Restaurants in Athens
Below the Acropolis, Plaka is packed with traditional tavernas serving classic Greek dishes like meat and aubergine moussaka. For something more contemporary opt for a modern taverna - Zeidoron in Psirri or Mamacas in Gazi are currently in vogue. Visit upmarket Kolonaki, where cosmopolitan restaurants include multi-ethnic Altamira. Istioploikos is one of several waterside fish restaurants overlooking Microlimano. Locals dine late and most restaurants stay open until after midnight.
Matsuhisa Athens
Seaside sushi
Dine on melt-in-your-mouth sushi at Matsuhisa Athens, a sleek restaurant in
the city's seaside suburb of Vouliagmeni. Chefs deftly prepare signature
dishes of renowned Japanese restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa, like black codfish
with sweet miso, and Wagyu beef with spicy Peruvian sauce. The windows look
out on far-reaching views of the azure sea. Reservations recommended.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 7.30pm-1am; Fri & Sat 7.30pm-1.30am; Sun 1.30pm-6pm
Address
Astir Palace, 40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni, Athens, 16671
Telephone
+30 210 896 0510
Varoulko
Michelin-starred seafood
At Athens' finest seafood restaurant, Varoulko, chef-owner Lefteris Lazarou
conjures up delectable dishes such as red snapper with black truffle and
aubergine mousse. Located in Gazi, there's a sleek, wood-and-glass dining
room with crisp, white table linens and blue Perspex details. In summer,
diners move up to the unforgettable, Acropolis-view roof terrace.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 8.30pm-1am
Address
80, Pireos, Gazi, Athens, 10435
Telephone
+30 210 522 8400
Orizontes
Romantic views of Athens
Perched upon Mount Lykavittos, Athens' highest point, the tables at Orizontes
have stunning city views. Crayfish risotto with asparagus and black-eyed
beans, and lamb shank with artichokes and goats cheese are served to couples
and visitors. If the hike up looks too steep, take the funicular from
Kolonaki.
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Opening Hours
Daily 10am-2am
Address
Lycavittos, Kolonaki, Athens, 10676
Telephone
+30 210 722 7065
Spondi
Art on a plate
Tucked away near Pagrati's Ancient Olympic Stadium, Spondi earned its second
Michelin star in 2008 and boasts a well-stocked cellar. Arnaud Bignon's
French-inspired gourmet creations look almost too good to eat. Dine on
candied fois-gras with quince and dried plum paste, surrounded by
rustic-looking stone walls, or take a table in the leafy outdoor
courtyard.
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Opening Hours
Daily 8pm-12am
Address
5, Pyronos, off Varnava Square, Athens 11636
Telephone
+30 2107 564 021
Daphne's
Gourmet Greek for VIPs
Visited by such world figureheads as Bill and Hilary Clinton, Daphne's in
Plaka serves gourmet Greek cuisine. Classic starters are given a creative
Mediterranean twist and the menu offers a good choice of meat and fish
dishes. Inside the neoclassical 1830s building, frescoes and terracotta and
ochre tones create a warm and inviting dining experience.
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Opening Hours
Daily 8pm-12am
Address
4, Lysikratous, Athens 10558
Telephone
+30 210 3227971
Zeidoron
Buzzing modern taverna
Zeideron serves Greek taverna fare in the heart of the buzzing, nightlife
district of Psirri. In summer, the best tables are on the busy pedestrian
street out front, perfect for people-watching. In winter, diners retreat to
the old-fashioned dining room downstairs, or the airy glass conservatory up
top.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 7pm-2am; Fri-Sun 11am-2am
Address
10-12, Taki, Psirri, Athens, 10554
Telephone
+30 210 321 5368
Transport
Monastiraki metro station
Mamacas
Modern taverna
When it opened in 1998, Mamacas brought Mykonos-style sophistication to the
formerly run-down district of Gazi. With a shabby-chic, whitewashed dining
room decorated with fairy lights, and outdoor tables backed by the towering
chimneys of Techopolis, it serves a modern take on classic Greek dishes, and
is now considered one of Athens' hippest tavernas.
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Opening Hours
Daily 2pm-2am
Address
41, Persefonis, Gazi, Athens, 11854
Telephone
+30 210 346 4984
Altamira
Multi-ethnic chic
Occupying the first floor of a neo-classical mansion in an exclusive shopping
street in up-market Kolonaki, Altamira is one of Athens' few multi-ethnic
restaurants. The menu is divided into four sections: Asian, Lebanese, Indian
and Mexican. Young diners order chicken couscous and shrimp fajitas in the
rustic chic dining room.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 1pm-1am
Address
36, Tsakolof, Kolonaki, Athens, 10673
Telephone
+30 210 361 4695
Athinaikon
Ouzo and charm
Since 1932, Athinaikon has been welcoming a devoted clientele. Its
wood-panelled dining room has marble-top tables and bentwood chairs, set in
a pedestrian side street near Omonia Square. Locals order tasty
mezedes such as midia spesial saganaki (mussels baked with
feta cheese), loukanika (sausages) and keftedes (meatballs),
plus Greek wine or ouzo.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 11.30am-12.30am
Address
2, Themistokleous, Omonia, Athens, 10677
Telephone
+30 210 383 8485
Psarras
Romance beside the Acropolis
Dating back to 1898, Psarras lies hidden away in a quaint corner of Plaka.
Outdoor tables and pots of geraniums are arranged on the steps leading up to
the Acropolis. Serving classic Greek meat and seafood dishes, it's a popular
choice for romance. Former customers include Laurence Olivier and Brigitte
Bardot.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11am-12.30am
Address
16, Erechtheous & 12, Erotokritou, Plaka, Athens, 10558
Telephone
+30 210 321 8733
Istioploikos
Seafood by the marina
Istioploikos, meaning sailing, is a modern white building with a rooftop café
and a ground floor seafood restaurant. It's set inside the yachting marina,
overlooking Microlimano Bay. Tasty dishes such as spaghetti with lobster, or
grilled tuna with green beans and crispy prosciutto are on the menu, popular
with the smart set.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-12.30am
Address
Akti Mikrolimanou, Piraeus, 18533
Telephone
+30 210 413 4084
O Platanos
Traditional Greek taverna
In a peaceful corner of Plaka, near the Roman Forum, Platanos is an
old-fashioned taverna dating back to 1932. Regulars order hearty casseroles,
such as lamb cooked with spinach, and carafes of the excellent house wine, a
barrel retsina. In summer, diners eat outdoors on a pretty
bougainvillea-covered terrace.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 12pm-5pm & 7.30pm-12am
Address
4, Diogenous, Plaka, Athens, 10556
Telephone
+30 210 322 0666
Transport
Monastiraki metro station
Klimataria
Flavour of home cooking
In Psirri, Klimataria (which means vine arbour) is a homely eatery with a
colourful and bohemian interior. Large pots of stews bubble over the stove
in the open-plan kitchen, draped with climbing vines. It gets particularly
crowded on Sunday afternoons, when crowds come to hear the live Greek
music.
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Opening Hours
Daily 1pm-1am (Fri-Sun close 2am)
Address
2, Platia Theatrou, Psirri, Athens, 10552
Telephone
+30 210 321 6629
Sardelles
Catch of the day
In Gazi, Sardelles (which means sardines) specialises in inexpensive seafood,
simply prepared. The fish on offer changes daily, depending on what the
owner finds in the market that morning. Charcoal-grilled sardines or fried
cod, served with garlic sauce, are favourites. A trendy spot, and popular
with both locals and visitors.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-1.30am
Address
15, Persefonis, Gazi, Athens, 11854
Telephone
+30 210 347 8050
Thanasis
Delicious souvlaki
One of Athens' top souvlaki spots, Thanasis in Monastiraki serves delicious
kebabs - charcoal grilled pork or chicken wrapped in pitta bread with fresh
tomatoes and garlicky tzatziki. Known for its nutritious fast food, it is
popular with locals and visitors alike, with busy tables both indoors and
out. Take-away is also available.
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Opening Hours
Daily 9am-2am
Address
69, Mitropoleos, Monastiraki, Athens, 10555
Telephone
+30 210 324 4705
Transport
Monastiraki metro station
