Karamanlidika tou Fani (Evripidou Branch)

The Evripidou Street branch of Karamanlidika tou Fani is the original and earliest location of this celebrated deli and eating house, situated in the heart of Athens' spice market district where Evripidou Street is lined with shops selling dried herbs, pulses, and preserved foods from across Greece and the wider Mediterranean. The branch operates primarily as a morning and early afternoon destination, opening at 7:30 AM — making it one of the few quality food establishments in Athens accessible before conventional restaurants begin service. The format combines a deli counter displaying the full Karamanlidika range of cured meats, aged cheeses, and preserved goods with a small eating space where hot dishes are prepared and served from mid-morning. The pastourmas with egg — the spiced cured beef cooked with eggs and served in a small pan — is the defining hot dish and an Athens food experience that is worth a specific detour. The cheese and cold cut board draws from the same small-producer network as the Sokratous location, covering regional Greek charcuterie from Crete, Mykonos, and mainland producers alongside aged cheeses including Metsovone and Naxos Graviera. The spice market setting adds a layer of context that the newer Sokratous branch lacks: the neighbourhood smells of dried thyme, chamomile, and cumin, and the market traders are Karamanlidika's primary morning clientele. Products from the deli counter can be purchased to take away, with vacuum-sealed packages of charcuterie available for travel.