Where to eat in Athens: 13 sassy, soul-filling food spots you’ll crave long after you leave

Athens has been mentioned in a recent blog post of mine as one of the most underrated travel destinations in Europe. One of the reasons why I highly recommend Athens to anyone looking for their next travel destination is because it is home to so many incredible restaurants and not-to-miss food spots. So, in this blog, I have collected my favourite ones. So, in no particular order, here we go:

1. Dope

Starting with some caffeine (although their bakery products and sandwiches are also something that I can recommend), this central coffee shop is a place I visit every time I am in Athens. Very close to Monastiraki, this is a great spot to grab your coffee in the morning before a city stroll.

One of my favourite coffee spots in Athens, Greece

2. Stork Rooftop Bar

This could not have been a real Athens food spots blog post without a rooftop bar mentioned! There are lots of different options to choose from. I have been to many, and I think rooftops in general are the places where the views make up for the slow service, crowded tables, and mid food experience. However, this rooftop bar, in my experience, did not fall into that category, and it still remains my favorite in Athens. So much that I actually celebrated my 29th birthday here with friends! The view of the Acropolis is great, and both the food and drinks were something I'd happily recommend!

3. Nālu

If you have had enough of the city life and want to enjoy a day by the beach with some drinks and good food, definitely head to Nālu, a beach bar/restaurant outside of Athens. You can easily access it via tram coming from the city center, and I can tell you it is worth the trip (especially if you have time for a beach day). If you are a digital nomad, during the weekdays you can even work from here with a gorgeous sea view as your background!

The sunset view from Nalu beach bar

4. Upon

If you are the type of traveler who is looking for a non-touristy restaurant/food spot, this is it. Upon is located a little bit outside of the city center, but still within reach. This hidden restaurant offers various dishes (my favorite one was the ceviche) and also has a great wine selection. If you want to have more of a local restaurant experience, I would highly recommend it.

5. Ellyz Cafe

This place is specifically on the list for those who love carrot cake! The menu claims to have the 'best ever carrot cake' so naturally I had to try it when I first visited this cafe back in 2020. I have to admit it is the best carrot cake I've ever had. I have even dragged friends to this cafe who visited me while I lived there, and they were all pretty impressed. I have tried some of the other cakes as well, and I think they were pretty good too (another favourite is the brownie in my family). I have to add, I don't think this is the place for savoury food, but if you want to sit down for a coffee and some cake, I can highly recommend it!

Ellyz Cafe is famous for it's show-stopping decorations

6. The Clumsies

Constantly ranking high on 'The World's 50 Best Bars' list, The Clumsies was obviously going to make it to this list too! From the atmosphere to the menu design, once you visit this bar you can see why it is so highly appraised. If you get hungry while sipping cocktails, you can also have some delicious bites here, but in general, I would recommend this place for its signature cocktails. The service is also great; if you can't decide what to choose, they will be happy to help!

7. Sugar Killer

This is an ice-cream/cake shop with no added sugar options that are also suitable for vegans! That's right, all the products are made with agave syrup and rich coconut milk, making it the perfect spot for those who need to or want to avoid dairy and refined sugar. Even if you're not, I would highly recommend this place, just as an experience, you have to try new things and stay open-minded, right? There are a few shops of this kind in the Athens area; I would suggest going to the one in Piraeus as an evening activity. Once you get some ice cream, you can walk around the port. It is a perfect summer vacation type of thing to do.

8. Rumours

Another one that is a little bit outside of the city, but still easily accessible via public transport or taxi. Being an all-day cafe/bar, this is the place to visit any time of the day. If you happen to get there in the morning, you can have a gorgeous brunch before your beach day, but this is also the perfect spot for an afternoon pick-me-up coffee break or for a cocktail and some finger food in the evening. This is located near some nice beaches, but Lake Vouliagmeni, the Athenian Riviera's hidden gem.

9. Prasini Tenta, Lycabettus Hill

You will have to take some steep steps to approach this restaurant, but the view will definitely be worth it. This place is located on the side of Lycabettus Hill, which is a great viewpoint of the whole city, but especially the Acropolis at night. On top of the view, this restaurant actually has some pretty good reviews, including mine. When I first tried it, I was a little skeptical because given its location, it could be your stereotypical bad-service-and-food-but-the-view-makes-up-for-it situation. Luckily, it proved me wrong. I would recommend going there for a sunset view by a nice glass of wine or cocktail.

Full-moon, great food and wine and Athens at night time

10. Kora Bakery

If you are short on time and would love to get something on the go, Kora Bakery is a place I can vouch for. Try to go in the morning around opening times to have the best experience, the smell of coffee and fresh bakery products. Lots of sourdough-based options, which can be especially useful if you want to make sure your stomach stays happy on holiday!

11. LUKUMAΔΕΣ

A not-to-be-missed spot and experience in Athens! Lukumades is a traditional Greek donut which comes in different flavours and with toppings in this specific spot in the Greek capital. As someone with a health and fitness background, I definitely recommend a quick walk afterwards to balance your blood sugar levels because this will be one of the sweetest things you can find in the city.

12. Edem restaurant

This is your typical Greek taverna experience just outside of Athens. If you want to secure a table for sunset, I would recommend booking a table in advance, as it gets quite busy in the evening. If you are short on time but want to spend some time near the beach, this is what I would go for.

Edem is the restaurant where you can find typical Greek food with a beautiful view

13. Minu

This 2-floor cafe/restaurant doesn't only have great food and drinks to offer, but also has an incredible atmosphere. With both indoors and outdoors seating, you can enjoy a cozy and green environment. The whole building is filled with plants, you will find it easy to relax and enjoy the moment. For digital nomads, this makes a perfect work spot!

The perfect spot to relax or work, or both

I hope you enjoyed this post or found it useful for your next adventure in Athens. And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home—wherever the journey takes you.

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