When going to Athens for the first time, I was most excited to check out the food culture. I adore Greek food, so figuring out where to eat in Athens was high on my priority list for this trip. Athens has hundreds, maybe even thousands, of highly-rated restaurants, so it would be impossible for me to give a complete guide to the Athens food scene. However, I tried many restaurants that I recommend to anyone visiting Athens, especially if you are staying in or near Plaka.
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Ella Greek Cooking
For typical Greek dishes in a comfortable and modern setting
I had booked this restaurant in advance for the first night of our stay in Athens because it was close to our hotel. The reviews here are glowing and the menu has many popular Greek dishes. We tried dolmades (rice-stuffed grape leaves), a crisp Greek salad, warm baked feta, and tender souvlaki. Every bite was impeccable. We loved the food here so much, in fact, that we came here a different day for lunch to try a few different menu items.
ANETON
Michelin Guide restaurant with creative Greek dishes that rotate seasonally
We happened to be in Athens for New Year’s Eve, so naturally many of the restaurants in Athens were offering special dinner menus for the holiday. We ate an impeccable 7-course meal that were small portions of modernized Greek dishes. These dishes were unlike anything I have tasted before with unique and surprising flavors. The menu changes based on the season, so you will surely taste something fresh and exciting in a sleek, two-level dining space.
Art Lounge Rooftop
Rooftop lounge serving fine wines and cocktails with a diverse dining menu
One of the benefits of staying at NEW Hotel in Athens is that it has a swanky rooftop lounge and restaurant. Of course, the views of Athens are reason enough to come here, but they also have a great wine list, fun cocktails, and a robust menu. I tried the lobster orzo, which was just as rich and creamy as I hoped. It also paired beautifully with views of Mount Lycabettus and the Athens skyline.
Drunky Goat
Wine bar with immersive wine tasting menu and small bites
If you are a wine lover and want to do a Greek wine tasting in a fun atmosphere, you must visit the Drunky Goat. This restaurant offers full wine tastings curated to match your preferences. For example, I prefer white wine, so I did the tasting exclusively for white wine. Ja wanted red and white, so he did a mixed tasting. These tastings come with a booklet that details every wine you try and a card to write your ratings down on. While it is a wine bar and not a typical restaurant, you can still order small bites to snack on while you sip. We did this wine tasting a few hours before a dinner reservation, which was perfect for us to fuel up after tasting so many wines.
The Brunchers
Trendy brunch restaurant with both hardy and healthy options
Eating a hardy brunch is essential to me when traveling. If I have a balanced meal in the morning with protein and nutrients, I will have a more effective day of sightseeing. The Brunchers is a trendy, comfortable restaurant with whimsical décor and a variety of sweet, savory, and healthy breakfast items. I ate the “Greek Fried Eggs,” served with bacon, traditional Greek cheese, and a small salad with tomatoes and olives. While it sounds simple, it was delicious and was the perfect fuel for an Acropolis hike.
Lyra
Cozy restaurant with a unique location on the stepped walkways in Plaka
When walking around the base of the Acropolis in Plaka, you’ll notice narrow walkways with wide stairs and crowded with small tables and chairs. This creates a unique and inviting ambiance. My husband and I arrived at a restaurant called Lyra early one morning for breakfast to enjoy the ambiance of Plaka without the crowds. We arrived right when they opened, which was great because we chose where to sit. Our only company was the friendly waiter and the cats lounging on the chairs around us. Not only was eating on the steps aesthetically pleasing, but Lyra was also delicious and a fantastic spot to hang out and enjoy some coffee while Athens wakes up.
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