Restaurants

Restaurants : Restaurants
The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Some Athens restaurants are closed for the summer break between mid-July and mid-September.

Prices in Greek restaurants will usually already include the 10% sales tax. However, all Greek restaurants are required by law to add a 13% service charge to the bill and it is still customary to leave the waiter an additional 10% tip on top.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include sales tax but do not include service charge or tip.

The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$ (up to ?30)
$$ (?30 to ?45)
$$$ (?45 to ?60)
$$$$ (over ?60)


Gastronomic

Spondi
Frequently cited as Athens' top restaurant, the Michelin-starred Spondi occupies a vaulted stone cellar, with tasteful minimalist furnishing and subtle lighting. In summer, there are tables outside in a pretty courtyard. The menu features fusion cuisine, with an abundant use of aromatic herbs and spices. Reservations recommended. No lunch.

Pyrronos 5, Pangrati
Tel: 210 752 0658.
Website: www.spondi.gr
Price: $$$$

To Varoulko
Relocated to Gazi in 2005, Varoulko boasts a sleek modern wood-and-glass interior, plus a stunning roof terrace with Acropolis views. Considered by many the best seafood eatery in town, it was awarded a Michelin star in 2002. The menu varies daily according to what is available in the fish market.

Pireos 80, Gazi
Tel: 210 522 8400.
Price: $$$$

48 The Restaurant
With its polished concrete interior and floodlit water garden, 48 scored an instant success with rich, glitzy Athenians when it opened in autumn 2003. The menu, featuring new Greek cuisine, changes with the seasons. Its possible to take a stool at the bar for cocktails and finger food.

Armatolon & Klefton 48, Ambelokipi
Tel: 210 641 1082.
Price: $$$$


Business

Boschetto
Set in a small park, close to the Evangelismos metro station, Boschetto specialises in Italian nouvelle cuisine. Tables are arranged in a glass conservatory, as well as outside beneath the trees. The service is efficient and professional and the espresso coffee reputedly the best in town.

Alsos Evangelismos
Tel: 210 721 0893.
Price: $$$$

Central
Overlooking Kolonaki Square, in the heart of the business district, Central is a smart lounge-bar and restaurant, popular with Athenian socialites. The smoked-glass windows hide an open-plan interior adorned with wooden floors and creamy-white leather chairs and sofas. Ideal for lunch: Livens up with cocktails and sushi in the evening.

Platia Kolonaki 14, Kolonaki
Tel: 210 724 5938.
Price: $$$

Jimmy and the Fish
Overlooking the delightful harbour of Mikrolimano, in Piraeus, this excellent fish restaurant offers a refined ambience indoors and a rather more informal, breezy atmosphere at the waterside tables outside. Discreet waiters, clad in hallmark blue and white aprons, serve discerning diners ranging from shipping magnets to Orthodox priests. Reservations recommended.

Akti Koumoundrou 46, Piraeus
Tel: 210 412 4417.
Price: $$$$


Trendy

Aristera-Dexia
Gazi means 'gas' and this district, once down-at-heel but now very trendy, takes its name from the city gasworks. Aristera-Dexia was one of the first restaurants to open in Gazi, and young, sophisticated Athenians flock here to feast on fusion cuisine. The interior is quite impressive, with a glass catwalk leading over an underground wine cellar. On warm evenings there are tables outside in the courtyard.

Andronikou 3, Gazi
Tel: 210 342 2380.
Price: $$$

Balthazar
Possibly Athens' most fashionable summer venue, Balthazar is a chic bar-restaurant, contained within a subtly lit, walled garden planted with trees and shrubs. Some people come here just to drink (and be seen) but there is also a tempting choice of eats. Indoor dining through winter. Reservations recommended. Valet parking.

Tsoha 27, Kolonáki
Tel: 210 641 2300.
Price: $$$$

Mamacas
Another fine restaurant in Gazi, Mamacas is situated at a crossroads and, in summer, this location is quite surreal, with candlelit, whitewashed wooden tables on four street corners and the towering gasworks in the background. The colour is supplied by the people and the food: taverna classics with a twist. There is a wine bar annex across the street.

Persefonis 14, Gazi
Tel: 210 346 4984.
Website: www.mamacas.gr
Price: $$


Budget

O Platanos
One of Pláka's oldest tavernas, located near the Tower of the Winds, O Platanos has served up home cooking since 1932. There is a good choice of stews, while the only dessert on offer is syrup-drenched baklava. The house wine, a barrel retsina, is excellent. Through summer, tables are arranged on a pretty bougainvillea-covered terrace.

Diogenous 4, Pláka
Tel: 210 322 0666.
Price: $$

Scholiarhio
Located in the heart of Pláka, close to small Byzantine church of Ag Nikolaos, this charming ouzeri occupies two floors, linked by a head-spinning spiral staircase. The menu is in Greek only but waiters bring a selection of dishes on trays so diners can chose what they like the look of. Open until 0200.

Tripidon 14, Pláka
Tel: 210 324 7605.
Price: $

Thanasis
A classic place to stop for souvlaki kalamaki (shish kebab) served with pitta bread and chips, Thanasis is popular with locals and gets unbelievably busy, especially at weekends. The atmosphere is fast and chaotic but traditional and fun. Tables both indoors and out, just around the corner from the Monastiráki metro station.

Mitropoleos 69, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 324 4705.
Price: $


Personal Recommendations

Achinos
This beautifully designed split-level restaurant is built into a cliffside on the coast, offering fantastic views over the sea. The atmosphere is romantic but relaxed, and the waiters professional but friendly. The kitchen employs authentic regional ingredients to turn out carefully presented dishes, creative salads and delicious stewed meats.

Akti Themistokleous 51, Freatida, Piraeus
Tel: 210 452 6944.
Price: $$

Eden
In the heart of Pláka, just below the Acropolis, Eden struck instant success when it opened in 1982 as the country's first vegetarian restaurant. Everything on the menu is organic, including the wines, freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas. It is a relaxed and cheerful place, with salmon-pink walls hung with framed art posters.

Lissiou 12, Pláka
Tel: 210 324 8858.
Price: $

To Kouti
To Kouti (meaning 'the box') is located close to the Monastiráki antique market. The interior comprises lofty space with ochre-painted walls, wooden floors and marble-top tables. The menu features colourful salads and creative meat dishes. It is possible to come here just for coffee or a drink and in summer there are tables outside.

Adrianou 23, Monastiráki
Tel: 210 321 3229.
Price: $$ 



    

      

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