Funky Gourmet

Funky Gourmet holds two Michelin stars and stands as one of the most ambitious restaurants in the Balkans. The restaurant was founded by chefs Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussos, who trained in elite kitchens across Europe before returning to Athens to create a dining experience that deconstructs and reinterprets the Greek pantry through avant-garde culinary techniques. Located on Paramythias Street in the Keramikos district, the restaurant occupies an intimate townhouse that seats only a few dozen covers per service, creating an almost private atmosphere. The tasting menu, which changes seasonally, runs to ten or more courses and might include a reimagined taramasalata presented as a cloud over warm blinis, a deconstructed spanakopita in which filo is crystallised into a translucent shatter, or a lamb preparation that works through multiple textures and temperatures simultaneously. The kitchen is rigorous about provenance — specific Greek islands, named farms, seasonal windows — and the narrative surrounding each dish is an integral part of the experience. The beverage pairing is exceptional, mixing aged Greek wines, natural producers from Crete and Nemea, and non-alcoholic ferments designed to mirror the course structure. Service is formal and knowledgeable without being precious. Reservations must be made weeks in advance; slots release on a rolling basis and fill very quickly.