Open Travel Guide
Restaurants in Athens

Best Restaurants in Athens 2026

How to eat well in Athens at every budget, and the local dishes you shouldn't leave without trying.

By Updated

Athens has 25+ restaurants and places to eat covered in this guide, led by Varoulko Seaside, Spondi and Tzitzikas kai Mermigas. Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Athens travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Athens, Attica, Greece.

Athenian cuisine is built on the Mediterranean diet: olive oil, fresh vegetables, legumes, fish, and lamb. Traditional tavernas serve mezedes (shared small plates), grilled meats, and slow-cooked stews. The city has seen a modern Greek cuisine renaissance with chefs like Lefteris Lazarou leading the way.

Top restaurants

Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.

Modern Greek Seafood

Varoulko Seaside

€€€€ — mains €35–60 (~$38–65)4.8/5

Popular Modern Greek Seafood restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Michelin-starred creative seafood

Akti Koumoundourou 54, Piraeus 185 33, Greece

French-Mediterranean

Spondi

€€€€ — tasting menu €120–150 (~$130–163)4.8/5

Popular French-Mediterranean restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Two Michelin stars; garden courtyard dining

5 Pyrronos St, Athens 116 36, Greece

Greek / Mezedes

Tzitzikas kai Mermigas

€€ — mains €10–18 (~$11–20)4.6/5

Popular Greek / Mezedes restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Modern take on traditional Greek mezedes

12-14 Mitropoleos St, Athens 105 63, Greece

Greek Street Food

O Kostas

€ — souvlaki pita €2.50 (~$2.70)4.7/5

Popular Greek Street Food restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Classic pork souvlaki in pita

2 Pentelis St, Athens 105 63, Greece

Greek / Taverna

Diporto tis Agoras

€€ — full meal €10–15 (~$11–16)4.8/5

Popular Greek / Taverna restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Old-school basement taverna; wine from the barrel

Theatrou & Sokratous, Athens 105 52, Greece

Creative Greek

Septem

€€€ — mains €18–30 (~$20–33)4.6/5

Popular Creative Greek restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Seasonal modern Greek cuisine with natural wines

9 Tsakalof St, Athens 106 73, Greece

Greek / Cretan

Avli

€€ — mains €12–20 (~$13–22)4.5/5

Popular Greek / Cretan restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Courtyard dining; Cretan specialties

17 Ag. Anargyron St, Athens 105 54, Greece

Greek Grills

Bairaktaris

€€ — mains €8–16 (~$8.70–17)4.2/5

Popular Greek Grills restaurant in Athens.

Known for: Classic gyros and grilled meats since 1879

3 Monastiraki Square, Athens 105 55, Greece

Restaurants by cuisine

Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.

Greek

Varoulko Seaside

€€€€ — mains €35–60 (~$38–65)

Tzitzikas kai Mermigas

€€ — mains €10–18 (~$11–20)

O Kostas

€ — souvlaki pita €2.50 (~$2.70)

Diporto tis Agoras

€€ — full meal €10–15 (~$11–16)

Septem

€€€ — mains €18–30 (~$20–33)

Avli

€€ — mains €12–20 (~$13–22)

Bairaktaris

€€ — mains €8–16 (~$8.70–17)

Thanasis

€ — wrap/pita €3–5 (~$3.30–5.40)

Lukumades

€ — portion €3.50–5.50 (~$3.80–6)

Strofi

€€€ — mains €18–28 (~$20–30)

Kuzina

€€€ — mains €18–32 (~$20–35)

Nolan

€€€ — mains €16–28 (~$17–30)

Taverna tou Psara

€€€ — mains €18–35 (~$20–38)

Mpampis

€ — souvlaki €2 (~$2.20)

Café Avissinia

€€ — mezedes €8–14 (~$8.70–15)

Psaras Fish Tavern

€€€ — mains €18–35 (~$20–38)

Karamanlidika tou Fani

€€ — mezedes sharing boards €12–20 (~$13–22)

Mama's Kitchen (Mana's Kouzina)

€€ — mains €9–16 (~$9.80–17)

Ergon Agora

€€ — dishes €10–20 (~$11–22)

Aleria

€€€€ — tasting menus €65–100 (~$71–109)

To Kafeneio

€€ — mezedes €7–14 (~$7.60–15)

Galaxy Bar & Restaurant (Hilton)

€€€ — cocktails €16–22 (~$17–24); mains €25–40 (~$27–43)

Avant

Funky Gourmet

€€€€ — tasting menu €130–180 (~$141–196)

French

Spondi

€€€€ — tasting menu €120–150 (~$130–163)

Specialty Coffee

Underdog

€€ — brunch €9–15 (~$9.80–16)

Street food

Local flavours at affordable prices.

Street food

Souvlaki

Find it at: Monastiraki and Psirri

Price: €2–3 (~$2.20–3.30)

Street food

Koulouri (sesame bread ring)

Find it at: Street vendors citywide

Price: €0.50 (~$0.55)

Street food

Spanakopita

Find it at: Bakeries across Athens

Price: €1.50–2.50 (~$1.65–2.70)

Street food

Loukoumades

Find it at: Loukoumades shops in Monastiraki

Price: €3–5 for a portion (~$3.30–5.40)

Food markets

Where locals shop and graze.

Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora)

Hours: Mon–Sat 07:00–15:00

Monastiraki Flea Market (food stalls)

Hours: Daily; busiest Sundays

Dining etiquette & tips

Navigate the local food scene confidently.

Tip

Greeks eat dinner late — restaurants fill up from 21:00, many locals eat after 22:00

Tip

Lunch (13:00–15:30) is often better value — many restaurants offer daily specials

Tip

Ask for house wine (κρασί χύμα) — cheap, local, and often very drinkable

Tip

Bread is served automatically and charged (~€0.50–1 per person) — acceptable to decline

Tip

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Athens

Food budget guide

What to expect at different price points.

Level Price Description
Budget €8–15/meal (~$8.70–16) at a taverna or souvlaki shop Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants.
Mid-range $15-40/meal Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus.
Upscale $40+/meal Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences.

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