Where to eat, drink, shop, and spend the day in and around Syntagma Square — the beating heart of Athens.
Whether it’s your first visit to the Greek capital, or you’ve done it all before – chances are at some point you will end up around bustling Syntagma Square, which is filled with locals and visitors both day and night.
And to help you decide where to go and what to do, we’ve rounded up the best spots (a mix of old and new) that are worth seeking out!
Eat + Drink
Brunch Time
Athénée – Start your day in style at this elegant all-day bar-restaurant that’s been serving A-listers since 1939. And if you are lucky enough to be around on a weekend, Athénée teams up with some of the city’s finest pastry chefs each Sunday to serve up a deliciously sweet brunch. (Voukourestiou 9)
Ergon Bakehouse Athens- A few doors down from Ergon House (Athens’ first foodie hotel) you will now find its sister property Ergon Bakehouse. As you step through the doors, you’re greeted by the aroma of artisanal breads and meticulously crafted pastries, rising in the ovens. Take a seat inside and enjoy a satisfying breakfast featuring seasonal, fresh produce and a variety of breads. (Mitropoleos 27 & Patroou 9-11)
New Taste – Locals come to the NEW hotel for its enticing brunch menu that includes a Viennoiserie basket, Tsoureki French toast, and a club sandwich that pairs well with their Bloody Mary. (Filellinon 16)
Best Coffee
Kaya– This specialty coffee shop is the place to come to for those who know and love their coffee. (Voulis 7)
Third Place – About a 5-minute walk from Syntagma Square you’ll find a minimalist shop with a great range of Greek coffee blends, a curated selection of design objects and laid-back vibes. (Apollonos 23Β)
Dope Roasting – Another 2-minute walk from the city’s famous square, you’ll find yourself at this cool espresso bar that’s set in a stunning 19th-century neoclassical building. (Vissis 25)
Casual Street Food
Pnyka Bakery – In between all the back-to-back sightseeing, come to Pnyka to grab a freshly baked tiropita (cheese pie) or spanakopita (spinach pie). (Petraki 24)
Poke Hawaiian Sushi – A mix of Japanese and Hawaiian flavours, the menu features Tempura Shrimp with a drizzle of spicy mayo and exotic poke bowls- the perfect lunch on the run. (Petraki 7)
O Kostas – Serving some of the best souvlaki in town – just get here before midday, as they tend to sell out by 3 pm. (Pentelis 5)
Thess Bao- Enjoy freshly made bao buns with creative fillings such as pulled beef, BBQ pancetta and fried zucchini fritters. (Perikleous 30-32)
Long, Lazy Lunch
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas – If you are looking for authentic Greek dishes such as keftedakia (meatballs), fava (yellow split pea dip), or a great selection of grilled meat and seafood dishes that are ideal for sharing, this is the place. (Mitropoleos 12)
Birdman – A Japanese grill restaurant and pub, Birdman has become one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Athens thanks to its fresh flavours and creative dishes. (Voulis 35)
Hanoi – Introducing authentic Vietnamese food to Athenians, here the broth for the pho soup simmers for a minimum of 12 hours before being served. (Petraki 12)
Standout Dining
Nolan – Greek-Japanese chef Sotiris Kontizas is the brainchild behind this award-winning restaurant serving unfussy yet sophisticated dishes. (Voulis 31)
GB Roof Garden – If you are searching for a restaurant in the centre of Athens that’s special- this is it. Serving Mediterranean flavours made with fresh, raw ingredients- GB Roof Garden offers fine dining along with prime Parthenon views. Note: it’s closed for renovations until April 12, 2024. (10 Vas. Georgiou St)
Okio – Just a few blocks from Syntagma Square, Okio features a modern sharing-style menu highlighting Mediterranean and Asian cuisines in a simple yet exquisite manner. (Nikis 33)
Feedel Urban Gastronomy- Serving gourmet Greek cuisine that’s modern and sophisticated- here you can enjoy creatively made dishes featuring fresh, local ingredients. (Ktena 1)
Treat Yourself
Bon Bon Maison –This boutique pastry store offers a delectable selection of French pastries including lemon tarts and croissants with handmade raspberry jam. (30 Petraki St)
Le Greche – Delicious handmade artisanal gelato created from pure ingredients. We recommend trying the fig and mascarpone flavour! (Mitropoleos 16)
Estrella – Come here for the waffles and pancakes or to try their signature “bougatsan” – a mixture between croissant and bougatsa. (4A Romvis)
Cocktail Hour
Bar in Front of the Bar – This cool street bar features a creative cocktail list that changes daily based on the mood of the talented bartenders. (1 Petraki)
Drunk Sinatra – An all-day hangout where you’ll catch funky young locals ordering craft cocktails and crowds spilling out onto the street on balmy nights. (Thiseos 16)
The Clumsies – About a 5-minute walk from Syntagma you’ll find yourself at a place firmly lodged in the World’s Best Bars List. Let’s be real, you can’t come to Syntagma and not head over to The Clumsies for the perfect drink. (Praxitelous 30)
Rooftop With Acropolis View
Zillers Roof Garden- A lush terrace with fine views of the Acropolis, Zillers serves light meals and snacks during the day and in the evening, it’s transformed into an award-winning restaurant with amazing dishes that can be enjoyed alongside impressive cocktails. (Mitropoleos 54)
Retiree – Located on the top of Ergon House, here you can enjoy proper cocktails, a relaxed summer vibe and unbeatable views of the Parthenon. (Mitropoleos 23)
Nyx – Set on the top floor of the Academias Hotel and offering majestic views of the city, Nyx features Japanese flavours combined with signature cocktails. (19 Omirou St)
Wine O’Clock
Heteroclito- With over 200 labels from Greece and abroad, you can enjoy a glass or two over a cheese platter. (2 Fokionos & Petraki St)
By the Glass – Choose among 250 Greek and global wine labels, around 50 of which can be served by the glass. (3 G. Souri & Phileillion St)
Oinoscent- With over 1000 labels from all over the world, every week there is a new selection of wines that you can sample. (45-47 Voulis St)
See + Do
As you stroll up Panepistimiou St, heading towards Syntagma Square, you will encounter three of the most elegant and imposing neoclassical buildings in the Greek Capital – collectively known as the Athenian Trilogy. Made up of the University of Athens, the Athens Academy and the National Library, each was designed in the mid-19th century.
Right in the middle of Syntagma Square, every day (on the hour) you can catch the changing of the guards (Evzones) outside the Hellenic Parliament House.
Then head on over to the National Garden – a peaceful spot that was once the official royal garden and former playground of Queen Amalia of Oldenburg.
As you walk towards the famous steps and fountain of Syntagma, you will come across The Hotel Grande Bretagne, which is a local institution and a preferred stay for many international celebrities and politicians. This historic hotel was founded in 1874 and is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. It’s worth stepping inside to admire the classic décor and for a drink at Alexander’s Bar.
Panagia Kapnikarea, a Byzantine church dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, is one of the oldest churches in Athens. Built around 1050 AD over the ruins of an ancient temple, you will find it in the heart of Ermou Street.
In between Monastiraki and Syntagma Square, you can visit another important church, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. Known as the “official” church of the capital, it features both neoclassical and Greek-Byzantine elements.
Culture Fix
Benaki Museum – A few minutes walk from Syntagma Square you can discover a curated selection of ceramics, sculpture, and jewellery in the magnificent Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine collections on display at one of Athens’ finest museums. (1 Koumbari & Vasilissis Sofias)
Museum of Cycladic Art – This lovely museum currently holds one of the biggest collections of Cycladic art in the world, with around 3000 objects from all phases of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Cypriot art. (Neophytou Douka 4)
National Historical Museum – Set in the Old Parliament House, the museum narrates the history of Greece since the fall of the Byzantine Empire. (13 Stadiou St)
Numismatic Museum of Athens – One of the most important museums of Greece, it houses one of the greatest collections of coins (ancient and modern) in the world. (12 Panepistimiou St)
Where to Shop
From beauty stores such as Sephora and Mac to the largest retailers in fast fashion- Zara, H&M, and Pull & Bear – you’ll find them all as you walk along Ermou Street.
Around Syntagma you will also come across high-end brands including Hermès, (Voukourestiou & Stadiou streets), Dior (Voukourestiou 18), Gucci (El. Venizelou 3) and Tod’s (4 Panapestimiou), as well as Attica– Athens’ upmarket department store that stocks a wide selection of designer wear (9 Panepistimiou St).
Zeus + Dione – Specialising in relaxed, artisanal resort wear and classic pieces, you can find the flagship store of Greece’s leading fashion brand right in the heart of Syntagma. (Voukourestiou 6)
ANAMESA Concept Store – Discover a range of cool creations, including fashion pieces and accessories for men, women, and kids, as well as minimal homewares designed by Greek and international artisans. (Nikis 24)
Naxos Apothecary – Take home a stunning range of luxury natural fragrances, herbal skincare, and lush scented candles from this beautiful store that pays homage to Naxos, the largest Cycladic isle. (Kolokotroni 3-5 & Voulis)
Carpo- Make your way up to the fourth floor of the Attica department store and you’ll find a range of high-quality nuts, chocolates, coffee, dried fruits, and honey, which make for the perfect edible gifts. (Panepistimiou 9)
How to get there?
Metro Line 3 connects the airport to Syntagma Square and the journey time is approximately 40 minutes. Otherwise, you can also catch a cab from the airport (also around 40 minutes depending on traffic) at a flat rate of €40 during the day.
Featured Image Courtesy of Ergon Foods
