Dine like a Local: Where to Eat in Athens Off the Tourist Path
Greece is known for its culinary scene and Athens couldn’t be an exception! Whether you are visiting the Greek capital for the first time or have visited the city before, you might be wondering where to eat in Athens. You may also want to discover new places to eat off the tourist path.
Whatever your situation, in this article, we share the best places to dine like a local in Athens. Let’s discover them!
Where to eat in Athens with a beautiful view
Art Lounge New Hotel
If you are searching for the perfect place to enjoy your meal or your drink with a panoramic view of the city and the skyline of Athens, Art Lounge is one of the best options! Perched on the rooftop of the New Hotel in the heart of the city center, this all-day bar and restaurant serves creative dishes, delicious finger food, and fancy cocktails you can enjoy 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 is an authentic traditional bistrot with a history that goes back to the 80s. 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 Cafe Avissinia’s drool-worthy dishes! However, its food is not the only reason why you should visit this tavern. The panoramic view of the Acropolis from its rooftop is also worth the visit!
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 Acropolis view, Dionysos Zonar’s won’t disappoint! This all-time classic restaurant has been a symbol in the city’s culinary scene for decades thanks to its delectable food and elegant atmosphere. Here, you will taste a wide variety of meat, fish, and pasta dishes that marry traditional cuisine with international influences. 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 in Athens for traditional food
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 dine if you are staying in a hotel in Kolonaki. This modern tavern stands out for its nostalgic retro aesthetics and its 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, you should 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 Athens! Its unique atmosphere, traditional setting, and drool-worthy food are the reasons why this tavern stands out. 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 dine in the picturesque Plaka neighborhood, Saita is your best bet!
Address: 21, Kidathineon St. 105 58 Athens
Where to eat in Athens for fish and seafood
Papadakis
Located in a beautiful building in the chic Kolonaki neighborhood, Papadakis restaurant is one of the top destinations for fresh fish and seafood in Athens! 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 is an irresistible menu with a main focus on fish and seafood, which you can pair with an excellent selection of Greek wines.
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
The Greek capital brims with gastronomic treasures, from rooftop restaurants to local taverns. So, if you are wondering where to eat in Athens, visit the restaurants we have shared with you!
