City Guide
Athens
Restaurants
Athens Restaurants
Most Popular Hotels in Athens:
7 Leokoriou Street, Psiri, 10554
27, Marni Street, 146 72
4, Rovertou Galli Str, Makrygianni Area, 11742
Thiseos St, 103, Ekali, 14565
The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
Some Athens restaurants are closed for the summer break between mid July and mid September.
Prices in Greek restaurants will usually already include the 10% sales tax. However, all Greek restaurants are required by law to add a 13% service charge to the bill and it is still customary to leave the waiter an additional 10% tip on top.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €60)
$$$ (€45 to €60)
$$ (€30 to €45)
$ (up to €30)
The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include sales tax but do not include service charge or tip.
Some Athens restaurants are closed for the summer break between mid July and mid September.
Prices in Greek restaurants will usually already include the 10% sales tax. However, all Greek restaurants are required by law to add a 13% service charge to the bill and it is still customary to leave the waiter an additional 10% tip on top.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over €60)
$$$ (€45 to €60)
$$ (€30 to €45)
$ (up to €30)
The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include sales tax but do not include service charge or tip.
Gastronomic
Pil Poul
Serving modern French cuisine on a romantic Acropolis-view roof terrace through summer, and in opulent dining rooms with sweeping curtains through winter, Pil Poul is one of Athens' most romantic restaurants. Since 2006, the kitchen has come under the auspices of French chef Jerome Serres, who creates delicacies such as pork fillet with truffle sauce.
51 Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio
Tel: 210 342 3665.
Website: www.pilpoul.gr
Price: $$$$
Serving modern French cuisine on a romantic Acropolis-view roof terrace through summer, and in opulent dining rooms with sweeping curtains through winter, Pil Poul is one of Athens' most romantic restaurants. Since 2006, the kitchen has come under the auspices of French chef Jerome Serres, who creates delicacies such as pork fillet with truffle sauce.
51 Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio
Tel: 210 342 3665.
Website: www.pilpoul.gr
Price: $$$$
Spondi
Frequently cited as Athens' top restaurant, the Michelin-starred Spondi occupies a vaulted stone cellar, with tasteful minimalist furnishing and subtle lighting. In summer, there are tables outside in a pretty courtyard. The menu features fusion cuisine, with an abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices. Reservations recommended. No lunch.
Pyrronos 5, Pangrati
Tel: 210 752 0658.
Website: www.spondi.gr
Price: $$$$
Frequently cited as Athens' top restaurant, the Michelin-starred Spondi occupies a vaulted stone cellar, with tasteful minimalist furnishing and subtle lighting. In summer, there are tables outside in a pretty courtyard. The menu features fusion cuisine, with an abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices. Reservations recommended. No lunch.
Pyrronos 5, Pangrati
Tel: 210 752 0658.
Website: www.spondi.gr
Price: $$$$
Varoulko
Relocated to Gazi in 2005, Varoulko boasts a sleek modern wood-and-glass interior, plus a stunning roof terrace with Acropolis views. Considered by many the best seafood eatery in town, it was awarded a Michelin star in 2002. The menu varies daily according to what is available in the fish market.
Pireos 80, Gazi
Tel: 210 522 8400.
Website: www.varoulko.gr
Price: $$$$
Relocated to Gazi in 2005, Varoulko boasts a sleek modern wood-and-glass interior, plus a stunning roof terrace with Acropolis views. Considered by many the best seafood eatery in town, it was awarded a Michelin star in 2002. The menu varies daily according to what is available in the fish market.
Pireos 80, Gazi
Tel: 210 522 8400.
Website: www.varoulko.gr
Price: $$$$
Business
Boschetto
Set in a small park, close to the Evangelismos metro station, Boschetto specialises in Mediterranean cuisine with a notable Italian influence. Tables are arranged in a glass conservatory, as well as outside beneath the trees. The service is efficient and professional and the espresso coffee reputedly the best in town.
Alsos Evangelismos
Tel: 210 721 0893.
Website: www.boschetto.gr
Price: $$$$
Set in a small park, close to the Evangelismos metro station, Boschetto specialises in Mediterranean cuisine with a notable Italian influence. Tables are arranged in a glass conservatory, as well as outside beneath the trees. The service is efficient and professional and the espresso coffee reputedly the best in town.
Alsos Evangelismos
Tel: 210 721 0893.
Website: www.boschetto.gr
Price: $$$$
Central
Overlooking Kolonaki Square, in the heart of the business district, Central is a smart lounge-bar and restaurant, popular with Athenian socialites. The smoked-glass windows hide an open-plan interior with wooden floors and creamy-white leather chairs and sofas. Ideal for lunch. Livens up with cocktails and sushi in the evening.
Platia Kolonaki 14, Kolonaki
Tel: 210 724 5938.
Website: www.island-central.gr
Price: $$$
Overlooking Kolonaki Square, in the heart of the business district, Central is a smart lounge-bar and restaurant, popular with Athenian socialites. The smoked-glass windows hide an open-plan interior with wooden floors and creamy-white leather chairs and sofas. Ideal for lunch. Livens up with cocktails and sushi in the evening.
Platia Kolonaki 14, Kolonaki
Tel: 210 724 5938.
Website: www.island-central.gr
Price: $$$
Jimmy and the Fish
Overlooking the delightful harbour of Mikrolimano, in Piraeus, this excellent fish restaurant offers a refined ambience indoors and a rather more informal, breezy atmosphere at the waterside tables outside. Discreet waiters, clad in hallmark blue and white aprons, serve discerning diners ranging from shipping magnates to Orthodox priests. Reservations recommended.
Akti Koumoundrou 46, Piraeus
Tel: 210 412 4417.
Website: www.jimmyandthefish.gr
Price: $$$$
Overlooking the delightful harbour of Mikrolimano, in Piraeus, this excellent fish restaurant offers a refined ambience indoors and a rather more informal, breezy atmosphere at the waterside tables outside. Discreet waiters, clad in hallmark blue and white aprons, serve discerning diners ranging from shipping magnates to Orthodox priests. Reservations recommended.
Akti Koumoundrou 46, Piraeus
Tel: 210 412 4417.
Website: www.jimmyandthefish.gr
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Fasoli
In bohemian Exarhia, this funky eatery, decorated with tiny fairy lights, offers creative Mediterranean specialities including a good range of pasta dishes, colourful salads, and tasty main such as peppered steak or chicken with thyme and lemon. The reliable house wine is served by the carafe.
45 Emmanuel Benaki, Exarhia
Tel: 210 330 0010.
Price: $
In bohemian Exarhia, this funky eatery, decorated with tiny fairy lights, offers creative Mediterranean specialities including a good range of pasta dishes, colourful salads, and tasty main such as peppered steak or chicken with thyme and lemon. The reliable house wine is served by the carafe.
45 Emmanuel Benaki, Exarhia
Tel: 210 330 0010.
Price: $
48 The Restaurant
With its polished concrete interior and floodlit water garden, 48 is popular with rich, glitzy Athenians. The menu, featuring new-Greek cuisine, changes with the seasons. It's possible to take a stool at the bar for cocktails and finger food.
Armatolon Klefton 48, Ambelokipi
Tel: 210 641 1082.
Website: www.48therestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
With its polished concrete interior and floodlit water garden, 48 is popular with rich, glitzy Athenians. The menu, featuring new-Greek cuisine, changes with the seasons. It's possible to take a stool at the bar for cocktails and finger food.
Armatolon Klefton 48, Ambelokipi
Tel: 210 641 1082.
Website: www.48therestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Mamacas
Another fine restaurant in Gazi, Mamacas is situated at a crossroads and, in summer, this location is quite surreal, with candlelit, whitewashed wooden tables on four street corners and the towering gasworks in the background. The colour is supplied by the people and the food - taverna classics with a twist. There is a wine bar annex across the street.
Persefonis 14, Gazi
Tel: 210 346 4984.
Website: www.mamacas.gr
Price: $$
Another fine restaurant in Gazi, Mamacas is situated at a crossroads and, in summer, this location is quite surreal, with candlelit, whitewashed wooden tables on four street corners and the towering gasworks in the background. The colour is supplied by the people and the food - taverna classics with a twist. There is a wine bar annex across the street.
Persefonis 14, Gazi
Tel: 210 346 4984.
Website: www.mamacas.gr
Price: $$
Budget
O Platanos
One of Pláka's oldest tavernas, located near the Tower of the Winds, O Platanos has served up home cooking since 1932. There is a good choice of stews, while the only dessert on offer is syrup-drenched baklava. The house wine, a barrel retsina, is excellent. Through summer, tables are arranged on a pretty bougainvillea-covered terrace.
Diogenous 4, Pláka
Tel: 210 322 0666.
Price: $$
One of Pláka's oldest tavernas, located near the Tower of the Winds, O Platanos has served up home cooking since 1932. There is a good choice of stews, while the only dessert on offer is syrup-drenched baklava. The house wine, a barrel retsina, is excellent. Through summer, tables are arranged on a pretty bougainvillea-covered terrace.
Diogenous 4, Pláka
Tel: 210 322 0666.
Price: $$
Scholiarhio
Located in the heart of Pláka, close to the small Byzantine church of Ag Nikolaos, this charming ouzeri occupies two floors, linked by a head-spinning spiral staircase. The menu is in Greek only but waiters bring a selection of dishes on trays so diners can chose what they like the look of. Open until 0200.
Tripidon 14, Pláka
Tel: 210 324 7605.
Price: $
Located in the heart of Pláka, close to the small Byzantine church of Ag Nikolaos, this charming ouzeri occupies two floors, linked by a head-spinning spiral staircase. The menu is in Greek only but waiters bring a selection of dishes on trays so diners can chose what they like the look of. Open until 0200.
Tripidon 14, Pláka
Tel: 210 324 7605.
Price: $
Thanasis
A classic place to stop for souvlaki kalamaki (shish kebab) served with pitta bread and chips, Thanasis is popular with locals and gets unbelievably busy, especially at weekends. The atmosphere is fast and chaotic but traditional and fun. Tables both indoors and out, just around the corner from the Monastiráki metro station.
Mitropoleos 69, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 324 4705.
Price: $
A classic place to stop for souvlaki kalamaki (shish kebab) served with pitta bread and chips, Thanasis is popular with locals and gets unbelievably busy, especially at weekends. The atmosphere is fast and chaotic but traditional and fun. Tables both indoors and out, just around the corner from the Monastiráki metro station.
Mitropoleos 69, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 324 4705.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Achinos
This beautifully designed split-level restaurant is built into a cliff-side on the coast, offering fantastic views over the sea. The atmosphere is romantic but relaxed, and the waiters professional but friendly. The kitchen employs authentic regional ingredients to turn out carefully presented dishes, creative salads and delicious stewed meats.
Akti Themistokleous 51, Freatida, Piraeus
Tel: 210 452 6944.
Price: $$
This beautifully designed split-level restaurant is built into a cliff-side on the coast, offering fantastic views over the sea. The atmosphere is romantic but relaxed, and the waiters professional but friendly. The kitchen employs authentic regional ingredients to turn out carefully presented dishes, creative salads and delicious stewed meats.
Akti Themistokleous 51, Freatida, Piraeus
Tel: 210 452 6944.
Price: $$
Sardelles
In the trendy nightlife district of Gazi, this unpretentious eatery specialises in down-to-earth Greek seafood. Favourites such as charcoal-grilled sardines (after which the restaurant takes its name), bakaliaros (fried cod) and seasonal salads are served in a minimal-chic dining room, or at outdoor tables on the street through summer.
Persefonis 15, Gazi
Tel: 210 347 8050.
Price: $
In the trendy nightlife district of Gazi, this unpretentious eatery specialises in down-to-earth Greek seafood. Favourites such as charcoal-grilled sardines (after which the restaurant takes its name), bakaliaros (fried cod) and seasonal salads are served in a minimal-chic dining room, or at outdoor tables on the street through summer.
Persefonis 15, Gazi
Tel: 210 347 8050.
Price: $
To Kouti
To Kouti (meaning 'the box') is located close to the Monastiráki antique market. The interior comprises lofty space with ochre-painted walls, wooden floors and marble-top tables. The menu features colourful salads and creative meat dishes. It is possible to come here just for coffee or a drink and in summer there are tables outside.
Adrianou 23, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 321 3229.
Price: $$
To Kouti (meaning 'the box') is located close to the Monastiráki antique market. The interior comprises lofty space with ochre-painted walls, wooden floors and marble-top tables. The menu features colourful salads and creative meat dishes. It is possible to come here just for coffee or a drink and in summer there are tables outside.
Adrianou 23, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 321 3229.
Price: $$
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