supermarkets feel like controlled chaos. You’ll adapt
Wrap Up: Know What You’re Doing = Save Money, Eat Better, Stress Less
Your Erasmus adventure doesn’t start in the classroom.
It starts in aisle 3, next to the suspicious deli meats and a woman yelling at her kid.
If you’ve read this far, you’re already ahead of the game.
You know what to buy, what to skip, and how to shop like someone who’s not about to cry over overpriced cereal.
And if you want that same level of no-nonsense clarity when it comes to where you’ll live in Athens?
👉 Check out our student housing at roomsAthens
Fully furnished rooms
Air conditioning and balconies
All walking distance from the metro
Lease agreements that work for you
Support that speaks your language (literally)
If this post helped you, chances are our flats will too.
