Top 10 Best Restaurants in Athens

 

Are you traveling to Athens and wondering where to eat? If so, we encourage you to keep reading because in this post we’ll share a selection of restaurants where you can enjoy the very best of Greek cuisine.

Funky Gourmet (2 Michelin Stars)

Located in the Kerameikos neighborhood, Funky Gourmet is a culinary gem in Athens offering a multisensory dining experience. Its high-end gastronomic proposal is presented through various tasting menus inspired by local products. The restaurant blends art, science, and flavor in every dish, transforming traditional Greek ingredients into modern masterpieces.
Signature dish: Greek Salad “Reconstructed” — a molecular reinterpretation of the classic Greek salad featuring innovative textures, temperatures, and forms that surprise the palate.

Hytra Restaurant & Bar (1 Michelin Star)

Situated inside the Onassis Cultural Centre, Hytra Restaurant & Bar offers a sophisticated and cosmopolitan dining experience with stunning views of the Acropolis. The restaurant takes pride in its high-quality service and warm hospitality, creating an inviting atmosphere while showcasing Greek cuisine with local ingredients and traditional recipes. The bar serves unique cocktails crafted with Greek herbs, spices, syrups, liqueurs, and brandies.
Signature dish: Slow-cooked Lamb with Eggplant Purée and Feta Crumble — tender lamb cooked at low temperature with smoky eggplant purée and feta crumble, a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity.

Varoulko Seaside (1 Estrella Michelin)

If you’re looking for a restaurant with an authentic maritime flavour, this eatery overlooking the small yet attractive port of Mikrolimano will come as a pleasant surprise. Here, the relaxing ambience is in perfect harmony with superb views of the fishing boats moored out front. Traditionally, Piraeus is known as the port of Athens, hence the plethora of tavernas and restaurants specialising in fish and seafood located here. Varoulko Seaside follows the same influence, although chef Lefteris Lazarou takes his maritime cuisine to another level. The freshest ingredients are key to his cuisine which is based around the catch of the day (sea bass, red mullet, grouper, tuna, shrimp, prawns etc) and presented on an à la carte and two tasting menus.

Signature dish: Lobster with Citrus Butter Sauce — fresh lobster served with citrus butter sauce, accompanied by seasonal vegetables.

CTC Urban Gastronomy (1 Michelin Star)

CTC Urban Gastronomy, named after the Greek word for “nourishment,” offers a blend of classic and modern gastronomy through an 11-course culinary journey. This Michelin-starred restaurant features a modern décor with classic touches and a friendly, attentive staff.
Signature dish: Octopus with Fava Cream and Caper Leaf — tender octopus served over fava bean purée with caper leaves, a delicate combination of flavors from the Aegean Sea.

Aleria Restaurant

The restaurant is a perfectly restored villa from the early years of the previous century. The decor strikes the perfect balance between luxury and ambience, creating an atmosphere which is quite formal but still unpretentious, cozy and elegant. The restaurant’s creative cuisine has been awarded many times and promises to impress you with a brilliant parade of re-synthesized Greek cuisine The chef Gikas Xenakis is one of the best proponents of the New Greek Cuisine movement which now attracts the most talented chefs in Greece. 

Signature dish: Duck Breast with Fig Sauce and Sweet Potato Purée — juicy duck breast with a sweetly balanced fig sauce.

Vezene

Vezene is a Greek “bistronomy” that fuses American and Mediterranean techniques. It features a warm interior with dark wood accents and a stunning terrace. Guests can interact with the friendly staff, who will gladly help you choose the best seasonal dishes, as the menu changes frequently. The restaurant is best known for its premium-quality cuts of meat.
Signature dish: Dry-aged Ribeye Steak with Olive Oil Béarnaise — aged ribeye steak served with a Béarnaise sauce made with Greek olive oil.

Makris Athens (1 Estrella Michelin)

Makris Athens is a wonderful Michelin-starred restaurant nestled in the historic Thisio neighborhood, at the foot of the iconic Acropolis. At its helm is the visionary Chef Patron Petros Dimas, whose culinary artistry delights guests with beautiful seasonal dishes crafted from exceptional ingredients.

The majority of the ingredients used are sourced from the restaurant’s own farm or from local producers.

Signature dish: Sea Bass with Wild Greens and Lemon Foam — Aegean sea bass served with wild greens and citrus foam, highlighting the purity of the ingredients.

Tzitzikas & Mermigas

Tzitzikas kai Mermigas stands out as a beloved dining destination in the heart of Athens, renowned for its vibrant ambiance and exceptional culinary offerings. The restaurant’s decor effortlessly combines modern aesthetics with traditional Greek elements, creating an inviting space that appeals to both locals and tourists. Customers frequently commend the extensive menu, which features a variety of authentic Greek dishes that showcase fresh, high-quality ingredients. Signature offerings like the grilled chicken, seafood kritharoto, and warm organic fava salad have garnered rave reviews for their rich flavors and generous portions. Diners particularly appreciate the thoughtful preparation of each dish, with many highlighting the perfectly seasoned chicken and the delightful zucchini balls as standout favorites. 

Signature dish: Traditional Moussaka — layers of eggplant, minced meat, and golden baked béchamel, a homemade recipe that embodies the essence of Greek cuisine.

Oinomageireion Epirus

Located next to Athens’ Central Market, Epirus is a family-run tavern where the aromas and flavors evoke the Greece of the past. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy traditional dishes at affordable prices.
Signature dish: Patsas Soup (Tripe Soup) — a classic Greek dish, highly popular among locals, famous for “curing” hangovers and comforting the soul.

Diodos Archaias Agoras

 

Diodos is a unique restaurant in Athens, located onto Adrianou street, next to historical Orthodox church of Saint Philip, close to ancient Panathineon street, that leads to Acropolis hill since antiquity. Diodos’ menu combines a variety of fresh fish, beef and meat dishes (including lamb), Greek salads (you can try Diodos salad), combined with pies (traditional spinach pies) traditional ouzo and cold beers.

Signature dish – Moussaka: A lasagna-style dish made with layers of fried eggplant, minced beef or pork cooked with tomato, onion, and spices, topped with creamy béchamel sauce and baked to a golden perfection.

Whether you are seeking a gourmet experience or authentic home-style flavors, Athens’ restaurants offer a mosaic of tastes that reflect the cultural and gastronomic richness of Greece. Dining in this city is much more than nourishment — it is discovering a story that can be savored in every dish.