Athens restaurants Archives

Pharaoh Brings a Cool New Dining Experience to Athens

Pharaoh serves wood-fire cooking, natural wines and music spun on vinyl – all tucked behind a striking emerald green curtain in edgy Exarcheia.

This new eatery has undoubtedly been Athens’ most celebrated restaurant opening of 2023 (technically, very late 2022) and it’s no surprise with a formidable team of food and wine experts at the helm including chef Manolis Papoutsakis (Deka Trapezia and Charoupi of Thessaloniki), wine merchant Perry Panagiotakopoulos and journalist Fotis Vallatos.

The vibe

The space is warm and casual with an open kitchen, a few tables and a large bar that serves solo diners and sets of two. Front of house, the team of chefs, sommeliers and music curators work together to create an experience that sits somewhere between restaurant and wine bar. Walls are stacked with vinyl and firewood – a nod to the restaurant’s music and cooking philosophies.

Insights Greece - Pharaoh Brings a Cool New Dining Experience to Athens

Signature dishes

Chef Papoutsakis has created a menu of fresh, seasonal offerings as well as village-style dishes cooked exclusively using wood fire. Menu staples include the keftedakia, the braised beef with barley and the tight-wrapped dolmadakia served with xygalo yogurt.

My fave dish

The menu is frequently modified to celebrate seasonal flavours. Every visit garners a new favourite dish (the most recent was the summer salad of monk’s beard with cherries, avocado and apricot). The perfectly whipped taramosalata topped with bottarga and the wild greens are dishes you’ll keep going back for.

Leave room for dessert?

The galaktoboureko is steadily gaining a cult following.

Something to drink…

There’s an extensive wine list of over 400 Greek and foreign wines, with a strong leaning towards natural varieties. Greek craft beers and select cocktails round out the drinks menu nicely with something for everyone.

Why I’d come back…

An evening at Pharaoh goes beyond the menu of classic dishes with thoughtful, seasonal modifications. It’s the curated music offering, the exciting beverage list and the modern decor that add texture and layers to the dining experience.

Perfect for…

Solo dining at the bar, date night, or a fun meal with your foodie friends.

Price range: 40-60 € per person

Opening hours: Opening hours vary, and reservations can be made online

Location: Solomou 54, Exarcheia

Athens’ New Michelin Star Restaurants for 2022

The MICHELIN Guide Athens 2022 has just been revealed, with one new Two Michelin-star restaurant, two new One Michelin-star restaurants, and plenty more receiving a high distinction in various categories.

“The Greek capital features one new Two Michelin Star restaurant as well as two restaurants receiving a Star for the first time. Two restaurants stand out with their commitment in terms of sustainability and thus receive the Michelin Green Star. Seven new establishments have been referenced, thus bringing the selection to a total of 27 restaurants,” announced the Michelin Guide.

Insights Greece - Athens’ New Michelin Star Restaurants for 2022 — Delta Restaurant

First new entry to the 2022 Michelin Guide with a Two Star edition is Delta, which “stands out with its breathtaking avant-garde esthetics, at the heart of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Chefs George Papazacharias and Thanos Feskos, who both boast experience in Northern countries, offer gastronomic suggestions that combine Scandinavian concepts and culinary techniques with local products, with the common theme being environmental sustainability,” says the Michelin Guide team.

Two Newly Awarded Restaurants That Received One Michelin Star

Soil, which is located in the Pangrati district and “offers a charming terrace, harbors the cuisine of Chefs Tasos Mantis and Alexandros Mouridis. The name “Soil” is a clear indication of the philosophy behind the establishment, which aims to be close to its territory, mindful of food sustainability and a fervent supporter of the “Farm to table” approach.”

Along with The Zillers, “without a doubt a highly unique restaurant, since it is located on the rooftop of the Zillers Boutique Hotel, meaning guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Acropolis and the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation. With its flexible offer, one can enjoy a light, casual lunch or a full-fledged gastronomic dinner from Chef Pavlos Kiriakis.”

Retaining their Stars for yet another year are Botrini’s, CTC, Hytra, Pelagos and Varoulko Seaside, which had all already received a MICHELIN Star last year, along with Bib Gourmand recipients Cerdo Negro 1985, Nolan and Oikeîo, which were once again acknowledged for their focus on good value for money.

Four Restaurants Added to the 2022 Selection of the Athens Michelin Guide

Hervé’s, “the culinary offer focuses on a single tasting menu which includes 15 courses and is based on Greek traditions combined with cosmopolitan inspirations from France, Asia, Latin America.”

Linou Soumpasis k sia “stands out through its aesthetics.. it has a casual bistro vibe where you can enjoy simple, authentic Greek cuisine, with a few surprising modern touches and a strong commitment towards using organic products.”

Merceri, “a classic, authentic bistro, serves the cuisine of Maria Dioudi and Melina Chomata…their cuisine, which is modern and features international influences, pays tribute to Greek recipes.”

VERi TABLE, “a French-style bistro where you will be welcomed by a cheerful couple, you will find suggestions that pay tribute to Provençal cuisine… along with the great standards, you will find weekly recommendations as well as made-to-measure menus.”

The MICHELIN Guides are a series of guide books that have been published by the French company Michelin since 1904. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments.

The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Athens 2022 is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app.

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A Day in Athens’ Cool Neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos

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.

Insights Greece - A Day in Athens' Cool Neighbourhood of Neos Kosmos — Naif Cafe

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).

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.

Main Image Courtesy of One Man

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10 Best Vegan Restaurants in Athens

The vegan dining scene is not only here to stay in Athens, but also flourishing!

With more and more vegan restaurants and cafes opening up and an increasing number of previously vegan-incognizant places altering their menus to include exciting vegan options, there is a modern, creative, flavoursome and nutritionally sophisticated choice of venues for anyone with a hearty and even highly demanding plant-based appetite. Here we showcase our best recommendations.

Peas (40, Falirou Str, Koukaki)

With the motto “Give Peas a Chance”, this trendy Koukaki place serves salads, breakfast specials, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, souvlaki, hot meals, cakes and desserts that are all homemade. You’ll find gluten-free raw and sugar-free choices and can sip on vitamin-rich juices, smoothies and fair-trade coffee. Don’t Miss: the raw tart and club sandwich.

Insights Greece - 10 Best Vegan Restaurants in Athens

Trivoli Vegan Kafeneio 10 Best Vegan Restaurants in Athens (Marinou Antipa 107a, Ilioupoli)

A vegan bar/restaurant serving wholesome, filling meals such as various kinds of pasta, burgers, salads, souvlaki and healthy drinks such as shakes, juices and coffee with plant milk. Don’t miss: the cannelloni with vegan ricotta, spinach and sunflower seeds, Greek classic pastitsioand soy yiouvetsi.

Yi (69 Grigoriu Lambraki Street, Glyfada)

A foodie venue with sophisticated flavours and artfully concocted raw and vegan dishes, Yi has been impressing palates for over a decade now in a large, beautiful space in Athens’ southern suburb of Glyfada. Don’t Miss: Raw soup, Mexican burritos and the harvest veggie bowl with caramelized chickpeas.

The Vegan Vandal (Aminta 15 Pangrati)

Fancy junk food without the meat? This is your place. This fun Pangrati hangout serves souvlaki, pitta pockets burgers and other crunchy sinful-tasting stuff without the guilt. Don’t Miss: the Jack Burger with smoked pulled jackfruit marinated in BBQ sauce, coleslaw, mayo, garden onion, baby rocket and pickled carrot and the crispy cauliflower bites.

Cookoomela Grill – Exarchia (43-45 Themistokleous Street, Exarcheia)

Athens’ first vegan souvlaki joint, and still perhaps the most successful, specialises in homemade mushroom or lentil gyro, and a ‘tzatziki’ with organic soy yoghurt. Don’t Miss: the Yellow Dish (with mushroom, avocado, vegetable mayonnaise, tomato, onion, parsley and hand-cut potatoes.

Mother Vegan (Dimitrakopoulou 95, Koukaki)

This place differs from the rest, especially in that it ventures to create ‘steak’ made with organic beans, kombucha, and various other intriguing ingredients. And it succeeds in creating something very tasty! Don’t Miss: the aromatic chard pie with fresh garden herbs and the Smoked Tofu Burger with soybeans, tamari, nutritional yeast flakes, lentils and nigari.

Veganaki (38 Athanasiou Diakou Street, Koukaki)

Veganaki centres its menu on Greek recipes with rich flavours and high-quality local ingredients. Don’t Miss: the moussaka with minced red lentil and bechamel made with almond milk and cauliflower, the pastitsio with minced soy and for a taste of the Middle East, the crispy, oven-baked falafel

Winners Vegan Restaurant (Nikis 27, at Niki Athens Hotel, Syntagma)

Actually located within the Niki Athens Hotel, Winners Vegan is a cheerful little place serves plant-based organic dishes and snacks including great breakfast options like guacamole toast. Don’t Miss: Mac n cheese and vegan poke (Hawaiian sushi).

Mama Tierra (84 Akadimias Street, Athens)

Highly popular for its tasty ethnic cuisine, pure raw materials (many of which are organic) and healthy homemade preparation, this is a classic haunt for vegans and vegetarians. Don’t Miss: Greek soutzoukakakia patties with red sauce, crisp macrobiotic salads, mushroom risotto and vegetable korma.

Avocado (30 Nikis Street, Syntagma)

Another Athens vegan classic, this place serves wonderful Asian, Indian and Mediterranean dishes made with high-quality ingredients as well as wonderful, healthy smoothies and juices. Don’t Miss: the Zen Tempeh with organic rice noodles, ginger, fresh snow peas, red curry, coconut milk and tempeh, crispy tofu and raw chocolate tart.

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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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8 Best New Places to Eat in Athens

Athenians love eating out and despite the hardship over the last year, new culinary pleasures are popping up all over the Greek capital. If you are looking for a great spot to grab some brunch, lunch, or dinner in Athens, we’ve rounded up eight fab new eateries for your next visit.

Linou Soubaris & Sia

This amazing new “no-frills” restaurant is all about bringing it back to basics. From the décor and design to the food and drinks, the simplicity makes it even more appealing. With an open kitchen and industrial layout, here you will find a range of natural candles (that you can purchase) displayed throughout the space. With a gastro-bistro feel, chef Lukas Mailer creates modern dishes using seasonal ingredients and products that are made in-house, including black pig sausages and smoked swordfish. The menu changes regularly but one thing that remains the same is each dish is designed to bring back memories of classic Sunday dinners. There is also a small but great Greek organic wine list to choose from.

A: Melanthiou 2, Athens

Insights Greece - 8 Best New Places to Eat in Athens

Brutus Tavern

Located in Kolonaki, this new premium steakhouse is the perfect dinner spot for those who enjoy finely cooked meat. Featuring stylish décor and an elegant vibe, the dining area boasts mirrors and white tiles, while the menu includes dry-aged mince, wagyu ribeye, New Zealand rib steak, and smoked pancetta.

A: Leventi 3, Kolonaki

Milos

Including popular eateries in New York, London, and Miami, this is the first Milos restaurant in Greece. Part of the boutique hotel, which just opened its doors, offers fine Mediterranean dishes from acclaimed founder and executive chef Costas Spiliadis. Using fresh and locally sourced produce, the kitchen team works with distinguished farmers and fishermen to provide a delightful menu that focuses on seafood.

A: Kolokotroni 3-5, Athens

Gastone

This modern eatery describes itself as being somewhere in between “a fancy version of an American diner and a Greek hasapotaverna (meat tavern).” Ideal for lunch or casual dinner- here you can choose from the grill and rotisserie, or the great range of burgers and seasonal salads. There’s also locally sourced freshly cut cheeses and cold meats (from producers all over Greece) on offer; as well as an impressive wine list featuring upcoming Greek wineries.

A: Praxitelous 43, Athens

Kalon Restaurant

Another new addition to Kolonaki, Kalon combines traditional Greek flavours with modern twists. Featuring stylish indoor and outdoor spaces, here you can choose from dishes including Seabass carpaccio with zucchini, Black eye beans, lentils and wild rice, Octopus with Fava; and mains such as Prawn giouvetsi, Baby chicken marinated in sun-dried tomatoes, or one of our favourites- the “Skioufihta” pasta with pumpkin and Greek prosciutto.

A: Pl. Filikis Eterias 14, Kolonaki

Senta Japanese

If you are in the mood for some Japanese, executive chef Nick Politakos is ready to take you on a culinary journey filled with signature rolls, hosomaki, suzuki tempura and kani sake- just to name a few. We highly recommend the shared menu if you are there with friends, which allows you to taste lots more of the fresh dishes and flavours on offer.

A: Voukourestiou 3, Athens

Loco Taqueria

Having opened its doors in November of 21, this new taqueria/tequileria in the centre of the city has fast become a local favourite for all those who love Mexican food (who doesn’t). So, if tacos and tequilas are your thing, make sure you head to Loco where they also serve Tuna ceviche, Aquachile sea bass, Pork Iberico, and some seriously delicious churros.

A: Kalamiotou 15, Athens

The Makers

One of our favourite new brunch spots; this cool concept store that sells handmade aprons, t-shirts, bags, tea towels and other items is the perfect place for a good coffee. They also offer a delightful breakfast menu- featuring smoothies, pancakes and waffles, as well as many healthy options such as bowls of yogurt with granola and fresh seasonal fruit, refreshing salads, healthy crepes and plenty of egg-based dishes.

A: Praxitelous 37, Athens

Main image: Brutus Tavern

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Athens’ New Boutique Hotel For Foodies Opens Up

If you are heading to the Greek capital and looking for a luxury boutique hotel that pairs stand-out accommodation with award-winning fine dining, check out xenodoxeio Milos, which just opened its door in downtown Athens.

Offering fantastic, inventive dishes for breakfast lunch and dinner (made from locally sourced produce) lovers of gastronomy will be delighted with this new hotel that offers a culinary experience that is sure to hit the spot.

Located in downtown Athens, opposite the Old Parliament House- an area rich in history, culture, art and cuisine- xenodoxeio Milos offers a great base to explore the centre of the Greek capital and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

Insights Greece - Athens' New Boutique Hotel For Foodies Opens Up

With 43 stunning rooms and suites boasting contemporary design, minimalistic art and sophisticated décor, each room is complemented by a series of handpicked personalised amenities. Featuring high ceilings, marble bathrooms, wooden floors, velvet soft furnishing, and spacious outdoor sunny terraces, guests are made to feel welcome from the moment they arrive. There are also private event spaces available, as well as rooftop yoga and pilates classes, and a gym on site.

Offering some of the world’s finest Mediterranean dishes from acclaimed founder and chef executive Costas Spiliadis (who has opened Milos restaurants in seven locations around the world including New York, London and Las Vegas) is ready to serve guests at his new spot that’s designed to please all the senses.

“Our purpose is uncompromised respect- to our guests and to the ingredients we create our dishes with. We select the finest fresh raw materials and cook them with minimum interference to preserve their impeccable natural taste. Our distinguished farmers and fishermen are carefully chosen by our founder, Chef Costas Spiliadis, whose quest for quality and perfection remains unchanged and renowned,” says management.

“The menu provides a world-celebrated take on Mediterranean cuisine. Our passion for seafood is evident in every dish and our love for purity can be traced in even the finest details. Be prepared to rediscover well-known dishes cooked like never before and to establish your new favourites. Our team of distinguished chefs always explore new ways to delight you,” they added.

xenodoxeio Milos

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The Return of Café Boheme, an Athens Classic

Fourteen years after opening on Omirou St in Kolonaki, the atmospheric Café Boheme bar-restaurant, with a loyal following amongst a sophisticated Athens’ clientele, reopens in a different location with fresh décor and a new attitude.

Since my mid-’30s and until it closed, within a few months of the pandemic hitting planet earth, Café Boheme was my stomping ground, a hangout where I felt I belonged to a vibe, a tribe, and a lifestyle. It was then a small and super-cosy, dimly lit and polished little place where the DJ and sometimes live acts kept us dancing closely till the wee hours, as we chomped on truffle pizza and sipped great wine. Always beautifully decorated with pink liliums on each table and immaculate seasonal décor for themed parties usually organised by co-owner Cassandra Wagstaffe, with her mother Alison Wagstaffe’s beautiful paintings decorating the walls, it made every one of its customers feel at home.

Insights Greece - The Return of Café Boheme, an Athens Classic — Image Courtesy of Bovary | Panagiotis Malliaris

But its dinky size and lack of outside seating areas made it impossible to keep hold of in the face of a global pandemic, so owner Dimitris Manolakis and his team, including his daughter Maria who helps manage the place, looked for more open horizons. Within a year they got to work on an elegant neoclassical building, formerly the well-known Barbayiannis establishment, to create a new Café Boheme. With high ceilings and colonial-style fans, stone walls, a long glossy bar and a long monastic bench indoors, and tables dotting the wide pedestrian street outside, they’d found the perfect new spot. Almost immediately, new customers came to discover it as much as old clients ran to re-live the Boheme buzz.

And apart from the warm hospitality and pretty décor of the place, most of its current fans visit for the mouth-watering menu, as the place has gone from bar-restaurant to restaurant-bar. Using high-quality Greek ingredients sourced from top producers around the country, the chef prepares sophisticated (but unpretentiously so) and often wholesome, comforting dishes. The culinary style could be described as Mediterranean – with elements of classic Greek, French and Italian above all.

Pizza in various thin-crust renditions remains a star on the menu, but elegantly prepared and flavour-packed fish, meat and plenty of vegetarian dishes keep everyone happy. My go-to favourites and the tastiest, most satiating foods that I highly recommend are: juicy biftekia (beef patties) with truffle-flavoured mashed potatoes, succulent grilled seabass with boiled greens, a salad with melty goat’s cheese and glazed figs, baked aubergine with tomato sauce and crumbled Feta and grilled salmon with grilled vegetables and crunchy baby calamari. If you’re at Café Boheme with kids, and that’s a very good idea because the wide pedestrian street makes for a good play area too, apart from pizza you can also try the crispy potato ‘rocks’ and club sandwich.

With affordable prices, a charming ambiance, professional service, delicious dishes and an accessible location (the nearest metro is Panepistimio), Café Boheme is likely to become one of your favourite haunts too. Here’s to a new era for a hangout with a special character.

A: Emmanouil Benaki 94, Athens

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday- 10 am to 2 am

Main Image Courtesy of Bovary | Panagiotis Malliaris

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Fine Dining at Pelagos, Athens’ New Michelin Star Restaurant

With an inventive and forward-looking interpretation of fine dining, Pelagos has fast left its mark on the Athens dining scene, earning a coveted Michelin star within its first six months of operation.

By Gina Lionatos

Type of eatery: Classic fine dining within the walls of the five-star Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens.

The low down… The experience at Pelagos isn’t just mouth-wateringly delicious, it is one that will leave your taste buds in an utter daze, while you excitedly discuss the innovative flavour combinations with your fellow diners.

Décor/ Ambience: The interior exudes warmth and elegance, with retro touches reminiscent of a luxury yacht or cruiser. The sweeping views of the Aegean Sea will leave you feeling like you’ve set sail while you embark on a culinary journey.

Insights Greece - Fine Dining at Pelagos, Athens' New Michelin Star Restaurant

Menu

The Pelagos menu has an a la carte selection of entrees, mains and desserts, however, to truly experience Pelagos is to partake in one of the degustation menus. Tasting menus vary in size, price and ingredients (including vegetarian and vegan options) and feature stand out starters like the yellowtail crudo with marinated heirloom tomatoes, cherries, elderflower, oregano and burrata cream – an incredibly pretty and fresh starter.

The celebration of the sea continues with plates like Tuna – a dish that features both a delicate tartare accompanied by pistachio and bay leaf ice cream, and a “tuna souvlaki” grilled to perfection and served in a fluffy mini pita bread.

The Wild Sea Bass (Dry Aged) served with mastiha artichoke, smoked pike caviar and kumquat is another dish you don’t want to miss.

The tasting menu is capped off with delicate and delectable dessert dishes like the apricot tarte with nikka whiskey and, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to sample a selection of hand-made chocolate morsels (the white chocolate and olive oil truffle is a stand-out).

Something to drink: Start the evening in your own style, with a tailor-made martini shaken at the bar’s martini cart. After your aperitivo, select from an impressive and extensive selection of wines. Adding a wine pairing to your degustation is highly recommended.

My favourite dish: Picking a favourite at an establishment like Pelagos is tricky. Each dish is literally better than the one that came before it. However, an honourable mention must be made of the mind-bending amuse-bouche bites like the crab-filled cracker, reconceptualised oyster and sea urchin tiramisu, which are served at the meal’s beginning and set the tone for an inspired dining experience.

Signature dishes: The Caviar Pasta is a signature Pelagos experience. Cold mancini spaghetti is dressed in clam emulsion, almonds, bronze fennel and topped with glistening black pearls of Krystal Caviar. Simply put, it is a must-try.

Price range: Degustation menus start from a four-plate menu at 95 € (+ 35 for wine pairing) and range up to an eight-plate menu at 155 Euro (+ 75 for wine pairing)

Location: Located within the Four Seasons Athens Astir Palace | Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni.

Opening hours/days: Tuesday-Saturday 7-10 pm.

Images Courtesy of Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens | Featured Image Courtesy of MBDS

Athens’ New Michelin Star Awarded Restaurants for 2021

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Athens’ New Michelin Star Awarded Restaurants for 2021

The MICHELIN Guide Athens 2021 has just been revealed, and two new restaurants in the Greek capital were awarded with one Michelin Star, while others received high distinction in various categories.

“Hospitality is an intrinsic part of Greek culture and our recommended restaurants in Athens show that it is as warm and sincere as ever. Local ingredients and, even more so, local wines have come to the fore in recent years, and it is great for visitors to feel part of the local community. Athens has restaurants for all occasions and they truly reflect all that is best about this amazing city,” announced Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides.

First new entry to the 2021 MICHELIN Guide with a One Star edition is Pelagos Restaurant, run by Head Chef Luca Piscazzi, who formerly led the team at Two Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic in London. “This stylish, understated restaurant is set within the Astir Palace Hotel, on the Vouliagmeni Peninsula, and boasts stunning sea views. Seafood-based cooking blends refined French techniques with prime Mediterranean ingredients and is characterised by creativity, sophistication and bold yet harmonious flavours,” says the MICHELIN Guide team.

Insights Greece - Athens’ New Michelin Star Awarded Restaurants for 2021 — Pelagos, a fine dining restaurant

The other newly awarded One Star restaurant CTC was in fact added to the MICHELIN Guide five years ago and has recently moved to a new location. “Experienced chef-owner Alexandros Tsiotinis leads guests on an 11 course ‘Voyage’ which takes in Greece’s culinary history and blends bold flavours with subtle innovation and originality. His enthusiastic serving team also help to create a charming and truly memorable all-round experience,” they added.

Retaining their Stars for yet another year are Spondi (Two Michelin Stars) and Botrini’s, Hytra and Varoulko Seaside; all One Michelin Star.

Two restaurants – Nolan and Oikeîo – retain their Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2021. Joining them is Cerdo Negro 1985, a new addition to the guide; this is a small taverna, run by brothers Konstantinos and Yiorgos who have combined their Greek heritage with a passion for Spanish cuisine.

Five Restaurants Added to the Main Section

– Aleria “sits within a carefully restored mid-19 Century former residence and the jewel in its crown is its lovely walled garden. Classic Greek ingredients are showcased in interesting, colourful combinations.”
– At Le Pavillon, “the chef-owner welcomes every diner personally. Seafood-focused cooking respects classic techniques but flavours are more delicate than the typical bold Mediterranean style.”
– Okio “has a cool atmosphere and a laid-back vibe. Touches of originality are added to traditional Mediterranean recipes to create vibrant dishes with some bold Asian flavours.”
– Splendid art deco Athénée “has been lovingly restored by a family team and is once again a place to be seen. It opens all day and serves something for everyone, from Greek classics to sushi and afternoon tea.”
– Annie Fine Cooking “is a homely, colourfully decorated neighbourhood restaurant which spills out into the tree-lined street. Cooking celebrates the country’s produce, with natural flavours and a distinct balance of sweet and sour shining through.”

The MICHELIN Guides are a series of guide books that have been published by the French tyre company Michelin since 1904. The Guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to a select few establishments.

Athens’ Top 20 Michelin-Awarded Restaurants

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Delta Restaurant and Bar Opens at SNFCC

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.

A: 364 Syngrou Avenue, Athens

Photography by Jerome Galland

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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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Pharaoh serves wood-fire cooking, natural wines and music spun on vinyl – all tucked behind a striking emerald green curtain in edgy Exarcheia.

The MICHELIN Guide Athens 2022 has just been revealed, with one new Two Michelin-star restaurant, two new One Michelin-star restaurants, and plenty more receiving a high distinction in various categories.

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.

The vegan dining scene is not only here to stay in Athens, but also flourishing!

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

Athenians love eating out and despite the hardship over the last year, new culinary pleasures are popping up all over the Greek capital. If you are looking for a great spot to grab some brunch, lunch, or dinner in Athens, we’ve rounded up eight fab new eateries for your next visit.

Linou Soubaris & Sia

Brutus Tavern

Milos

Gastone

Kalon Restaurant

Senta Japanese

Loco Taqueria

The Makers

If you are heading to the Greek capital and looking for a luxury boutique hotel that pairs stand-out accommodation with award-winning fine dining, check out xenodoxeio Milos, which just opened its door in downtown Athens.

Fourteen years after opening on Omirou St in Kolonaki, the atmospheric Café Boheme bar-restaurant, with a loyal following amongst a sophisticated Athens’ clientele, reopens in a different location with fresh décor and a new attitude.

With an inventive and forward-looking interpretation of fine dining, Pelagos has fast left its mark on the Athens dining scene, earning a coveted Michelin star within its first six months of operation.

The MICHELIN Guide Athens 2021 has just been revealed, and two new restaurants in the Greek capital were awarded with one Michelin Star, while others received high distinction in various categories.

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.

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.

The Athens Guide