whimsey21

If all goes well, I’ll be in Athens at the end of this month. I’ve been researching restaurants and there are too many that sound great. Figured I’d see if there are any favorites you all would recommend? I’ve found some amazing places elsewhere in Europe via FlyerTalk…

gudugan

umm... do you have a EU COVID QR code? otherwise you may be limited...

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33411970-post270.html

ahmetdouas

just go to a local Greek joint Athens is the place for great Mediterranean food not Michelin starred restaurants

david55

I found some of Matt's suggestions in past visits pretty good.

https://www.greecetravel.com/greek-f...-10/index.html

https://www.athensguide.com/restaurants.html

whimsey21

No EU code because I'm in the US. My family and I are all fully vaccinated, so we're good by today's rules. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this trip happens.

pstm91

If you want Acropolis views and have young kids, I'd recommend Strofi. If no kids, Kuzina.

Dopios just opened in June and is fantastic. It's "elevated" taverna-style food. There's also Aleria, which has a great courtyard (although I heard they have a new chef and it's not quite the same as before).

Ella Greek Cooking is great for lunch.

whimsey21

thanks much! Kids are teenagers and used to nice restaurants, so no issues there.

allset2travel

OP is asking for recommendations.

I am reading this thread and making notes.

dbuckho

We had a friend of a friend take us around Athens for a day - he took us to lunch at Attalos taverna cookhouse in the touristy area near the Agora (I think very close to Kuzina which was mentioned). He said it was the best value in that area while still having lots of good traditional options. Had a great meal.

KLouis

The Athens restaurant world has changed considerably over the last 10 years or so (amazingly, during the big financial/economic crisis of the country). You can nowadays find several "starred" restaurants with very good to excellent cuisine, the only problem though (in addition to their high prices) for me is that most of them don't serve "genuine" greek cuisine. There still , though, are several good tavernas throughout the city that are worth a visit. Most of those are in residential neigbourhoods away from the touristy and business areas (e.g. Pagrati, Kypseli, Petralona, etc. as well as in Piraeus, and many suburbs). If one likes some adventure, I'd recommend walking or taking the yellow trolley bus to Pagrati, get off at Plastira square, then walk around the area above the old Olympic Stadium and pick any of the many restaurants that look busy (usually tables on the sidewalk) and the people look... Greek. The chances that you'll be satisfied are very high

Chinatrvl

Hytra is one of my favorites.
Opos Palia for good atmosphere and down to earth food

miuk

Just came back from Athens and would like to throw in my suggestion here for future travellers.

The best meal i had (overall consideration including price) is Atlantikos. Awesome seafood at geat prices. Located in Psiri and you get that back alley feel.
https://goo.gl/maps/aR3fncWARCL2yw8w7

mathgeek1978

My personal opinion is to save the "fine dining" or "best restaurant" for places like Paris, London, or NYC. In Athens, I would recommend you a place that truly makes you feel like you are in Greece and are eating local food with the locals.

In Monastiraki Square, take one of the "shopping streets" that is NOT the flea market. Halfway down the street you will see bright lights and hear live music. Take a left and follow the short alley to a beautiful outdoor courtyard of about 3 restaurants, one of them with live music. The one I went to serve the best and most authentic Greek food at very reasonable prices. (It's not the money. It's the experience!) I don't remember the name but I have a picture of a napkin. The place was absolutely lively and vibrant and the vibes were friendly, welcoming, and chill. We felt so comfortable and we actually felt like we were Greeks for a moment.

stevebintley

Looks like this place? https://www.bairaktaris.gr/?lang=en

I like the recommendation and have added it to my list for when I'm there in a couple of weeks; thanks :-)

KLouis

Bairaktaris is one of the most known "souvlaki eateries" in Athens. He's been so successful that over the last 20-30 years or so, he slowly purchased most, if not all such places in the wider Monastiraki area. Food-wise I would certainly recommend it for that line of food, but the rest, especially the non-grilled stuff, is not made in the store but in some centralized kitchen. Still, people and especially tourists still go there.