Athens cafe Archives - Insights Greece

12 Places to Get the Best Coffee in Athens

Finding the best coffee in Athens can be a bit of a gamble, as there’s no shortage of coffee shops, welcoming in customers with frothy cappuccinos and friendly conversation.

But if you are as serious about your coffee as we are, there are a standout selection of cafes and roasters in the city that are worth seeking out for expertly brewed cups of coffee paired with delicious pastries, as well as warm service and a cool vibe. Below, we’ve rounded up a list of exceptional coffee shops (close to Athens centre) that are perfect for that caffeine hit any time of day!

Peek a Bloom

Following the success of their popular cafe Mind the Cup in Peristeri, this talented team opened up a conveniently located cafe close to Syntagma Square, inside an open-air alley just off Lekka. This bright space with huge windows that double as outside seating next to the coffee bar. This cool cafe starts you off with a delicious breakfast in the morning accompanied by their great coffee.

A: Lekka 14, Athens

Insights Greece - 12 Places to Get the Best Coffee in Athens

The Underdog

Set in a charming street close to Thissio metro station, this award-winning all-day cafe/ bar is located in an airy, warehouse-style space. Also featuring a courtyard, they serve specialty coffee that will no doubt please any coffee lover! The team is most known for their flat white and espresso, which are made using quality beans that arrive regularly from South America and Africa.

A: Iraklidon 8, Athens

Dope Roasting Co.

This cool espresso bar, coffee roasting store and bakery, is set in a stunning 19th-century neoclassical building in the heart of Athens. Located at the corner of Vissis and Athinas street in the center of the Greek capital, they serve some of the finest coffee you’ll find in the city; and there are delightful pastries and homemade desserts to choose from.

A: Vissis 25, Athens

Taf

Just a short walk from Monastiraki, here you’ll find expert baristas that brew their own beans. By far a local favourite, Athenians from all over town head here to try premium beans carefully sourced from all around the world. This is definitely one for those who truly appreciate coffee. And we should mention, they make a pretty good traditional Greek coffee too!

A: Emmanouil Benaki 7, Athens

Charlie’s Coffee Boutique

This great espresso specialty bar uses single origins from all over the world and has become another hit amongst locals since its fairly recent opening. The perfect place to grab a takeaway coffee and a delicious treat, or you can also sit outside and enjoy the cool buzz.

A: Papadiamantopoulou 148, Athens

Faba Coffee Roasters

This specialty coffee shop near the Supreme Court of Athens serves freshly roasted specialty coffee and handmade sweets and savoury snacks. Boasting a retro feel, this is a great spot to sit back and read a book or a quick catch-up with friends.

A: Kirillou Loukareos 43, Athens

A Tot

From great coffee to homemade treats, this amazing little spot serves fresh specialty coffee using exclusive espresso blends from around the world. Another local fave thanks to its delicious tarts, homemade cookies and gluten-free/vegan-friendly sweets.

A: Lekka 28, Athens

Motiv

Here you’ll find carefully selected specialty beans from around the world. Always freshly roasted and in a variety of tasty characteristics, depending on the season, you can enjoy your coffee inside or outside the cool little store. There’s also a great range of herbal tea, small meals, snacks and sweets to choose from.

A: Emmanouil Benaki 20, Athens

Lot 51

This ultra-cool all-day cafe/ bar serves the perfectly made espresso and if you are looking for a place to hang out all day (and maybe get a bit of work done) this one is for you. Lot 51 also offers a great brunch menu that focuses on eggs and healthy morning options.

A: Papadiamantopoulou 24Β, Athens

The Rabbit Punch

The Rabbit Punch offers delicious, seasonally-sourced coffees that can be enjoyed at the casual cafe or as a take-away. Here you can also choose from a great all-day brunch menu with creations that are based on fresh, seasonal produce.

A: Eufranoros 40, Athens

Samba

This corner cafe stands out for its great coffee and its wide selection of croissants, pastries, tarts and other sweet treats- perfect spot to start the day, or for an afternoon pick-me-up!

A: Solonos 36, Likavittou, Athens

Kaya

Located inside ‘Stoa Bolani’ close to Syntagma, this “no-frills” take-away espresso bar is all about the coffee and great service. Offering a house blend and a great range of local roasters, this is the ideal place to grab a coffee in between exploring the heart of downtown Athens!

A: Voulis 7, Athens

Main image: Motiv Cafe

Views that Make You High at Prasini Tenta

We visited Prasini Tenta, the spectacularly scenic, born-again hangout on Lycabettus Hill that has now turned into a restaurant/café/bar that locals and tourists alike love.

As Athens’ tallest hill (277m high), Lycabettus and the white church of St George that crowns it, Greek flag a-flapping at its edge, is one of the capital’s most noticeable landmarks. Throughout the year, streams of tourists and visitors hike, jog and dog-walk up the verdant hill to enjoy nature and dazzling views, but now you can soak up the vistas while relaxing at Prasini Tenta with a drink or bite.

Insights Greece - Views that Make You High at Prasini Tenta

Today’s trendy Prasini Tenta is the reborn version of a same-named, historical ouzeri in the same spot that existed since the late 1930s and was a popular hangout for students, poets, politicians, and lovers. Due to the ten-year hardship of Greece’s financial crisis, the scenic hangout was shut down in 2003, so 18 years later its return is very happy news for regulars and newcomers alike. Although some residents are disgruntled by the way the newer, more chichi place has been built – using cement, and lots of it – romantics are drawn in particularly by the spanning views of the city, the Acropolis and the sea in the distance.

Made up of two large terraces, one for dining and the other for coffee and drinks, Prasini Tenta has been buzzily busy since it reopened in earnest this summer, only to close for small periods during and after the tragic forest fires in Evia and Attica for precautionary reasons. Aperol Spritz seems to be the popular drink of choice in the bar/café section, where visitors can arrive from early in the morning to late at night. The restaurant serves a variety of snacks, appetisers and simple meals, from open sandwiches and ceviche to salads, pasta, pizza and burgers. The prices match the view in that they are high, considering that this is not a fancy restaurant run by a famous executive chef. But the view clearly makes people shrug at the exaggerated costs, which include €10 for simple classic cocktails, €13 for a club sandwich and €12 for a salad because it is truly worth lingering over for hours on end.

Prasini Tenta can be reached by foot – by walking up to Aristippou street from Ploutarchou, Loukianou or Marasli (beware, we see lots of stairs in your near future!) and then up the steps on Lycabettus hill (another 7-10 minutes’ walk uphill) or by driving and parking nearby.

TIP: To make the best of your experience, visit at sunset time and watch the sky change colours as the city below brightens with twinkling lights of different colours and the Parthenon turns to gold.

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Take a Seat at Athens’ Prettiest Cafe

Currently the city’s most Instagrammable café, pink and girlie Ellyz is fairly new to the city’s lively café scene.

With an entire wall blanketed in large pink flowers, tables decorated with gold candelabra, crystal chandeliers and colourful fantasy cakes and smoothies to match, this is probably the only place in town where you’ll find a doughnut sprinkled in gold dust and butterflies!

Insights Greece - Take a Seat at Athens’ Prettiest Cafe

In addition, there is a chic neon sign that writes “Happiness is coffee and flowers’’ – with this pretty little cafe quickly becoming the Greek capital’s most popular spot amongst locals and international visitors- who come to capture the perfect background for their Instagram feed.

Featuring velvet sofas and chairs in soft shades of pink and blue- the glamorous onyx bar with plush high stools is a dreamy set up- and crowds of people can be seen outside patiently waiting their turn to take a seat. Take note: try to get there early!

Pink is not only the main theme for the cafe’s decor but it’s also a stand out on the menu- with a range of “pink” foods and drinks to choose from, including a Coffee Espresso with Pink Donut, a Pink Flat, freshly made Pink Grapefruit juice, Pink Velvet cake, Pink donuts and Pink inspired pancakes.

Ideally located in the heart of Athens city centre, Ellyz café is a fairytale spot for brunch, lunch, or an afternoon drink with friends.

And yes there is also a range of (non-pink) breakfast and lunch options to choose from, including truffled scrambled eggs, fresh sandwiches, healthy salads and protein bowls.

And for those who are only after a drink, there are is a wide range of cocktails, wines and Aperitivo’s to choose from!

A: Aghiou Filippou 11, Monastiraki

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Minu, a Sanctuary in the Heart of Athens

By Gina Lionatos

Minu is one of those places that is hard to describe in one word. However, they manage to sum themselves up in three: plants, objects, cafe.

Minu is a charmingly designed sanctuary in the heart of Athens’ Psyrri district, where you can shop hard-to-find homewares, peruse (and get lost in) an extensive collection of plants, or sit back with a refreshment in the elegant courtyard. Of course, at one point or another, you’ll end up doing all three of these things.

Insights Greece - Minu, a Sanctuary in the Heart of Athens

The low down… As soon as you step into Minu, you’re taken in by the exotic plants that seem to softly envelop you from all angles, designer homewares and unique gifts (think copies of Kinfolk magazine and glassware that Don Draper himself would insist upon). Walk a little further in to find a long coffee counter stacked with freshly baked cakes, friendly staff and beautifully situated seating options for groups and couples. The cafe/bar is self-service, so place your order at the counter and be sure to explore the entire space before you take a seat as the space is filled with rare plants and surprising touches in every nook. The challenge you’ll face at Minu is deciding on one place to settle in.

Type of cuisine? Minu is a delight for the senses, and this philosophy is carried through to the food on offer. The menu at Minu has been designed by Athinagoras Kostakos (a rising star in Greek cuisine, currently the culinary director at Scorpios Mykonos and Meraki London) and features fresh flavours, artfully presented.

Décor/ Ambience? A thoughtfully designed space, Minu combines an aesthetic mix of Scandinavian minimalism with touches of art deco. Attention has been paid to every detail, from the sprawling pink marble bar to the bathroom tapware. The ambience is decidedly serene and is perfect for intimate catch-ups, informal meetings, or even solo dining with your favourite book, or a design journal you picked up from the gift store.

Menu? Brunch is the sweet spot on Minu’s menu, including the house-favourite Happy Egg Bowl with poached eggs and avocado or the aptly named Scrambleness. The menu varies seasonally and also includes salads, bao buns and a pork katsu sando to remember.

Something to drink? By day, there is a great range of coffee, healthy smoothies and tea on offer. In the evening hours, give their house Negroni a try, or sample a perfectly chilled glass of Biblia Xora rosé.

Price range? Brunch is priced between 8-16€

Location? Sarri 50, Athens

Opening hours/days? Open from 09.00-23.00 Monday – Sunday

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Ultimate Foodie Guide to Kolonaki: Cafes & Patisseries

Sure, you’ve got a lot to see, do and buy as you casually stroll the elegant streets of Kolonaki, but to experience the true magic of this famed Athenian neighbourhood you need to check out the cool cafes, trendy bars and classy restaurants.

So, to make your life easier, we’ve come up with the ultimate guide to eating and drinking your way around this ultra-chic district. We suggest you do yourself a favour and just bookmark this list.

Part Four | Coffee & Sweets

Da Capo

Kolonaki’s most famous café is Da Capo, an Italian-style coffee shop with green vintage seats facing outwards, making it the ideal spot for people watching. Here you will find a mix of locals, socialites, celebrities and politicians sipping on the specially blended coffee for hours on end.

Insights Greece - Ultimate Foodie Guide to Kolonaki: Cafes & Patisseries

Portatif Cafe

There’s no shortage of charm in this neighbourhood thanks to places such as Portatif Café. With its French inspired décor and feel, they are renowned for their homemade tarts, croissants and eclairs- plus a variety of tea and good coffee- making it the ideal spot for an afternoon pick me up.

Filion

If you would like to rub shoulders with local artists and intellects, head to Filion, where you will overhear plenty of conversation regarding politics, the arts, history and culture. Apart from the good coffee, they also have a great variety of homemade desserts from traditional Greek sweets to French inspired pastries.

LowCal

LowCal opens its doors each day at 7am, so if you are in need of a caffeine hit bright and early- this is of you. Serving healthy dishes and sweets, the modern all- day café has a cool industrial feel, with lots of wooden and metal finishes.

Cultivos

Having only opened its doors in January of this year, Cultivos has already become a hit amongst locals who come here morning, noon and night to enjoy the chilled vibe, great coffee and nice range of sweets, sandwiches and light snacks.

Queen Bee

Queen Bee is an all-day bakehouse. Set in a stylish 1940s art deco building, it’s been given a major redesign with a focus on the sleek open kitchen. The elegantly displayed handmade products include sourdough, croissants, cinnamon buns and pies.

Kokakias Pastry

If you don’t have time to sit down for a coffee and cake but are in need of a sugar hit, walk inside Kokakias Pastry store where you will be blown away by the gorgeous displays of decadent desserts, gelato and handmade chocolates that will be placed in pretty packaging so you can take away and enjoy.

Sweet Alchemy

Greece’s most popular pâtissier Stelios Paralios has a small boutique store Sweet Alchemy on Irodotou Street, where you can taste one of his delightful creations. With a wide range of chocolate truffles, handmade biscuits and a variety of Stelios’ famous cakes- deciding what to choose here is not easy!

Marega Apo Spiti

For the best meringues in town head to Marega Apo Spiti where you can indulge in an airy and creamy pavlova topped with fresh strawberry, lemon, or other fresh berries of your choice. If pavlova doesn’t do it for you, try the delicious homemade cheesecake or chocolate mousse!

To discover the best places in Kolonaki for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, and Drinks check out our guides here.

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Your Curated Guide to Greece

12 Places to Get the Best Coffee in Athens

Finding the best coffee in Athens can be a bit of a gamble, as there’s no shortage of coffee shops, welcoming in customers with frothy cappuccinos and friendly conversation.

Views that Make You High at Prasini Tenta

We visited Prasini Tenta, the spectacularly scenic, born-again hangout on Lycabettus Hill that has now turned into a restaurant/café/bar that locals and tourists alike love.

Take a Seat at Athens’ Prettiest Cafe

Currently the city’s most Instagrammable café, pink and girlie Ellyz is fairly new to the city’s lively café scene.

Minu, a Sanctuary in the Heart of Athens

Minu is one of those places that is hard to describe in one word. However, they manage to sum themselves up in three: plants, objects, cafe.

Ultimate Foodie Guide to Kolonaki: Cafes & Patisseries

Sure, you’ve got a lot to see, do and buy as you casually stroll the elegant streets of Kolonaki, but to experience the true magic of this famed Athenian neighbourhood you need to check out the cool cafes, trendy bars and classy restaurants.

Your Curated Guide to Greece

Finding the best coffee in Athens can be a bit of a gamble, as there’s no shortage of coffee shops, welcoming in customers with frothy cappuccinos and friendly conversation.

We visited Prasini Tenta, the spectacularly scenic, born-again hangout on Lycabettus Hill that has now turned into a restaurant/café/bar that locals and tourists alike love.

Currently the city’s most Instagrammable café, pink and girlie Ellyz is fairly new to the city’s lively café scene.

Minu is one of those places that is hard to describe in one word. However, they manage to sum themselves up in three: plants, objects, cafe.

Sure, you’ve got a lot to see, do and buy as you casually stroll the elegant streets of Kolonaki, but to experience the true magic of this famed Athenian neighbourhood you need to check out the cool cafes, trendy bars and classy restaurants.

The Athens Guide