Dine like a Local: Where to Eat in Athens Off the Tourist Path

Are you visiting the Greek capital and wondering where to eat in Athens off the beaten path? We’re here to help you by offering the best options for every taste and occasion, from restaurants specializing in traditional and comfort food to beautiful rooftops with an Acropolis view.

Let’s discover them!

Where to eat in Athens near the Acropolis or with an Acropolis view

The Art Lounge in New Hotel

If you are searching for the perfect place for rooftop dining in Athens, this all-day bar and restaurant is one of the best options! 

Perched on the rooftop of the New Hotel in the heart of the city center, the Art Lounge serves creative dishes, delicious finger food, and fancy cocktails you can enjoy while marveling at the majestic view. While the atmosphere is wonderful all day round, it becomes even more magical at night when the city lights create an otherworldly scene!

Address: 1, Navarchou Nikodimou St. 105 57, Athens 

Cafe Avissinia

Cafe Avissinia in Monastiraki, an authentic traditional bistro founded in the 80s, is arguably one of the most romantic restaurants to eat in Athens near the Acropolis! 

Seamlessly blending Eastern with Western gastronomy, this gastro-tavern serves traditional dishes with a modern twist, from ham and smoked sardines to lamb with groats. If you are a foodie, you are bound to love its drool-worthy dishes! However, its food is not the only reason why you should visit this tavern, as the panoramic view of the Acropolis from its rooftop is also worth it. 

Address: 7, Kinetou St. 105 55, Athens 

Dionysos Zonar’s

If you want to savor scrumptious Mediterranean dishes in a refined environment with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis, Dionysos Zonar won’t disappoint! This all-time classic restaurant has been one of the best places to eat in Athens for decades, thanks to its delicious food and chic atmosphere. 

Here, you will taste a wide variety of meat, fish, and pasta dishes that marry traditional cuisine with international influences. Moreover, thanks to its magical view and refinement, it is an excellent choice for special occasions, like birthday dinners and anniversaries!

Address: 43, Rovertou Galli St. 11742 Athens, Greece 

Where to eat traditional and comfort food in downtown Athens

To Kafenio 

Situated on Loukianou Street in Kolonaki, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Athens city center, To Kafenio is one of the best places to enjoy comfort food in downtown Athens, especially if you are staying in a hotel in Kolonaki. This modern tavern stands out for its nostalgic retro aesthetics and bistro-like atmosphere, which will make you feel transported to another era. 

Here, you will savor the tried and tested recipes of the traditional local cuisine, including rooster with red sauce and pasta, giouvarlakia (meat and rice balls), leek pie, and Greek meatballs. Yum!

Address: 26, Loukianou St. 106 75 Athens

Cherchez la Femme

If you want to travel back in time and find yourself in an authentic traditional Greek cafe, visit the exceptional Cherchez la Femme in Athens city center! Traditional, modern, and innovative at the same time, this cafe-restaurant serves scrumptious Greek dishes, which you can pair with local beers and wines. 

Cozy, vintage, and elegant, Cherchez la Femme is one of the best places to eat in Athens for those who want to take a delicious break from shopping on Ermou Street!

Address: 46, Mitropoleos St. 105 63 Athens

Saita

Saita is a traditional family-run tavern in Athens. Situated on Kidathineon Street in the heart of the city, it is one of the best options for those wondering where to eat in Plaka Its unique atmosphere, traditional setting, and drool-worthy food make this tavern stand out, offering a unique dining experience. 

Here, you are going to taste some of the best dishes the local gastronomy has to offer, from zucchini balls and eggplants with cheese to cod with garlic dip and cuttlefish with wild greens. If you are searching for a homey place to eat comfort food in downtown Athens, Saita is your best bet!

Address: 21, Kidathineon St. 105 58 Athens

The Lobby Bar, New Hotel

If you’re looking for an upscale dining spot to enjoy a modern take on comfort food, the Lobby Bar on the ground floor of New Hotel in Syntagma is arguably one of the best places to eat in Athens! 

Here, you’ll savor comfort dishes (lunch and early dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends) that suit every taste in an environment with a unique aesthetic and authentic artistic identity. From beloved traditional dishes such as Greek salad, moussaka, and gyro to burgers and seafood, the Lobby Bar will tantalize your tastebuds with local flavors with a fresh twist!

Address: Naftarchou Nikodimou 1, Athens 105 57

Where to eat dinner in Athens, for fish and seafood lovers

Papadakis

Located in a beautiful building in the chic Kolonaki neighborhood, Papadakis restaurant is one of the top places to eat dinner in Athens if you are a fish and seafood lover! Here, you will savor a wide variety of fish, including sea bass and grouper, as well as delicious Mediterranean-influenced pasta dishes. 

The restaurant’s chef Argiro Barbarigou creates hearty dishes based on the tried and tested traditional Greek recipes. The result? An irresistible menu focusing mainly on fish and seafood, which you can pair with an excellent selection of Greek wines, enjoying an unforgettable dining experience!

Address: 15, Fokilidou St. 106 73 Athens

Papaioannou

This restaurant is very popular with locals, which says a lot about the quality of its food! Specializing in fish and seafood dishes, including crawfish carpaccio, red mullet tartar, grouper with lemon sauce, and fried cuttlefish, this restaurant is the perfect place to taste what the Greek sea has to offer. 

And the best part is that Papaioannou restaurant operates in three different locations, in Piraeus, Kifisia, and Vouliagmeni, so no matter where you stay, you can find one near you!

Addresses: 42, Koumoundourou Bay 185 33 Piraeus | 32, Kolokotroni St. 145 62 Kifissia | 2, iliou St. 166 71 Vouliagmeni

If you were wondering where to eat in Athens, now you have plenty of options for every taste that will help you introduce yourself to the city’s food scene. Just make sure you book your table as early as possible to avoid last-minute surprises!