Are you traveling to Athens and you don’t know where to start with greek gastronomy? This guide is for you. Take a look at the 10 best restaurants in Athens to know where to find delicious moussaka, vegan food, and incredible seafood dishes.
Pro tip: If you are planning a trip to Athens, consider bookmarking this article in your browser and come back to it to have some tasty food ideas.
Top 10 places to Eat in Athens
Mediterranean cuisine is one of the best cuisines globally so we all need to try at least once in our lifetime. A gastronomy trip to Athens can certainly prove this statement. Moreover, in Athens, you can taste quality and affordable dishes in the popular center of the city and the suburbs while at the same time you can also spend more money if you desire to taste gourmet dishes. So, it’s up to you to decide where you will pass your gastronomy trip in the city of the ancient Greeks.
Therefore, we are listing the 10 best restaurants in Athens in every price category from € to €€€€. The list contains awarded restaurants, traditional taverns, and famous gyros’ restaurants. We will introduce you to the best restaurants both in suburbs and in the center of Athens.
Varoulko Seaside Restaurant
€€€ | Seafood | Outdoor seating
Varoulko Seaside Restaurant is a restaurant located in Piraeus. When having your dinner here, you have the chance to admire the Mikrolimano Marina in front of the sea in an elegant atmosphere, and with an amazing view. A continuously awarded restaurant from 1993 to 2020 with Michelin Stars and Greek Cuisine Awards is certainly the best choice if you want to pamper yourself.
Moreover, as it concerns food choices, in Varoulko Seaside Restaurant, you will have the opportunity to taste fresh greek seafood in a gourmet way cooked under the instructions of the famous Chef Lefteris Lazarou. If you are vegetarian you also have enough food choices as well as dairy-free and gluten-free dishes. After enjoying your dinner, you can finish this tasty trip with a sweet dessert.
For seafood lovers, Varoulko is the best restaurant in Athens.
Address: Akti Koumoundourou, 54
Hours: Monday – Saturday 5 pm – 12 am & Sunday 1 pm – 12 am
Yi
€€ | Vegan | Outdoor seating
Yi restaurant has taken its name from the way we pronounce the Greek word “Γη” meaning Earth. That’s because it is inspired by our natural environment and by the significant role Earth plays in our existence. In this restaurant, you can enjoy the cozy environment either on your own or with your company after having a walk next to the sea of Glyfada.
The Yi restaurant is a plant-based restaurant where you can live an amazing vegan and raw vegan experience trying dishes cooked with fresh Greek products. After having your main dish, you can also try incredible desserts based on seasonal fruits. Above all don’t forget to finish this experience with a vegan smoothie or a coffee. This is the best restaurant in Athens for vegans.
Address: Gr. Labraki, 69
Hours: 10 am – 11 pm | Daily
GB Roof Garden Restaurant and Bar
€€€€ | Roof Garden
If you need some elegance and luxury the restaurant of Hotel Grande Bretagne in the center of Athens is certainly for you. Above all, with a breathtaking view, you can have your dinner admiring Parthenon. So after a long day of sightseeing, this is the ideal place to relax and enjoy your dinner.
Moreover, special dishes based on greek products are prepared daily by the awarded chefs. Excellent quality wine can accompany your dish while European flavors within the desserts complete your gastronomy trip. If you have enough time in the morning, don’t forget to have your breakfast under the clear and sunny Athenian sky here.
Address: Vasileos Georgiou, A1
Hours: 10 am – 12 am | Daily
Fuga Restaurant
€€€ | Garden | Accessible to the disabled
A beautiful garden in the center of Athens is waiting for you to enjoy your dinner. That is to say, a green oasis in the center of busy Athens offers you the opportunity to relax and enjoy your holidays. However, the greatest feature of this wonderful garden is that it is easy accessible and relaxing to the disabled.
On the other hand, in Fuga Restaurant you are going to taste a combination of the traditional cuisines of China, Japan, Latin America, and the Mediterranean. In other words, great cultures are coming your way. At the same time chefs mind that products for each dish are to be produced under ethical practices.
Address: Megaro Mousikis, Vas. Sofias & Petrou Kokkali, 1
Hours: Monday – Saturday 7 pm – 12 am & Sunday Closed
Balthazar
€€€ | Garden | Family Favorite
Another garden next to the center of Athens is open to spend your summer nights. A cool and fashionable place in a neoclassical building of 1897 waits for you and your company in order to offer you fun and special tastes. This place has been open since 1973.
At Balthazar, you will taste special traditional and gourmet dishes but also sushi or even finger food if you are not that hungry. Most importantly, all these dishes are prepared by the famous chef Christoforos Peskias. Of course, you can accompany your dishes with a glass of tasty wine or with a cool cocktail.
Address: Tsocha, 27
Hours: 7:30 pm – 3:30 am | Daily
Platanos Tavern
€€ | Outdoor seating | Family friendly
If you visit Athens, you can’t leave without having your lunch or dinner at Platanos Tavern. Since 1932, a lot of famous people have visited Platanos Tavern, such as Kostis Palamas, Marika Kotopouli, Henry Miller, etc. It is a great place to enjoy your meals in Plaka and live the experience to taste your dishes like a Greek.
Platanos Tavern offers only traditional homemade dishes. In this way, you will have the chance to taste authentic Greek cuisines such as mousaka, horiatiki salad, fresh seasonal fruits, and greek desserts like karidopita. Don’t hesitate to ask for a glass of tsipouro or oyzo but be careful. This is not your typical shot! Drink it slowly.
Address: Diogenous, 4
Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 pm – 12 am & Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm
Bairaktaris
€-€€ | Outdoor seating | Family friendly
Our favorite tavern Bairaktaris. In the heart of Athens, it is the best tavern to enjoy your meals after completing shopping in popular Ermou Street. It is located near Monastiraki square so you can see people passing through, musicians playing music while you admire the Church of the Pantanassa.
Above all, Bairaktaris tavern offers traditional and authentic souvlaki, gyros, and kebab. As you can imagine this is a must-taste dish when you visit Athens. Everyone makes a stop here for food either take away or sitting. So don’t forget to try souvlaki with gyros. But remember that now is the time to have some real finger food.
Address: Mitropoleos, 71-88
Hours: 9 am – 3 am | Daily
Gaston
€€ | Outdoor seating
What you can find in the south suburbs of Athens is certainly one of the most modern places to have your lunch. Moreover, Gaston in Nea Smyrni is one of the ideal places to make a break. A cozy and elegant both indoor and outdoor cafe-restaurant offers relaxing moments to you and your company.
In Gaston, you can first enjoy a morning coffee accompanied with sweet dishes and continue with your lunch. Tasty greek dishes, such as fresh salads, light starters, pizza, and other main dishes can make your day. You can also combine your lunch with your favorite drink or a cocktail.
Address: 25th Martiou, 15
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8 am – 2 am & Friday – Sunday 8 am – 3 am
Mystikos Kipos
€€ | Garden
Let’s move on to the northeast suburb of Athens, in Chalandri. Above all, a magical place, Mystikos Kipos or in English “Secret Garden”, awaits for you to live a tasty experience. On the other hand, in this garden, you will enjoy the calmness and the scent of the lemon trees and the jasmine.
Gourmet and creative dishes compose the menu. The chef will propose to you his favorite dishes, such as quinoa with broccoli, smoked mackerel, and salad with rocket and peach. Certainly, now it’s time to taste something really exciting.
Address: Karaoli Dimitriou, 21
Hours: 1 pm – 12 am | Daily
Kitchen Lab Corner
€€ | Outdoor seating | Family-friendly
If you are in the center of Athens and you are a bit hungry and at the same time you need a short break, then Kitchen Lab Corner is what you want. In other words, a small place with some tables is the ideal choice for your brunch or lunch. You will regain your strength so as to continue your walk-in historical Athens.
Above all, Kitchen Lab Corner’s dishes with the signature of Akis Petretzikis are based on burgers. So, you can taste a variety of different burgers made with fresh and pure products. If you are with your children, then you are really lucky, because Kitchen Lab Corner prepares also a kids’ menu. Of course you can start your day here drinking your coffee and having a delicious brunch.
Address: Romvis, 9
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 9 am – 5 pm & Monday – Tuesday Closed
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