Not your average bar, Grasshoppers near the centre of Athens is a place where all the details have been seen to, and the cocktails are no exception.
By Gina Lionatos
The low down… Grasshoppers is a striking contrast to the all-day cafe across the road (incidentally under the same ownership) in the neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos. Here you’ll find an intriguing space, a thought-provoking cocktail menu designed by mixologist Nikos Sotiropoulos, and a focus on seriously good bar food. Just a stone’s throw away from the Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre, Grasshoppers opened its doors in May 2022 and is already a favourite among Athenians who take their drinks seriously.
Décor/ Ambience: There is something decidedly grown-up about Grasshoppers, despite the associations of youth and inexperience that the name conjures. The use of the signature dark blue hue throughout the space, textural touch points (from the walls to the menus) and sleek interiors make Grasshoppers a bar that could easily be found in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Something to drink: The cocktails have been named after the types of couples you might find at a bar (see: Flying Lovers, Fervid, Unbearable). The Vulnerable is a delightful concoction of dry gin, chamomile, peach, almond, citrus and fresh herbs.
Menu: The menu offers classic cold dishes like beef tartare and salmon gravlax as well as sandwiches and cheese plates. All are made to order and prepared next to the bar.
Order my fave dish: The Vitello Tonnato boasts delicately sliced veal, dressed in lemon sauce with tuna, mayonnaise, mustard leaves, smoked eel and capers.
Price range: Bar food ranges from 6-9 € and a cocktail will set you back 10 €.
Perfect for: A night of sipping, chatting and mingling with friends. A great date night option.
Location: Eurudamantos 6, Athens
Opening hours/days: Closed Mondays, Open from 6pm-2am Tuesday-Sunday.
A wonderful variety of wine bars have sprung up all over Athens, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed chat with friends over a glass of good wine, complemented by equally good food.
Notable bottled wine production didn’t start in modern Greece until the 1960s when substantial investments in facilities and technology first took place. Nevertheless, the traditional low demand for bottled wine by Greek consumers kept its quality relatively low. Since the 2000’s remarkable efforts in bottled wine quality improvement by wineries and vine farmers brought about spectacular results.
As a consequence, low domestic demand has since surged and Greeks have begun to consume more and more bottled Greek wine, either as part of their entertainment or as an accompaniment to their food.
So, while fifteen years ago the term wine bar was mostly unknown to the Greek public, nowadays, every remarkable bar and restaurant cluster in Athens has its own place dedicated to wines. Most wine bars in Athens employ knowledgeable staff, feature a large variety of wines, and offer complimentary or even main dishes; with quality (most of the time) ranging from descent to high-end.
Athens has been an attraction for the past few centuries for both Greeks and foreigners alike. Its ancient history and ruins worked as a time travel in its visitors’ imagination.
Modern Athens has changed a lot from the time of its liberation from Ottoman rule when it was already a prominent destination for knowledgeable travellers to the various lands of the Mediterranean Sea.
But up until recently, Athens was still a destination of historical interest only. Tourists used to visit Athens for a few days to see the antiquities before they embarked on their trip to the islands of the Aegean, where they mostly spent their vacation time.
Thanks to the information technology burst, internet proliferation, and the increase of its users and time spent on it, more and more people have discovered that Athens offers more than history and sunshine.
Its Mediterranean climate urges its people to go out and enjoy themselves. This outgoing need has created and sustained a vibrant entertainment scene in the city for the past few decades, which is well-synched with global trends.
Dance clubs, generic and various music genre-oriented bars, concert halls, Greek urban and folk live music halls, Greek, ethnic cuisine, and gourmet restaurants comprise the melting pot of Athenian outdoor entertainment.
Within this lively amusement scenery, wine bars have sprung up in the city like mushrooms filling a gap between nightlife entertainment and the need to have a meal outdoors and socialize. Relaxed evening talks around a bottle of good wine, complemented with equally good snacks and food was an experience that may have been lacking in Athens- but that has now changed.
As luckily, the city’s young wine bar scene has grown; and very well at that. It features many young-gun sommeliers and established restaurateurs whose services offer real added value to the customer.
The wine bars of Athens are redefining the way we Greeks drink wine and offer those already familiar with them a chance to not miss them while far from home. So here’s a list of great wine bars to choose from, for your next visit to the Greek capital!
Perhaps the most famous wine bar in Athens. Located just a stone’s throw away from Syntagma Square, Oinoscent is a wine bar and restaurant. Its wine list is focused on international vineyards but it also features several Greek labels from selected wineries. The food menu is focused on small, dish varieties that are very tasty. Prices are slightly on the higher end of the spectrum but the quality justifies the premium. Don’t miss the chance to inspect the wine cellar in the basement!
This cozy little wine bar, not far from Syntagma Square, is another great option for getting to know domestic wines. All labels on the list are also available for retail purchase at cellar prices. Their wines combine ideally with carefully selected local varieties of cheese, hams and other delicacies, which are available in its unique space downtown.
This sophisticated wine bar, a few steps from the new Museum of Contemporary Art in the Koukaki district, is ideal for quiet wine drinks in the evening. It has a detailed wine list and offers troves of interesting wines at reasonable prices. Nevertheless, choosing Materia Prima as a date destination with your significant other might not be recommended as you may find its wine list pretty distracting!
Imagine a chic, rustic, warm, atmospheric penthouse apartment decorated in earthly colours with a laid-back feel; now, add a 1200+ bottle wine list and you’ve got Vintage. What is more, are the many choices for those who love meat and cheese, as well as its central location in Athens, since it is very close to Syntagma Square.
Perhaps the wine bar with the best view in all of Athens. It’s located on the rooftop of Utopia Hotel and once there, you can enjoy the wine while staring at the Athenian horizon ranging across from the hill of Lycabettus, the Parthenon to the city’s old but still operating sky Observatory and along from Mount Hymettus at the background all the way to the Parliament at the forefront. The 100+ labels focus on Greek vineyards; framed by simple and delicious dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine. What else can one ask for?
Heading down to the southern suburbs of the city and specifically to the once industrial zone of Piraeus, lies an exemplary wine bar housed in a stunning converted warehouse. The décor is very original where the shelves filled with empty bottles give the feeling of a wine depository, the chairs are painted with wine landscapes and the tables are made of repurposed wine barrels. The owner is an experienced sommelier and offers his guests a list of 300 labels from the European South accompanied by Mediterranean dishes.
Cava Vegera
Featuring two wine bars across the city (Glyfada and Voula), Cava Vegera is the perfect antidote to the overcrowded city centre scenery. Both bars pay tribute to everyone who truly loves wine, by offering wines and dishes from across the Mediterranean and around the world. Cava Vegera wine bars also feature a wine store, upstairs, where you can find close to 1,000 different wine labels that you can drink in-store for a small corkage fee.
Literally translating to “New World”, the neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos was historically known to be a symbol of new beginnings and a new home for refugees from Asia Minor who fled Turkish expulsion.
Still a haven for the modern-day refugee crises (the public housing estate off Syngrou Avenue now inhabits tenants from the Balkans, Asia and the Middle East), in recent years, the area has seen some changes, namely the addition of a cultural centre, theatre, major hotels and a string of celebrated eateries that now make Neos Kosmos an inner-city suburb of intriguing contradictions.
Whether staying at one of the nearby hotels on Syngrou Avenue or in the centre of Athens, a walk through the neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos wouldn’t be complete without these stops.
Stop 1: Coffee and brunch at Naif
Perched on the busy corner of Leontiou and Evridamantos, Naif is one of those great neighbourhood cafes that is loved by locals (and not only). It has a compact interior with minimal, danish-inspired design, yet its real charm is in the sunny table-lined sidewalk that seems to be filled with patrons day and night. There is a varied menu that includes brunch options like baked eggs, tsoureki French toast and yogurt bowls. The food menu is rounded out with sandwiches, salads, burgers and pizza. The coffee is strong and good, and keeps company with a selection of wines, classic cocktails and local beers.
Stop 2: Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre
Even if you’re not looking for the Onassis Cultural Centre, it’s hard to miss. Tim Etchall’s immense neon light installation “All we have” mounted on the outside of the OSCC has become synonymous with the multidisciplinary art space. The Onassis Cultural Centre has a rotating seasonal program of performances, installations and exhibitions that recognise local and international talent. A 10-minute drive from the historic centre of Athens, the OSCC offers a contemporary take on Greek art and culture that rounds out Athens’ cultural offering.
Naif CafeOnassis Stegi Cultural Centre
Stop 3: Aperitivo hour at Teras
After dinner, stop by hip hangout spot Teras for an early evening cocktail in the quaint 1930s building or under the impressive fig tree that fills the courtyard. Teras is a multidisciplinary space, with a rotating schedule of events like yoga lessons and pop-up bazaars. The one constant at Teras is the ability to enjoy the musical offerings of local Athenian DJs as you sip on your evening spritz.
Stop 3: Take your pick from these noteworthy dinner options
The dining options in Neos Kosmos are not to be overlooked. In fact, you’d be well-advised to book a table in advance of your planned visit.
Since opening in 2019, Fita restaurant has cemented its place in the Athens dining scene as the go-to for fish and seafood close to the city centre. Featuring locally caught fish and seafood, the menu rotates based on the fisherman’s catch and usually includes Fita’s velvet-like taramosalata and a version of their famed spaghetti with bottarga or clams. The thoughtfully created menu, selection of Greek wines and casual neighbourhood sidewalk-dining make Fita a perfect place to dine on a balmy summer’s evening (or any time of the year, for that matter).
TerasFita
Annie Fine Cooking is a relatively new (and exciting) entry to the Neos Kosmos dining scene. Originally from Mani, chef Stavriani Zervakakou designs a seasonal menu based on her market haul that morning. Here, you can relax at the tables and cushioned armchairs laying on the sidewalk of Menaichmos while you watch the open kitchen in full swing.
Hytra Restaurant sits on the top floor of the Onassis Cultural Centre and has developed a culinary identity based on its fusion of traditional Greek gastronomy expressed in a contemporary manner. With a Michelin star under its belt, Hytra offers two separate menus that co-exist within the same space. Hytra and Hytra Apla share a common theme of local ingredients, presented in both a modern (see: Hytra) and traditional (see: Hytra Apla) way.
Stop 4: Drinks at Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers is the new kid on the block in Neos Kosmos, having just opened in May 2022. Located opposite Naif and around the corner from the Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre, Grasshoppers is a bar where all the details have been seen to and the cocktails are no exception. With friendly bar staff, an excellent offering of bar food built for sharing (try the Vitello Tonnato) and a drinks list that will spark exciting discussion, Grasshoppers is the perfect spot to end (or start) your night in Neos Kosmos.
The Greek capital is ready to toast the summer season with the 1st Athens Cocktail Festival & Athens Cocktail Week.
By Gina Lionatos
With what is fast becoming the hottest bar scene in Europe, it was only a matter of time before Athens stepped up with its own cocktail festival to open the summer tourist season. With the support of the Municipality of Athens, and as a part of the ‘This is Athens Festival’, the city will move to the rhythm of the largest cocktail festival in Greece.
Athens 1st Cocktail Festival
The first Athens Cocktail Festival kicks off over a cocktail-filled two days at the “Lighthouse” of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre on 20 & 21 May 2022.
After that, the action extends to the city’s bars for all to enjoy. Athens Cocktail Week will run from 22 to 28 May 2022 and will see the best bars in Athens hosting a series of guest nights and special events. All the excitement will culminate on the closing night on May 28, 2022, with a large closing party in the city center.
Information on events is still unfolding, so to stay updated, tune into @athenscocktailfestivalofficial’s social media on Instagram for details.
* All the activities of Athens Cocktail Festival & Athens Cocktail Week, are supported by the Municipality of Athens as well as by AMKE Metron Ariston – Making Responsibility a Trend and operating in light of the Responsible Consumption and green practices.
From low-key cocktail bars to chic spritzerias – there are some cool new drinking joints in the Greek capital that have recently opened up and are really shaking things up (in a good way).
So, we ventured out (someone had to do it) to discover the best new bars in Athens – where they’re serving some of the finest drinks in town!
(This article was updated in June 2023)
Line Athens
The brainchild of Nikos Bakoulis and Vasilis Kyritsis, the creators behind award-winning bar The Clumsies, and their talented friend Dimitris Dafopoulos, have opened this new bar that serves grape-less wine (yes there’s such a thing), nomad beer, and artisan bread (a few types to choose from)- making this cool spot in the centre of the city “the” place to visit for magnificent cocktails, fabulous bar food, and a great laid-back vibe.
A: Agathodaimonas 37, Kato Petralona
Grasshoppers
Not your average bar, Grasshoppers near the centre of Athens is a place where all the details have been seen to, and the cocktails are no exception. This cool bar is a striking contrast to the all-day cafe across the road (incidentally under the same ownership) in the neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos. Here you’ll find an intriguing space, a thought-provoking cocktail menu designed by mixologist Nikos Sotiropoulos, and a focus on seriously good bar food.
A: Eurudamantos 6, Athens (currently closed for renovations- opening end of September, 2023)
Eprepe
In a city filled with all-day cafes, Eprepe Bar is a welcome addition to the inner-city neighbourhood of Kypseli. Here, zero waste is a key philosophy and you’ll often see the same raw ingredients included in their cocktails and bar food. Seasonality also plays a role from the food and the preparations for their cocktail list right down to their wine cellar.
A: Agias Zonis 1, Athens
Diego
Inspired by Latin America and Asia, Diego (honouring the late soccer legend) invites visitors to grab some street food and chill on the sidewalk. With flavours of Vietnam and Thailand, but also Peru shining through, this casual spot with a canteen vibe serves handmade curry and dumplings with homemade kimchi- along with exotic cocktails featuring coconut, spicy rum, cinnamon and ginger.
A: Adrianou 1, Athens
The Bar in Front of the Bar
This cool street bar in the centre of Athens has a creative menu that changes daily based on the mood of the talented bartenders. What was meant to be a pop-up bar at the famous Syntagma Square, quickly became a local favourite and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Each day the skilled mixologists create different signature cocktails to keep their loyal visitors coming back for more. Tip: Perfect spot for a drink (or two) in between a spot of shopping on Ermou.
A: Petraki 1, Syntagma Square
Zebra Bar
This eclectic and modern new bar in Psychiki serves a luscious range of signature cocktails along with a small range of bar food that focuses on simple and raw ingredients. Here you can enjoy some sashimi and steak tartar, as you listen to a range of beats- from old-school and hip-hop to jazz and romantic ballads.
A: Perikleous 7, Neo Psychiko
Uva
A spritzeria in the heart of Athens Riviera, this wine resto-bar in Vouliagmeni serves a wide range of wines (both local and international drops) that pair perfectly with the woodfire pizza and different types of pasta dishes. Ask the experienced Sommelier to guide you through a wine journey, as there are over 130 bottles to choose from.
A: Agiou Panteleimonos 23, Vouliagmeni
Iguazu
Open until 3 am with performances from house bands and resident DJs, table bottle service and late-night dining, here you can drink and dance into the early hours – tropical style. The menu includes Brazilian sushi and signature cocktails that have been created by talented mixologists Alexandros Gkikopoulos and Stelios Papadopoulos.
A: Laodikias 16 &, Nimfeou 1, Athens
Uncle Tan’s
Located at Marina Zeas next to the port of Piraeus, this funky Asian-themed bar is a cool place to grab a drink if you are around this part of town. An eclectic drinking house, it brings a touch of Singapore to the Greek capital’s port city, and the bar menu includes classic cocktails made with Asian ingredients such as Japanese sake and Indonesian spiced rum.
A: Marina Zeas, Piraeus
Single Cask Bar
With more Asian influence, one of Singapore’s most successful whiskey projects, The Single Cask Bar has now opened its doors in Athens. Set in the beautiful private space of Angus Hudson, located in the basement of 42 Barstronomy Bar, the space is quite quaint and has a butler’s lounge feel, with leather sofas and retro touches. It’s the perfect place to enjoy one of the world’s most popular dark spirits.
The rain may be slamming against the window but you’re lost in the warm buzz, cool tunes and beautifully-mixed drinks. The pandemic may not be over but we’re going out to the city’s cozy bars and we’re not coming home early!
Galaxy (10 Stadiou St, Laimou Arcade, Syntagma)
A really, really old-school ‘cafeteria’ bar that served its first drink in 1970. It’s still visited by loyal clientele of old mixed with eclectic youngsters, and known for its late night, dimly lit chatter.
Wine Point (2 Porinou & Athanassiou Diakou, Makriyianni)
A two-storey bar with low lighting, live jazz bands every so often and a dedication to – as its name suggests – over 200 wine labels, from around the country. Try menus themed around wineries that combine grapes with bites.
Tiki Bar Athens (15 Falirou, Koukaki)
Leopard-print and neon, live gigs and cool DJ sets combine with Tiki cocktails that raises the spirits and may even get you boogeying along in a timeless spiral.
Convento Del’ Arte (Virginias Bekani 7, Metaxourgeio)
An atmospheric space that seems to belong to a different era and wine labels from over 650 winemakers with a jazz, tango or classical soundtrack and modern Greek dishes.
Brettos Bar (Kydathinaion 41, Plaka)
Famous for its rows of liqueur bottles lit up by coloured lights and benches with barrel seats, this old Plaka haunt serves potent homemade spirits as well as wine and beer and is known to keep punters in til the wee hours.
Drupes and Drips (Misaraliotou 14, Makriyianni)
A tiny place with a big personality and early closing hours, this is a charcuterie/juice bar by day and the best place to enjoy a very decently priced spritz cocktail from the afternoon till night-time.
Baba Au Rum (6 Klitiou, Monastiraki)
A hip vintage-style bar with world-acclaimed mixologists and some of the best rum cocktails you’ll ever drink – indeed that’s cocktails plural because it’s near impossible to stop at one.
The 7 Jokers (7 Voulis,Syntagma)
Come here for a beautifully mixed ‘I can’t cope with reality’ Bloody Mary in the afternoon or that last glass of wine late, late into the night, after wandering around the historical centre’s less classic spots.
O Kyrios (Mavili Square, Ambelokipi)
A long marble-top bar, mirrored walls and checkered floors with aproned servers, a French-Italian-Greek inspired menu and elegant cocktails sweep you into art deco style glamour and a stylish social buzz.
Upupa Epops (7 Alkiminis, Petralona)
A patchwork of spaces – all of them very welcoming and decorated with a unique style – and an impressive cocktail menu that is definitely designed to tantalise the tastebuds.
In Athens, there are many beautiful places to cure your winter blues while surrounded by stunning decorations and a lush cocktail in hand.
From Christmas classics like the Noel and Grande Bretagne to award-winning spots such as Baba Au Rum and the Clumsies, there is no shortage of stylish festive bars to make the season even more merry and bright!
Noel
This all-day café and bar feature vintage décor, baroque dining spaces, and a grand arcade with inviting tables and stools in the centre. Here you’ll find stylish bartenders serving some of the most creative cocktails that can be paired with some Parisian-inspired dishes. With a mix of 1980s, ’90s and jazz music, this is by far one of Athens’ best places to visit during the festive season.
A: Kolokotroni 59B, Athens
Alexander’s Bar
Located at the famous Grande Bretagne Hotel, Alexander’s (named Best Hotel Bar in the World by Forbes magazine) features a dark wood and marble bar that’s surrounded by tapestries and comfy leather stools where you can sit back and sip on one of the staggering selection of premium spirits. Many of the bottles are exclusive to Athens’ famous hotel and here you can order a classic cocktail or a premium whiskey, brandy, and cognac.
A: Hotel Grande Bretagne | 1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square St, Athens
Delta Bar
Located on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), the newly opened Delta features a sculpted bar- one of the largest in the world that can sit up to 50 guests who are able to enjoy unique cocktails and spirits created by Baba Au Rum. Cocktails are inspired by new Greek brandies, liqueurs, and aged tsipouro accompanying top international distillates (whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka, gin, etc). This is completed by gastro pairing suggestions from the bar lounge menu.
A: Syggrou Avenue 364, Kalithea, Athens
Avra Bar
Avra located within Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens in Vouliagmeni has become a feel-good gathering spot on the Athens Riviera. The talented team behind the stylish bar serves delicious cocktails, tailor-made mocktails, and amazing appetizers that can be enjoyed while admiring the breathtaking Aegean Sea.
A: Four Seasons Athens Astir Palace | Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni.
Athénée
Athénée has become a local favourite, especially on Fridays when this place is known for its “early drinks.” A famous spot on Voukourestiou and Panepistimiou, it boasts a European atmosphere where locals and international visitors are able to enjoy something to eat or drink at the bar. The cocktails menu features classics with a modern twist and everything looks and feels even more glamorous this time of year!
A: Voukourestiou 9, Athens
The Clumsies
The ultimate all-day cocktail bar in the city, Clumsies, which was just named 4th on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars, is the place to head to for creative cocktails that change on a seasonal basis. One of our favourite parts during this time of year is the private room that features a fireplace, a bookcase, a billiard table, and vinyl LPs- the perfect spot to catch up with friends before or during the Christmas break.
A: Praxitelous 30, Athens
Baba Au Rum
Making delectable cocktails with spirits, herbs, and spices from around the world as well as homemade Greek liqueurs, syrups and bitters artfully created using local ingredients, the Baba Au Rum menu offers something for everyone. The décor is a mix of old-fashioned accessories, vintage eye candy, and antique furnishings, a mix reflected in the drinks menu, which features 19th-century classics like juleps and crusts as well as American-style Tiki drinks like the Guadalupe Punch.
A: Klitiou 6, Athens
King’s Theater Wine Bar
Created by the owners of Athens’ famous Little Kook, King’s Theater is an excellent bistro and wine bar in the heart of Athens, festively decorated year-round. Serving Christmas cocktails- at the moment we can’t get enough of the Gin, basil, strawberry, mastic and lime mixed with edible gold dust and magic- the most addictive Christmas beverage!
Raise a glass, the World’s 50 Best Bars for 2021 have just been announced with Athens’ “The Clumsies” taking 4th place and “Baba au Rum” named 14th best venue on the highly coveted list!
The 2021 edition of the annual ranking features bars from 17 countries, with the top five bars in the world revealed to be London’s Connaught Bar followed by Tayēr + Elementary in London, Paradiso in Barcelona, The Clumsies in Athens, and Floreria Atlantico in Buenos Aires.
Award-winning The Clumsies
“Another year running! We’re so happy to announce that the Clumsies family has been voted number 4 among the world’s best 50 bars. Thank you to all for this great honour. We’ll keep doing what we do best, blending the number four bar experience in the world. Congratulations to all the winners. It’s been an honour sharing with you this experience!” announced the Clumsies team.
Located right in the heart of Athens, “Part of The Clumsies’ undeniable charm is the ease with which it can do so many things so well. It’s just as comfortable as a spot for a morning coffee and breakfast as a place in the evening to drink some of the most inventive cocktails that can be found anywhere, or for dancing on the bar at 2 am,” announced the judges.
“This is thanks to co-owners Vasilis Kyritsis and Nikos Bakoulis’ commitment to hospitality. They’ve managed to create a space as impressive to the international bartending community as it is homely to locals, and this approach has made The Clumsies a stalwart of the 50 Best list,” they added.
Baba Au Rum
Βaba Au Rum is a leading multi awarded Rum & Cocktail bar in downtown Athens, with judges announcing, “Baba au Rum brought a revolutionary admiration of cocktails to the Greek capital when it opened 13 years ago, and to this day it remains the bar in Athens’ now thriving hospitality scene, held in the highest regard,” said the judges.
“Its power comes from owner and manager Thanos Prunarus, a man who straddles the old school and modernity. Here, things aren’t overhauled but instead attentively developed, moving with the times while maintaining warmth and familiarity.”
Brunch by day, elegant bar by night, Nuera Athens stays up late mixing artisan cocktails in the glamorous seaside neighbourhood of Glyfada.
This sophisticated new place has a cool atmosphere and friendly staff to match. The idea behind the modern bistro was to create a relaxed yet polished atmosphere using vintage chic décor.
Architect and interior designer Zisis Papamichos has filled the open space with colourful patterned tiles that are mixed between wooden floorboards. The room also boasts a range of mirrors, alluring chandeliers, plush lounges, and soft velvet chairs; as well as green splashback tiles (featured on an arch behind the bar) and lush plants that create warmth.
Brunch or lunch here pairs perfectly with a morning or afternoon shopping spree along Metaxa Street, which is lined with boutique after boutique.
Morning options include Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon; Avocado Toast with grilled bread, avocado, cherry tomatoes, home pickles, and flax seeds; or a healthy Breakfast Bowl of yogurt, oat, bio honey, walnuts, almonds, bio tahini, chia, fresh fruits, and bitter chocolate.
Choose from a selection of salads such as Mesclun Salad of grilled goat cheese, Parma’s ham, apple, pear, walnuts and raspberry vinegarette; or the Buffalo Burrata. Mains include Creamy Black Tagliatelle with salmon, pepperoncino, parmesan and rocket pesto; Beef Fillet Medallions with potato foam, mushrooms, asparagus and marsala wine, as well as Seabass with celery cream vegetables and sauce with citrus-zest olive oil.
The talented team in the kitchen have also created a delightful dessert menu with the standouts being the Lemon Crème Brulée of biscuits, meringues, red fruits, and lemon ice cream; and who can resist a good Pavlova made with fresh meringues, mascarpone cheese, strawberries, pistachios and raspberry ice cream?!
Given the cocktails are designed by The Clumsies award-winning mixologist Nikos Bakoulis, it comes as no surprise that Nuera’s drinks list is a main feature. Skilled bartenders mix cocktails that complement the Mediterranean flavours on the menu. We recommend you try the Olive Negroni made of Tanqueray Ten London dry gin, black olive, vermouth and cocoa bitter; or the Chios Sour with Skinos Mastiha, Elderflower, Basil and Salted Honey.
The bistro’s prime location means it fills up fast with locals from the southern suburbs, other Athenians who come here to shop, as well as international visitors- creating a pleasantly varied ambience.
Located on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), the newly opened Delta has set its sights on becoming a world-class culinary destination.
With a stunning dining room, wine cellar and a bar run by the famous Baba au Rum team- Delta is definitely a place to add to your list if you are looking for a fine-dining experience in Athens.
Delta Restaurant
The dining room, with a floating garden, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Bay of Faliro, is modern and sleek; blue velvet chairs and round tables give guests an intimate feel in what is in fact a large, open space. Behind the impressive menu are two talented chefs- Thanos Feskos and George Papazacharias- who have worked at award-winning international restaurants. Using raw ingredients from their own farm in Attica and working with different fermentation techniques, the team at Delta create dishes with a Scandinavian and Japanese influence. The end result is a 17-course tasting menu boasting a mysterious haute cuisine narrative that gradually unfolds through the three different menus: Omnivore, Vegetarian, and Vegan.
Delta Bar
Delta’s sculpted bar is one of the largest in the world and can sit up to 50 guests who are able to enjoy unique cocktails and spirits created by Baba Au Rum. Thanos Prunarus, a world-renowned and absolute spokesperson of fine drinking, is behind the mixology that has a focus on the contemporary local distillery, with new Greek brandies, liqueurs, and aged tsipouro accompanying top international distillates (whiskey, rum, tequila, vodka, gin, etc). This is completed by gastro pairing suggestions from the bar lounge menu that includes Grilled wings filled with aged hazelnuts and mushrooms seasoned with salted plums served with a sauce of smoked egg yolk, or Grilled lobster with fermented ramson and plums served with a sauce of whipped salted strawberries.
Delta Wine Cellar
For an enchanting wine tasting experience, Delta’s two wine cellars are available for private booking, where guests can enjoy unique wine labels while tasting one of the three available menus. The impressive list contains some 800 labels selected by Aris Sklavenitis and Fedon Dernikos- both award-winning and top of their class sommeliers, who have curated an integrated list that will enhance the gastronomic experience. The cellars are filled with local and international varieties, with hundreds of labels covering the entire wine universe spectrum – old and new.
The culturally rich, historic, vibrant and cool Athenian neighbourhood of Psyrri is packed with precious antiques, talented local artisans, authentic Greek tavernas, boho bars, charming cafes and loads of visitors who come here time and time again to enjoy a spot where the modern world blends in beautifully with old-time charm.
With so many amazing bars to choose from, we’ve rounded up our favourite spots to grab a drink in Psyrri, for your next visit to the Greek capital!
Wine lovers this one’s for you! With a great range of local and international reds and whites- Cinque is laid back, casual and inviting.
A: Agatharchou 15, Athina
Tranzistor Bistroteque
If you want to feel Psyrri’s charm, this is a great place to grab a table and sit back and enjoy a drink with the locals.
A: Protogenous 10, Athina
Styl Café
This traditional all-day cafe/bar is a great place to chill after a day of shopping or sightseeing.
A: Evaggelistrias 1, Athina
BOO café
One of the coolest spots in terms of decor and ambiance, it’s the perfect place for a pre-dinner or late-night drink.
A: Lepeniotou 22, Athens
Foundry Hotel Rooftop Bar
On a warm Athenian night, there’s nothing better than heading to a rooftop bar like this to enjoy a refreshing drink and a fun vibe.
A: Sarri 40, Psyrri
The Artist Rooftop Bar
Another great spot in the Greek capital that offers lush cocktails on a buzzing rooftop!
A: 7 Kalamida St, Psirri
Kings Theatre Wine Bar
One of the most popular Bistrot and wine bars in the heart of Athens, Kings Theatre is not to be missed when visiting this vibrant neighbourhood- even if it’s only for one quick drink!
A: Karaiskaki 26, Athina
Be Social
Perfect spot to grab a casual drink and then sit back and enjoy people-watching in this historic part of Athens.
A: Agios Aanargiron 17 & Taki 10, Athina
To Lokali
An all-day bar/restaurant that serves modern Greek mezedes paired with your drink of choice.
A: Sarri 44, Athina
DOS Gardenias
If you are looking for a funky Latin joint, look no further than DOS! Here you will enjoy a cool Cuban-inspired atmosphere as you sip on your Mojito.
A: Ivis 21, Navarchou Apostoli 17, Athens
Cantina Social
This locally loved cafe/bar is a great spot for a casual drink any time of the day.
A: Leokoriou 8, Athina
Clockwork Monkey Bistro
A super chic spot that offers a great atmosphere, amazing food and delicious cocktails!
Known as the “neighbourhood of the Gods” Plaka, built in the shadow of the Acropolis, is the most authentic sample of old Athens, mixed with the new romantic one.
This neighbourhood has been continuously inhabited since antiquity, so it’s a combination of the Ancient Greek, Roman, and Ottoman empires. Neoclassical buildings, car-free alleyways, charming cafés, small gardens with bougainvillea and street art are a few reasons why this neighbourhood is our favourite in Athens, and one we believe needs to be experienced at least once in a lifetime.
How to get there?
From Syntagma Metro station you can take Voulis street straight ahead until Kydathinaion street. From Monastiraki Station, walk Adrianou street from the flea market. Alternatively, from Acropolis station, you can cross Dionisiou Aeropagitou then enter at Vyronos Street.
For Brunch or Lunch
Bakaliarakia tou Damigou – A family-run fish taverna, opened in 1864. It is situated in the basement beneath Brettos Bar. Don’t miss the battered cod with garlic sauce (Kydathineon 41)
Vyzantino Restaurant – A traditional spot that has been here since 1948 (Kydathinaion 18)
I Palia Taverna tou Psarra – The oldest restaurant of Plaka, first opened in 1898. Famous for its fresh fish. Try the spaghetti with seafood and loukoumades (Erotokritou & Erechtheos 16)
To Kafeneio – Housed in a 400-year-old building, that from time to time was the residence of many famous Greeks, they serve traditional but creative Greek dishes (Epicharmou 1)
Scholarhio Ouzeri – Known to locals as Kouklis (named after its owner) it boasts a dining room from another era (Tripodon 14)
7 Food Sins – A gourmet Greek gastro-pub offering a distinguished atmosphere and exquisite Greek dishes (Filomousou Etaireias Sq. 1)
Best Cafes in Plaka
Yiasemi, a picturesque place that is the most Instagrammable bistro-café in the neighbourhood, with tables outside on the staircase. You can just sit and relax, watching people go by (Mnisikleous 23)
Café Melina, a retro café dedicated to Greek actress and political activist Melina Merkouri. (Lysiou 22).
Kimolia Art Café, a backstreet, colourful and unique café, hidden in the alleyways of Plaka (Ypereidou 5)
Anafiotika Café, stands out for its position, on the famous steps. Ideal for a coffee during a morning stroll or a Greek meze later on in the day (Mnisikleous 24)
Café Plaka, for its fireplace during winter and its calming roof terrace for the sunny mornings. Taste the pancakes and take photos in front of the pink house (Tripodon 1)
O Glykys, a traditional kafeneio for coffee, tsipouro, homemade delicacies, and backgammon, of course. (Geronta 2)
Dioskouroi, a favourite student hangout and not only! (Dioskouron 13)
For Casual Street Food
Souvlaki O Kostas – The best souvlaki of Athens. For almost 6 decades it remains untouched by the modern attempts of Greek souvlaki stores. It used to be at Adrianou 116 in Plaka since 1950 but in the last years it was transferred a few streets further down (Pentelis 5)
For a Cocktail/Wine
Brettos Athens’ oldest distillery- established in 1909 by Michail Brettos, it’s almost impossible to pass by and not pay attention to the illuminated bottles displayed behind the bar, filling the walls up to the ceiling. Specialising in colourful cocktails. (Kydathineon 41)
Mono Wine Restaurant– An all-day wine restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, fancy cocktail recipes, and more than 120 choices of wine, it’s two paths from Plaka. (Mpenizelou Palaiologou 4)
Oinoscent – Just a step outside Plaka’s borders too, this wine bar offers more than 1000 wine codes. (Voulis 45-47)
Insider Tips- Something you may not know about Plaka is that during the 60’s it used to be the place for traditional boîtes,small live music venues, like cabarets, inspired by the French Nouvelle Vague cinema movement. Today most of them are closed (like the legendary boîte Esperides) but you can still find a few, like Apanemia and Vatraxoi. For traditional Greek live music, you can also visit the Perivoli tou Ouranou, one of the oldest venues for laikain Athens.
For Some Fine Dining…
2Mazi, modern interiors inside a neoclassical mansion with inventive gastronomic creations using local products. It’s a tasty twist of Greek (island) cuisine. (Nikis Street 48)
Daphne’s Restaurant – One of the most famous Athenian restaurants with Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, a hot spot for politicians, artists, and celebrities. (Lisikratous 4)
Best Desserts in Plaka
Arte Athens – Unique and traditional flavours of handmade gelato using fresh ingredients. (Tripodon 16)
Maniera Gelateriais based on traditional Italian recipes using natural Greek ingredients. (Adrianou 87)
Places to Shop
Flâneur – At this place, contemporary Greek artists sell innovative handmade products, like prints, t-shirts, and gifts. There are also adventure supplies, like outdoor gear, backpacks etc. (Flessa 1)
Forget me Not – Souvenirs from contemporary Greek designers, including gifts, stationery, home accessories, clothing, and books as well. (Adrianou 100)
Ioanna Kourbela– One of the most celebrated contemporary Greek designers. The Kourbela family workshop opened in Plaka in 1971, offering handmade knitwear. (Adrianou 109)
Elaias Gi – At this shop, you can find a big selection of good quality olive oil and tree-based products, like soaps and kitchenware (Adrianou 122). Same at Evonon (Adrianou 124)
Byzantino– Since 1987 Kostas and Babis create ancient pieces of gold jewelry (Adianou 120 & Pandrossou 17)
Angelo– The Ouzo King sells a great variety of Ouzo. (Adrianou 120)
For Greek leather sandals visit Sandals4u (Adrianou 88), Achillion (Adrianou 110) and Christonia Vintage (Adrianou 83).
Athens Protasis, for handmade products, designed and manufactured in Greece by taking raw materials from around the world. (Adrianou 136)
For Pre-Loved Items
Martinos Antiques – Since 1895, it is as much a museum as a shop. It boasts an impressive range of furniture, decorative items, Islamic art, fine art, and jewellery. (Pandrosou 50)
Elliniko Spiti – Dimitris Koutelieris makes in his workshop furniture and art of dismantled ships, houses, and other recycled materials. (Kekropos 14)
For Something Unique…
DotAhartis a special art lab, where you can apply your imagination to create your own ceramic inspired by Athens. A special place to buy handmade gifts as well. (Afroditis 12)
Best Parks & Gardens
Ragava Park or “Eleokipos” (Olive Garden), a tiny park, where you can find the steps that lead to Stratonos street, the gate to Anafiotika neighbourhood.
The charming Lysikrates Square with the view of the Acropolis and the imposing Choragic Monument of Lysikrates.
Historical Finds…
The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments opened in 1991, it’s constituted by the collection of musicologist Foivos Anogiannakis.
Frissiras Museum, opened in 2000, with contemporary European art.
The Jewish Museum, with a collection of rare books, textiles, domestic and religious artifacts.
The Athens University Museum, with many transcripts and old photos,
The Museum of Pavlos and Alexandra Kanellopoulou, with archaeological finds and artworks from the prehistoric period up until nowadays
The Benizelos Mansion, the oldest house in Athens which has been transformed into a museum.
The Children’s Museum, with art created by children.
Plus, the Roman Agora, built between 19-11 BC as an expansion of the ancient Agora to the East, from donations of Julius Caesar and Augustus.
The Fethiye Mosque, the Agoranomion and the Tower of the Winds, a 12-meter-tall clocktower designed by the astronomer Andronikos of Cyrrhos, considered the first-ever meteorological station, and worked as a sundial, telling the time of the day by the position of the Sun in the sky, a waterclock (with water coming down from the Acropolis) and a wind vane.
The Choragic Monument of Lysikrates, a wealthy patron of theatrical plays performed in the theater of Dionysus. In 1658 a French Capuchin monastery was built on this site, where Lord Byron also stayed during his second visit to Greece. In 1818 the first tomatoes ever in Greece were planted in the monastery’s garden.
The 11/12th-century church of Agios Ioannis Theologos, the interior decorated by 13th-century Byzantine wall paintings, as well as the beautiful 11th-century church of Agios Nikolaos Ragavas. Moreover, the church of Agioi Anargyroi – Holy Metohi Panagiou Tafou, constructed in the 17th century as a convent, and from the 18th century it functioned as an embassy church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The two-storey house at Periandrou street was once the home of the great poet Kostis Palamas. There is also a marble slab to indicate so. At Kydathinaion 9, there is the residence of the families Seferiades and Tsatsos. The ground floor was allocated to Giorgos Seferiades, the famous Greek poet Giorgos Seferis. The upper floor was the residence of Ioanna Tsatsou, sister of Seferis and wife of Konstantinos Tsatsos, President of the Hellenic Republic during the period 1975-1980. At Dioskouroi Street 4, you can find the personal archives of Nobel Laureate poet Odysseus Elytis and an exact representation of the poets’ study room as well.
Don’t miss…
Cine Paris, an outdoor cinema whose screen is on the rooftop with a stunning view of the Acropolis. Its trademark is the Greek collectible versions of foreign films’ posters.
Anafiotika, a neighbourhood within a neighbourhood. Like a small Cycladic island with white cubic houses and blue doors and windows, partially covered by bougainvillea flowers, -built by craftsmen called by King Otto to build his palace-, Anafiotika is an oasis of tranquility in the center of the Greek capital.
The street art– Many philosophical Artists have left their marks on the walls or stairs of Plaka. You can find phrases like “Next to you, I learned to live, I learned to exist” or “Whatever we lost in the fire, we will find in the ashes” and “By stepping backward no-one has ever moved forward” among others.