these are our favourite restaurants in Athens!
When you think of Greece, you might instantly think of gyros, souvlaki and fried squid rings. But believe me when I say the food in Athens is so much more than that. At already the first restaurant we went to during our last trip to Athens I got the feeling I could live here, just like I did went I travelled to Thessaloniki and Santorini. De frappés at breakfast, the grilled octopus, hummus of fava beans (broad beans) and feta cheese in all sorts and flavours.
Besides traditional Greek restaurants and trendy gastrobars that serve authentic Greek dishes bwith a twists you also see lots of international restaurants pop up in Athens, like it’s the case in other metropoles. Discover trendy Mexican restaurants like Grexico and have some dim sum at restaurants like Pink Flamingo. In this blog I’ve lined up the best restaurants in Athens for you, where you’ll definitely will want to grab a bite during your city trip. From fine dining to street food and from very authentic to the latest hotspots!
13 x best restaurants in Athens not to be missed
Nolan: Situated directly next to our hotel (we stayed in the beautiful Electra Metropolis Hotel) perhaps one of the currently best restaurant of Athens was situated. At Nolan you eat modern dishes made with the best local ingredients and a Greek touch. If you’re going to Athens make sure to reserve a table in the evening at this cute gastrobar! When the weather’s nice you can sit on the terrace and do some people-watching. The menu differs often but the zucchini salad and the grilled baby baracuda are definitive recommendations!
33, Voulis 31, Athens, Greece – nolanrestaurant.gr
Nolan
Electra Metropolis Hotel: Whenever I’m on a city trip I prefer to stay in a nice hotel that’s located ideally. The Electra Metropolis Hotel in Athens is one of those perfect basis. Around the corner of many cute restaurants and in walking distance of the Monastiraki Square and with an amazing rooftop with a pool and a lovely spa with sauna, to relax in after a day in the city. Can you already picture yourself having breakfast on the rooftop terrace with a view of the Akropolis?
Mitropoleos 15, Athens, Greece – electrahotels.gr
Electra Metropolis Hotel
Ergon: When I went to Thessaloniki a couple of years ago the first food store versus restaurant by Ergon just opened their doors. In Athens you can find this restaurant right across the entrance of the Electra Metropolis Hotel. Share as much different dishes of the menu in order to taste as much as possible!
Mitropoleos 26, Athens, Greece – ergonfoods.com
Ergon
Funky Gourmet: Without a doubt one of the best restaurants of Athens. And it’s not very surprising that they have a Michelin star! Make a reservation for a table on the balcony, where it’s lovely when the weather’s sunny. Expect to be amazed when it comes to the menu, one dish after another with several ones served on cold ice, and nothing is what it seems!
13 Paramithias Street, Athens, Greece – funkygourmet.com
Otto: From breakfast to cocktails, Otto is the place to go in Athens. An incredibly sweet pink interior, a large terrace that’s a great spot for some people-wachting and traditional Greek dishes. Make sure to taste the ‘cheese pie’ here, with feta cheese and spinach!
Kalamiotou 18, Athens, Greece – check Facebook
Bobo Wine Bar: I secretly sometimes enjoy bars where they serve good wines and tasty food more than an ordinary restaurant. A perfect place to have a drink that turns into bites and some more snacks… and before you know it you’ve tasted all of the good things of the menu with fitting wines.
Anastasiou Zinni 36, Athens, Greece – bobowinebar.gr
Cherchez La Femme: Imagine yourself in a Parisian bistro for a second while being in the heart of Athens when you walk into Cherchez La Femme. Green marble, a wooden bar and fresh field flowers on the tables. I went there for lunch and my-oh-my, this was so delicious. On the menu you’ll find Greek dishes to share. The eggplant salad and the dolmades are recommended!
Mitropoleos 46, Athens, Greece
Cherchez la Femme
TIP: CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF 9 GREAT ROOFTOP BARS WHERE YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK HERE >>
Pink Flamingo: Oh yes! The dim sum trend has also arrived in Athens. Pink Flamingo is a hole in the wall dim sum spot with a joyful pink neon sign and a terrace filledd with white tables. You check on the piece of paper what you’d like to eat, order at the locket and before you know if your table if full with steamed buns and dumplings.
Skoufou 2, Athens, Greece – check Facebook
Melilotos: This restaurant has a cute terrace, but perhaps an even cuter interior. They’re open from lunch to dinner and with a menu full of Greek dishes, this might be the perfect hotspot to have something to eat or drink when you’re busy shopping in the area of the big shoppingstreet Ermou.
Kalamiotou 19, Athens, Greece – melilotos.gr
Melilothos
Avocado: Not as trendy as The Avocado Show in Amsterdam, but they are 100% vegeterian and even have lots of vegan options. So if you’d rather eat vegetal make sure to put this little cafe on your to-visit list. I personally recommend the fresh juices that you can take to go as well!
Nikis 30, Athens, Greece – avocadoathens.com
Bel Ray: In the Koukaki district you’ll find several nice hotspots. On the edge of the district is Bel Ray an address not to miss. This is the place to be from breakfast till a late drink! we went there for lunch and had some falafel. Not what you would expect perhaps, but falafel is immensely popular in Athens!
Falirou 88, Athens, Greece – belraybar.gr
Bel Ray
Grexico: You go to Grexico for a quick and affordable bite. Here they make tasty Mexican street food but with Greek ingredients. From burritos to burritos bowls, and of course tacos!
Fokionos 4, Athens, Greece – grexico.gr
School Pizza Bar: Feel like something different other than Greek food? School Pizza Bar is the place for you! This hotspot is located at the cute street Athinaidos where you can also find several stores. On the menu you’ll find Italian dishes and as you would expect, pizza!
Plaza Agias Irinis 8, Athene, Griekenland – check Facebook
School Pizza Bar
Athens Travel Tips
MORE TRAVEL TIPS ON ATHENS: Are you looking for more tips on Athens? Make sure to check out these handy lists from our extensive Athens Travel Guide with lots of more tips or pay a visit to the site visitgreece.gr for all practical information needed.
- 13 x fun things to do in Athens
- 9 x rooftop bars to watch the sunset from
- 11 x cocktail bars not to miss
- 4 x the beach beaches in the area of Athens
- 9 x cute coffee bars to get a frappé
- 5 x (foodie) markets to visit in Athens
- 14 x the best stores of Athens
- 13 x the best restaurants in Athens
THIS IS HOW YOU GET THERE: To name a few, Aegon Airlines, Transavia and KLM fly from Amsterdam to Athens. Would you like to be sure of the cheapest ticket? Then use the ticket searching engine Skyscanner.nl.
YOURLBB’S FAVOROURITE HOTELS IN ATHENS: During our last trip we’ve stayed in several nice boutique and design hotels in Athens. And good news: almost all the hotels have a rooftop bar that offer an amazing view of the city and with a little bit of luck they also have a pool there. These are some of the hotels that are guaranteed to let you have a great time:
– Electra Metropolis: a very great location, lovely pool and breakfast while enjoying the view of the Akropolis
– COCO-MAT Hotel: go to the lobby via the store and then check into your own studio with a commonly shared rooftop
– Semiramis: with an awesomely coloured pool
– New Hotel: on a mere 200m of the Syntagma Square
– A For Athens: without a doubt one of the best locations and best rooftop bars
– Twentyone: design hotel in the district Kifissia
– Periscope: modern boutique hotel in the Kolonaki area
– Athens Was: the buzzing rooftop bar alone will make you want to stay here
– Fresh Hotel: modern hotel with a beautiful rooftop pool
Have fun if you’re going to Athens!
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
