Eating is one of the favourite pastimes of Athenians and the city offers an ever-increasing variety of eateries. Casual dining is still the rule in a city filled with different versions of tavernas, offering plates of national and regional specialties, like Cretan cuisine. Archetypical dishes are eaten in tavernas or mezedopolia, while the new trend is for funky new establishments that combine the taverna atmosphere with a 21^st century design. If they crave for mum’s cooking, Athenians will head for an inomageirio for oven-cooked specialties known as mageirefta. These places serve cheap but hearty meals which you usually select from a window display. They are the best introduction to real Greek food and its potential. With one of the longest coastlines in the world, Greeks are also especially fond of seafood and know a dozen ways to cook it. Piraeus port – the biggest of the country - has a tradition in seafood restaurants.

The ever-increasing work hours and the economic slump have altered Athenian’s eating habits allowing room for the appearance of sandwich and juice shops throughout the city. For a quick snack during the day, Athenians will stop at one of the “fast-snack” bakery shops like Everest and Grigoris or cafés to get a sandwich, a light salad or a pie. But don’t be misled. Apart from breakfast, which usually consists only of coffee, Athenians regard every meal of the day as an opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of Greek cuisine, catch up with friends and relax.

Lovers of haute cuisine will not be disappointed either. There’s an increasing tendency to push the boundaries of traditional cooking to new levels using popular ingredients like vegetables and fish and to experiment with classic Mediterranean dishes. If you want to dine in style and get a feeling of the local or international haute cuisine offered in the city, then opt for the upmarket choices and book a table on the terrace – most of them have one. Of course, haute Greek and international cuisine comes at a price, but the restaurants mentioned here live up to the expectations. There’s more to Greek cuisine than casual dining. Although you might see people eating alone – especially during working hours - Athenians are social animals and going out to eat involves couples or groups of friends. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest days of the week, so it’s highly advisable to book ahead. Reserving a table on the same day or a day before is sufficient for most places, but popular and pricey restaurants should be contacted two days ahead. High-end restaurants also require that you dress up.

Food prices

Prices indicated are for one person having a two-course meal. Alcohol is not included.

€                15 and under

€€              16-25

€€€            26-45

€€€€          over 45

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Syntagma & Commercial centre

Mama Roux

• 48, Aiolou Street, 213 0048382, Metro: Panepistimio / €€

By creating a successful mix-and-match of international cuisine, this venue has quickly become one of the hottest eateries in town, located in the commercial heart of Athens. Its thirty-something clientele sits on the small wooden benches and orders the house specialties, like the burgers, the chicken tandoori, the falafels or the Mexican burittos with a glass of cold beer on the side. The relaxed atmosphere, rhythm n’ blues music and reasonable prices will make you come back to try those other dishes.

Oinomagirio “To Paradosiako”

• 44A Voulis Street, 210 3314121 / Metro: Syntagma / €€

Really good, hand-cooked Greek specialties and cheap house-wine is what this traditional small taverna is all about

Tzitzikas & Mermingas

• 12-14 Mitropoleos, 210 3247607 / Metro: Syntagma / €€

A chain restaurant that focuses on Greek cuisine with an innovative twist. Service is fast and friendly. 

Avocado

• 30 Nikis Street, 210 3237878, Syntagma / Metro: Syntagma / €€

Healthy, nutricious salads, rice, sandwitches and fruit juices are prepared on the spot. There are also plenty of vegan options.

Kentrikon

• 8 Kolokotroni Street, 210 3232482, Syntagma / Metro: Syntagma / €€

Since 1960, this traditional restaurant has served hearty, traditional food from different regions of Greece in its somewhat dated décor. Politicians and local executives are regulars.

GB Roof Garden

• 1, Vasileos Georgiou, Syntagma sq, 210 3330000 / €€€€

At the roof of the Grande Bretagne hotel, its restaurant is a must for the best view of the city centre and a luxurious meal.

Furin Kazan

• 2 Apollonos, Syntagma, 210 3229170, Metro: Syntagma / €€

Newly renovated, it’s is one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city. Open for lunch as well.

Pasaji

• Spiromiliou Arcade, inside City Link block, Syntagma, 210 3229714 / €€€

Urban chic environment in a bar-restaurant often used for business lunches. It serves international dishes.

Miniatoura

• 21 Romvis, Commercial Centre, 210 3233459, Metro: Panepistimio / €€

The cook prepares Greek recipes in an informal setting.

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Kolonaki & Lycavittos Hill

Kolonaki is home to a few of Athens’ best restaurants, offering high quality cuisine and classy surroundings, where eating and people watching go hand-in-hand.Restaurants in this posh neighbourhood are inevitably pricier but you can still find a couple of eateries which serve Greek food at reasonable prices.

Stinking Bishop

• 43 Patriarhou Ioakim, Kolonaki, 213 0263656 / €€

This small wine bar serves delicious accompaniments to your wine (chese and meat plates) as well as fresh salads and a few main courses. The vanue only has 4-5 tables so if you want to visit on the weekend you should reserve a table.

Filippou

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• 19 Xenokratous, 210 7216390, open for lunch & dinner exc Sat night-Sun, Metro: Evangelismos / €€

Take a seat and you will be served oven-cooked dishes and great salads in one of the area’s oldest tavernas. People head here after work for a relaxed atmosphere and guaranteed quality.

Kalamaki Kolonaki

• 32 Ploutarhou & Patriarchou Ioakim, Kolonaki, 210 7218800 / Metro: Evangelismos / €

Yes, you can find reasonable prices in Kolonaki if you head to this small gentrified souvlaki cantine, with its limited outdoor sitting. A few juicy souvlakia skewers, coupled with freshly cooked French fries and a Greek salad will fill you without emptying your wallet.

Ouzadiko

• 25-29 Karneadou, 210 7295484, open Tue-Sat: lunch, dinner, Metro: Evanelismos / €€

Head here for some ouzo tasting and home cooked meze. Best to book ahead.

Benaki Museum Café

• 1 Koumbari, Kolonaki, 210 3671000, Metro: Evangelismos / €€

The museum is known for its collection of antiquities, as well as its fourth-floor café-restaurant which opens in a beautiful terrace with a unique view of the National Gardens and the Parliament. Its central location makes it an ideal place to take a break after a long walk in the hot sun and refuel with tasty food. The menu offers salads, pasta, chicken dishes, but you can also simply have a coffee and a sandwich.

Papadakis

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• 47 Voukourestiou & 15 Fokilidou, Kolonaki, 210 3608621, Metro: Syntagma / €€€€

This taverna has been here forever. It offers excellent Greek fare, like rooster in wine, in a neat, classic décor.

Oikio

• 15, Ploutarchou street, Kolonaki, 210 7259216, Metro: Evangelismos / €€

Enjoy meat balls and other Greek traditional dishes in this cozy (that’s what its name means) French-style bistrot. Tables and chairs take over the slanted pavement and fill up quickly.

Kiku

• 12 Dimokritou, Kolonaki, 210 3647033, Metro: Megaro Mousikis / €€€€

A first class, minimal Japanese restaurant, with a long sushi-bar where you can sit and order your sake.

Il Postino

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• 3 Griveon, Kolonaki, 210 3641414, Metro: Panepistimio / €

A funky Italian tratoria with home-made pasta and a selective wine menu. Call to book, as tables fill up fast.

Scala Vinoteca

• 50 Sina & Anagnostopoulou, Kolonaki, 210 3610041, Metro: Panepistimio / €€€

Situated right across the French Institute, this is a hip, all-day wine bar, offering well-made mediterenean platters paired with a wide selection of wines. Sit on a comfy Eames chair and try the shrimps marinated in lime, or the gazpacho soup to cool you off after a long walk. Closed on Sunday.

Central

• 14 Platia Filikis Eterias (Kolonaki Sq), 210 7245938, Metro: Syntagma / €€€

World cuisine and extensive wine lists in what is Kolonaki’s meeting point.

Jackson Hall

• 4 Milioni, Kolonaki, 210 3616098, Metro: Syntagma / €€€

Burgers, steaks, cheesecake and drinks in an all-american décor complete with authentic sports and other memorabilia on the walls. The venue is spread on three levels, to separate the dining areas from the bar. You will have to punch somebody in the face to get a table for lunch on Saturday.

Nice’n Easy

• 60 Omirou (pedestrial part) & Skoufa, 210 3617201, Metro: Panepistimio / €€

All-day venue, serving delicious international dishes made of organic ingredients and really good drinks.

Lalu

• 1 Anagnostopoulou, Kolonaki, 210 6233933, Metro: Syntagma / €€€

Classic all-day hangout spot serving contemporary dishes to trendy city executives.

ΠBox

• 22 Haritos Street, inside Periscope Hotel, 210 7298556, Metro: Evangelismos / €€€

Chef Christoforos Peskias is fusing Greek and Asian cuisine in the minimalist surroundings of Periscope hotel. The menu offers different options depending on how hungry you are. For a quick bite, go for the potato salad with bacon and truffle oil, or if you’re ready for dinner, try the sea bass with vegetables.

L’ Aubrevoir

• 51, Xenokratous street, Kolonaki, 210 7229106, Metro: Evangelismos / €€€€

French finess in décor and menu will please lovers of classic French cuisine. You will find all the classics; fillet tartar, foua gras, entrecote with Bearnaise sauce. It now also offers a lunch menu at 30 euros per person.

La Pasteria

• 18 Tsakalof street, Kolonaki, 210 3632032, Metro: Evangelismos / €€

This is an Italian restaurant chain whose success is based on a well-thought balance between quality and price. La Pasteria offers a wide selection of spaghetti, pasta, pizzas and appetizers in generous portions, so if you’re not too hungry, you better share.

Vivliothiki

• 18a, Kolonaki square (next to the British Council), 210 3637897, Metro: Syntagma / €€€

An all-day café, restaurant on one side of Kolonaki’s small square where the usual upscale clientele eats on its lunchbreak and the odd politician sips slowly a cappuccino while reading the days’ newspaper.

To Kafeneio

• 26 Loukianou Street, 210 7237757 / €€

A Greek bistro with well-prepared Greek cuisine and selected deserts. It remains closed most of August.

Orizontes

• Lycavitos Hill, 210 7227065, Metro: Evangelismos / €€€€

Athens is hilly, making it an excellent candidate for restaurants with stunning views.  At the top of the Lycabettus hill is this well-known restaurant with an amazing birds-eye-view of Athens. The menu focuses on French and creative Greek cuisine and is open from noon. To get there, you have to take the funicular from the corner of Kleomenous & Ploutarchou streets.

Gazi & Psiri
 

Athiri

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• 15 Plateon street, Keramikos, 2103462983
  

An award winning restaurant which is located in a recently renovated space supported by a beautiful courtyard. Talented chef Alexandros Kardasis mixes Greek food tradition with innovation. As a confirmation of it's value and quality Athiri restaurant was selected by the best international restaurant guide Michelin as one of the 15 bar restaurants in Greece. Extra tip: From Sunday June 30th Athiri will be open on Sunday evenings.

Varoulko restaurant

• 80 Pireos, Gazi, 210 5228400, open till 23:30, Metro: Keramikos / €€€€

Varoulko has arguably the best seafood in town, thus the one Michelin star. Chef Lefteris Lazarou, known for his ability to turn simple ingredients into gourmet dishes, performs miracles with fish and seafood, while monkfish remains his signature dish. The décor is understated; the terrace has an unblocked full view of the Acropolis and the service is brilliant. Needless to say, you should book ahead.
 
Sardelles

• 15 Persefonis, Gazi, 210 3478050, Metro: Keramikos / €€

The baked sardines are the house specialty and the grilled calamari is delicious. The shrimp souvlaki, which consists of grilled shrimps on a wooden stick, garnished with lemon and olive oil is a must.
 
Schweinchen Dick

• 9-11 Iakhou street, Gazi, 6937 983556 /Hrs: Mon-Thu 19:00-03:30, Fri, Sat 19:00-07:00, Sun 18:00-03:30 / € / Metro: Keramikos

Street food German style, this place offers different types of sausage (wurst), nicely tucked inside a fresh bread bun, together with caramelised onions and seven different sauces. Accompany that with potato skins or the Bavarian salad while you observe the artistic pictures of Berlin around the walls. Washed down with a German beer and you’re set to go.
 
Mamacas

• 41 Persefonis, Gazi, 210 3464984 / €€€ / Metro: Keramikos

An institution in Gazi, as one of the first modern tavernas to appear in the area, it remains faithful to its promise for simple, well-prepared food. Also welcomes guests as a bar.

 
Kanella

• 70 Konstantinoupoleos & Evmolpidon, Gazi, 210 3476320 / €€ / Metro: Keramikos

Its eclectic cook preparestraditional fare with a twist in a funky environment. The lentil salad with feta is filling and the zucchini salad very fresh.
 
A Liar Man

• 2 Sofroniou, Gazi, 210 3426332 / €€ / Metro: Keramikos

Walk inside the narrow Sofroniou Street and the find this oddly-spelled bar at number two. Jazzy music and its Mediterranean style décor – and food - make it a popular hangout spot.
 
Dirty Ginger

• 46 Triptolemou & Persefonis, Gazi, 210 3423809 / €€ / Metro: Keramikos

Spread out in a closed garden, it grills meat and mixes drinks too.
 
Nezos

• 58 Konstantinoupoleos, Gazi, 6972 340342 / € / Metro: Keramikos

They call him “The Turk” and he’s the master of kebab, but also prepares a few mezedes in a plain establishment.