BEST RESTAURANTS IN ATHENS

OK, you know that Greek food is amazing! I am sure that you already love it if you have tried it, or you will adore it if you are about to visit Greece for the 1st time.

Below, you can find some of my personal recommendations, with some help from my amazing local friends (<3), as I live in Athens and I have tried many restaurants all these years, that I really consider their food is worth trying and of good quality. I have divided  the restaurants into categories  so that you can choose depending on your appetite but also based on 3 main regions of Athens.

Don’t worry if you are surrounded mainly by Greeks, as I have recommended restaurants that mainly locals visit…. Dine like a local, right? 😉 Bon Appétit ! 

In/close to ATHENS city center:  

Greek restaurants: ($$)

• “Ergon house” in Syntagma, a creative marketplace with restaurant and even a boutique hotel
• “Stamatopoulos tavern” with live Greek music in Plaka
• “Lithos” tavern in Psyrri
• “Mavro Provato of Press Café” in Pagkrati
• “Efcharis restaurant” in Athens with a yard, menu here
• “Dopios restaurant” in Athens center
  

  Ergon house

Local restaurants with Greek small dishes & meze platters: ($$)

• “Dexameni” in Kolonaki, one of my favorites in the city.
• “Ama Lachei” in Exarcheia with a lovely yard
• “Laika Bar-Resto” in Votanikos with tables at a pedestrian area
• “Avli” in Psirri with incredibly traditional Greek vibes . Angel’s tip: To be honest, in my opinion food is average but I loved the whole experience and set up!
• “Diporto” in Omonoia which is considered one of the oldest tavernas of Athens
• “Kanéla” in Gkazi area
• “Pyrolíki” , “Seychelles” & “Louis” in Metaxourgeio
  

  “Ntolmadakia” dish

For Street food or Souvlaki: ($)

• “Kostas” in Monastiraki  & in Syntagma for old school souvlaki
• “Oi gynaikes” (or “ta koritsia”) & “Kalyvas” both in Koukaki town
•  “Achilleas” in Neos Kosmos for great gyros
• “Tomas” in Nea Smyrni for kebab
• “Po Boys” in Psyrri for burgers
• “Elvis” in Kerameikos with the 4 different skewers – chicken, lamb kebab, cubed pork belly and pork sausage.
• “Souvlaki Leivadia” and “Lefteris o Politis” in Omonoia area

Modern cuisine: ($$$)

• “Nolan” in Syntagma with Asian influences
• “Kuzina” in Thiseio. Angel’s tip: Ask for a table outside with a view
• “Feedέλ Urban Gastronomy” in Monastiraki
• “2 Mazi” in Syntagma with a beautiful outside seating area and excellent service offering contemporary Greek cuisine & wine.
• “Black Duck Garden” in Syntagma with a beautiful yard that belongs to Athens City Museum
• “Fuga restaurant” with a mix of Italian-Japanese cuisines called Italenese. Angel’s tip: you can park underground in the parking of Athens music hall.

Seafood restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Bluefish” in Monastiraki
• “Atlantikos” in Psyrri
• “Barbounaki” in Kolonaki, beautifully prepared fresh food and seafood.

Meat restaurant ($$$-$$$$)

• “Tilemachos” is awarded meat restaurant in the center of Athens.
• ‘Fine Mess Smokehouse” for smoked meat in Kolonaki area

Fine dining: ($$$$)

• “Mappemonde” in Athens capital hotel
• “Aleria”, awarded restaurant many times in Metaxourgeio area with tasting menu
• “Hytra Restaurant & bar” in Neos kosmos with a Michelin Star and a beautiful Acropolis View. Angel’s tip: Degustation menu with 80 Euros.
• “Cookoovaya” in Evangelismos . Angel’s tip: Try the desert bougatsa.
• “Spondi Restaurant” , 1 Michelin star restaurant .
• “Soil”, 1 Michelin restaurant with a beautiful yard open during summer months.
• “CTC Urban Gastronomy” , 1 Michelin star in Kerameikos with a great presentation & exceptional tasting menu.
• “Seeds Restaurant”, the unique restaurant that chefs are serving you.
• “Zuka” in Syntagma in Amerikis street with pan Asian-inspired cuisine and live entertainment line up 5 days a week. (different each day)

For Drinks &  few snacks to share: ($$)

• “Warehouse” in Exarcheia. Angel’s tip: Wine bar with local vibes and great food as well.
• “By the Glass” wine bar with great variety of wines in Syntagma
• “Ermou 18 Beyond the Horizon” all day bar with a stunning Acropolis view in Syntagma
• “Manouka” with Acropolis view in Monastiraki

 Other cuisines: ($$-$$$)

• “Ovio” in Syntagma for excellent unique Italian dishes, you can have a look here.
• “Trattoria Italia d’Onofrio” for pasta in Koukaki (used to be in Pangrati area of Athens)
• “ALEX the fresh pasta bar” for only pasta dishes and some drinks/coffee in a relaxed vibe in the heart of Athens.
• “Malconi’s” in Kolonaki, fancy and nice decorated.
• “Sushimou” for sushi in Syntagma. Angel’s tip: Closed on weekends.
• “Abreuvoir”: fine restaurant in a quiet area on the hills of Kolonaki $$$$, one of the oldest french restaurants in town.
• “Mr Pug Cuisine Fusion Asiatique” for great bao bans in Syntagma.(thailand cuisine)

For Brunch:

• “IT restaurant” in Athens, menu here.
• “Underdog” in Thiseio
• “Frater & Soror” in Pagrati area
• “Novak Athens Towers” in Ampelokipi
• “Pick a bloom” in Monastiraki
• “The Makers” in the heart of the city
• “The Brunch Factory” in Psyri
• “Overoll Croissanterie” for great croissants in Athens

For sweets:

• “Little Kook” which is a popular fairytale-inspired cafe in Psyrri area in Athens offering sweet mainly dishes.
• “Nancy’s Sweet Home” in Psirri area

South ATHENS:  

Greek restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Drami” restaurant in Glyfada city center
• “Pasifai” for Cretan cuisine in Glyfada

Meat restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Xristoforos” and all the other restaurants in Kalyvia area. Angel’s tip: order paidakia (ribs).
• “Mandri Mountain Resto” with great views in Ano Glyfada
• “Monk” and “Beastalis” in Glyfada.
• “Drakoulis Dry & Raw” in Voula.

Local restaurants with Greek small dishes & meze platters: ($$)

• “Elliniko” in Glyfada city center
• “Mezze” in Glyfada city center
• “Rachati” in Ilioupoli city
• “Gitema” in Nea Smirni city
• “Pantopoleio O Antrikos” in Palaio Faliro city
• “Epta Martyres” in Neos Kosmos

For Street food or Souvlaki: ($)

• “Tsi Tsi” and “Nomsy” in Glyfada downtown
• “Trelos Gaidaros” in Glyfada
• “O Proedros” in Glyfada
• “Crepa corner & more” for delicious salty or sweet crepes.
• “Crepa-Crepa” in Nea Smirni square

Modern cuisine: ($$$)

• “E & O” for pan-Asian cuisine in Palaio Faliro with great views from Athens & good cocktails.
• Feedέλ Asador / Angel’s tip:  Tzatziki avocado is one of the most famous dishes in this restaurant
  

  Feeδel Asador in Glyfada or Feedέλ Urban Gastronomy in Athens city center

Seafood restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Bluefish” and “Akti restaurant” in Vouliagmeni area (both very expensive)/ Angel’s tip: “Akti” organizes some parties as well during weekend. Make a reservation in both for a table next to the sea.
• “Papaioannou” in Kavouri, next to the sea – delicious dishes but expensive $$$$.
• “Sardelaki” in Vouliagmeni with good prices Angel’s tip: Try the fried anchovy fillet
• “Sardelaki” in Glyfada city center
• “Barbounaki” in Glyfada city center
• “Psarakia & Thalassina” in Glyfada downtown
• “Psaroulis” for top seafood in Ano Glyfada area
• “Balcony in Cyclades” with a perfect view from above in Vyronas city /Angel’s tip: Make a reservation for a table with a view and try their starters – all delicious!
• “Psarades” in Palaio Faliro
• “Alargino” in Argyroupoli
• “Xypolētos” for amazing high quality seafood in Loutsa.
• “Nicolas tis Schinoussas” in Glyfada beach for more elegant vibes.
• “Labros Restaurant” with spectacular view in Vouliagmeni.
  

  Balcony in Cyclades in Vyronas

Fine dining: ($$$$)

• “Matsuhisa Athens” next to the sea for excellent Japanese cuisine
• “Ithaki Restaurant Bar” for seafood in Vouliagmeni with breathtaking views.

Other cuisines: ($$)

• “Peccati Di Gola” for pure Italian in Glyfada city center
• “Il Trovatore” and “Matagliati” in Palaio Faliro town
• “The Eatalians – Mario & Luigi” for excellent Italian food in Ilioupoli city
• “Ramino resto” and “Vincenzo” for Italian as well in Glyfada city center
• “Aperitivo – Pizza bar” for mainly Italian in Glyfada city center
• “Mejico” if you are looking for tasty Mexican food in Argyroupoli
• “Amigos” for Mexican food in Glyfada city center (much better quality  than “El Catrin” close by)
• “UVA Wine Resto Bar- Spritzeria” and “Peninsula” in Vouliagmeni
• “Tokyo Joe” for Japanese in Vouliagmeni & Glyfada city center
  

For Brunch: 

• “Rey pablo” in Voula
• “Oven” in Glyfada and Voula
• “Soleto restaurant bar” in Glyfada city center
• “Oh Mama” in Glyfada city center
• “Geluk” in Ilioupoli city
• “La Linda Bakery & Café” in Glyfada downtown

Beach bars in Athenian Riviera: 

Angel’s tip: The souther you get in Athens (far from Piraeus), the better and cleaner fyi.

• Nalu, Bikini, Bolivar beach bars  in Alimos (but personally I don’t swim)
• Dot beach vibes in Voula
• Bloom Project in Voula
• Krabo in Kavouri
• Kavouri beach with the local taverns
• Astir beach. Angel’s tip: Elegant and expensive place to be.
• The Royal beach in Vouliagmeni
• Vouliagmeni Lake in Vouliagmeni
• Yabanaki in Varkiza
• Althea beach in Agia Marina
• Tahiti beach bar in Lagonisi
• Grand resort Lagonisi hotel with entrance fee.
• Alopigia beach bar in Saronida
• Castus beach bar in Saronida
• Hawaii Beach Bar in Saronida
• Thymari Con gusto in Thymari beach
• FreezBe Beach Bar in Charakas beach
• Kape beach in Sounio is not organized but beautiful
• Sounio beach

North ATHENS

Greek restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Karpos” for modern Mediterranean cuisine in Marousi
• “Lefkes” in Galatsi town

Meat restaurants: ($$$-$$$$)

• “Hunters Room & Grill Restaurant” for great meat and other flavors in Chalandri city

Local restaurants with Greek small dishes & meze platters: ($-$$)

• “Kitsoulas” tavern in Chalandri city for Greek food and authentic relaxed Greek vibes
• “Mistikos Kipos” and “Doukissa” in Chalandri with great wine list and interesting flavors

For Souvlaki:  ($)

• “Panerythraikos (est. 1975)” in Nea Erythraia
• “Kafteros” in Chalandri
• “Ta Souvlakia tis Lilas” in Neo Psichiko

Modern cuisine: ($$$) 

• “Psomi & Alati” for a variety of dishes and delicious burgers in Chalandri town.
• “Stoffa” in Kifisia with a terrace

Seafood restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Afropsaro” in Irakleion city with exceptional service.
• “Karavidas” in Nea Ionia

Other cuisines: ($$-$$$)

• • “ALIO” in Chalandri city for great Italian dishes.

 

For Brunch: 

• “Enkelt Eatery Drinkery” in Chalandri
• “Papillon Bistrot Athens” in Psychiko. Angel’s tip: When I visited on a Sunday (reservation needed) there was live music and it was great, ask for it with a good table!

PIRAEUS & the rest of ATHENS:  

Greek restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “To kati allo” in Chaidari city
• “Drami” in Agia Varvara city

Meat restaurants: ($$$-$$$$)

• “Base Grill” in Peristeri
• “Thanasis 1948” in Ano Patisia
• “Steak Alive” in Korydallos, west of Athens.

Local restaurants with Greek small dishes & meze platters: ($-$$)

• “Rakadimies” , “Rakotheories”, “Raki Aman Meze” and many others in “Agias Lauras” pedestrian street in Aigaleo city.
  

For Souvlaki:  ($)

• “Nostimies” in Chaidari city
• “Lamarina souvlaki & more” next to the sea in Marina Zeas in Piraeus
• “O Giorgos” in Gounari/Nikiti corner in port of Piraeus
• “Serkos” in Palaia Kokkinia neighborhood in the fairy square
• “Polyvios” in Drapetsona for open souvlaki

Modern cuisine: ($$$) 

• “Το theio tragi punk bistro” in Petralona
• “Corks & Forks” in Piraeus
• “Hams & Clams” in Piraeus with this menu
• “Pisina” in Piraeus with a swimming pool and a harbour view
• “Schinos Bistro” in Peristeri city with a beautiful yard

Seafood restaurants: ($$-$$$)

• “Psaroskala Piraiki” in Piraeus close to the sea
• “Margaro” in Piraeus for fresh fried fish and shrimps only. Traditional Greek old tavern with delicious but extremely few options (only bread, greek salad, 1-2 fish, shrimps & crayfish sometimes) .
• “Yperokeanion” in Piraeus for locals and seafood in the center of Piraeus
• “Panorama” restaurant in Kastella in Piraeus with panoramic sea view.
• “Xypolētos” for seafood literally with the table at the beach in Loutsa. ($$)
• “Travolta” in Peristeri
• “Pirolithos Restaurant” in Ilion city
• “Piscis” in Mikrolimano in Piraeus

Fine dining: ($$$$)

• “Varoulko” in Piraeus has 1 Michelin star with excellent taste and great “value for money” prices / Angel’s tip: Make a reservation for a table next to the sea

Other cuisines: ($$-$$$)

• “ANCHO Cantina Y Coctelería Mexicana” in Piraeus for a Mexican experience
• “Enteuktḗrio” for Italian next to the sea in Piraeus.

For Brunch: 

• “Rocambolesco handmade Gelato & Brunch” in Marina Zeas in Piraeus
• “Enigma”, “Novem”, “Pasqua Rosée” in Chaidari city.
  
  
• “Easy Peasy” in Peristeri city.

Are you hungry?

Athens is amazing and Greek food is better! So exceptional, sooooo delicious! List is updated all the time with honest personal suggestions!

If you disagree with something let me know in order to taste & visit it again ! Why not? Things change…