Indulge in the culinary delights of Athens with our tasty guide, taking you through the best restaurants in Athens from traditional Greek tavernas to Michelin-starred eateries.
Food is such an important part of life in Athens that its spirit literally hangs in the air. From the scent of ripe, freshly-picked lemons in a street market, to the wafts of smoke from lamb fat dripping onto smouldering charcoal, it only takes a few moments for something delicious to divert your attention in this historic, vibrant city.
With the Mediterranean Sea lapping at its western edge and the Aegean to the east, the Greek capital boasts access to a swathe of superlative seafood, while its warm climate is ideal for ripening citrus, olives, and countless other fresh ingredients. Lamb and goat abound, while oregano and other herbs grow wild on hilltops and by the sides of the road. The city’s chefs and cooks - from humble street food stalls to the finest of fine dining – showcase not only this produce, but their entire culture in their food.
But how do you navigate the city’s limitless dining options to find the best Greek cuisine Athens has to offer? Where can find not only the best cooking, but the best dining experiences? We asked our Culinary Wonderland chefs and team for their top picks.
TRADITIONAL GREEK TAVERNAS
Recommended by the Culinary Wonderland team
If you’re the kind of traveller whose ultimate dining experience is a homecooked meal shared with a family of locals, this unique dining experience makes that dream a reality; a 7-course meal cooked in their own home by locals Dimitris and Savvas and enjoyed on the rooftop balcony with a view of the Acropolis. Traditional Athenian recipes are lovingly prepared using local ingredients, and each course is paired with a glass of wine and a story about the dish’s origins. Unmissable.
MICHELIN-STARRED EATERIES
Recommended by George Calombaris
The parade of intricate and artistic dishes that make up this innovative dining experience showcases traditional flavour combinations in unexpected ways, resulting in a meal where you’re as likely to enjoy a lobster, corn and truffle soup as you are a nest of tagliatelle made from calamari resting in a bacon consommé. The bright al fresco garden setting adds a serene air to the meal, perfectly accompanied by a zippy cocktail or one of the many featured Greek wines. “One of the best dining experiences in Athens,” says Culinary Wonderland chef George Calombaris of the restaurant which is owned by fellow CW chef Alex Tsiotinis. “Very worthy of its Michelin star.”
Recommended by the Culinary Wonderland team
The only restaurant in Athens to have earned two Michelin stars, Delta showcases the incredible cooking of chef George Papazacharias, whose passion is combining gastronomy with sustainability and a deep respect for Greek culture. Delta’s 12-course tasting menu features ingredients grown on the restaurant’s own farm, as well as utilising many ancient fermentation techniques, bringing them together into what the chef calls ‘minimalistic perfection’.
HIDDEN GEMS
Recommended by George Calombaris
This quirky-cool bar might be home to some of the world’s finest cocktails, but that doesn’t mean it takes itself seriously. Cleverly filling a repurposed urban townhouse, you might end up sipping your fennel seed and bitter orange-infused Aegean negroni in the slick bar at the front of the building, enjoying a steak sandwich in the light terrace out the back, or exploring the cocktail degustation by the pool table upstairs. “It’s in the top 50 bars in the world,” says Culinary Wonderland chef George Calombaris. “The owners Nikos and Vassilis are some of the best mixologists going around.”
DINING WITH A VIEW
Recommended by the Culinary Wonderland team
The promise of charry, tender octopus with oregano and olive oil, tender goat bathing in tomato sauce, and syrup-doused, custardy ekmek cake might be enough to tempt you to this legendary, multi-storey Athenian taverna, but once you see the view you’ll never want to leave. Lean back in your wicker chair with a glass of local wine as buzzy central Athens hums below, and enjoy classic Greek flavours as you watch the sun set over the Acropolis.
Recommended by the Culinary Wonderland team
Chances are you’ve seen this dining room before in a film or TV show, so spectacular is its view of historic Athens. Named for the Greek god of wine, fruitfulness and vegetation, Dionysos Zonar’s stunning vistas and hip open-air surrounds are matched by beautiful plates of classic Greek fare with a focus on the most delicious seafood the region has to offer.
CONCLUSION
Whether you’re looking for a traditional Greek meal or a taste of contemporary Athens, this incredible city offers limitless opportunities for culinary exploration. As with any great city, great eateries hide around every corner, and are best found by speaking with locals, by stepping off the beaten path and, of course, by asking our legendary Culinary Wonderland chefs.
Had a great meal in Athens? Don’t forget to share it with us by tagging Culinary Wonderland on Instagram!