Syntagma & Plaka
A superb addition to Athens' culinary landscape is this deli, cafe and restaurant occupying a gorgeously designed atrium space flooded with light. There…
Must-see restaurants in Athens
Athens
At this modern-day pastomageireio (combo tavern-deli) tables are set alongside the deli cases, and staff offer complimentary tasty morsels while you're…
Athens
If there's a line to dine at this no-frills psistaria (restaurant serving grilled food), it's worth joining. The payoff is succulent lamb and pork chops,…
Athens
This lovely restaurant with a central courtyard garden is upmarket for Exarhia, but the food is superb and made with largely organic produce. Expect…
Athens
With excellent homestyle cooking, this modern taverna lives up to its name (meaning ‘homey’). It’s decorated like a cosy bistro, and tables on the…
Acropolis Area
Three generations of a family work at this romantic homestyle restaurant that's decorated with wood beams, lacy white tablecloths, twinkling candles and…
Athens
Distressed walls, a beautiful old tiled floor and a cascade of paper cranes dangling from the tall ceiling set the shabby-chic tone for this delightful…
Athens
Book ahead for this wildly popular modern mezedhopoleio (mezedhes restaurant) in Pangrati, where tables line the footpath and delicious small (well, small…
Syntagma & Plaka
Sushi in Athens doesn't get any better than this. Tell Antonis Drakoularakos, the Tokyo-trained chef who holds court behind the counter, your budget and…
Athens
Traditional Greek food gets dressed up to match the museum setting, with an open dining room and terrace with a view of the National Garden and the…
Athens
Slide into this charming butter-yellow house across from a church in a quiet Psyrri side street for a warm welcome by musician-chefs Pepi and Achilleas …
Athens
Lahmajoun (flatbread topped with spiced meat and rolled up with vegetables) is the focus at this jewel box of a Turkish-Lebanese snack shop. The…
Athens
There is no shortage of Cretan restaurants in Athens, but this is the one that Cretans themselves recommend, especially for rare seasonal treats such as…
Acropolis Area
Named for the patron saint of cooks, this 'factory' is really a two-level restaurant focusing on good ingredients and rarer Greek recipes. When everything…
Athens
Get your sugar fix at this place on a bustling square. It's famous for its extra-large cakes swimming in melted chocolate and giant dollops of ice cream…
Syntagma & Plaka
This popular cafe offers a full array of vegan, gluten-free and organic treats with an international spin. Next to an organic market, and with a tiny…
Acropolis Area
Head upstairs to the relaxing, elegant dining rooms of this delightful modern restaurant, which specialises in herb-filled cuisine from the Mani region in…
Syntagma & Plaka
This downtown taverna offers Greek food at its most authentic. Everything is freshly cooked and delicious: you can't go wrong. Hand-painted tables edge a…
Athens
Athenians frequently vote two-Michelin-starred Spondi the city's best restaurant, and its Mediterranean haute cuisine, with a strong French influence, is…
Athens
On a pleasant square opposite Agia Irini church, this old-style virtual hole-in-the-wall joint grills up tasty souvlaki and bifteki (Greek-seasoned…
Syntagma & Plaka
The lovely proprietress at Cremino makes gelato and sorbet that's both intensely flavoured and incredibly light, using cow and buffalo milk. Flavours…
Athens
In the heart of Athens' souvlaki hub, just off Plateia Monastirakiou, O Thanasis is a good place to settle in and watch the street parade. It's known…
Athens
Hytra offers exquisitely presented Greek food with a hypermodern twist. Though portions can be small, the flavours and cooking techniques are spot on,…
Athens
Legendary cafe Neon, famous haunt of Athens literati, fell victim to the crisis. But the cavernous space got a decent new tenant in Veneti (aka Beneth, if…
Athens
This charming old taverna is an Athens gem. There's no signage – look for two sets of doors leading to a rustic cellar. There's no printed menu, just a…
Athens
This modern mezedhopoleio (restaurant specialising in mezedhes) is a minor hike up Exarhia's hill, but you're rewarded with a lovely setting – an old…
Athens
As typical, no-frills neighbourhood tavernas are slowly disappearing, it's worth making a trip to this stalwart, which excels in homestyle stews cooked…
Syntagma & Plaka
Hidden away and with an intimate feel, this traditional place, in business since 1865, specialises in bakaliaros, toothsome cod fried in pillow-light…
Athens
Unexpected for its location on a key nightlife square in Psyrri, this place makes excellent pites (pies), with filo crust that's 'opened' (rolled out by…
Athens
This place is authentically decorated with coloured tiles, skeleton murals and Virgin Mary icons. Margaritas and various cocktails accompanied by…
Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio
Gutsy fresh food, an open kitchen, friendly service, a handwritten daily menu and rock on the soundtrack: Seychelles may be the Platonic ideal of a…
Athens
The five Athenian chefs behind this upmarket snack joint have focused on the quality of the ingredients to create ‘haute cuisine’ souvlaki with a choice…
Athens
Fouar is a central meeting point for Athens' fashionable crowd. The casual-stylish restaurant serves international cuisine with a strong Asian influence…
Gazi, Keramikos & Metaxourgio
This souvlaki joint is mobbed, and not just because the counter staff slide you a shot of booze while you're waiting. The meat quality is high, the prices…
Athens
One of Athens' best modern Greek bistros, Vezené is a relaxed affair where the waiters will bring to the table the catch of the day and glistening cuts of…
Syntagma & Plaka
This part of Syntagma offers a cluster of Japanese restaurants, among which Birdman, which specialises in yakitori (charcoal-grilled skewers of meat) is a…
Acropolis Area
A fine addition to Athens' vegan dining options, this convivial spot may occupy a spot overlooking a busy road, but inside all is calm as customers enjoy…
Athens
Whitewashed tables and chairs nestle beneath olive trees at this cool cafe that has plenty of healthy eating options, including vegan cakes. It's a great…
Athens
Exceptionally good spanakopita (spinach pie) and other pies at this neighbourhood bakery – it's the breakfast go-to for many locals. Fills all your cream…
Athens
This great-value, bright and casual little cafe dishes out a range of homestyle Greek cooking and alternative fare. Choose from the day's offerings at the…
