Athens Syntagma

Paradosiako, Voulis 44 (☎210 321 4121), While many lunch places sit idle with empty chairs, this stop does not lack customers—and for good reason. The Greek salad (€6), though ubiquitous in Athens (and oddly enough listed on menus as “Greek salad” rather than just..salad), is particularly scrumptious. Mop up the extra olive oil with the hearty, solid bread that comes the seat. Sitting either inside or outside on a quiet side street, meet the wonderful owners—a husband and wife team that has worked here since the restaurant's opening. From Syndagma, walk along Filellinon, take a right down Nikodimou. Voulis St. is 3 blocks down. Paradosiako is on your right. €5-15 meals. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Cafe Voulis, Voulis 17 (☎210 32 34 333), Chat over a prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich (€3.70) along with some coffee (€1.50-€3.20) at this reasonably-priced coffee shop where customers smoke from their metal bar stools and relax for hours on end. Fairly crowded and just a few blocks from Syntagma Square, Cafe Voulis is not gourmet but is very convenient. Behind hordes of motorcycles, set back on a corner just off Ermou street. Delivery available. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Cafe 21, Voulis 21 (☎210 322 3651), A small space manipulated with mirrors to look larger, Cafe 21 lacks a distinguishable decor. With slightly overpriced orange juices (€4.50) and club sandwiches (€8), this cafe isn't the most bang for your buck. Head down Voulis from Pl. Syntagma. Does not take credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Petros Grill House, Kidathineon 28 (☎201 32 46 229), Petros is a great place to grab a chicken or pork gyro (€2) for the road. While this restaurant does double as a locals' evening hangout, stick to their lunch menu and ask for the waiter from New York who moved to Greece to turn his life around after losing his job at Lehman Brothers. Head 3 blocks down Kidathineon; it's on the right. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol.
Mono, Mnisikleous 4 (☎210 32 26 711; www.mono.gr), Ultra-hip and staffed by incredibly friendly waitresses, Mono is not quite as bold as its red-orange paint, but it comes close. Try the “bread with three deeps” (€7.50) or tomato balls (€8). Splurge on the salmon cooked in grease-proof paper (€18), and try the orange pie (€4)—a cake covered in an orange flavored syrup. Takes credit cards. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.