Places i recommend near our flat and downtown.
Places I like near the flat, for food.
This is a selection of restaurants, tavernas or coffee shops that serve food that i recommend you try. They are all on, or around Plateia Agiou Georgiou, roughly a 7-10 minute walk from our flat.
Here you will find Greek cuisine, every day kind of food that Greeks eat, plus raki, ouzo, local wine and beer. Good value for money, vegetarian friendly, family friendly.
20 locals recommend
Οι Νοστιμιές της Μαίρης
2-4 IdrasHere you will find Greek cuisine, every day kind of food that Greeks eat, plus raki, ouzo, local wine and beer. Good value for money, vegetarian friendly, family friendly.
At Kyveli they serve a variety of Greek dishes, either in their original recipe or with a bit of a twist. Meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options. Family friendly.
27 locals recommend
Kyveli
15 EptanisouAt Kyveli they serve a variety of Greek dishes, either in their original recipe or with a bit of a twist. Meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options. Family friendly.
Classic Greek meze plates: cheeses, meats, fish/sea food, and vegetarian options. Family friendly, budget friendly.
To scholarchio tis kipselis
18 EptanisouClassic Greek meze plates: cheeses, meats, fish/sea food, and vegetarian options. Family friendly, budget friendly.
This place has an outdoor space that i like that is a bit hidden, and i recommend it for pizza, brunch, sweets and good coffee. Also, there is no music so if you are looking for somewhere nearby to eat and chat with a friend, this is a good choice.
Cultivos Kypseli
4 ZakinthouThis place has an outdoor space that i like that is a bit hidden, and i recommend it for pizza, brunch, sweets and good coffee. Also, there is no music so if you are looking for somewhere nearby to eat and chat with a friend, this is a good choice.
This is a cozy all-day cafe, where you can have great coffee but also excellent small bites: cheese tarts, sandwiches, salads, soups, sweets and more. Also there is one brand of beer from Chios and two types of wine. Vegetarian and vegan friendly, laptop friendly, pet friendly, and friendly in general.
Morning Sweetie
13 ZakinthouThis is a cozy all-day cafe, where you can have great coffee but also excellent small bites: cheese tarts, sandwiches, salads, soups, sweets and more. Also there is one brand of beer from Chios and two types of wine. Vegetarian and vegan friendly, laptop friendly, pet friendly, and friendly in general.
If you like desserts, then i recommend you try this traditional patisserie's 'galaktoboureko', a. dessert made with milk and phyllo dough. You will not regret it, but expect a serious sugar rush.
Γαλακτοπωλείον Δημητρίου
Lelas KaragianniIf you like desserts, then i recommend you try this traditional patisserie's 'galaktoboureko', a. dessert made with milk and phyllo dough. You will not regret it, but expect a serious sugar rush.
Only a five minute walk from the flat, on a pedestrian street behind Victoria square, this tapas place that focuses on fish and sea food is a small, chilled gem. Sit outside and enjoy the local vibe, but make sure you book.
22 locals recommend
Ouzeri Tou Laki
16 ElpidosOnly a five minute walk from the flat, on a pedestrian street behind Victoria square, this tapas place that focuses on fish and sea food is a small, chilled gem. Sit outside and enjoy the local vibe, but make sure you book.
Favorite coffee places near the flat
We Athenians like our coffee, and you will generally find good coffee all around Athens, even in the tiniest and most modest shops.
This is a selection of places that you can easily walk to from our flat, if you are looking for a good quality dose of caffeine and nice ambience.
I love the coffee they serve here, it's excellent quality. It's also a bakery, you will find all kinds of bread there plus sandwiches.
Dope Roasting Co. Fokionos Negri
49 Fokionos NegriI love the coffee they serve here, it's excellent quality. It's also a bakery, you will find all kinds of bread there plus sandwiches.
Great coffee, drinks and snacks all day. Young crowd, also go there at night for a drink, especially if you enjoy people watching. Budget friendly coffee. Pet friendly.
26 locals recommend
Village
9 Pl. Agiou GeorgiouGreat coffee, drinks and snacks all day. Young crowd, also go there at night for a drink, especially if you enjoy people watching. Budget friendly coffee. Pet friendly.
This is small coffee shop with excellent coffee and it's also a bakery. Try their sweets and savoury bites and sandwiches. Pet friendly
kapu
34 ChaldeiasThis is small coffee shop with excellent coffee and it's also a bakery. Try their sweets and savoury bites and sandwiches. Pet friendly
Places i recommend for drinks and people watching, near the flat
These are some favorite drinking spots near our place, a 15 min walk maximum. They all have something different to offer, it's worth checking them all out.
This place is great if you are looking for relaxed drinks accompanied with small bites, tapas style. You will find cocktails, wines (including natural wines from Greece) and a light pilsner beer made especially for this place. Also expect music: funk, hip hop, dark wave is some of the genres i've heard there. It's a popular place, so expect to have to wait for spot to sit.
EPREPE BAR
1 Agias ZonisThis place is great if you are looking for relaxed drinks accompanied with small bites, tapas style. You will find cocktails, wines (including natural wines from Greece) and a light pilsner beer made especially for this place. Also expect music: funk, hip hop, dark wave is some of the genres i've heard there. It's a popular place, so expect to have to wait for spot to sit.
This is a friendly and laid back small bar on the vibrant and trendy pedestrian street Agias Zonis. Here you will find cocktails (including fresh fruit daiquiris), wine, beers and small bites. If you enjoy having a drink while you are watching people taking the dogs for a walk, this is the place to visit.
Bateau ivre athens
8 Agias ZonisThis is a friendly and laid back small bar on the vibrant and trendy pedestrian street Agias Zonis. Here you will find cocktails (including fresh fruit daiquiris), wine, beers and small bites. If you enjoy having a drink while you are watching people taking the dogs for a walk, this is the place to visit.
I am repeating myself here, i listed this for coffee. It's actually great for drinks too, if you can find a table. Good music is a plus
26 locals recommend
Village
9 Pl. Agiou GeorgiouI am repeating myself here, i listed this for coffee. It's actually great for drinks too, if you can find a table. Good music is a plus
The name of this bar is Au Revoir Bar. It's the oldest bar in the city, it opened in 1958 and hasn't changed much since. Hence the owner hasn't even listed it online! Expect true vintage style with a bit of a cult vibe. Also expect classic drinks only, not elaborate cocktails. If your drink is made with 2 ingredients, you will receive the mixer separately to mix it yourself, 60s style. Keep in mind, Au Revoir Bar is closed in the summer (it's indoors only). It opens late September. I consider it a must.
28is Oktovriou
28is OktovriouThe name of this bar is Au Revoir Bar. It's the oldest bar in the city, it opened in 1958 and hasn't changed much since. Hence the owner hasn't even listed it online! Expect true vintage style with a bit of a cult vibe. Also expect classic drinks only, not elaborate cocktails. If your drink is made with 2 ingredients, you will receive the mixer separately to mix it yourself, 60s style. Keep in mind, Au Revoir Bar is closed in the summer (it's indoors only). It opens late September. I consider it a must.
Other things i recommend to do nearby
Take a stroll on the pedestrian steet of Fokionos Negri if you enjoy watching dogs play and people watching too. You will get a sense of the neighbourhood.
6 locals recommend
Negri Fokionos
Fokionos NegriTake a stroll on the pedestrian steet of Fokionos Negri if you enjoy watching dogs play and people watching too. You will get a sense of the neighbourhood.
I love going to this park for a walk with my morning takeaway coffee. You will come across people jogging and walking their dogs, and you will get a sense of the Athenian flora too. In the summer, you can watch movies in the open air cinema of the park
232 locals recommend
Pedion tou Areos
I love going to this park for a walk with my morning takeaway coffee. You will come across people jogging and walking their dogs, and you will get a sense of the Athenian flora too. In the summer, you can watch movies in the open air cinema of the park
One thing i love about Athens in the summer is open air cinemas. Cinema Stella first opened in 1969, and it's an absolute must if you enjoy watching movies under the stars.
Cinema Stella (Open Air)
34 TenedouOne thing i love about Athens in the summer is open air cinemas. Cinema Stella first opened in 1969, and it's an absolute must if you enjoy watching movies under the stars.
Visit the special bookshop O Meteoritis. Owned by the frenchman Benoit, who has lived in Athens for many years, it has become an intellectual meeting place and a great spot to find international titles, comics and books on art and design too.
O Meteoritis
68 Fokionos NegriVisit the special bookshop O Meteoritis. Owned by the frenchman Benoit, who has lived in Athens for many years, it has become an intellectual meeting place and a great spot to find international titles, comics and books on art and design too.
Kypseli Municipal Market, or Demotiki Agora as the locals call it, hosts random events that often turn out to be super fun. The problem is, they are not very good with updating their website so your best bet to find out what's on is to walk by. They have hosted dj nights, exhibitions, drag fashion shows, even organic food market. Worth checking out for sure.
13 locals recommend
Kypseli Municipal Market
42 Fokionos NegriKypseli Municipal Market, or Demotiki Agora as the locals call it, hosts random events that often turn out to be super fun. The problem is, they are not very good with updating their website so your best bet to find out what's on is to walk by. They have hosted dj nights, exhibitions, drag fashion shows, even organic food market. Worth checking out for sure.
Places i recommend in the city centre
These are some recommendations for places i have come to love through the years, that are in the city centre but not in our area. I would normally walk to all of them (some are 30 mins away) but taxi in Athens is fairly cheap, so they are all very easily accessible.
Like may bars in Athens, this is an all-day joint. You can go during the day for coffee and brunch or at night for cocktails and wine. Young, trendy crowd, pedestrian street, good drinks.
26 locals recommend
Sousourada
44 MavromichaliLike may bars in Athens, this is an all-day joint. You can go during the day for coffee and brunch or at night for cocktails and wine. Young, trendy crowd, pedestrian street, good drinks.
This bar has a nice atmosphere and they serve Selected Greek Microbrewery Beers, Guinness Draft and classic cocktails.
The Mule & The Pig
38 Zoodochou PigisThis bar has a nice atmosphere and they serve Selected Greek Microbrewery Beers, Guinness Draft and classic cocktails.
An all-day place in the heart of Exarcheia, with a good selection of wines both Greek and international, cold plates and beer. Popular place, young crowd.
75 locals recommend
Warehouse
21 ValtetsiouAn all-day place in the heart of Exarcheia, with a good selection of wines both Greek and international, cold plates and beer. Popular place, young crowd.
This is another favorite, as is the whole area of Kerameikos, which i recommend you explore. At Seychelles restaurant you will find a small selection of dishes from around Greece, that include cheeses, meats and a few vegetarian plates (but if you are vegan you won't find much to eat here), typically drunk with raki, although beer and wine are also available. Great atmosphere, very popular place so reservation is a must.
111 locals recommend
Seychelles
49 KeramikouThis is another favorite, as is the whole area of Kerameikos, which i recommend you explore. At Seychelles restaurant you will find a small selection of dishes from around Greece, that include cheeses, meats and a few vegetarian plates (but if you are vegan you won't find much to eat here), typically drunk with raki, although beer and wine are also available. Great atmosphere, very popular place so reservation is a must.
Very good coffee here and a very pleasant outdoor space right on Avdi Square. It's open all day, and serves coffee, snacks and cocktails/drinks at night. Laptop friendly inside. It is right opposite Seychelles restaurant, so you can go there for a drink after dinner.
119 locals recommend
Blue Parrot
31 LeonidouVery good coffee here and a very pleasant outdoor space right on Avdi Square. It's open all day, and serves coffee, snacks and cocktails/drinks at night. Laptop friendly inside. It is right opposite Seychelles restaurant, so you can go there for a drink after dinner.
This is an interesting place, i personally like watching people skate, plus coffee is good or you can go for drinks. They serve brunch too but don't go there hungry cause service is very slow!
11 locals recommend
Latraac Skate Cafe
63-65 LeonidouThis is an interesting place, i personally like watching people skate, plus coffee is good or you can go for drinks. They serve brunch too but don't go there hungry cause service is very slow!
Bios, is a bar/cultural centre not to be missed, for the guests who are looking to explore urban culture. Concerts, films, art, theatre and other events are hosted there, plus there is an excellent roof terrace with a view to the Acropolis.
6 locals recommend
Lucien chez Bios
84 PireosBios, is a bar/cultural centre not to be missed, for the guests who are looking to explore urban culture. Concerts, films, art, theatre and other events are hosted there, plus there is an excellent roof terrace with a view to the Acropolis.
This is a tiny wine bar, on a side street of Ermou street near Syntagma square. If you are shopping on Ermou st and fancy a glass of wine, it's worth checking if there are any available tables. They serve around 200 Greek wines and many of them are natural.
83 locals recommend
heteroclito
2 FokionosThis is a tiny wine bar, on a side street of Ermou street near Syntagma square. If you are shopping on Ermou st and fancy a glass of wine, it's worth checking if there are any available tables. They serve around 200 Greek wines and many of them are natural.
I like Galaxy in the winter, for it's old school style and always the same bar tender who serves good quality drinks that come with small bites. No music by the way, and it's very small, so not really suitable for the summer. Artistic crowd, journalists, writers are the devoted regulars. It's one of the oldest bars in town, a couple of minutes walk from Syntagma square.
28 locals recommend
Galaxy Bar
10 StadiouI like Galaxy in the winter, for it's old school style and always the same bar tender who serves good quality drinks that come with small bites. No music by the way, and it's very small, so not really suitable for the summer. Artistic crowd, journalists, writers are the devoted regulars. It's one of the oldest bars in town, a couple of minutes walk from Syntagma square.
This is a traditional Greek food place that has never disappointed me. They serve some classic vegetarian and meat dishes and cheese at very reasonable prices. The surroundingarea of Petralona is worth walking around too.
11 locals recommend
Oikonomou
32 KidantidonThis is a traditional Greek food place that has never disappointed me. They serve some classic vegetarian and meat dishes and cheese at very reasonable prices. The surroundingarea of Petralona is worth walking around too.
It's right in middle of Monastiraki, so if you are heading that way for a walk or shopping, you can stop by for a drink or snack. The view is great.
179 locals recommend
Couleur Locale
3 NormanouIt's right in middle of Monastiraki, so if you are heading that way for a walk or shopping, you can stop by for a drink or snack. The view is great.
This bar has a really nice roof terrace, and they make very good cocktails and small bites.
14 locals recommend
Το Λοκάλι / To Lokali
44 SarriThis bar has a really nice roof terrace, and they make very good cocktails and small bites.
If you have a sweet tooth, try traditional 'Loukoumades' (fried dough-balls dipped in honey) here with your coffee. A Greek classic (it's been there since the 1920s)
24 locals recommend
Krinos
87 AiolouIf you have a sweet tooth, try traditional 'Loukoumades' (fried dough-balls dipped in honey) here with your coffee. A Greek classic (it's been there since the 1920s)
This is an oasis that you will not notice unless you are looking for it. Right on Panepistimiou street and next to Syntagma square, step in for some shade and cold drinks in the summer f you need a break from walking in the heat.
10 locals recommend
Café στον κήπο του Νομισματικού Μουσείου
12 PanepistimiouThis is an oasis that you will not notice unless you are looking for it. Right on Panepistimiou street and next to Syntagma square, step in for some shade and cold drinks in the summer f you need a break from walking in the heat.
Interesting and good quality food, gastropub style, on a quiet pedestrian street. Good vegetarian and vegan options. Nice atmosphere. Tables are small so probably not ideal for big groups.
69 locals recommend
Rakor
10 PlateonInteresting and good quality food, gastropub style, on a quiet pedestrian street. Good vegetarian and vegan options. Nice atmosphere. Tables are small so probably not ideal for big groups.
I love this place, both for the food and the ambience. It's on a pedestrian street in Votanikos. They serve Mediterranean and Greek cuisine with elegant personal touches.
10 locals recommend
Laika Bar-Resto
30 PellisI love this place, both for the food and the ambience. It's on a pedestrian street in Votanikos. They serve Mediterranean and Greek cuisine with elegant personal touches.
They have a rather small menu but everything i ever tried there was very good. The area is very lively at night, because of the bars all around. Vegetarian/vegan options, trendy spot, reservation a must.
11 locals recommend
The Sam has the wrong boy
SalaminosThey have a rather small menu but everything i ever tried there was very good. The area is very lively at night, because of the bars all around. Vegetarian/vegan options, trendy spot, reservation a must.
This place looks its best at night, with the garden lit up with boat lights. It's quite a romantic spot too. I like the (Greek) food they serve very much, and i think it's a winning combo of ambience/food/price. It's also a good idea to go to the local open air produce market right outside on Kalidromiou street on a Saturday and go there for lunch afterwards.
178 locals recommend
Ama Lachei
69 KallidromiouThis place looks its best at night, with the garden lit up with boat lights. It's quite a romantic spot too. I like the (Greek) food they serve very much, and i think it's a winning combo of ambience/food/price. It's also a good idea to go to the local open air produce market right outside on Kalidromiou street on a Saturday and go there for lunch afterwards.
At the ground floor of this hotel you will find this excellent shop that doubles as a restaurant for brunch and counter dining. While you wait, you can browse the fantastic local artisan produce that they sell.
53 locals recommend
ERGON House Athens
Street MitropoleosAt the ground floor of this hotel you will find this excellent shop that doubles as a restaurant for brunch and counter dining. While you wait, you can browse the fantastic local artisan produce that they sell.
Upscale restaurants downtown
Here are some suggestions if you are looking to treat yourself to something special.
Beautifully designed minimalist space, and the food has earned a Michelin star. The chef mixes Greek, Japanese and French elements. Go if you want to treat yourself to something special and also go for a romantic dinner.
94 locals recommend
Nolan
31 - 33 VoulisBeautifully designed minimalist space, and the food has earned a Michelin star. The chef mixes Greek, Japanese and French elements. Go if you want to treat yourself to something special and also go for a romantic dinner.
Small Japanese restaurant, with excellent food and cocktails. Not vegetarian friendly. Reservation is a must.
31 locals recommend
Birdman
35 VoulisSmall Japanese restaurant, with excellent food and cocktails. Not vegetarian friendly. Reservation is a must.
Vezené
11 VrasidaThis is for steak and seafood lovers. Chic interior, Michellin star food.
Absolutely wonderful Greek cuisine with a twist, and great pizza. Vegetarian options too. It's a treat.
11 locals recommend
PROVELEGGIOS
11 ParamithiasAbsolutely wonderful Greek cuisine with a twist, and great pizza. Vegetarian options too. It's a treat.
Street food
There are a few falafel places in town, but this is by far the best. Very budget friendly, and the quality has not changed since they opened.
85 locals recommend
Falafellas
51 AiolouThere are a few falafel places in town, but this is by far the best. Very budget friendly, and the quality has not changed since they opened.
I am not a carnivore myself, but all my meat-eating friends tell me that if you are looking for good souvlaki downtown, this is the place. They use their own sauce on the meat, instead of tzatziki. Prepare to queue.
64 locals recommend
κωστα - Kostas
2 Pl. Agias IrinisI am not a carnivore myself, but all my meat-eating friends tell me that if you are looking for good souvlaki downtown, this is the place. They use their own sauce on the meat, instead of tzatziki. Prepare to queue.