Restaurant Scams in Athens, Greece
Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks. Below are the restaurant scams scams reported in Athens — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Restaurant Scams Scams
12
Total in Athens
How it works
Near the Acropolis and Syntagma Square, a well-dressed local strikes up a friendly conversation and eventually invites the tourist to a bar "where locals go." The bar serves overpriced drinks and applies enormous bills. The new friend disappears before the bill arrives.
How it works
Young men near Syntagma Square and Monastiraki invite tourists to a bar for free drinks. When the bill arrives it includes tables full of ordered items at extreme prices and staff prevent leaving.
How it works
Restaurants in the Plaka district target tourists with inflated menu prices, unrequested starters, and cover charges. Some quote prices in euros verbally but convert to a higher amount when the bill arrives.
See all scams in Athens
12 total warnings across all categories