Greece › Athens › Best Restaurants
Updated: August 8, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
• Where to Stay in Athens
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Family Hotels in Athens
360° Cocktail Bar in Monastiraki, with views of the Acropolis and Plaka.
Best Places to Eat in Athens
- Best Overall Restaurant: Aleria in Metaxourgeio.
- Best Traditional Dinner Experience: Geros Tou Moria in Plaka.
- Best Casual Greek Restaurant: To Mavro Provato in Pangrati.
- Best Meze and Cured Meats: Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani in the historic center.
- Best Seafood: estiatorio Milos near Syntagma.
- Best Romantic Restaurant: Aleria.
- Best Restaurant with an Acropolis View: Kuzina in Thissio.
- Best Rooftop Bar with Acropolis View: 360° Cocktail Bar in Monastiraki.
- Best Hotel Restaurant: Tudor Hall inside the King George hotel at Syntagma Square.
- Best Souvlaki: Kostas near Monastiraki.
- Best Inexpensive Meal: Feyrouz in the city center.
- Best with Kids: O Thanasis near Monastiraki Square.
- Best Food Tour: Athens Gourmet Food Tour.
- Best Bakery: Ariston near Syntagma and Takis Bakery in Koukaki.
- Best Gelato: Le Greche near Syntagma.
Athens Restaurants: My Advice
- Do not eat every meal in Plaka or Monastiraki. These are convenient and atmospheric neighborhoods, but some of Athens’ best restaurants are in Psiri, Koukaki, Kolonaki, Pangrati, Metaxourgeio, Kerameikos, Exarcheia, Neos Kosmos, and residential areas outside the tourist center.
- Reserve important dinners. Book tasting menus, small restaurants, Friday and Saturday dinners, and rooftops with direct Acropolis views several days ahead. The most popular fine-dining restaurants should be reserved earlier.
- Eat later for a more local atmosphere. Restaurants serve dinner early, but Athenian dining rooms become livelier from about 9:00 PM. Eating at 7:00 PM is easy and works well for families, but most nearby diners will be visitors.
- Choose Acropolis views carefully. Some rooftops are excellent restaurants; others are bars with average food. I would eat at Kuzina and visit 360° primarily for drinks.
- Tap water is good in Athens. Restaurants may automatically bring bottled water. Ask for tap water if that is what you prefer.
- Try Greek wine. Assyrtiko is a good starting point for white wine, while Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro are the main reds to know. Ask the restaurant to suggest a Greek bottle in your price range.
- Tipping is modest. Round up at a casual taverna or leave about 5% to 10% for good table service. Fifteen percent is generous.
5 Highly Regarded Athens Restaurants I Haven’t Tried Yet
I have not eaten everywhere in Athens, and the restaurant scene changes far faster than I can revisit the city. These five restaurants are highly regarded and deserve consideration, but I have not tried them personally, so I am not placing them in the ranked list.
- Makris Athens – Thissio: A Michelin-starred tasting-menu restaurant in a historic building overlooking the Ancient Agora and Acropolis. Ambitious modern Greek cooking paired with a major view.
- Soil – Pangrati: A Michelin-starred restaurant in a neoclassical house with a garden. Its long tasting menus emphasize Greek produce, fermentation, and ingredients grown for the restaurant. Book this for a serious food-focused evening.
- Delta – Kallithea: Inside the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The long tasting experience is expensive and theatrical, best for travelers who enjoy experimental fine dining.
- Pharaoh – Exarcheia: A fashionable modern Greek restaurant and natural-wine bar built around wood-fired cooking. The music is a big part of the experience, and the food is more rustic than formal.
- Linou Soumpasis Kai Sia – Psirri: A modern taverna with a short seasonal menu and a stripped-down industrial setting. It has become one of the most discussed examples of new Athenian cooking, combining traditional dishes with careful sourcing and modern technique.
The colorful dining room at Pame Tsipouro Pame Kafeneio, inspired by the traditional village cafés of Greece, and an easy walk from Plaka, Monastiraki, and Syntagma hotels.
The 19 Best Restaurants in Athens
1. Aleria – Metaxourgeio • $$$$
Website • Phone: +30 210 522 2633 • Nearest Metro: Metaxourgeio
Aleria is my favorite fine-dining restaurant in Athens. It serves creative modern Greek food in a beautiful neoclassical villa, with an elegant courtyard that is especially romantic in warm weather. Choose between the main tasting menu and the vegetarian menu, then let the staff guide you through the Greek wine list. The food is ambitious without becoming unnecessarily theatrical. Reserve well ahead.2. To Mavro Provato – Pangrati • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 722 3466 • Nearest Metro: Evangelismos
One of the best introductions to contemporary everyday Greek cooking. The menu draws from regions across Greece and is designed for sharing, with good meat dishes, cheeses, salads, and seasonal specials. Prices are fair, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the Pangrati location attracts more Athenians than tour groups. Order several small plates rather than individual mains.3. Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani – Historic Center • $$
Website • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki or Omonia
Part deli and part meze restaurant, Karamanlidika specializes in cured meats, aged cheeses, sausages, cured fish, and hot dishes influenced by the Greek communities of Asia Minor. It is casual, lively, and much more interesting than a standard tourist taverna. Order cured meat and cheese to start, then add a few hot plates to share. There are multiple locations, so confirm the address when reserving.4. estiatorio Milos – Syntagma • $$$$
Website • Phone: +30 216 600 3320 • Nearest Metro: Syntagma
The best luxury seafood restaurant in central Athens. Fish is displayed on ice and sold by weight, so ask the price before choosing a large catch. The cooking is deliberately simple, with grilling, olive oil, lemon, and high-quality vegetables doing most of the work. It is expensive, but the food, room, and service are polished enough for an important dinner.5. Geros Tou Moria – Plaka • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 322 1753 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
Yes, it is touristy, but it delivers one of the most enjoyable traditional Greek evenings in Athens. Expect familiar dishes, live music, dancing, and outdoor tables beneath grapevines on the slopes of Plaka. Sit inside to be closer to the musicians or outside for the setting and Acropolis views. Come for the complete experience rather than the city’s most refined cooking.6. The Old Tavern of Psarras – Plaka • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 321 8733 • Nearest Metro: Acropoli
A historic Plaka taverna spread across a courtyard, terrace, and stepped pedestrian lane. The setting is romantic and the menu covers grilled fish, lamb, traditional casseroles, salads, and vegetarian dishes. It is more polished than a neighborhood taverna and priced for its location, but it remains one of the safest dinner choices in Plaka.7. Kuzina – Thissio • $$$
Website • Phone: +30 210 322 0133 • Nearest Metro: Thissio
A strong combination of serious food and Acropolis views. The seasonal menu updates Greek flavors without turning dinner into a formal tasting experience, and the rooftop terrace looks across to the Temple of Hephaestus and Acropolis. Reserve the rooftop specifically because a general reservation does not guarantee a view table.8. Tudor Hall – Syntagma • $$$$
Website • Phone: +30 21 0322 2210 • Nearest Metro: Syntagma
The best hotel restaurant in central Athens. Tudor Hall occupies the upper floor of the King George hotel and combines modern Greek cooking with direct views of the Parliament building and Acropolis. It is formal, expensive, and well suited to an anniversary or important dinner. Ask for an Acropolis-view table when reserving and dress smartly. The King George is one of my favorite hotels in Athens.9. Mavros Gatos – Pangrati • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 723 6903 • Nearest Metro: Evangelismos
A meat-focused neighborhood taverna on a quiet Pangrati side street. Grilled lamb chops and spit-roasted pork are the reasons to come, with salads, fries, and house wine completing the meal. The atmosphere becomes livelier later in the evening, when local groups fill the tables. Skip it if you want a broad vegetarian menu.10. Atlantikos – Psirri • $$
Phone: +30 213 033 0850 • Nearest Metro: Thissio
A casual seafood restaurant hidden along a small Psirri lane. Atlantikos serves grilled and fried fish, seafood pasta, anchovies, fava, salads, and inexpensive wine without waterfront prices or formal service. Tables are close together and the atmosphere is busy, but it is one of the most enjoyable affordable seafood meals in the center.11. Avli – Psirri • $
Phone: +30 210 321 7642 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
One of the city’s best hidden inexpensive tavernas. Enter through an easy-to-miss doorway and narrow passage to reach a rough courtyard lined with small tables. The short menu includes meatballs, zucchini fritters, fava, salad, grilled meats, and basic house wine. Avli does not take reservations, and waiting is part of the experience.12. Evgenia – Plaka • $
Phone: +30 210 321 4121 • Nearest Metro: Syntagma
A small family-run taverna that feels more personal than most Plaka restaurants. The menu changes with what has been cooked that day and includes vegetable dishes, casseroles, grilled meat, and other Greek staples. It is a good choice for an uncomplicated lunch while sightseeing, though tables fill quickly.13. Scholarhio – Plaka • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 324 7605 • Nearest Metro: Acropoli
A traditional Plaka restaurant best known for its set meze meals. Servers show you the day’s dishes and you choose several to share, making it easy for first-time visitors to try moussaka, meatballs, dolmades, vegetable dishes, and fried cheese. The food is straightforward rather than exceptional, but the location, format, and value work well for families and groups.14. Pame Tsipouro Pame Kafeneio – Historic Center • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 325 0208 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
A colorful all-day café and meze restaurant inspired by old village kafeneia. Come for coffee, tsipouro, small plates, and a casual lunch or dinner rather than a formal meal. The broad schedule, central location, indoor seating, and relaxed service make it especially useful during very hot weather.15. Ergon House Agora – Syntagma • $$$
Website • Phone: +30 210 010 9090 • Nearest Metro: Syntagma
A restaurant set inside the food market of Ergon House. Tables sit beside a bakery, deli, butcher, greengrocer, and fish counter, creating a lively setting for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner. The food is modern and approachable rather than destination fine dining, but the quality and central location are excellent.16. Melina Mercouri Café – Plaka • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 324 6501 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
A relaxed Plaka café decorated with photographs and memorabilia honoring actress and politician Melina Mercouri. It serves breakfast, coffee, desserts, meze, and traditional dishes throughout the day. The food is not among the city’s most ambitious, but the atmosphere and location make it a good sightseeing break.17. 360° Cocktail Bar – Monastiraki • $$
Website • Phone: +30 210 321 0006 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
One of the best places to enjoy a direct Acropolis view in the center of Athens. The cocktails and view are great. The food is pizza, hamburgers, and salads and perfectly fine. Coming before dinner or for a late drink might be best if you’re looking for something special. Reserve if you want a table at the edge of the terrace around sunset. Walk-ins can still get in, but the best tables will be gone.18. Tazza – Syntagma • $$
A flamboyant all-day bistro and wine bar near Syntagma Square. Tazza is best for breakfast, brunch, drinks, and a casual meal. The colorful décor, indoor seating, and broad menu make it useful for mixed groups and bad-weather days.19. O Thanasis – Monastiraki • $
Website • Phone: +30 210 324 4705 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
A busy, dependable choice for kebab, souvlaki, grilled meat, salad, and fried cheese beside Monastiraki Square. It is touristy, but service is fast, prices are reasonable for the location, and children are welcome. This is the easiest central choice when everyone is hungry and no one wants to plan.
Best Athens Street Food and Inexpensive Meals
Feyrouz – Historic Center • $
Website • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
My favorite inexpensive meal in central Athens. This family-run shop combines Levantine and Greek flavors in handmade lahmajoun, pide, soups, salads, and pastries. The food is far more thoughtful than a standard takeaway meal, and there are excellent vegetarian choices. Seating is limited.Kostas – Near Monastiraki • $
Phone: +30 210 323 2971 • Nearest Metro: Monastiraki
A tiny daytime souvlaki shop with almost no seating. The pork and beef skewers are wrapped in pita with vegetables and a distinctive tomato sauce instead of tzatziki. It closes when supplies run out, so go for lunch rather than planning a late dinner.Falafellas – Historic Center • $
Falafel or meatballs are wrapped in pita with vegetables, hummus, and an optional spicy sauce. There is no real seating, but it is cheap, filling, and easy to eat while exploring the center.Smak – Historic Center • $
A small street-food restaurant specializing in freshly baked peinirli and pizza-like flatbreads. Everything is cooked to order, making it a good lunch or late-night stop.Best Athens Bakeries, Breakfast, and Desserts
Ariston – Syntagma • $
A family-run bakery dating to 1910 and famous for its small savory pies. The feta-filled kourou pie makes an easy inexpensive breakfast or lunch. There is little seating, so take your food to go.Bougatsadiko Thessaloniki – Psirri • $
A casual café known for Thessaloniki-style bougatsa filled with custard and finished with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It also serves cheese pie, spinach pie, and coffee. Good for breakfast or a late-night snack.Le Greche – Syntagma • $
One of the best gelato shops in central Athens, with excellent pistachio, chocolate, fruit, and seasonal flavors. It is close enough to Syntagma Square to make an easy stop between sightseeing visits.
Little Kook – Psirri • $$
Little Kook is about spectacle rather than great food. The elaborate seasonal decorations cover several buildings and make it entertaining with children. Stop for cake, coffee, or photos, but do not choose it over a good restaurant for dinner.Best Neighborhoods for Eating in Athens
- Best for first-time visitors: Monastiraki and Psirri. They have the largest concentration of convenient restaurants, street food, bars, and late-night choices within walking distance of central hotels.
- Best for local restaurants: Pangrati. This residential neighborhood has excellent tavernas, modern Greek restaurants, wine bars, and cafés without the constant tourist traffic of Plaka.
- Best for atmosphere: Plaka. Eat outside on the lanes and stepped streets, but choose a specific restaurant rather than sitting at the first empty table.
- Best near the Acropolis: Koukaki. It has good bakeries, coffee shops, neighborhood restaurants, and wine bars south of the Acropolis Museum.
- Best for modern restaurants and nightlife: Psirri, Kerameikos, and nearby parts of the historic center.
- Best for fine dining: There is no single neighborhood. Athens’ strongest fine-dining restaurants are spread across Metaxourgeio, Thissio, Pangrati, Syntagma, Kallithea, and the wider center.
Mitropoleos Street and the lanes around Monastiraki Square are convenient for inexpensive food. Stick to specific recommendations rather than assuming every restaurant is equally good.
Around Monastiraki, choose O Thanasis for kebab and grilled meat, Feyrouz for an inexpensive Levantine meal, and Karamanlidika for meze, cured meats, and a longer sit-down lunch.
The entrance to Mitropoleos from Monastiraki Square. The yellow building is the Monastiraki metro station, and A for Athens is just to the right.
Dining in Athens
- Meal Times: Lunch commonly begins after 1:30 PM, and local dinner crowds build from about 9:00 PM. Central restaurants welcome diners earlier, which is convenient for families and sightseeing schedules.
- Reservations: Casual tavernas and street-food shops rarely require booking. Reserve fine-dining tasting menus, small popular restaurants, Friday and Saturday dinners, and rooftop tables with direct Acropolis views.
- Tap Water: Athens tap water is good. Restaurants may bring bottled water automatically, so ask for tap water if that is what you prefer.
- Greek Wine: Start with Assyrtiko for a crisp white, Moschofilero for something aromatic, Agiorgitiko for a softer red, or Xinomavro for a more structured red.
- Tipping: Round up at casual restaurants or leave about 5% to 10% for good table service. Fifteen percent is generous.
- Summer Heat: Outdoor dining is a highlight of Athens, but an air-conditioned dining room is valuable during a heatwave. Confirm indoor seating when reserving if anyone in your group struggles with heat.
- Solo Dining: Athens is easy for solo diners. Street-food shops, cafés, wine bars, and restaurants with counter seating are particularly comfortable alone.
Athens Restaurants: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best restaurant in Athens? Aleria is my favorite overall restaurant for modern Greek cooking, its beautiful courtyard, excellent wine service, and a tasting menu that feels special without becoming overly theatrical.
- Where should first-time visitors eat? Eat one traditional dinner in Plaka, one casual meal around Monastiraki or Psirri, and one dinner outside the tourist center in Pangrati, Metaxourgeio, or another residential neighborhood.
- What is the best restaurant near the Acropolis? Kuzina in Thissio is the best combination of good food and Acropolis views. Psarras and Geros Tou Moria are better for a traditional Plaka setting.
- What is the best inexpensive meal in Athens? Feyrouz is my favorite inexpensive central meal. Kostas is the best choice for a quick souvlaki, while Falafellas is excellent for vegetarian street food.
- What is the best restaurant for an Acropolis view? Kuzina is my preferred food-first option. Tudor Hall is more formal and expensive. Visit 360° for rooftop drinks rather than making it your most important dinner.
- What is the best traditional taverna in Athens? To Mavro Provato offers stronger food and a more local atmosphere. Geros Tou Moria is the better choice for live music, dancing, and a classic first-night Greek experience.
- Do Athens restaurants require reservations? Most casual restaurants do not, but reservations are important for tasting menus, small popular restaurants, weekend dinners, and rooftop tables with Acropolis views.
- What is the best neighborhood for food in Athens? Pangrati is my favorite local restaurant neighborhood. Monastiraki and Psirri are more convenient for first-time visitors, while Plaka has the most charming surroundings.
- Can you drink the tap water in Athens? Yes. Athens tap water is good, though restaurants may automatically offer bottled water.
- Which Athens restaurants are good with children? O Thanasis, Ergon House Agora, Scholarhio, Psarras, and Geros Tou Moria are easy choices with children. An early dinner makes seating simpler.
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