The local take
Mornings belong to neighborhood bakeries, with flaky bougatsa, savory pies, sourdough and a strong coffee. By lunch the city turns to its tavernas and casual kitchens, where meze, grilled meats and home-style dishes like moussaka are meant for sharing around one table, often in a garden courtyard. Street food covers the hours in between, with souvlaki, gyros and falafel eaten on the go through Psyri and Monastiraki.
For a slower evening, a newer generation of chefs reworks Greek and Mediterranean recipes into tasting menus, with plenty of fresh fish and cooking over charcoal, and Kolonaki leans a little more polished. Our licensed local guides picked every spot and wrote a short note on each one, so use the chips to jump straight to tavernas, street food, cafes or fine dining.
Bakeries/Cafes72H Artisanal Bakery & Eatery
Stylish and boasting an upmarket sort of feel, 72H Artisanal Bakery & Eatery is a sourdough specialist.
Athens, PlakaRecommended by Demetrios I.
Bakeries/CafesAfetiria
Foodies, if peynirli is at the top of your list of must-try foods whilst you’re in Athens, do yourself a serious favor and grab yours from Afetiria.
AthensRecommended by Demetrios I.
Fine DiningAkra
No matter how many times you visit Akra during your vacation, always expect to try something new thanks to its daily-changing menu.
Athens, PangratiRecommended by Jenny M.
CasualBig Group FriendlyAma Lachei
The pretty garden courtyard at Ama Lachei is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, enjoying great food and company.
Athens, ExarcheiaRecommended by Jenny M.
Bakeries/CafesAristokratikon
Chocoholics: Aristokratikon has been specializing in handcrafted chocolates since 1928, from cacao truffles to rich milk chocolate medallions.
Athens, SyntagmaRecommended by Jenny M.
CasualAteno Cook & Deli
Located on a streetside corner that reminds one of Paris, Ateno Cook & Deli combines the flavors and cooking techniques of Europe, from Greece to Italy to France to Scandinavia.
Athens, MonastirakiRecommended by Demetrios I.
TavernaCasualBig Group FriendlyAthinaikon
With another more traditional-style taverna on Themistokleous 2 pedestrian street, Athinaikon on Mitropoleos Street is a slightly more elevated dining experience than its…
Athens, SyntagmaRecommended by Jenny M.
CasualAvli
Avli is the kind of place where the food is what you’d imagine comfort or Greek hangover food to taste like.
Athens, PsyriRecommended by Demetrios I.
CasualBirdman
From beats to skewered sticks of deliciousness, Birdman is a total vibe, where youthful crowds love to convene.
Athens, PlakaRecommended by Demetrios I.
Fine DiningBrutus Tavern
Taking a page from New York’s classic steakhouses, Brutus is the place to go, all you carnivores and steak fiends.
Athens, KolonakiRecommended by Demetrios I.
Fine DiningBungalow 7
Whether it’s dining within the trendy retro-inspired indoor restaurant, grabbing a cocktail or two from the stylish marble bar, hanging out with an Aperol spritz in hand around…
AthensRecommended by Demetrios I.
CasualCinapos
Cinapos is the place to gather with friends “around the Greek table,” as they aptly put it.
Athens, ThissioRecommended by Demetrios I.
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