Athens is the capital city of Greece as well as its biggest and is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in all of Europe. With its iconic landmarks and a colorful history that dates back over 3,000 years ago, Athens continues to attract visitors from all over the world to this day. One of the main draws of the city, however, is its dining scene and the delicious local food.
Even though Athens’ dining scene caters to the taste of both Athenians and foreigners, there’s no denying that the local food is the star here. Greek cuisine is similar to most Mediterranean cuisine with influence from its Turkish neighbors and with the city’s proximity to the sea, you can expect a lot of seafood incorporated into the local dishes.
If you’re looking for the best Greek food in the capital, whether it’s at a local taverna or a Michelin-starred restaurant, look no further! We’ve put together a list of the top Greek restaurants in Athens. (Tip: To avoid any hassle while you tour and dine, leave your oversized or heavy bags at a luggage storage service around the city.)
Also commonly known as the Psarras Taverna, this restaurant has been around since 1898 and is one of the best places in the Plaka area for delicious and authentic Greek food. Housed in a stunning Neoclassical-style building, the dining spot has famously served prominent figures such as Laurence Olivier, Vivian Leigh, George Seferis, and Graham Greene.
Prices are affordable for the quality of the food served here, most of which feature fresh seafood and meat, particularly the lamb. Reservations are not always required but are recommended, especially during dinner time when tables fill up quickly.
- Klimataria
One of Athens’ oldest and most beloved tavernas, Klimataria is one of the foolproof places to go for high-quality Greek food. Established in 1927, the family-run restaurant has an excellent menu that hasn’t changed much over the years. Some highlights include their biftekia, which are grilled meat patties, the tis oras (grilled meat platter), the saganaki (fried cheese), and, of course, their lamb chops. What’s even more charming about Klimataria is the live Greek music playing in the background, which makes for the ultimate dining experience.
Perched on Athens’ highest peak, the Lycabettus Hill, is Orizontes, an upscale restaurant serving some of the best Greek dishes in all of the city and offering perhaps the best view while dining. The restaurant’s menu is made up of Mediterranean favorites that are made using local produce and seasonal ingredients. Their seafood dishes are always a hit with the diners, as well as other staples such as the pork tenderloin with feta cheese and vegetables and braised lamb shank with wine sauce.
One of Athens’ original casual eateries, Athinaikon is somewhat of a dining institution in the city and boasts a long and interesting history. In 1923, three renowned chefs got together to open a restaurant just beside the Athenian courts. In 1985, the dining joint decided to move to a more central location in Themistokleous, which is where it would stay to date.
Despite the move, the restaurant has retained its loyal band of customers and gained new ones throughout the years. The food here is as traditional as it gets, featuring Greek staples such as spanakopita (Greek spinach pie), moussaka, and their signature “Athinaikon” fish soup.
Established in 1975 and located near the Acropolis, Strofi has quickly become one of Athens’ most reliable places to taste fine and authentic Greek cuisine. Their menu features the traditional flavors of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine; signature dishes include their goat gruyere and tomatoes, octopus with oregano and oil and roasted lamb in rosemary and thyme. For an unforgettable dining experience at Strofi, book ahead of time and get a table on the rooftop for a picturesque view of the Parthenon.
- O Kostas
Souvlaki is well-known street food in Greece and there’s no better place in Athens to sample it than O Kostas. Don’t let its unassuming appearance fool you; there’s a reason why this restaurant is still patronized by both locals and tourists. Now ran by Kostas’ grandson, the no-frills spot offers souvlaki with a generous amount of onions and Greek yogurt and can be served either on a skewer or wrapped in pita bread. Although the souvlaki is the star, the bifteki (meatballs) at O Kostas is also worth a try.
Situated in the Kolonaki area, Papadakis Restaurant has long been a reputable dining spot for those looking for quality and authentic Greek food in a fine dining setting. The restaurant, which opened in 2005, is founded by local celebrity chef Argiro Barbagirou.
Its original location was on Paros Island but Barbagirou eventually decided to bring her the restaurant to the Greek capital. Papadakis has a menu that highlights the use of locally-sourced ingredients as well as fresh seafood. Bestsellers include lobsters, sea bass fillet in olive oil and lemon, and salmon marinated in ponzu.
- Diporto
Found in the Varvakeios area, in the center of old Athens, is the rustic and unassuming local restaurant Diporto. Its name, which translates to “two doors” in English, is far from some of Athens’ flashy and fancy restaurants. However, once you step inside, you’ll easily see why the restaurant has gathered a solid following since it first opened its doors in 1887.
Diporto has no set menu and only a select few dishes available daily; guests are served starts such as Greek salad and bread before being given the main dish for the day as well as some house wine. Diporto is a staple in Athens’ dining scene and well worth trying when in the city.
Originally located in Psiri but since moved to the sixth floor of the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens, Hytra is widely considered as one of the best restaurants in the Greek capital. This Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant serves Greek cuisine in modern and high-concept dishes using locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients (e.g. milk-fed lamb, wild herbs, free-range chicken).
They offer multi-course tasting menus featuring signature dishes such as orange-scented pork and sea bass carpaccio. Plant-based customers will also appreciate Hytra’s ten-course vegetarian tasting menu.
Vlassis is a family-operated restaurant that has been around since 1983 and boasts a loyal clientele having relocated a few times throughout its run. Now settled in Maiandrou Street, the restaurant is renowned for traditional Greek dishes, particularly from northern Greece as well as the islands.
The menu boasts plenty of delectable fish and meat dishes as well as vegetarian options; some of the specialties served at Vlassis include the sofrito (beef cooked in white wine with mashed potatoes), their chicken fillets with feta cheese, and the kalamari risotto, which is grilled squid served with shrimp risotto. They also boast an impressive wine list that features top-notch wines from all over Greece.
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