Athens, a city steeped in history and culture, is also a paradise for food lovers. From bustling markets to charming tavernas, the Greek capital offers a culinary journey like no other. On my recent adventures through Athens, I discovered a treasure trove of restaurants serving mouthwatering authentic Greek cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of traditional dishes or eager to try something new, this guide to the top 10 restaurants in Athens will ensure you savor the best flavors the city has to offer. Get ready to embark on a delicious adventure through the heart of Greek gastronomy!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Athens is home to one of the oldest and most influential cuisines in the world. Greek cuisine dates back thousands of years and reflects the country’s unique landscape and history. From olive oil and feta cheese to herbs like oregano and mint, traditional ingredients and flavors still define modern Greek cooking today.
While staying true to its roots, Greek food in Athens has also evolved with the times. You’ll find both classic tavernas and modern restaurants putting creative spins on traditional dishes. This guide explores the top 10 places to experience the diversity of Greek cuisine in Athens, from long-standing family restaurants to chefs bringing new flair to old recipes. We cover both traditional Greek fare and contemporary fusions you have to try. Keep reading for the best places to taste Greece’s culinary history and future in its vibrant capital city.
History of Greek Cuisine
The origins of Greek cuisine date back thousands of years to ancient times. The geography and climate of Greece, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and divided by mountains, shaped the food culture as Greeks relied heavily on ingredients like olive oil, wheat, cheese, and seafood.
Greek cuisine was influenced by neighboring Mediterranean cultures over the centuries. The ancient Persian Empire introduced cooking ingredients like saffron and nutmeg. Contact with ancient Egypt brought ingredients like chickpeas and vinegar. Later, Greek cuisine incorporated new flavors from the Arabic world and the Ottoman Empire, like spices, coffee, and phyllo dough.
Traditional Greek cooking relies on simple, natural ingredients and cooking methods passed down through generations. Staples include olive oil, olives, cheese, yogurt, tomatoes, greens, onions, garlic, legumes, and herbs. Popular techniques include grilling, roasting, braising, and stewing. The Greek diet is rich in vegetables, seafood, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Regional specialties reflect local agriculture – for example, lamb and cheese dishes in the mountains, and seafood on the islands.
Top Traditional Greek Dishes
Greek cuisine is known for its delicious traditional dishes that have been passed down for generations. When visiting Athens, be sure to try these iconic foods to get a true taste of Greece:
Moussaka
This classic Greek dish consists of layered eggplant and spiced meat sauce, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce. Moussaka is a hearty and satisfying meal that makes a frequent appearance at Greek dinner tables.
Souvlaki
Souvlaki refers to small chunks of meat grilled on a skewer. You’ll often find souvlaki stands selling these tasty skewers as street food. Pork and chicken are common souvlaki meats, marinated in olive oil, lemon, and oregano before grilling to perfection.
Gyros
Similar to souvlaki, gyros are comprised of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Slices of the roasted meat are served wrapped in warm pita bread, along with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce. This delicious sandwich makes for a quick and filling Greek food experience.
Saganaki
Saganaki involves pan-frying cheese until golden brown. Traditionally, it’s made with kefalograviera, a brined cheese with a distinctive salty flavor. Saganaki is served hot with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. The sizzling cheese presentation makes this dish a fun appetizer.
Tzatziki
Cool and creamy tzatziki sauce can be found accompanying many Greek dishes. This yogurt-based sauce is flavored with cucumbers, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs. Tzatziki is the perfect complement to grilled meats and makes an excellent dip with pita bread.
Greek Salad
A staple of Greek cuisine, the traditional salad includes tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onion, and feta cheese, dressed with olive oil and oregano. Crisp greens tossed with Mediterranean flavors make a refreshing accompaniment to any Greek meal.
Spanakopita
This savory pie contains a filling of spinach and feta cheese wrapped in layers of phyllo dough. The combination of flaky pastry with the salty, herbaceous spinach filling is a delightful way to sample Greek cuisine.
Experience the best of Greek food culture by sampling these traditional dishes on your visit to Athens. Let the rich flavors transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean.
Ouzeri Lesvos
Emmanouil Benaki 38, Athina 106 78, Greece
Ouzeri Lesvos is best known for its variety of meze small plates and its selection of ouzo. Highly recommended dishes include grilled octopus, fried calamari, Greek salad, spicy feta dip, and keftedes (Greek meatballs). For ouzo, try their house specialty a crisp anise-flavored spirit that perfectly complements the Mediterranean flavors.
Main courses range from €10-25. Meze are €3-7 per plate. With an extensive menu, reasonable prices, and generous portions, Ouzeri Lesvos offers excellent value. As one diner raved, “The food is fantastic. We loved the grilled octopus and spinach pie. And the ouzo tasting was so fun. I’d absolutely go back!”
Ouzeri Lesvos provides an authentic Greek dining experience in a charming, laid-back setting. It’s a great place to sample traditional cuisine and sip ouzo while soaking up Plaka’s vibrant atmosphere.
Abibayo
Iraklidon 3, Athina 118 51, Greece
Hospitable and family-oriented with the charm of a traditional old Athenian coffee shop, Abibayio is situated on the Herakleidon pedestrian path in the historic Thissio district, under the gaze of the Acropolis. Our menu offers creative, innovative Mediterranean fare that pays homage to Greece’s earth and sea, using select ingredients from all over the country. A favorite of food lovers since 1997, Abibayio promises a warm and welcoming experience, offering flavors that evoke cherished childhood memories and beyond.
Liondi
Makrigianni 19-21, Athina 117 42, Greece
In the outskirts of Nemea, in the District of Korinthos, Peloponnese, lies the small picturesque village of Leondio (Liondi), renowned for its expansive vineyards and rich winemaking tradition. Amidst this unique, scenic natural beauty, the Darsinos family cultivates their own vineyards with respect for their long-lasting winemaking heritage, producing one of the finest Agiorgitiko wines. Believing that excellent wine deserves excellent food, they created Liondi Restaurant, nestled at the foot of the historical hill of the Acropolis. Here, authentic Greek traditional cuisine comes to life with pure ingredients, combined with knowledge, taste, and passion, ensuring inspired recipes that truly awaken the senses.
To Kafeneio
Epicharmou 1, Athina 105 58, Greece
To Kafeneio is located in the trendy Kolonaki neighborhood, nestled on a charming side street near the main square. The ambiance is cozy and casual, with whitewashed walls, hanging plants, and colorful textiles. It’s a great place to experience rustic yet refined Greek cuisine.
Their signature dishes include grilled octopus drizzled with olive oil, lemon, and oregano – so juicy and tender. I’d also recommend the fried kalamari and zucchini balls, spanakopita, and keftedes meatballs. For mains, the lamb kleftiko is sublime – slow-roasted lamb with soft onions and garlic. Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable, with mains ranging from €10-18.
With its charming setting and delicious home-style cooking, To Kafeneio is a quintessential Athenian dining experience. Be sure to come hungry!
Anafiotika Cafe-Restaurant
Mnisikleous 24β, Athina 105 56, Greece
Anafiotika is a hidden gem located in the charming Anafiotika neighborhood, with houses built in the style of the Greek islands. Inside, the whitewashed walls and blue accents transport you to the Aegean. Outdoors, the bougainvillea-draped terraces offer breathtaking views of the Acropolis.
Start with the fried feta wrapped in filo, drizzled with thyme honey. For mains, try the moussaka, layered with eggplant, potatoes, and succulent lamb. The grilled octopus salad is a refreshing choice on a hot day.
Try the Anafiotika Salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and feta. For dessert, order the galaktoboureko, a heavenly phyllo pastry filled with semolina custard. Accompany your meal with a glass of ouzo and watch the sunset over the Acropolis.
Entrees $15-30. Worth splurging for the views and romantic atmosphere.
Top Modern Greek Fusion Restaurants
Greek cuisine has always evolved over time, integrating new ingredients and cooking techniques. Recently, a trend towards Greek fusion cuisine has emerged in Athens, with talented chefs putting a modern twist on classic dishes. Blending Greek flavors and traditions with diverse global influences, these restaurants are creating exciting new dining experiences.
The top modern Greek fusion restaurants in Athens fuse traditional recipes with cutting-edge cooking methods and exotic ingredients. Diners can find fresh takes on souvlaki, mousakas, spanakopita and more classic fare. Chefs expertly incorporate elements from Mediterranean, Asian and molecular gastronomy into the Greek staples. The new flavors pair wonderfully with indigenous Greek ingredients like olive oil, feta cheese and fresh seafood.
The contemporary Greek fusion restaurants breathe new life into Athens’ dynamic culinary scene. The relaxing yet chic ambiance complements the innovative menus. Patrons can enjoy imaginative cocktails and Greek wines to accompany each dish. From reinvented taverna dishes to avant-garde small plates, these restaurants showcase the evolution of Greek cuisine. Food-focused travelers looking for a refined and memorable meal will appreciate the creative approach of Athens’ modern Greek fusion eateries.
Top 10 Modern Greek Restaurants
- Funky Gourmet: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers an innovative take on Greek cuisine with a creative and playful twist. The tasting menus here combine traditional Greek ingredients with avant-garde techniques.
- Spondi: Another Michelin-starred gem, Spondi is known for its exquisite fusion of Greek and French cuisines. The dishes are artfully presented, and the flavors are sophisticated and balanced.
- Aleria: Aleria offers a modern interpretation of Greek cuisine in a chic, elegant setting. The menu features seasonal ingredients and inventive dishes that reflect both tradition and contemporary culinary trends.
- Varoulko Seaside: Located at the picturesque Mikrolimano Marina, Varoulko Seaside blends Greek seafood traditions with modern culinary practices. The stunning views complement the creative and flavorful dishes.
- Cookoovaya: This restaurant prides itself on “big cooking” that respects Greek culinary heritage while embracing modern techniques and international influences. The collaborative team of chefs delivers a dynamic dining experience.
- Hytra: With one Michelin star, Hytra offers a modern twist on traditional Greek cuisine. Located on the rooftop of the Onassis Cultural Centre, it provides breathtaking views of Athens alongside its innovative dishes.
- GB Roof Garden: Situated on the rooftop of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, this restaurant combines luxury with inventive Greek cuisine. The menu offers a modern take on classic dishes, all while enjoying panoramic views of the Acropolis.
- Psomi & Alati: Known for its casual yet refined approach, Psomi & Alati offers contemporary Greek dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed, making it perfect for enjoying inventive culinary creations.
- Papadakis: Run by renowned chef Argiro Barbarigou, Papadakis offers a fresh take on Greek island cuisine. The dishes here are modern yet rooted in tradition, with a focus on seafood and seasonal ingredients.
- Mono Restaurant: Located near the Acropolis, Mono offers a fusion of Greek and Mediterranean cuisines with a modern twist. The stylish setting and innovative dishes make it a favorite for both locals and tourists.
Conclusion
The dining scene in Athens offers the perfect blend of traditional Greek fare and innovative modern twists. Throughout this guide, we’ve highlighted some of the top spots to enjoy the classics like moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, and more. Restaurants like Yetros and Diporto Agoras allow you to step back in time and dine like an ancient Greek.
Meanwhile, modern restaurants like Funky Gourmet and Hytra provide a fresh take on Greek cuisine with molecular gastronomy techniques and fusion influences. Their creative dishes breathe new life into Greek flavors using high-quality local ingredients. Whether you seek an authentic heritage dining experience or more adventurous contemporary cuisine, Athens has something for every palate.
As we wrap up this Athens dining guide, the authors hope you’ve discovered new favorite restaurants and dishes to sample during your travels. Immerse yourself in the vibrant food culture of Greece’s capital city. Try the recommendations that piqued your interest, and venture out to find your own hidden gems. Savor the flavors of Greece in a setting steeped in myth and history. After exploring Athens by day, refuel at night with hearty Mediterranean fare and flowing Greek wine. Let us know which restaurant you enjoyed most! Yamas!
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