Athens dining Archives - Insights Greece

The Best Outdoor Restaurants in Athens for Summer Dining

Discover the best outdoor restaurants in Athens, from Michelin-starred gardens and elegant terraces to waterfront dining on the Athens Riviera.

Summer dining in Athens is at its best once the evening begins to cool and restaurants across the city turn their attention outdoors. Behind neoclassical façades, gardens are set beneath citrus trees, tables spill onto elegant terraces and waterfront dining rooms fill along the edge of the sea.

No doubt setting matters, but the eight restaurants featured here have been chosen primarily for the quality of their cooking. They range from Michelin-starred tasting menus and contemporary Greek cuisine to exceptional seafood and one of the city’s finest modern tavernas. When our editors are looking for a memorable spot to celebrate a special occasion in summer or simply make the most of a balmy evening, these are the restaurants we return to time and again.

Insights Greece - The Best Outdoor Restaurants in Athens for Summer Dining

Soil

Just moments from the Panathenaic Stadium, Soil has become one of Athens’ most celebrated dining destinations, earning both a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. Housed within a beautifully restored neoclassical residence in Pagrati, the restaurant is at its most enchanting during summer, when tables are set beneath fragrant citrus trees in its peaceful garden.

Chef Tasos Mantis draws inspiration from his own farm in Alepochori, creating a seasonal tasting menu that showcases Greek vegetables, herbs and carefully sourced produce with remarkable precision. Every dish reflects a deep respect for the land, resulting in a dining experience that highlights traditional Greek cooking.

A: Ferekidou 5, Athens

CTC Urban Gastronomy

Hidden within Kerameikos, CTC Urban Gastronomy pairs one of Athens’ most accomplished tasting menus with a beautiful garden that becomes one of the city’s loveliest places to dine once the weather warms. The leafy outdoor setting provides an elegant backdrop to chef and co-owner Alexandros Tsiotinis’ 11-course Blind Taste Menu, where each dish is revealed only as it arrives at the table.

Every plate is beautifully judged, with seasonality, technique and exceptional ingredients guiding the menu from beginning to end.

A: Plateon 15, Athens

Cookoovaya

For more than a decade, Cookoovaya has remained one of Athens’ defining restaurants, celebrated for its ingredient-led approach to modern Greek cuisine. Located on the edge of Kolonaki, the restaurant combines a lively open kitchen with an inviting outdoor terrace that offers one of the area’s most enjoyable settings for summer dining.

Under the direction of chef Periklis Koskinas, dishes draw on personal memories, regional traditions and exceptional local produce, allowing the quality of each ingredient to take centre stage. Seafood is a particular highlight, while the restaurant’s thoughtful zero-waste philosophy further reinforces its long-standing reputation as one of the city’s most respected dining destinations.

A: Chatzigianni Mexi 2a, Athens

Papaioannou

Few names are as closely associated with outstanding seafood in Greece as Papaioannou. Overlooking the water at Mikrolimano in Piraeus, the restaurant offers an elegant setting where uninterrupted harbour views become part of the experience, particularly on warm summer evenings.

Chef Giorgos Papaioannou works closely with trusted fishermen to source the freshest daily catch, preparing each dish with remarkable restraint to allow the natural quality of the seafood to shine. Signature dishes such as grilled prawns, raw shellfish and beautifully filleted fish served tableside reflect a philosophy built on seasonality, simplicity and generations of maritime tradition.

A: Akti Koumoundourou 42, Piraeus

Taverna Ton Filon

Occupying a lovingly restored 1950s taverna in Kolonos, Taverna Ton Filon has become one of Athens’ most distinctive modern dining addresses. Its charming courtyard, illuminated by strings of lights during summer, creates an inviting setting for a menu that changes daily according to the season and the kitchen’s inspiration.

Founders Yiannis Mousios and sommelier Giorgos Kontorizos have preserved the warmth and familiarity of a traditional neighbourhood taverna while introducing a contemporary approach to Greek cooking. Alongside ever-changing daily specials, favourites such as the lemon and oregano potatoes, house bread and rich chocolate mousse have become reasons enough to return.

A: Argous 66, Athens

Aleria

Set within an elegant 19th-century neoclassical residence in Metaxourgeio, Aleria offers one of the most beautiful garden settings in Athens. Its secluded outdoor dining area provides a tranquil escape from the city, complimenting a menu that reinterprets Greek cuisine through refined technique and imaginative flavour combinations.

Chef Gikas Xenakis draws on regional ingredients and traditional recipes while introducing contemporary touches, resulting in a dining experience that is sophisticated yet welcoming.

A: Meg. Alexandrou 57, Athens

Pelagos

Situated within the Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens in Vouliagmeni, Pelagos offers one of Greece’s most celebrated fine dining experiences in a setting that is every bit as memorable as the cuisine. Overlooking the Riviera, the restaurant’s elegant terrace creates the feeling of dining beside the sea, with uninterrupted water views adding to the sense of occasion as the sun begins to set.

Awarded two Michelin Stars, chef Luca Piscazzi presents contemporary Mediterranean cuisine through a tasting menu where each course is thoughtfully composed and seafood takes centre stage. While the food is exceptional, the combination of the waterfront setting, impeccable service and beautifully designed surroundings makes Pelagos one of the most sought-after outdoor dining experiences in Athens.

A: Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni

Patio at The Margi

Hidden within the gardens of The Margi in Vouliagmeni, Patio is one of Athens’ most intimate fine dining restaurants, welcoming just nine tables each evening during its seasonal opening from May until October. Awarded both a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star, the restaurant celebrates a genuine farm-to-table philosophy that begins at The Margi Farm, where much of the produce featured throughout the tasting menus is grown.

Chef Panagiotis Giakalis creates contemporary Mediterranean dishes that reflect each season, bringing together organic vegetables, herbs and carefully selected seafood with remarkable finesse. Surrounded by olive trees and fragrant planting, Patio feels wonderfully secluded, making it one of the loveliest places to enjoy a long summer dinner on the Athens Riviera. With only nine tables available each evening, booking well in advance is essential.

A: Litous 11, Vouliagmeni

Main image by Patio

Where to Eat Mezze in Athens: 5 Local Spots for Sharing Plates

In Greece, eating out with friends usually means mezze.

A few plates arrive at the table, something grilled, something fried, something to dip into, and before long, more are added without much thought. It’s informal, relaxed, and always better shared.

You’ll usually see it paired with a carafe of house wine or a small bottle of tsipouro, but there are no set rules. It’s less about formalities and more about how the table comes together over time.

In Athens, this style of eating hasn’t changed much, even as the city has. Step into the right places and you’ll find tables that fill up slowly, regulars who know exactly what to order, and menus built around simple dishes done well.

These are the kinds of restaurants that don’t rely on design or presentation. They’re busy, a little loud, and consistently good- places where locals go when they want to eat properly.

Below are five mezze spots in Athens we go back to often- easy, reliable spots for a long table, a few too many plates, and a proper catch-up over food that’s made to share.

Insights Greece - Where to Eat Mezze in Athens: 5 Local Spots for Sharing Plates

Aoritis- Kritis Thymises

Nestled next to one of the busiest roads in Athens, this spot offers a surprisingly quiet setting where you can enjoy bold, flavourful dishes. Be sure to try their exceptional sausage with orange, as well as the fried beans served over lightly roasted greens, accompanied by tomato sauce and their boiled potato salad. The menu is inspired by Cretan cuisine, with dishes designed to be shared and savoured together. Due to its popularity, it’s recommended to book in advance to secure a table.

A: Meandrou 15, Ilisia, Athens

Syntrimmi

Hidden in a quiet corner near Kerameikos metro station, Syntrimmi, literally meaning “ruins”, offers anything but a crumbling experience. Its understated exterior gives way to bold, memorable flavors. The fried potatoes, crisp and golden, are elevated by a rich, garlicky sauce that locals rave about. Unexpectedly, the fish soup steals the spotlight, delicate yet deeply flavourful, and rarely found on a mezze table. The taramosalata is another must-try, creamy and perfectly balanced. There are no reservations here, which only adds to its charm, arrive early and embrace the spontaneity.

A: Chalkidikís 52 and Kassándras Votanikos, Athens

Louvron

Set just across from the Goulandris Museum, Louvron is the ideal culinary pause after an afternoon spent at the Museum. This cozy spot blends tradition with seasonality, offering a menu that evolves with the freshest ingredients available. While dishes may change, a few favourites remain constant: a tomato salad with a vinegary kick, irresistibly crispy meatballs served over hot pita bread, and richly spiced Cretan sausage.

A: Eratosthenous 6, Pangrati, Athens

Ta Filarakia tis Dropolis

Located in Aigaleo, one of the most well-known areas for enjoying all kinds of mezedes, this restaurant truly lives up to its reputation. Here, you’ll find excellent kontosouvli and kokoretsi, a traditional Greek specialty made from finely seasoned cuts of lamb, wrapped and slow-roasted on a spit until perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Don’t miss their delicious meatballs and perfectly crispy fried potatoes, best enjoyed with a generous serving of tzatziki on the side.

A: Proussis 54, Aigaleo, Athens

Doukissa

Set in the cool neighbourhood of Chalandri, at first glance, Doukissa may resemble a more formal restaurant, but don’t be fooled, once the dishes start arriving, it’s clearly all about the mezze, and you will want to try a bit of everything. From the crispy, herb-laced tomato fritters to the earthy beetroot salad, each plate is made with care. The standout, however, is the hunkar begendi: slow-cooked meat served over a velvety eggplant purée, a dish that speaks to the deep culinary ties between Greece and the East.

A: Doukissis Plakentias 14, Chalandri, Athens

Main image by Aoritis- Kritis Thymises

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5 New Must-Try Restaurants in Athens

We’ve done it again- eaten our way across Athens to uncover the city’s hottest new tables. From reinvented taverna fare to Cretan-Basque small plates, these are the restaurants worth knowing about now.

The Athens dining scene has been anything but predictable lately. There’s been a wave of fresh openings, new teams taking over beloved old venues, and familiar names returning with bold new concepts.

Among the latest: a wildly creative gastrotaverna in the heart of town, a buzzed-about tapas spot that fuses Crete and the Basque Country, and a low-key eatery where queues form daily for next-gen kebabs. Some go big on atmosphere, others let the food do the talking. Either way, you’ll want a seat at these tables.

Let’s get into it!

Insights Greece - 5 New Must-Try Restaurants in Athens

Athos

A soulful newcomer tucked behind warm wood counters and mosaic floors, Athos is a place where open fire and memory come together in every dish. Chef-owner Dimitris Chatzivasileiou draws inspiration from his northern Greek roots and an almost poetic respect for raw ingredients. There’s an open kitchen and a feeling that you’ve stepped into a quietly confident neighbourhood spot- the kind you wish you had close to home. The menu is rooted in Greek traditions but elevated through subtle, modern touches: think shrimp dolmades, and sheep’s yoghurt paired with honeycomb for dessert. Everything is seasonal, flame-kissed, and accompanied by Greek wines.

But Athos is more than just a restaurant, it’s an expression of place. The star of the menu? Brachykeratika goat from the wild hills of Mani, slow-raised and wood-roasted bone-in for a deep, primal flavour. Chatzivasileiou cooks over an open flame each day, not just as a method, but as a philosophy: food here is about evoking memory, connecting with land, and creating comfort.

A: Siasistis 7, Athens

Topa

Blending the bold flavours of Crete with the laid-back spirit of the Basque Country, Topa is a vibrant new arrival in Kypseli from the team behind Oinoscent. This laid-back tapas bar blends the chef’s Cretan roots with his love for northern Spain. Expect a joyful mix of vermouths, raki, and ciders alongside small plates that span cultures: fluffy cecina croquettes, soft-centred Basque tortilla, pluma Iberica, Cretan snails, and padron peppers that crackle with salt and char.

There’s no fuss here- just good energy, cold drinks, and dishes made for sharing. The compact wine list highlights both Greek and Spanish labels, while a bright vermouth over ice with olives hits perfectly on a summer night. This is the kind of place where a quick drink turns into a long evening. Casual, flavourful, and impossible not to love.

A: Negri Fokionos 43, Athens

Mirlo

Located on a quiet edge of Gazi, Mirlo is the latest evolution from the beloved Feyrouz team- and their mission is clear: redefine what a kebab can be. With just a few indoor tables, a counter overlooking the square, and an open kitchen, the space keeps things unpretentious while letting the flavours do the talking. The menu dives deep into Levantine and Eastern Mediterranean roots: smoky baba ghanoush, ezme with a hit of heat, pork neck with pomegranate molasses, and handmade doner kebabs layered with precision and care.

One standout is the Yiartoulou kebab- rich, spicy, and served with unapologetic flair- alongside mutton with apricot and pine honey, a nod to ancient pairings. Even the house “mole” is a revelation: not the Mexican version, but a new Greek-Levant mash-up of burnt onions, roasted peppers, crushed nuts and just enough spice to keep you guessing. Mirlo isn’t trying to be cool- it just is.

A: Elasidon 5A, Athens

Liystor

Set in the former home of famed archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis, Liystor is quietly rewriting the rules of seafood dining in Monastiraki. At its heart is chef Nikos Apostolakis- born in Crete, raised by the sea, and renowned for his delicate mastery of fish. His kitchen is a tribute to purity and precision, where the art of curing takes centre stage: expect crudo that walks the line between Japanese restraint and Mediterranean soul, along with tuna bacon and fish sausages that highlight both technique and imagination. The seafood papillote- wrapped with shellfish, wild fennel, and baby potatoes- is as elegant as it is elemental.

While the menu is entirely Greek-sourced and deeply seasonal, seafood is the soul of the place- prepared with methods that enhance. Dishes like burnt artichoke risotto with lemon purée and dill or citrus salad with fennel seed granola and mint dressing add layers of freshness and depth. With its rooftop views of the Acropolis and a shaded courtyard that whispers of old Athens, Liystor feels both grounded and elevated.

A: Ermou 92-94 & Pittaki, Athens

Dopios

Chef Christoforos Peskias brings a fresh take on Greek meze to both the centre of Athens and, more recently, the vibrant coastal strip of Glyfada. At Dopios, the concept is simple but compelling: small plates rooted in local tradition, elevated by technique and ingredients sourced from small-scale producers across Greece. The original location, tucked into a shady pedestrian street beside the 11th-century church of Agios Theodoros, feels charmingly timeless. The new Glyfada outpost is all summer air and sunlight, with an open-concept space that channels relaxed vibes.

The menu stays true to its roots with highlights that include braised octopus with Santorini fava, sardines stuffed with wild herbs and oregano oil, and slow-cooked milk-fed goat in mustard sauce. There’s even a vegan twist on marathopita (fennel pie) served with avocado cream. The wine list features 50 Greek handpicked labels, and dessert includes a rich karioka (Greek-style chocolate-walnut sweet) or a dreamy galatopita milk pie- a nod to tres leches. Familiar, but far from ordinary.

A: Leodikis 31, Glyfada

Main image by Topa

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New Dining Scene Explodes in Athens

The restaurant scene of Athens has been exciting and alluring for several decades and following a few years of lockdown has now become even more so. Here we present you with some of the most talked-about new arrivals in the capital’s dining scene.

CTC

Alexandros Tsiotini’s innovative culinary concept has moved from the greater Hilton area and Dioharous Street to the spot where Athiri restaurant used to be. His new space is more impressive and with a lovely garden. As for the cuisine, it follows the chef’s vision with a stronger element of Greekness and a special emphasis on raw materials.

A: Plateon 15, Athens

Insights Greece - New Dining Scene Explodes in Athens

Linou Soubaris & Sia

One of the newest hits of the Athenian culinary scene, this restaurant has already become a hit for combining a minimalist décor, candle-lit dining area in Psirri with cuisine that is delightfully simple yet extremely delicious.

A: Melanthiou 2, Athens

Soil

One of the most heard-about openings of last autumn was Soil, a fine dining restaurant created by Tasos Mantis (known from his Michelin-star awarded work at Hytra restaurant) and Alexandros Mouridis. Located in a vibrant part of Pagrati near the Panathenaic Stadium, chef Mantis’ famous garden in Alepochori fully inspires the restaurant’s dishes.

A: Ferekidou 5, Athina

Brutus Tavern

This new venture by the team of Yannis Morakis, Giorgos Melissaris and Giorgos Kanellopoulos is based in the space that used to house the old Nikkei restaurant. It’s a premium steakhouse with an expertly designed wine list by sommelier Michalis Theodorakis. The cuts definitely have the upper hand but be sure to try the burgers with dry-aged minced meat, Red Leicester cheddar and caramelized onions as well as the Royal Chicken with truffle and Albufera sauce.

A: Leventi 3, Kolonaki

Loco

From the first day it opened, this cool taqueria by Lelo Georgopoulos, Athenagoras Kostakos and the team of Kuko’s went viral and not only because of its catchy name. In these colourful and fun interiors or at one of the tables on the sidewalk, try its well-made, Mexico-inspired cocktails, tacos, mouth-watering sea bream ceviche with hot yellow pepper sauce and a beef tartare with hot pepper sauce.

A: Kalamiotou 15, Athens

Kitschen

One of the most unexpected, tastebud-tickling and feel-good arrivals of last autumn was this Asian restaurant/dim sum bar in Piraeus, in one of its most underdeveloped areas. A breath away from the commercial centre of the port and on a street you probably wouldn’t expect to visit, Kitschen has been set up by Dimitris Liem (with stints at Matsuhisa, Momo and e&o among others) and Spyros Mineto (9Beta). The former has taken over the kitchen, with his deep expertise and a focus on top quality raw materials and high flavour; the latter has set up a drinks section with scrumptious signature cocktails such as Chino Latino, Samurai’s Sling and Cobra Kai.

A: Kanari 5, Piraeus

The Black Salami Microbakery

Foodie Instagrammers know this is currently one of the hottest spots in Athens. It’s not quite a restaurant, but we felt it important to include it in this list. It is described as a micro-bakery (due to limited bread production) and presents one of the most delectable brunch options (top of the line are the Eggs Benedict and Greek kayanas scrambled eggs) as well as great sandwiches with fluffy breads.

A: Zoodochou Pigis 71, Athens

Mimis

Part of a dining triptych, this ‘neo-traditional’ souvlaki restaurant in Pagrati opened during a lockdown last March. Mimis is the latest venture of Elvi Dimitris Zympas, who also runs the excellent Alficon and Elvis kalamaki bar, in a new experiment with something he really loves.

A: Efranoros 10, Pagrati

Bistrot at Mira Me Athens

With a philosophy of ‘come as a guest, leave as a friend’ this new, ground-floor restaurant is run by executive chef Aris Roussos, who presents his own take on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, with some Asian twists.

A: Mira Me Athens Hotel | Ermou 118, Athens

Drakoulis Dry & Raw

The luxury steakhouse returns to the capital’s gastronomic scene with a new venue in Kifissia. Its ambition is to become the hottest new ‘meating’ point in the northern suburbs. Stratos Drakoulis puts his signature on the varied menu of this place, which opened very recently.

A: Pentelis 1, Kifisia

Hasapika

Why did it take so long to think of this? Hasapika is a sushi restaurant inside the Varvakeio fish market on Athinas St. Try the Nigiri, sashimi, rolls and Greek-style fish soup, in an environment that could easily have sprung from an Anthony Bourdain show.

A: Central Market | Aristogitonos 1, Athens

Coming soon:

Delta

Thanos Feskos returned to Greece exactly a year ago after 12 years abroad and a highly successful career in leading restaurants, mainly working as Assistant Head Chef at the famous Geranium in Copenhagen – which he claims changed his whole worldview on food. This summer he will be opening Delta Restaurant, which will centre around contemporary Greek cuisine of high gastronomy at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

A: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Athens

Main image | CTC Athens

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Discover the best outdoor restaurants in Athens, from Michelin-starred gardens and elegant terraces to waterfront dining on the Athens Riviera.

Soil

CTC Urban Gastronomy

Cookoovaya

Papaioannou

Taverna Ton Filon

Aleria

Pelagos

Patio at The Margi

In Greece, eating out with friends usually means mezze.

Aoritis- Kritis Thymises

Syntrimmi

Louvron

Ta Filarakia tis Dropolis

Doukissa

We’ve done it again- eaten our way across Athens to uncover the city’s hottest new tables. From reinvented taverna fare to Cretan-Basque small plates, these are the restaurants worth knowing about now.

The restaurant scene of Athens has been exciting and alluring for several decades and following a few years of lockdown has now become even more so. Here we present you with some of the most talked-about new arrivals in the capital’s dining scene.

CTC

Linou Soubaris & Sia

Soil

Brutus Tavern

Loco

Kitschen

The Black Salami Microbakery

Mimis

Bistrot at Mira Me Athens

Drakoulis Dry & Raw

Hasapika

Delta

The Athens Guide