Discover the Best Restaurants in Athens with Greeka!
Being the capital of Greece, Athens offers an abundance of culinary delights for every taste and budget level. One thing is for sure: Foodies won’t be disappointed by the variety of restaurant choices!
Whether you’d like to taste traditional Greek cuisine in local grills and taverns, or you prefer international and gourmet dishes, you will definitely find what you crave.
Restaurants are located in every corner of the city, from the vivid center to the beautiful suburbs.
On a quick note, the gastronomic scene of Athens has everything, from small traditional taverns hidden in former slums to upscale restaurants on terraces overlooking the Acropolis or sitting on the water's edge in the coastal suburbs.
Table of contents:
• Our Selection • About eating in Athens • Types of Restaurants • General Information
OUR SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS
We have hand-picked the best 134 restaurants in Athens and marked our favorite ones with a .
Filters
Map view
Recommended by Greeka
Recommended by Greeka
Soil
InternationalFusion$$$
With its name indicating its philosophy, the Michelin-awarded Soil restaurant in the region of Pagrati aims to pass on mindful and sustainable eating to the guests via a multi-course gourmet tasting menu consisting of dishes made from the purest raw materials.
Pagrati
Recommended by Greeka
CTC Urban Gastronomy
$$$
An amazing journey of taste is offered by CTC Urban Gastronomy restaurant, hidden in the streets of Keramikos. Combining a cozy environment with a sophisticated atmosphere, CTC promises an amazing culinary journey to all visitors by offering dishes that are true works of art.
Kerameikos
Recommended by Greeka
Ama Lachei Restaurant
GreekLocal Traditional$$
Placed in a beautiful neoclassical house, which is now turned into a favorite restaurant of locals, Ama Lachei differs from the various tourist taverns you can find in the area. It feels like an escape from everyday life.
Exarchia
Recommended by Greeka
Mikres Kyklades Restaurant
Mediterranean GreekTraditional$$
Mikres Kyklades is a small, cozy tavern, located in a quiet spot in Ilioupoli, Athens. It serves traditional Greek dishes, most of them inspired by the Cycladic cuisine. In summertime you can enjoy your meals outdoors, having a beautiful view of the park and feeling the breeze of the pine trees.
Recommended by Greeka
Feedέλ
Mediterranean GreekContemporary$$
Feedel is a local gem located on a hidden corner of Monastiraki. Situated in the back of a garden, walking into Feedel makes you feel like someone let you in a special place away from the town. Feedel is urban gastronomy at its best, offering modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The ...
Recommended by Greeka
Spondi Restaurant
French$$$
Elegance, refinement and authenticity. These are the words that describe the atmosphere and philosophy of Spondi. Created by Apostolos Trastelis in 1996, Spondi Restaurant is now a point of reference in Greece as it is the only restaurant which has been awarded with 2 Michelin Stars for eleven ...
Pagrati
Recommended by Greeka
Delta
International$$$
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Kallithea is home to Delta, a restaurant famous for its haute cuisine and sustainable gastronomy. The establishment is a recipient of 3 Michelin stars, due to its focus on gastronomy, sustainability, and culture.
Kallithea
Recommended by Greeka
Birdman
JapaneseSushi$$
Birdmanis an intimate,no-fuss Japanese pub + grill, inspired by far yet locally rooted.Tucked in an alley near Syntagma square, the open kitchen-counter specializes in neck-to-tail yakitori, meat and seafood kushiyaki, and a butcher’s selection of dry-aged niku-style meats, ...
Syntagma
Recommended by Greeka
Cookoovaya
Mediterranean GreekContemporary$$-$$$
Cookoovaya restaurant at Hilton area is an Athenian hot spot when it comes to contemporary Greek cuisine. Comfortable and elegant space with a flair of discrete luxury will take you back to the urban Athens during the '60s or to a beautiful French bistro.
Hilton Area
Recommended by Greeka
Ellevoro Restaurant
Mediterranean$$-$$$
Three generations of a family work at this romantic homestyle restaurant that's decorated with wood beams, lacy white tablecloths, twinkling candles, and chandeliers. Traditional Greek dishes – such as fava beans with smoked eel, and slow oven-baked lamb kleftiko – are superbly prepared and ...
Recommended by Greeka
Sushimou
JapaneseSushi$$
Sushimou is a small sushi restaurant placed in the heart of Athens. The interior is made according to the minimalist Japanese aesthetics and the wooden bar of the restaurant has only 12 seats.
Syntagma
Recommended by Greeka
Tuk-Tuk
Thai$
Tuk Tuk has been designed like an Asian hawkers market. Patrons sit on wooden stools overlooking the kitchen as the chefs do their magic. Expect a short wait to get a table, but know that it will be well worth it.
Koukaki
Recommended by Greeka
Rouan Thai
Thai$$
Rouan Thai means "the home of Thailand". It is a family restaurant, located in the neighbourhood of Troumpa. At Rouan Thai traditional Thai and Cantonese dishes have been served for about 20 years.
Piraeus
Recommended by Greeka
Ergon House
GreekTraditional$$
Situated at the foot of the Acropolis in the historical heart of Athens, Ergon House is a seventh heaven for food enthusiasts, complete with ‘rooms above the inn’.
Syntagma
Recommended by Greeka
Andaman
Thai$$
Andaman bar-restaurant is placed in the neighborhood of Petralona. Here you will get a taste of the most classical Thai dishes, hence there are some suggestions from the Chinese cuisine.
Petralona
Recommended by Greeka
Hervé
International$$$
Herve is a prestigious restaurant led by an experienced chef, offering degustation menus consisting of 15 well-prepared courses, as well as high-quality fine wines. It was awarded a Michelin Star in 2023.
Petralona
Recommended by Greeka
Okio
Mediterranean$$
A Michelin-recommended Mediterranean restaurant with an Asian twist, Okio is locatedright in the heart of Athens. Perfect for sharing unique dishes and having delicious drinks, it welcomes guests to a cozy, modern environment.
Syntagma
Recommended by Greeka
Cupola
ItalianItalian Pizza$$
Cupola in Pagrati is an authentic Italian restaurant that will satisfy even the most discerning Italian food enthusiasts. Cupola's chef Stefano Rossi will amaze you with the authentic Italian recipes and the bartender expert Spyros Kerkyras with the tasty cocktails and aperitifs.
ABOUT EATING IN ATHENS
Boasting an abundance of restaurant options on every corner, the vast city of Athens has all the flavors anyone could hope for! Offering a wide range of options, the main types of restaurants are taverns, fine dining, and street food, with souvlaki wraps being the most common food throughout the country.
Most restaurants, regardless of their style, are spotted near the city center since this is where most people go out to enjoy a dinner, a couple of drinks, or a lively night out! Suburbs have their fair share of dining areas, albeit many of them tend to be small family-run businesses that focus on making food from simple ingredients. On the contrary, posh and upscale neighborhoods can also host large dining places with all comforts due to the area’s budget and ample spaces!
Classic dishes of Greek cuisine besides the classic souvlaki include gyros (rotisserie pork, chicken, or döner), moussaka, pastitsio, horiatiki salad, dakos salad, and appetizers such as tzatziki and grilled cheese, also known as saganaki!
Furthermore, the people of Athens have mild seasonal preferences depending on the month and weather. For example, locals lean towards open-air and seaside establishments during the summer months (in areas such as Piraeus, Drapetsona, Flisvos, Nea Makri, and Porto Rafti) due to the season’s bright sun and pleasant sea breeze, whereas on the other hand, their wintertime preferences include cozy inner-city spots with a home-like environment, as well as lots of hot drinks to keep themselves warm! However, some spots feature gorgeous views all year round, like direct views over the waters of the Saronic Gulf or the stunning Acropolis!
It is also important to note that Athens Restaurants have distinct differences between new and old-style cuisines, given that the capital has undergone a gradual cultural shift throughout the past decades, now incorporating more flavors from around the world! Still, Athens is fit for all kinds of cuisines and styles, as well as all budgets, ranging from quality, inexpensive meals to upscale dining experiences!
TYPES OF RESTAURANTS
Taverns
Taverns are the main type of eateries in Athens, given that they have been an integral part of the city’s everyday life for countless years! Featuring simple dishes made from easy-to-find, fresh ingredients, a classic tavern has plenty of appetizing choices based on meat and a handful of seafood selections! Mediterranean dishes with local ingredients are the focal point of most taverns in Athens, and they are usually combined with a local spirit, some tap wine, or a cold beer!
A small tavern with a warm atmosphere and a cozy environment may often be called a koutouki (or ouzeri). Koutouki spots (once hosted in the backyard or basement of the host’s home) combine homemade food with local tap wine and spirits, lots of fantastic small dishes, and a sense of relaxation! On the other hand, ouzeri spots are known for combining simple ingredients and making small, tasteful dishes (also called mezedes) while serving plentiful domestic ouzo drinks and varieties, hence their name. Plus, lots of taverns in Athens host live traditional or entekhno-style music on the regular!
Some of the finest taverns and koutouki spots in Athens are the contemporary excellence of Piroliki in Kerameikos, the fantastic ouzeri Lesvos and the warm Rozalia in Exarchia, as well as the traditional Klimataria in Omonia!
Meat-based taverns focus on creating small or family-sized servings of grilled, cooked, and rotisserie meat, most notably pork, chicken, lamb, and veal. Along with your dish of preference, these taverns have the perfect side dishes for every occasion, including french fries, dips, fresh salads, and more!
Some taverns that make delicious meat servings include the famous Arsenis in Paleo Faliro, the homemade cooking of Oi Nostimies Tis Mairys in Kipseli, and Paradosiako in Plaka!
On the other hand, fish taverns are also quite common around Athens, given that their dishes are an important part of the Greek and Mediterranean diet! These taverns offer a plethora of fresh fish and a variety of seafood choices, while most of them can be spotted along the shores of the Athenian Riviera and the suburbs of Piraeus in places such as Pasalimani, Mikrolimano, Piraiki, and Paleo Faliro!
Examples of fish and seafood taverns are Ammos and Margaro in Piraeus, the tasteful Mikres Kyklades in Ilioupoli, and the seafood of Trata in the central districts of Omonia!
Note: The most famous districts of Athens (i.e. Monastiraki, Plaka, Syntagma) have a plethora of tourist traps, most of which boast about their high-quality food while serving sub-par dishes. They can usually be spotted by their over-the-top usage of classic Greek phrases, stereotypical white-and-blue design, and pitchmen promoting common, yet widely known Greek dishes, including moussaka, souvlaki, and pastitsio.
Fine Dining Restaurants
Visitors of Athens looking for a unique dining experience will be delighted to discover some of the city’s most innovative establishments! Offering intriguing flavors made from common ingredients or unorthodox food combinations, the fine dining restaurants of Athens are aplenty. Most of them can be spotted in the center of Athens or one of its upscale neighborhoods.
High-end dining selections in Athens consist of meals cooked to perfection, whereas many varieties of premium-quality wine usually accompany the menu and your evening. Also, it is a common occurrence that guests need to follow a dress code, so it is recommended that you come well-prepared!
Some examples of fine dining in Athens are the elegant Merceri in Thissio, the meat-focused Brutus in the posh Kolonaki neighborhood, and the beautiful Balthazar in Ampelokipi!
In addition, Athens has a handful of top-tier, Michelin-awarded restaurants guaranteed to provide their visitors with the utmost culinary experience! All Greek restaurants that have received the prestigious award are located in Athens, so if avant-garde, premium cooking is up your alley, then a visit to any of these dining spots is a must!
A few Michelin restaurants in Athens are the prestigious CTC in Kerameikos, the seaside Varoulko (of Lefteris Lazarou fame) in Piraeus, Pagrati’s course-based Soil, the rooftop Hytra in Onassis Stegi, and the exquisite Botrini's in Halandri!
Street Food
The premier street food of Athens Restaurants is, of course, the souvlaki wrap! Filled with your meat of choice (like pork, chicken, and gyros varieties, as well as some vegetarian and vegan-friendly options throughout the years), a pita bread wrap with tomato, onions, and tzatziki sauce are this food’s necessary ingredients! Since the souvlaki is Athens’ first option for a quick, fulfilling bite, it can be found on every corner, with most Athenian neighborhoods having at least a couple of spots dedicated to souvlaki making! Plus, souvlaki can also be spotted on the menus of a multitude of meat-based taverns.
Some of the most famous souvlaki spots around Athens are the famous Thanassis Kebab in Monastiraki and the traditional Kostas in Syntagma!
Furthermore, street food restaurants in Athens are a large part of the capital’s everyday life, while they share a close connection with the younger generation and the center’s upbeat nightlife! With a wide variety of styles to choose from and lots of options for vegans, there is a spot for every hungry individual, though keep in mind that sometimes street food establishments do not equip a designated space for dining, so you might as well snack on a street bench or eat while having a walk around the city! The laid-back, relaxed style and culture of the capital’s street food spots make them a fantastic, budget-friendly option and ideal for anyone who prefers a quick, delicious snack over a deluxe meal. Plus, they can be spotted in populated towns outside the city center, such as Piraeus, Korydallos, Kallithea, and Halandri!
A handful of the most revered street food options in Athens are the fantastic Guarantee in Koukaki, Crust Pizza in Psiri, Etnico in Syntagma, Nakama Sushi Bar in Kolonaki, and the expertly-made falafel of Baba Ghanoush in Pagrati!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Find everything you may want to know about Greek food, eating habits, mealtimes, and more in our guide about eating in Greece!
DISCOVER MORE EAT & DRINK IN ATHENS
Wineries
Bars
Cafe
Clubs
Dessert