Top 7 Foodie Insights for Athens

written by Dajana 12. September 2018
Top 7 Foodie Insights for Athens

There’s no better way to explore a city or country than eating your way through it, right? And this is exactly what we did a few months ago in Athens. Find here an insider’s guide to the best places to eat and drink in Athens, including traditional tavernas, rooftop bars and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Discover a sophisticated culinary mix

When in Athens, you will quickly notice the interesting mix the city’s nightlife has evolved into. The numerous restaurants range from very down-to-earth traditional tavernas to sophisticated places serving fusion cuisine. Undeniably many restaurants are aimed for tourists and can be a little disappointing. But do not worry, because we have got some good news for you and already put together the seven best foodie insights to make sure you eat well, enjoy great drinks with a fantastic view and know where to go for coffee and snacks when in town.

1. A for Athens

Miaouli Str. 2-4, Monastiraki, open daily from 11:00 to 2:30

A for Athens, for amazing, awesome and astonishing. The A for Athens rooftop bar, near to the Monastiraki metro station, is beyond amazing! It is part of the new urban hotel with the same name but can be visited by everyone. We highly recommend you to take some time to go on the hotel’s top floor and check out the urban terrace in minimal design that has the most stunning view to the Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki Square. Great place for breakfast in the morning or some of the A for Athens special cocktails in the evening. Try the ‘A for Athens Sour, a cocktail the head bartender Theodore Pyrillos won the first place at the European Cocktail Competition with.

2. Athiri Restaurant

Plataion Str. 15, Kerameikos; Tuesday to Sunday, 19:00 to 00:00, T +30 2103462983

The Athiri Restaurant in Kerameikos was opened by chef Alexandros Kardasis in October 2007 in a neoclassical building in Plataion street with a big green yard where you can enjoy lunch or dinner on sunny days, too. Kardasis and his team combine greek and Mediterranean tradition with a sophisticated touch to create Greek dishes with a twist. All raw materials, olive oil, cheese, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables come from producers and farmers in Greece, while all food, desserts, breads and doughs are cooked and prepared at Athiri. The restaurant received the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award every year since 2015 for its good quality food and great value under €40. Have a look at the wine menu, too: you’ll find some interesting rare local grape varieties and new producers, as well as classic and well known Greek wines here. Make sure to book a table in advance.

3. Booze Cooperativa 

Kolokotroni Str. 57, Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to late

Booze Cooperativa is a popular multi level activity café and bar, an exhibition space and multifunctional event location hosting theatrical performances, concerts and book presentations. When in Athens, enjoy a coffee or drink at Booze, play chess and backgammon, listen to music or simply relax with your friends in an alternative and artsy environment. Booze continues to develop and is currently expanding, adding more space, new locations and a promising event program.

4. COCO-MAT Hotel

Patriarchou Ioakeim Str. 36, open from Monday to Sunday (hotel service hours)

Athens is a paradise for rooftop (bar) lovers and COCO-MAT Hotel’s roof garden should definitely be on your must-see list! The hotel is an luxury and design hotel in the heart of Koloniaki, and features a great rooftop garden where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, great drinks and beverages throughout the day while overlooking the old city center of Athens and spot the Akropolis. Currently unfortunately accessible for hotel guests only.

5. Filippou Tavern

Xenokratous Str. 19, Koloniaki; Monday to Friday from 12:30-17:00 and from 19:30 to 24:00, Saturday from 13:00-17:00, closed on Sunday and on holidays

The Filippou Tavern was opened back in 1923 by Grandfather Kostas Filippou and is still run by the Filippou family. This place is loved by locals and foodie insiders in Athens for its exquisite traditional food and the reasonable prices. The tavern’s interior design is kept simple, but the dishes are absolutely worth trying. Try the unique casseroles, cooked or grilled meat and fish, traditional soups and fresh Greek salads. Trust us: you don’t want to miss this culinary experience.

6. Krinos

Aiolou 87, Omonia, Monday, Wednesday & Saturday from 07:00 to 17:00; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 to 20:30, closed on Sundays

We both usually prefer lighter breakfasts, but made an exception for Krinos’s famous donuts and savory pita with cheese. This bakery is best known for its Loukoumades, traditional Greek little donuts drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Stop by for a quick breakfast and coffee or for a savory snack in between. The zillion of calories will be worth it!

7. Palio Taxydromeio

Sofokli Venizelou 9, Halandri, Monday to Sunday from 14:00 to 02:00, T +30 21 1183 8890

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Halandri, Palio Taxydromeio is a real insider if you are looking for a traditional place to eat where you can order a lot and share all the food like the locals do. This Greek-style meze restaurant is ideal for everyone like us who is simply not able to pick just one appetizer and one main course, but prefers to try a lot more. Good news: you can do this here! Palio Taxydromeio offers small and tasty meze dishes in a cosy environment. The tables are pretty small but work fine for groups of two to six people. Make sure to add this restaurant to your must-eat list!

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