Athenians take eating out seriously, and it shows—these best restaurants in Athens are buzzing with life. Whether you’re grabbing a quick souvlaki from a kerbside stall or indulging in a long evening of meze and tsipouro, dining here is all about savoring the moment. The best restaurants Athens has to offer range from charming neighborhood tavernas to sleek, modern Greek bistros. Tables spill into squares, and chairs cling to tree-lined pavements like they’re at a party.
Eating out can be cheaper than cooking at home, so why not indulge? From casual bites to fine dining, the best restaurants Athens are all about informality, familiarity, and delicious consistency. And with the city’s growing multicultural vibe, these spots serve up an exciting mix of flavors. Whether you’re hunting for a quick bite near the sleekest hotels or the best restaurants Athens has for a post-sightseeing feast, these culinary gems will satisfy your cravings.
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The Best Restaurants in Athens: A Foodie’s Paradise
Vezené: Where Greek Tradition Meets Bold Innovation
When Vezené opened its doors in 2011, it was lightyears ahead of the culinary curve, and today it still stands as one of the best restaurants Athens has to offer. Ari Vezené, the self-proclaimed “chef-butcher,” takes farm-to-table to the next level in his nose-to-tail kitchen. Think organic lamb, goat, and beef from sustainable farms turned into mouthwatering dishes like goat neck fricassee on a bed of greens.
Here, typical Greek dishes get a cheeky makeover: stuffed tomatoes burst with Kilada shrimp and samphire, while pastitsio transforms into a decadent stack of lasagne, potato espuma, and beef tartare. Forget fussy fine dining—this is hearty, soul-satisfying cooking that makes you want to loosen your belt. The best restaurants Athens are all about ambiance too, and Vezené nails it with smooth service, golden lighting, and a playlist that sets the mood without stealing the spotlight. Hungry yet? You should be.
Address: Vezené Athens, Vrasida 11, Athina 115 28
Website: vezene.gr
Akra: Where Minimalism Meets Flavor Overload
At Akra, simplicity is the name of the game—but don’t let that fool you. This gem, considered one of the best restaurants Athens has to offer, is the brainchild of culinary guru Yannis Loukakis and pastry wizard Spyros Pediaditakis. Together, they’ve created a space where the flavors are as intense as the techniques are precise. Imagine a tangle of marinated vine shoots, whole roast courgettes stuffed with fish cheeks, and a velvety fish soup served straight from a copper pot.
The best restaurants Athens knows how to make a statement, and Akra does it with fire—literally. Everything here is smoked, grilled, or roasted over an open flame that crackles at the heart of the intimate dining room. The desserts? Mind-blowing. Think strawberries simmered to perfection, cherries dancing through goat’s yoghurt, and brioche so divine it should come with a halo. Don’t forget to grab some pastries or sourdough from the streetside counter on your way out.
Address: Akra, Amynta 12, Pangrati 11635
Website: instagram.com
Mikra Asia: A Kurdish Souvlaki Haven in Best Restaurants Athens
At Mikra Asia, a Kurdish twist on the beloved souvlaki turns this unassuming spot into one of the best restaurants in Athens. Picture this: a family-run grill house where Sinan, a former doctor, and his wife, Çiçek, have traded prescriptions for skewers. Their Anatolian grill house is the kind of place that makes you feel like part of the family—if your family were experts in smoky yiaourtlou kebabs, slathered in tangy yogurt and tomato sauce, and butter-laden beyti, with lamb wrapped in pastry.
Carnivores will rejoice, but vegetarians won’t be left out in the cold. The tabouleh is fresher than your latest fashion trend, and the spicy spreads like ezme (finely chopped tomato and pepper) and haydari (tzatziki with a zesty twist) are perfect for scooping with paprika pitta bread. Nestled on one of Pangrati’s charmingly large squares, Mikra Asia is a standout among the best restaurants in Athens.
Annie: A Cozy Corner of Culinary Creativity in Athens
Small but mighty, Annie is the embodiment of the best restaurants Athens has to offer. Chef Stephanos Michalis is on a mission to make every bite count, obsessively sourcing the purest ingredients from organic farmer’s markets to craft his ever-changing menu.
The open kitchen is a stage where aromatic produce becomes art, and the result is some of the prettiest—and tastiest—plates in town. One standout? The ‘burnt vegetables’ dish, a smoky, crunchy celebration of seasonal roots and shoots that will have you rethinking your relationship with greens. Raw fish, house-made pickles, edible flowers, and Greek artisan cheeses take center stage, with meat playing a cameo role (don’t miss the goat tagliata if it makes an appearance). Even vegans get their moment with a dedicated menu. The service? As smooth as the vibe—relaxed, thoughtful, and oh-so-Athenian. If you’re hunting for the best restaurants Athens offers, Annie should be on your list.
Address: Annie, Menechmou 4, Neos Kosmos 11743
Website: anniefinecooking.gr
Tanpopo: Where Japanese Flavors Meet Athenian Vibes
Don’t let its unassuming exterior fool you—Tanpopo is a heavyweight contender in the lineup of the best restaurants Athens has to offer. Greek-Japanese chef Sotiris Contizas brings his flair to this glass-and-steel corner spot, focusing on Japanese lunch classics with a twist. Think shoyu ramen so rich it could make a sumo blush, karaage that’s crispier than your grandma’s best Sunday roast, and a katsu kare curry that strikes the perfect balance between savory and spicy.
Even the veggie dishes pack a punch—mushroom gyoza that could convert the most die-hard carnivore, broccoli with tahini and almonds for a delightful crunch, and a kimchi salad with enough zing to wake up your taste buds. The counter service is as slick as the old-school hip-hop beats playing in the background. If you’re on the hunt for the best restaurants Athens serves up, Tanpopo’s umami-packed menu should be at the top of your list.
Address: Tanpopo, Αριστείδου 1, Evripidou 2, Athina 105 59
Website: instagram.com
To Triantafyllo tis Nostimias: A Hidden Gem of Athenian Flavor
With a name that’s a bit of a mouthful—literally translating to “the rose of tastiness”—To Triantafyllo tis Nostimias delivers on every syllable. This lunchtime favorite among local office workers is one of the best restaurants Athens has to offer, especially if you’re craving seafood that’s both delicious and budget-friendly.
Whether it’s the grilled, butterflied sardines piled high with onions and parsley, the flash-fried red mullet, or the perfectly crispy courgette and feta croquettes, each dish is a savory success. Don’t miss the medley of steamed veg with black-eyed beans—it’s the kind of simple comfort food that Athenians swear by. The original tables, tucked away in a charming little arcade, are still the prime spots despite the restaurant’s recent expansion. As gentrification sweeps through downtown, these cheap canteens are becoming rarer, so savor this taste of authentic Athens while you can.
Address: To Triantafyllo tis Nostimias, Lekka 22, Athina 105 62
Website: facebook.com
Birdman: Where Tokyo Meets Athens in Skewered Perfection
Forget everything you know about souvlaki because Birdman is flipping the script on Athens street food. Touted as one of the best restaurants Athens has to offer, this Japanese pub brings a slice of Tokyo cool to the heart of the city, right below Syntagma Square.
The cozy, narrow space may not scream “dine and linger,” but it’s perfect for a solo feast at the counter or a casual date with a twist—a Ume Bloody Mary, anyone? Their yakitori and yakikushi skewers, sizzling fresh from the robata grill, are a game-changer. From mutton and guinea fowl to heart and liver, every skewer gets a flavor makeover with shiso, spicy miso, or lemon chutney. Even the veggie skewers are juicy enough to convert the staunchest carnivores. Birdman proves that the best restaurants Athens boasts don’t always play by the rules—and we’re all better for it.
Address: Birdman, Voulis 35, Athina 105 57, Greece
Website: birdman.gr
Phita: The Gastro-Taverna That Rescued Neos Kosmos
If Neos Kosmos were a superhero, Phita would be its caped crusader, rescuing this gritty corner of Athens from mediocrity with a culinary cape made of seafood and seasonal magic. Nestled beside the tramline, this gastro-taverna stands out among the best restaurants Athens has to offer, boasting high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a kitchen that’s the heart of the operation.
The menu is a market-led dream, shifting daily with the freshest finds. Expect to dunk crispy potato chips into creamy taramasalata, enjoy vine leaves topped with fresh fish tartare, and savor butterflied sardines over baked elephant beans. Don’t miss the crunchy, zesty horta (greens) that make your taste buds do a happy dance. Swing by for a late Saturday lunch after exploring the fantastic nearby farmer’s market, where the finicky chefs source their top-notch ingredients. Phita is the delicious reason Neos Kosmos is now on everyone’s foodie radar.
Address: Phita, Ntourm 1, Athina 117 45, Greece
Website: instagram.com
Seychelles: Where Classic Charm Meets Culinary Cool
If you’re on a quest to uncover the best restaurants Athens has to offer, look no further than Seychelles. This modern Greek bistro, the OG of its kind, still packs a punch with its culinary creativity. Inside, the tables are snugly crammed, and a few lucky diners can perch at the kitchen counter to witness the chefs whip up magic. However, most patrons opt for the outdoor seating on Avdi Square, where the vibe is as authentically unpolished as Athens itself.
Dive into salads that are so fresh they practically garden themselves—wilted greens with roasted garlic cream and green leaves with celery, walnuts, and just a whisper of blue cheese. The seafood is anything but predictable, with delights like croaker ceviche mingling with peaches and roasted corn, and octopus salad featuring brown rice and roast tomatoes. For carnivores, the slow-cooked pork with apricot ketchup and fresh pappardelle with confit beef and lamb are a must. Portions are hearty, so order a spread and make a feast of it. Don’t miss out on the incredible Cycladic cheeses from Ios, Kimolos, and Andros for dessert.
Sure, the service might be as brusque as a taxi driver’s attitude, and the surrounding scene might be a bit rough around the edges, but that’s just Athens’ way of saying, “Welcome to real life!” In the realm of the best restaurants Athens can claim, Seychelles remains a gem.
Address: Seychelles, Keramikou 49, Athina 104 36, Greece
Website: instagram.com
