Key Takeaways
- Greek cuisine consists mainly of fresh seafood, fruit, and legumes, and knowing where to eat is crucial!
- You can witness the food culture of Athens through a stroll in Athens Central Food Market, open for over than 120 years!
- Athens boasts prestigious Michelin-awarded restaurants, with the best being Spondi, Hytra, Varoulko, and CTC.
- The street food scene in Athens is one of the best in the world, with food cantinas that stay open all night long.
The hub of Greek culture, the country’s capital city, is also the mecca of Greek gastronomy. During your trip to Athens, it is worth exploring the gastronomic scene people from all over the world wax lyrical about and discovering where to eat in Athens best.
Here, we will introduce you to Greek gastronomy and its top classic Greek dishes. We have hand-picked our top favorite Athens restaurants, including establishments for all types of dietary needs and preferences. We have carefully accumulated a list with our picks to make your life in Athens a tasty experience.
The basics of Greek cuisine
In Greece, the majority of the locals' diet consists of fresh seafood, fruit, and legumes. Greek tables are rarely grounded in classic three-course Western culture successions in traditional fashion.
Instead, the table contains several dishes that the co-diners share while catching up with the family and friends. It is the tradition known as 'meze', in which wines and spirits are very much involved.
The distinctive tastes of the cuisine in a particular region have a direct connection to its social status. And that also includes Greece! Taste and food form a type of communication and a means to find an identity within an Athenian's heart.
There is a Greek phrase stating that 'love goes through the stomach' and we couldn't agree more. From the fresh produce, the Greek land generously offers its people and is perfectly sampled through the popular Greek salad, to the mouthwatering traditional dishes that have stood the test of time and the delectable varieties of Greek wine, Greek gastronomy is an integral part of the Athenian experience you shouldn't neglect.
Check out: Our Athens night food tour and wine tasting tour.
Varvakios Agora - Athens Central Food Market
If you're interested in the food culture of Athens, the Athens Central Food Market -or 'Varvakios Agora' as the locals call it- is the place to go, especially when researching where to eat in Athens's traditional food, drink Greek wines, and buy Greek ingredients from local shops!
In the center of Athens, there is a small group of shops that have a strong tradition of Greek products and smells and flavors that overwhelm you. In the past, Athenians visited Varvakios Agora from almost every city suburb or town center and supplied their houses with the best quality meat, sausages, and fish.
The market has been running for more than 130 years now, while the stalls have been passed down through generations, with the same vendors frequenting the same spots for decades.
Where to eat in Athens: Breakfast/Brunch
Millennials may have an ambivalent reputation. However, one thing is for sure: they are responsible for one of the most emblematic culinary amalgamations of the century, the concept of brunch. Combining breakfast with lunch and coming up with extra rich breakfast foods you can feast on practically all day long? Pure genius!
As a true millennial myself -and a breakfast-lover at that- I couldn’t help but succumb to this heavenly gastronomic trend; add to that the fact that I’m also a born and bred Athenian, and you’d better trust and believe that I‘ve got all the inside scoop regarding the best places to enjoy a lazy brunch in Athens.
From trendy hotspots to tucked-away eateries beloved by the sophisticated locals, if you live and breathe for just-the-perfect-Insta-story of your stylish and delish eggs benedict or maple syrup pancakes, it’s your lucky day: here are the best restaurants for brunch in Athens!
Estrella
The star of Thessaloniki came to Athens, and the Athenians were more than happy to welcome this emblematic and original brunch spot among their favorite Sunday habits.
Situated in many spots of the city, with its lovely glass façade and urban design, Estrella is sure to draw you in not only with its exceptional savorous choices but with its buoyant atmosphere as well!
Amongst the all-time favorites, you will come across the breakfast pizza on koulouri dough, the Ottoman burger with a lamb and beef patty, as well as more original choices on eggs, bagels, popovers, pancakes, and everything else you can imagine!
Be sure not to miss its most popular dessert, 'bougatsan,' a tasty crossroads between Thessaloniki and Paris, combining the local ‘bougatsa’ with croissants, which has caught the interest of the Guardian, the New York Times, and Saveur magazine.
7 Cactus
The Greek take on brunch and street food is here to stay! With its mysterious name and the iconic Greek cactus as its emblem, 7 Cactus is the best choice for those wishing to explore more closely traditional Greek cuisine with a modern twist.
Here, you will find a large variety of dishes inspired by Greek tradition, such as the Greek pancakes 'lalaggides,' 'kayanas' -scrambled eggs with tomato sauce-, meatballs with ouzo, even the famous moussaka, all made with love and products from different parts of Greece.
It's even possible to create your own sandwich; just pick the ingredients yourself and indulge in a personalized, tasty experience, all in very close proximity to the brand-new Contemporary Art Museum of Athens in Syggrou Av. How about combining the two for a perfect morning away from the tourist crowds?
Mama Roux
Bohemian and multi-cultural, Mama Roux on Aiolou str. has become one of the Athenians' favorites and a place you have to visit at least once when you are in the city.
On its menu, you will find tastes from all over the world, such as enchiladas, tortillas, falafels, noodles, burgers, and India-inspired souvlaki! Mama Roux, which opened back in 2011, was one of the first places in Athens to start serving brunch.
Therefore, it goes without saying that they really know their business! If you plan to come here on the weekend, consider booking in advance because it can get quite busy. If you are here only during the week, be sure to check it out at night! Often, they will host street parties with live music or DJs, and boy, does Mama know how to throw a party!
Chez Michel
Indulge your inner Parisien by having brunch at one of the classiest and most chic places the Greek capital has to offer! Chez Michel, true to its French name, is all about quality and the right ambiance.
Here, you will find a big variety of bagels, sandwiches, bruschetta, omelets, club sandwiches, fresh salads, hand-made pasta, and of course, some of the most popular french sweets. Need more?
Chez Michel turns into a bar later in the day, offering its clientele a fine selection of wines from Greece, France, and Italy, as well as drinks and cocktails for those who would rather have something stronger.
Visit Chez Michel in Kolonaki, the fanciest neighborhood in downtown Athens, or the one in Panepistimiou str. if you prefer having a view of the beautiful neoclassical buildings of the Athenian trilogy; any choice you make, the beautiful vintage design of both places as well as their jazzy musical selections are sure to take you on a journey to La Ville Lumière as it must have felt like during the 1920s.
Ergon Deli
Ergon Deli is what successful, and quality Greek entrepreneurship looks like. In only a decade, they have managed to create a network of 11 delis and restaurants all around the globe, making available more than 1200 Greek artisanal products to people who have never had the opportunity to try them before.
In their Syntagma branch, you can choose from a well-thought selection of mezedes -small plates-, spreads, salads, pasta, grilled meats, and fish plates, as well as desserts, with the Greek yogurt with pasteli and fresh fruits being a must-try. All come strictly from Greek producers.
At the same time, if you would like to take some of these new tastes back home, artisanal products, such as their eggplant or feta spread (htipiti) are available to buy as well as, olives, olive oils, herbs, honey, jams, sauces, wines, and sweets.
Where to eat in Athens: Michelin restaurants
The Athenian cuisine is an experience to be had, and guide Michelin has been systematically evaluating restaurant establishments in the city.
Since a couple of centuries ago, Athens has pinched stars onto a lot of restaurants and this list is the crème d'orange for the eclectic foodie. Here are the best Michelin restaurants -or best restaurants in general- in Athens that are worth considering.
Spondi
One of the best restaurants in Athens responsible for redefining 'fine-dining,' Spondi has been a leading figure on Athens' gastronomic map for over 20 years. It has been awarded a MICHELIN star, which testifies to the deliciousness of its dishes.
What makes Spondi's dishes exceptional is the usage of top-quality raw materials and the impeccable technique that creates the perfect balance between finesse and expressiveness.
From the most elegant dish, such as the lobster tartar with lemon, caviar, grapefruit, and celery, to the most exuberant, such as the deer with Grand Veneur sauce, all offerings combine the refinement of fine-dining with the intensity of aromas and flavors and the "warmth" of rich taste.
Hytra
Hytra - credits:hytra.gr
Hytra restaurant has developed its gastronomic identity based on tradition, giving its delicious creations a modern twist. The various vegetables, herbs, and spices alternations create unexpected taste combinations.
Substantial assets of the restaurant are the excellent service and hospitality of the staff, the high aesthetics of the place, its warm and friendly atmosphere, and the constant evolution of the food.
Hytra showcases the Greek food culture and the local raw materials in the best way possible. After all, no one would expect anything less from a Michelin-starred restaurant that promises to amaze visitors and locals who want to eat in Athens something they never had before.
Varoulko Seaside
Varoulko - credits: varoulko-seaside.gr
The seafood cuisine of Varoulko has been winning the coveted Michelin star every year since 2002. The dishes, with modern aesthetics and very fresh ingredients, justify the timelessness of the restaurant, which has also received the Golden Cap and the Greek Cuisine Award.
Varoulko is housed in a three-story building in Mikrolimano and serves its delectable gourmet creations by the seaside. At noon, the atmosphere is more relaxed, with seafood appetizers, a selection of main dishes, and grilled fish.
In addition to the savory dishes, the renowned restaurant serves mouthwatering desserts. Please do not leave without exploring them.
CTC
CTC - credits: ctc.gr
CTC in Kerameikos is housed in a preserved neoclassical building with an enviable outdoor space. Combining the classic with the modern, CTC has been dedicated to creative Greek cuisine. Its multi-level dishes are set up to a surprise that hides textures and flavors.
Try the pork with potatoes that resemble a Peloponnesian piglet's taste. It has hot cheese, confetti potato, and the aroma of fresh oregano and lemon. Another great dish is the traditional revithada, a chickpea soup flavored with lemon Verbena, handmade seafood chorizo, and Greek caviar.
Where to eat in Athens: Modern Greek Cuisine
Dopios
Dopios redefines the meaning of the Greek tavern, offering cuisine with Greek aroma, many exciting twists, and creative dishes that are meant to be shared, as Greek meze should. Among its top creations, you will find stamnagathi greens with Japanese lemon oil and avocado tzatziki, a rich seafood orzo, and popcorn prawn with black garlic sauce.
The dishes are accompanied by local wines and traditional spirits and served under the shade of a plane tree in Agios Theodoros Square. Dopios has created a tasty and open-hearted culture hub focusing on Greek delicacies.
Ella Greek Cooking
Ella is a beautiful restaurant with modern Greek cooking. But that is not all. In the back of the establishment, a big surprise awaits you: the grocery store with selected products, cheeses, and cold cuts from all over Greece.
The food comes to complement all this wonderful home feeling. The smells coming from the kitchen are enough to whet your appetite. Try the wonderfully crunchy handmade cheese pie with feta cheese and Elatis honey and the fricassee with local greens.
Ella Greek Cooking takes Greek recipes, upgrades them with contemporary techniques, and presents them in their new version. Raw ingredients are transformed into refined flavors but with a distinct solid character.
Mani Mani
Hidden in the picturesque streets of Koukaki, Mani Mani represents traditional Greek cuisine at its best. With Mani holding the delicious scepters of the menu due to the owners' locality, the restaurant's kitchen incorporates recipes from all over Greece.
It does so always with a modern approach to using traditional and high-quality products, which arrive almost daily from Mani. The restaurant offers its customers delicious "discoveries" through traditional flavors with touches of modern creativity.
Mani Mani is ranked among the top restaurants in the city, based on the reviews of its customers on TripAdvisor. In their book "36 Hours: 125 Weekends in Europe," the New York Times included an extensive presentation of Mani Mani as one of their suggested destinations for a weekend in Athens.
Aneton
From the wood element in the shop to the dishes that are almost all handmade and imperfect, Aneton with the outdoor area, the lovely bar, and the small indoor balcony with just three tables exude warmth and intimacy.
On the menu of the restaurant star fresh and authentic Greek ingredients: wild greens, mutton, seasonal vegetables, a variety of mushrooms, and fresh fish, even fish soup, if you're lucky. Depending on the season, the search for good raw materials becomes fuel for creativity.
The wine list offers exciting options from Greek vineyards and a few labels from around the world. Aneton's delicious modern cuisine, experience in comfort, fine dining, and the products that are local and strictly seasonal make it irresistible. True to its philosophy, the restaurant renews its menu every 40 days or so.
Thes "Greek Creative Cuisine"
The visible stone on the walls and the white tables compose a light and warm atmosphere in this charming restaurant, in one of the most famous streets of the Psirri neighborhood.
The menu has a talented chef's special touch, who creatively proposes typical Greek flavors, such as the Pelion spentzofai on crispy bread and the yogurt cod.
Thes "Greek Creative Cuisine" is a restaurant that wants you to get to know traditional Greek food through creative proposals.
Where to eat in Athens: Greek Street Food
Greece is known to be culinary heaven and we are here to prove our reputation true. As self-acclaimed, die-hard foodies ourselves, let us guide you through Athens’ street food scene, introducing you to all the Greek flavors and places to eat in Athens you’ll be thanking us for trying.
Although not made from the hands of our grandmothers, Athens’s street food complies with the rules of the Mediterranean diet, which means that although a bit more calorie-heavy, it is still made with fresh ingredients from the Greek land, and with olive oil prevailing over butter.
Found in conventional shops, or more widely in canteens and food trucks all around the city, Athens offers the ultimate comfort dishes and the best cure to a hangover, which is the reason why vendors usually stay open until the early morning hours, catering for Athens’ party people.
Souvlaki
Of course, the all-time classic souvlaki couldn’t be anywhere else but at the top of the list, as it is taking Athens’ gastronomic scene by storm and it is the first response of people being asked 'where to eat in Athens'!
One of the most common visitors' misconceptions is regarding the distinction between gyros and souvlaki. Souvlaki refers to the world-famous pita wrap, while gyros refers to the pork that is cooked slowly on a vertical rotisserie and is served in strips and small slices of grilled meats.
The famous Greek souvlaki consists of grilled meat, or gyros, garnished with sliced tomatoes and onions, fried potatoes, and tzatziki, and wrapped in a lightly grilled pita. It’s no coincidence souvlaki is the most popular street food in Greece and one of the most popular in the world; it tastes exactly as magical as it sounds and should be the first thing you eat in Athens when you arrive!
Greek Pies
Greeks’ culinary preferences have derived from their rich tradition throughout history, and pies are no exception. The origins of the pie date to ancient Greece, where they were part of people’s daily diets, with one of the most common ones consisting of honey, cheese, and olive oil.
Today, pies have yet to lose their popularity, remaining one of the top choices.
One trip to ‘Ariston’ -which means ‘excellent’ in Greek, and rightfully so- will convince you of the scrumptious taste of this Greek delicacy. There, you will have the opportunity to try every pie under the moon, both sweet and savory. Ariston’s specialty, however, is the ‘kourou’ dough cheese pie, being its best-seller since its establishment in 1906.
‘The Pie Shop’ is another excellent choice for you to try fresh individual pies not only from Greece but from all over the world. The tiny, cozy, and very busy shop uses fresh Greek ingredients and the expertise of a well-traveled chef.
Koulouri
Eaten as breakfast or as a snack -or even as lunch and dinner, if you share our passion for it- this yummy creation is well worth a mention in Athens’ street eats.
Koulouri is a traditional delicacy that has been the trademark in every bakery’s production through the centuries; a product both delicious and pure, with flour, water, salt, sesame, and yeast being the only ingredients used for its preparation.
To taste a truly traditional Koulouri, you need to buy it from the famous bakery called ‘To Koulouri tou Psirri.’ Established in the 1960s, the acclaimed bakery offers every variation of Koulouri you can come up with, both savory and sweet.
Thankfully, if you like to try it, you don’t need to go all the way to the Psirri neighborhood, where the bakery is located. Scattered across the center of Athens, you can find numerous vendors under yellow and white-striped tents; they all sell the same product, freshly baked by ‘To Koulouri tou Psirri.’
Do you want to know the best part? The traditional Koulouri costs only 0,50€ and has around 90 calories!
Greek fish and seafood meze
Surrounded by the sea, Greece can’t help but have fish and other seafood seated deep within its culinary culture. So, when searching where to eat in Athens, keep in mind that fresh fish can be found almost everywhere; even in the heart of the bustling city.
‘Zisis, Fish in a cone’ is a fairly recent addition to Athens’ food offerings, but its newness hasn’t been a drawback to its incredible success. The on-the-go fresh seafood shop offers fresh fried fish in a paper cone, in true ‘fish and chips’ fashion, keeping visitors and locals well-fed.
Zisis’ food is for takeaway, but it’s not junk food. It may be cheap, but its quality doesn’t mirror its price; it’s healthy, nutritious food on the naughty side of delicious. Its fish balls and fried prawn are some of our favorite picks, however, you will find there almost every kind of fish you can think of, including the traditional Greek meze of grilled octopus.
‘Zisis, Fish in a cone’ is an unconventional type of Greek street gastronomy and a great alternative for people wanting to stay away from meat when they eat in Athens.
Latin American and Ethnic
As you’ve already noticed, Athens’ food is not limited to traditional Greek dishes like souvlaki. On the contrary, it is rather diverse, with tasty dishes from all over the world. Ethnic and Latin American cuisine has slowly but surely gained a spot in the Athenian food market, giving locals the opportunity to try flavors completely foreign to them.
Flavors from Mexico, India, Arab countries, and Southeast Asia combined, have taken over one of the hippest streets of Athens’ city center, Kolokotroni street, with 'Etnico’, known for its flavorful creations, such as the Mexican Chimichanga and Indian Samosas.
What’s more, the menu of ‘Los Loros’, a Venezuelan and Columbian food shop close to Syntagma square, is filled with dishes Greeks may not be able to pronounce, but are more than able to devour! In ‘Los Loros’ you get to choose your meal’s base and filling, creating a personalized dish filled with delicious, fresh, and high-quality ingredients.
The ‘Chicharrón’ and ‘Pabellón’ fillings are our absolute favorites, however, if you’re after a vegetarian option, the ‘Caraotas’ leaves nothing to be desired.
Burgers
Although a typically American food, Athens doesn’t lack in burger shops, always putting a Greek twist in everything they make. As both a cost-efficient and utterly filling option, burgers have been adopted into Greek gastronomy, being vastly available in every other corner of the capital.
The most succulent burgers in Athens can be found in ‘Hot Hot Burger’, a burger spot that monopolizes the interest of locals, offering the best prices on the market. Being established in 2012, ‘Hot Hot Burger’ soon became a success story, with its branch in the center of Athens becoming an emblematic figure in Athens’ food arena, armed with its distinctive and innovative design, as well as its creative, yummy recipes.
Additionally, if you’re a fan of barbeque, ‘Po' Boys BBQ’ is right up your street! It first started as a pop-up food truck, but now has its own space in the heart of Athens, proving to its guest that it is worthy of its virtuous reputation.
If you want to have a true barbeque experience, try its traditional New Orleans recipes, such as brisket, Crispy Pork Belly, and Pulled Pork in burgers, paired with a Greek beer!
Hot dogs
There is no way we could leave out of our list one of the most popular (street) foods in the world: the naughty comfort food with the funny name, the hot dog.
Served with the simple dressings of mustard and ketchup, or enriched with a variety of ingredients, such as pickles, coleslaw, and different kinds of onions (it's basically a Greek salad), hot dogs are a versatile treat, designed to suit everyone’s taste.
‘Chef and the dog,’ in Kolonaki, one of the most high-end Athenian neighborhoods, has taken hot dogs a step further, coming up with gourmet recipes that elevate the simple specialty to a mouthwatering delicacy. With dishes such as ‘Katsu Dog,’ a Japanese version of our beloved street food, ‘Chef and the dog’ has managed to think outside the box, offering dishes made with lots of creativity and love.
If you take a more conventional route down hot-dog-land, you’ll come across ‘Johnnie Hot Dog,’ a food truck on Syggrou Avenue, famous among locals, that has become a sensation among the late-night crowd looking for something to eat after a night of drinking. Its menu is simple, while the ingredients’ top-quality award those who choose to indulge in it.
Sandwiches
There is a soft spot for late-night sandwiches in all the Athenians’ hearts. If you think we are having a laugh, a stroll around Athens’ streets by night will easily prove our point; numerous food trucks serving homemade sandwiches are scattered across the streets, especially outside clubs and bars.
Canteens and food trucks are emblematic of Greek food; they are well-known and well-loved, being often the topic of discussion among friends. The 'canteen on Mixalakopoulou street' is an urban food legend and an oasis for Athens’s night owls seeking a post-drinks food bliss.
It is one of the longest-standing food canteens in Athens and a point of reference for the city’s socialites and foodies. There is no true Athenian who hasn’t tasted one of the famous canteen’s sandwiches. The chicken nugget sandwich is one of its best-sellers, with its reputation having exceeded the capital's boundaries.
Just as famous, the 'canteen on Mavili square' has even earned a mention in one of Greece’s most popular songs! Although this food spot started out in 1989 as a canteen -and is still called a canteen- its success resulted in the owner opening a regular shop, 2 feet away from where the canteen used to stand; the shop even resembles a food truck for old time’s sake.
The well-known canteen of Mavili square has been feeding the nightly Athenian visitors for over 25 years and serves mouth-watering customized sandwiches that satisfy the most demanding of clients. The sausage sandwich is the canteen’s specialty; try it at your own risk as it will ruin you for all other sandwiches once and for all!
Loukoumades
Do you have a sweet tooth? Well, so do we! Therefore, we wouldn’t dare disappoint those of you interested in discovering the sweet side of Athens’ food scene.
In a beautiful two-story residence in Aiolou street, where the first pharmacy of the city once operated, the first pastry shop of Athens was established in 1923 under the name ‘Krinos’, with the traditional Greek donut-like dessert of loukoumades swiftly becoming its specialty.
Today, it still serves magnificent loukoumades, keeping both the recipe and shape traditional, with the donuts sporting a hole in the middle and being served hot, crisp, doused in honey, and sprinkled with cinnamon. An oldie but a goodie, a trip to ‘Krinos’ for loukoumades accompanied by a cup of traditional Greek coffee will transport you back in time, giving you a taste of Greece’s true essence.
A little further down the road, you will come across another shop selling loukoumades, carrying the (oh, so original) name of ‘Lukumades.’ In total contrast with the uninspired name, ‘Lukumades’ offers a deliciously creative menu that transforms the traditional Greek dessert into a work of art.
A lot less conventional and a lot more fashionable than ‘Krinos’, ‘Lukumades’ loves creating a paradox; there, you can even find savory loukoumades, sprinkled with feta or mizithra cheese!
Takeaway Cocktails
After giving you a medley of suggestions regarding Athens’ street eats, it is time to wash down the savory and sweet goodies and not on a wine bar.
‘TYCO’ -with its name being the acronym of ‘Take Your Cocktail Out’- is a pioneering initiative that has elevated Athens’ culinary scene to a whole other level. There, from 12 pm until 2 am you can take your cocktail on the go and enjoy a walk around the historical city.
The menu consists of a wide selection of drinks and cocktails at impressively affordable prices, starting from 5€ - or 4.5€ if you opt for non-alcoholic concoctions. If you’d rather enjoy your drink sitting down, you can relax on the stylish stools of the shop. It’s your vacation after all! You can leave sobriety behind; ‘TYCO’ will definitely help you with this.
Where to eat in Athens: Vegan restaurants
Falafelas
Falafel, the chickpea dish, most commonly consumed in a wrap, that has stolen the heart of many vegetarian and non-vegetarians around the world, is popular in the city of Athens as well and Falafellas, a tiny shop located in one of Athens’ city center busiest streets, is incontrovertible proof. With a long queue forming outside the shop daily as soon as it opens at 12 pm, Falafellas marries the Greek cooking with Middle Eastern flavors.
You can choose between a small or a big wrap, consisting of falafel, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, aubergine, tahini sauce, yogurt sauce, and red sauce.
The combination of luscious flavors and affordable prices make Falafellas a top choice for both locals and visitors.
Tip: try the hummus dip -it’s to die for- and go there as early as possible to avoid waiting in line!
Bamboo Vegan
Bamboo Vegan is the first vegan market in Athens that upholds its fame due to its delicious creations and impeccable ambiance. Not to mention, all the snacks and sweets that you can try at its tables will make you lose your mind regardless if you're vegan or not.
In Bamboo Vegan, you will find top-quality vegan products such as tofu, seitan, and everything else you need to have delicious vegetarian meals at home, you will not resist but will enjoy on the spot a sausage pie, a hearty sandwich, or some from its impressive, in appearance and taste, sweets.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, pizza is served that you definitely want to try, while every day you will find healthy bowls to fill you with energy.
Cookoomela
Local products - credits: TravnikovStudio/Shutterstock.com
Located in the alternative and vibrant neighborhood of Exarchia in central Athens, Cookoomela is the star of the vegan hangouts that frequent the area.
As you walk along the busy Themistocleous Street, you will come across this awesome place that looks like a simple souvlaki restaurant. However, upon entering it, you will see a brand new world unfolding in front of you.
Cookoomela takes the street food of Athens to another dimension, with options such as souvlaki and burger with wild mushrooms. Try it even if you are not vegan and you're simply searching where to eat in Athens with delicious comfort Greek food!
Veganaki
Near the temple of Olympian Zeus and the metro of the Acropolis, stands the very beautiful Veganaki, a hangout with healthy food that functions as an all-day café and meeting point.
The owners of this vegan restaurant bring traditional "mommy" recipes to the contemporary world, always through their own delicious vegan versions.
Pastitsio with minced soy and béchamel from almond milk and cauliflower, gluten-free moussaka with eggplant, potatoes, and minced meat from red lentils, juicy green beans, and vegetable burgers, are among the shop's best offerings.
Veganaki is ideal for those who wonder where to eat in Athens and want to try something different, well-cooked, and healthy in one of the city's best restaurants.
Yi
Yi, is located in the southern neighborhood of Glyfada, and it is one of the best restaurants in Athens for people who prefer a plant-based diet.
It is wittily named after the Greek word for ‘earth’, and is a vast, tranquil space full of beautiful corners - from the chaise lounges to the old Asia-inspired toilet doors, which offer the perfect Instagram opportunity.
This all-day space in Glyfada has no ovens, pots, or pans, and has gotten rid of lactose and gluten from its offerings. Based on fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, the (few) dishes served by Yi detoxify and assist the better absorption of nutrients from the body.
On the plus side, you can buy on the spot a bag of handmade granola, or almonds with sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper, chili, and thyme, among other delicacies, to bring back home. Yummy and healthy, a triumphant combination!
As dinner or as a hangover cure, Athens’ food is a good enough reason, in and of itself, for someone to move to Greece. In typical Greek fashion, the Athenian food scene has its own long and valuable history, offering happiness in just one bite!
Why not discover the very best of where to eat in Athens with our Athens for Foodies tour, where you will visit artisanal eateries and try delicious traditional dishes from across Greece?
What's more, if you want to taste everything that Athens has to offer and combine it with a tasting of Greek wines in a cozy local wine bar, our Night Food, and Wine Tasting will help you do exactly that!
Whatever your preferences are, we are sure to have a common objective: good food! Follow our guide to the best places to eat in Athens, or just book one of our Greece vacation packages, including a stop in Athens; we promise you won’t regret not even one calorie consumed!
Frequently Asked Questions
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