Summer is here! The restaurants are putting their tables and chairs out on the pavements, the walkways, at the seafront. Every corner of the city is full of delightful gastronomic surprises.
Wine Plus test the waters so you can jump right in! Here, the hit list of Greece’s hot food-and-wine spots!
Centre
GB Roof Garden restaurant
Breath-taking view of Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, elegant ambience, opulent setting, superb service -all at Athens’ most chic hotel. A perfect choice offering modern and stylish Mediterranean cuisine by talented executive chef Asterios Koustoudis. (Hotel Grande Bretagne, Syntagma Square, tel. +30 210 3330000)
Tudor Hall restaurant
Ultra chic restaurant on the 7th floor of King George Hotel. The passionate executive young chef Alexandros Koskinas prepares dishes that combine current culinary perceptions with fragrances and tastes that refer to tradition. (Hotel King George, Syntagma Square, tel. +30 210 3222210)
Telemachos Athens
Classic smart option for meat in a restaurant with elegant urban aura. (10, Panepistimiou St., tel. +30 210 3613300)
Athénée
A true Athenian landmark, restored to its original luxury and finesse, it now operates offering classic Greek/Mediterranean cuisine, sushi and an afternoon tea special. (9, Voukourestiou & Panepistimiou St., tel. +30 210 3251430)
Olive Garden
At the rooftop of the Titania hotel, you will find a terrace full of olive trees, with magnificent views of Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. Chef Alexandros Charalambopoulos prepares Greek cuisine: a range of modern dishes in neo-traditional style. (Hotel Titania, 52, Panepistimiou St., tel. +30 210 3326260)
Yoleni’s
An impressive seven-storey gastronomic concept store exclusively dedicated to Greek Products. It includes, among others, a 2.300 product food store and a butcher/stake bar. (9, Solonos St., Kolonaki, tel. +30 212 2223600)
Papadakis
The restaurant of chef Argyro Barbarigou, in a well-kept place, serves many fine dishes. (47, Voukourestiou St., Kolonaki, tel. +30 212 2223622 - 23)
Metropolis Roof Garden
Located on the 10th floor of the Electra Metropolis Athens, the restaurant, which offers a superb view of the Acropolis, serves a Mediterranean based menu that places emphasis on fish. (Hotel Electra Metropolis Athens, 15, Mitropoleos St., tel. +30 210 4100 6200)
Trapezaria
The cuisine of chef and owner Dimitris Panagiotopoulos draws on his extensive research into Greek cooking. On the restaurant’s beautiful hall you can sample well known Greek recipes or “new-classic” plates while enjoying a fine wine from the excellent cellar. (13, Evforionos St., Kallimarmaro, tel. +30 210 9213500)
Mavro Provato [Black seep]
Very popular Greek bistro near the Panathenaic Stadium that serves delicious meat dishes, soups and surprise specials depending on the mood and inspiration of the chef. (31 Arrianou St., tel. +30 210 7223466)]+
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani
This spot offers an array of delicacies including top-notch cold cuts and traditionally made Greek cheeses. The encyclopaedic menu ranges from deliciously traditional (pastourma) to inventive fantastic charcuterie. (52, Evripidou St., tel. + 30 2310 3254184)
Acropolis Museum Restaurant
Quite unique, Acropolis Museum Restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes that change according to the day’s fresh ingredients. (15, Dionysiou Areopagitou St., tel. +30 210 9000915)
Mono restaurant
Beautiful place and carefully selected dishes, cooked by the owner and Chef Vassilis Vassiliou. (4C, Benizelou Palaiologou St., Plaka, tel. +30 210 3226711)
7 Food Sins Gastro Pub
Smart place with cosy atmosphere, delicious street food/casual cuisine, interesting wine/beer/spirit list. (1, Filomousou Etaireias Square, Plaka, tel. +30 2107011108
ManiMani
A restaurant worshiping the local cuisine of Mani, yet also presenting dishes from other areas. For many years, food served here manages to be tasty, un-fancy and affordable. (10, Falirou str., Koukaki, tel. + 30 210 9218180)
Hytra
One of the best restaurants in Athens (one star Michelin restaurant). A menu of Mediterranean dishes, with a pronounced Greek influence. Chef: Tassos Mantis. (7, Navarchou Apostoli St., Psyrri, tel. +30 2103316767)
Athiri
Stylish dining in an atmospheric setting. Innovative Greek dishes from chef Alexandros Kardasis. (15, Plataion St., Keramikos, tel. +30 210 3462983)
Funky Gourmet
A well-known and very popular eating place in Athens (two stars Michelin restaurant). Original and multi-award-winning recipes by chefs Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussou, combining personality and superb techno-motional gastro-technique. (13, Paramitias & Salaminos St., Keramikos, tel. +30 210 5242727)
Aleria
In the kitchen of this elegant restaurant, chef Ghikas Xenakis prepares superb and highly inventive dishes, using authentic ingredients of the finest quality. (57, M. Alexandrou St., Metaxourgio, tel. +30 210 5222633)
Spondi
Gourmet & formal. Greece’s top restaurant presents contemporary French cuisine with dazzling artistry (two stars Michelin restaurant). Beautifully cool courtyard. The wine list features near 1.300 labels. (6, Pyronos St., Pangrati, tel. +30 210 7520658, +30 210 7564021)
Milos Estiatorio
The gourmet restaurant of the Hilton Hotel. Excellent fish cuisine and rare Greek deli. (Hotel Hilton, 46, Vas. Sofias Ave., tel. +30 210 7244400)
Galaxy Bar
The last word in cosmopolitan venues, recognized and awarded as one of the world’s best sky bars. Breathtaking view of the city, cocktails, finger food and BBQ for the seriously hungry. (Hotel Hilton, 46, Vas. Sofias Ave., tel. +30 210 7281000)
Fuga
An elegant, sophisticated restaurant, set in the gardens of the Athens Concert Hall, with a panoramic view of the city. It proposes a menu rooted in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with a modern twist. (Vas. Sofias Ave. & 1 Kokkali St., tel. +30 210 7242979)
Cookoovaya
The restaurant’s menu, based on the highest quality ingredients, carries the signatures of five top Greek chefs. (27, Hatziyianni Mexi St., Ilisia, tel. +30 210 7235005)
Vassilenas
The historic restaurant that opened in Piraeus in 1920, has moved to a minimalist space in Athens where it presents its own version of New Greek cuisine, based mainly in seafood but also classic with a twist. (13, Vrasida St., tel. +30 210 7210501)
Balthazar
Neo-classical architecture, divine setting and beautiful courtyard. Modern fusion cuisine by famous chef Christoforos Peskias. (D. Soutsou & 27, Tsocha St., Ampelokipoi, tel. +30 210 6412300)
Maroussi - Kifissia
Botrini’s
Hettore Botrini approaches some of his old dishes from a new angle and adds new ones (one star Michelin restaurant). (24B, Vas. Georgiou B St., Halandri, tel. +30 210 6857324)
Aneton
Fanatic lovers of this restaurant are seeking the authentic Greek cuisine. The owner and chef Vassilis Kalidis loves his mother’s cooking. (19, Str. Lekka St., Maroussi, tel. +30 210 8066700)
Nolita
Warm and pleasant mood at the Italian restaurant of the Semiramis Hotel. The menu is designed by chef Yiannis Liokas. (48, Harilaou Trikoupi St., tel. +30 210 6231181)
Kallithea – P. Faliro – Alimos - Vouliagmeni
Argoura
One of the best sea food places in the city with a casual spirit and fascinating cuisine. (49, Agissilaou St., Kallithea, tel. +30 217 7173200)
Petit Sommelier
For those interested in exploring the world of fine wine, this is the perfect venue, amply justifying its designation as a ‘wine restaurant’. The sommeliers will happily offer advice on the wines available and recommend the labels which will best complement your meal. (6, Zaimi St., P. Faliro, tel. +30 210 9842344)
Patio
In the elegance summer restaurant of The Margi Hotel, chef Panagiotis Yakalis take us on a gastronomic trip along the paths of Greece and the Mediterranean. (The Margi Hotel, 11, Litous St., Vouliagmeni, tel. +30 210 8929160)
Piraeus
Varoulko Seaside
A well-known and very popular eating place in Athens. Original and multi-award-winning (two stars Michelin restaurant) fish recipes by Lefteris Lazarou, combining personality and superb technique. (52, Koumoundourou Coast, Mikrolimano, tel. +30 2105228400)
Papaioannou
Possibly the best fish taverna in Athens, a veritable education in the proper preparation of fish and the importance of seeking out the very best raw ingredients. (42, Koumoundourou Coast, Mikrolimano, tel. +30 210 4225059)
