Athens, a city steeped in history and culture, also boasts a vibrant and diverse food scene. Beyond the traditional Greek tavernas, Athens offers a plethora of dining experiences to satisfy every palate. From fresh seafood by the coast to trendy eateries in the city center, this guide explores some of the best places to eat in Athens, ensuring a memorable culinary journey.
Vouliagmeni: Seaside Dining Delights
Vouliagmeni, a picturesque coastal suburb of Athens, is known for its stunning beaches and upscale restaurants.
Yalo: Elegant Seafood with a View
Yalo, located in Vouliagmeni, provides a sophisticated dining experience with breathtaking sea views. Specializing in seafood, Yalo offers fresh and innovative dishes in a stylish setting.
The restaurant’s ambiance is as captivating as its cuisine. The salad at Yalo is a testament to fresh, quality ingredients, combining crisp textures, creamy cheese, and a flavorful dressing.
For starters, the Lavraki Carpaccio is a must-try. This dish is light, refreshing, and subtly salty, making it the perfect appetizer to awaken your taste buds.
Seafood lovers will appreciate the scallops, expertly prepared and beautifully presented, complemented by a delicious sauce.
A unique and flavorful appetizer is the fried feta with rose jam. This dish balances salty and sweet notes, with the floral hint of rose jam enhancing the rich feta. The black risotto at Yalo is a standout. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, it is a memorable dish for risotto enthusiasts.
Yalo is an excellent choice for those seeking refined Athens Food with a focus on seafood and stunning seaside scenery.
Glyfada: Trendy Urban Eats
Glyfada, a fashionable Athenian suburb, is known for its chic boutiques, vibrant nightlife, and diverse culinary scene.
Vittoria Gati: Italian Elegance in Athens
Vittoria Gati in Glyfada offers a taste of Italy in Athens. This restaurant serves up classic Italian dishes with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The Buratta Salad is highly recommended, featuring creamy burrata cheese, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful dressing.
Pasta lovers should try the truffle pasta. This dish is rich and satisfying, with a generous truffle flavor that isn’t overpowering. The pasta is cooked al dente, providing a pleasant textural bite. Vittoria Gati provides a sophisticated Italian dining experience in the heart of Glyfada.
Burger Joint: Casual American Flavors
For a more casual dining experience in Glyfada, Burger Joint is a popular spot among locals. This eatery offers classic American burgers and comfort food in a trendy setting.
Burger Joint is known for its delicious burgers and vibrant atmosphere. The Duke Burger, with fontina, brie, double bacon, onion rings, and truffle mayo, is a rich and flavorful option. The truffle mayo is a standout element, adding a luxurious touch.
Beyond burgers, Burger Joint’s salads are also noteworthy. The Tampa Salad and Watermelon Salad are refreshing and flavorful choices, perfect for a lighter meal. Don’t miss the mozzarella sticks and onion rings, classic sides that are well-executed. For dessert, The Beast, Snickers Cheesecake, and NY Cheesecake are all tempting options to complete your meal. Burger Joint is a great place to enjoy American comfort food in a stylish Glyfada setting.
Pireas: Waterfront Turkish-Inspired Cuisine
Pireas, Athens’ port city, offers a different culinary landscape, with restaurants often featuring waterfront views and diverse cuisines.
Vosporos: Oriental Flavors by the Sea
Vosporos in Pireas offers a unique dining experience with a cuisine that blends Turkish and Middle Eastern influences. It’s an excellent choice for group dining, with shareable platters and a beautiful waterfront location.
Vosporos is known for its sampler platters, perfect for sharing and exploring a variety of flavors. The appetizer platter introduces diners to unique and complex sweet and savory tastes.
Even the Greek salad at Vosporos is distinctive, featuring a unique dressing reminiscent of honey mustard, adding a twist to the classic dish.
The mixed meat platter is a satisfying choice, featuring well-prepared kebab, gyro, and souvlaki. The accompanying rice is also flavorful and well-cooked.
For a memorable dessert, the stuffed tsoureki is a showstopper, both in presentation and taste. Other dessert options include bougatsa and kounefe, offering a sweet finish to your meal. Vosporos provides a flavorful journey into Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine with a beautiful waterfront setting in Pireas.
Pailo Failiro: Coastal Greek Dining
Pailo Failiro, another coastal area of Athens, offers a relaxed atmosphere and traditional Greek seafood restaurants.
Nisos: Traditional Greek Flavors
Nisos in Pailo Failiro is a restaurant that focuses on traditional Greek cuisine, particularly seafood, in a pleasant seaside setting.
Nisos is a great option for those seeking authentic Greek flavors in a relaxed coastal environment.
Voula: Skepasti Sandwich Excellence
Voula, a southern suburb of Athens, is home to casual eateries and local favorites.
Masati: The Skepasti Sandwich King
Masati in Voula is renowned for its Skepasti, a panini-pressed pita sandwich with souvlaki and gouda cheese. This casual eatery has perfected the art of the Skepasti.
The Skepasti at Masati is a must-try for sandwich lovers. The addition of gouda and panini pressing elevates the classic souvlaki pita to a new level. The Greek salad is a perfect accompaniment, completing this satisfying meal. Masati is the go-to place in Athens for experiencing the ultimate Skepasti sandwich.
Riviera Coast: Trendy Waterfront Experience
Riviera Coast in Voula offers a trendy and stylish dining experience right on the waterfront. With beautiful décor, attentive service, and delicious food, it’s a place to see and be seen.
The ambiance at Riviera Coast is as much a draw as the food. Appetizers like the fried mixed cheese platter with sweet marmalade and roasted vegetables with yogurt sauce are excellent starters. For the main course, the mushroom and truffle risotto is a highly recommended, flavorful choice. Riviera Coast combines a chic atmosphere with delicious food for a memorable Athens dining experience.
Family: Refined Greek Flavors
Family in Voula offers a more refined take on Greek cuisine, blending traditional flavors with elegant presentation.
The Dakos salad at Family is a sophisticated version of the classic Cretan salad, maintaining all the traditional flavors and textures but with added refinement and flavor depth.
The entrees at Family are hearty and flavorful, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to quality and taste. Family is ideal for those seeking a more upscale experience of Athens food while still enjoying authentic Greek flavors.
Plaka: Acropolis Views and Modern Greek Cuisine
Plaka, the historic heart of Athens, is a bustling area filled with restaurants, many offering stunning views of the Acropolis.
Kuzina: Modern Greek with Acropolis Views
Kuzina in Plaka provides a trendy and modern take on Greek cuisine, combined with breathtaking views of the Acropolis.
Kuzina is a popular dining destination in Plaka, often crowded due to its great food and iconic views. For the best experience, head to the Tarazza rooftop for unobstructed Acropolis views away from street traffic.
The salad with ksinotiri cheese is a flavorful and refreshing choice, showcasing Kuzina’s modern approach to Greek dishes. Kuzina is perfect for enjoying contemporary Athens food while soaking in the historic atmosphere of Plaka and the Acropolis.
Alimos: Souvlaki Perfection
Alimos, a coastal suburb south of Athens, is known for its beaches and casual dining spots, including excellent souvlaki options.
Laos and Kalamaki: Souvlaki Experts Across Athens
Laos and Kalamaki, with multiple locations throughout Athens, are renowned for their exceptional souvlaki.
Laos and Kalamaki is a go-to for souvlaki lovers in Athens. The pork souvlaki sandwich, especially with “everything on it,” is a standout, boasting flavorful spices and high-quality ingredients. For a delicious and authentic souvlaki experience, Laos and Kalamaki is highly recommended.
Explore Laos and Kalamaki’s Website
Rayen: Trendy Mexican Break
Rayen in Alimos offers a trendy and stylish Mexican dining experience, providing a break from Greek cuisine.
Rayen offers a chic setting and flavorful Mexican dishes. The Shrimp Tacos are light and flavorful, while the Shredded Pork Tacos are a more substantial and equally tasty option. The pork skewer is a simple yet satisfying choice. Rayen is a great option for those seeking a trendy Mexican meal in Athens. Note that it may be temporarily closed, so checking its status before visiting is recommended.
Petralona: Traditional Charm and Flavorful Finds
Petralona, one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, is characterized by its traditional buildings, narrow streets, and emerging food scene.
Lemonanthos: Authentic Greek Hospitality and Cuisine
Lemonanthos in Petralona offers a superb dining experience characterized by excellent service and delicious traditional Greek food.
Lemonanthos is known for its friendly service and welcoming atmosphere. The mushroom risotto is creamy, flavorful, and highly recommended. Other excellent dishes include the eggplant baked with cheeses, Tyrokafteri (spicy cheese dip), and Pappous salad. For a truly traditional Greek experience, try ordering Tsipouro with your meal. Lemonanthos offers a delightful taste of authentic Athens food and hospitality in the charming Petralona district.
This guide provides a glimpse into the diverse and delicious Athens food scene. From elegant seafood to casual souvlaki and international flavors, Athens offers a culinary adventure for every food lover. Explore these restaurants and discover your own favorite Athens food experiences.
