10 places in Athens
by Ninutsa Ivardava
Art Director
Art Director
1. LSANDSIA
My favourite modern Greek restaurant in the city centre, with beautiful interiors and food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also sell their own branded candleholders and locally made beeswax candles. Not to miss.
2. It’s A Shirt
A local independent brand crafting unisex shirts from high-quality locally and European sourced fabrics. They have a small, charming store in Exarcheia. The shirts are beautifully made — relaxed, timeless pieces that feel designed to be worn for years rather than seasons.
3. Taverna Ton Filon
A very cozy and unpretentious taverna with delicious food, located in the not-so-charming Kolonos neighbourhood, but with excellent service and outdoor seating as well. One of the best dinners I had in Athens.
4. O Meteoritis Bookstore
My favourite bookstore, located on the busy pedestrian street Fokionos Negri in the heart of Kypseli. Lots of second-hand and new art books, in both Greek and English.
5. Weekly Farmers Market
One of my favourite ways to experience everyday Athens. Simply a delight to walk through on Wednesdays and explore the freshest local produce, from olives and herbs to artichokes and beautifully displayed juicy tomatoes. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth wandering through just to observe the colours, sounds, and rhythm of the neighbourhood.
6. Geitonia
A family-run, home-style lunch and dinner place in Kypseli, operating since the 90s. We order or have lunch there almost every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Our favourites are the chicken soup, pea and potato stew, giant beans in tomato sauce, paired with a a slice of feta in olive oil, of course. Soul-warming food that never disappoints.
7. Alekos Fassianos Museum
Along with the many museums and the Acropolis hill, of course, I’d recommend visiting the museum of Alekos Fassianos, a Greek contemporary artist. It’s housed in a beautiful neoclassical building co-remodelled by Fassianos himself. Opened in 2023, it houses artworks and furnishings by Fassianos from 1956 until his passing.
8. Kennedy Vins
A natural wine bar in Monastiraki with nice music listening sessions, located on a very calm, almost pedestrian street. Great selection of French wines. Always filled with charming, interesting characters — a very nice weekend hangout.
9. Manári Taverna
A very popular dinner spot for traditional Greek food, especially their open-grill dishes. I’d recommend the Pastitsio, Linguine in meat broth (!), and Lamb Kebab, along with my favourite Tirokafteri (Spicy Feta cheese spread), and of course tomatoes with olive oil and salt.
10. Foyer Espresso Bar
One of the best specialty coffee places in Athens, located in the Pangrati neighbourhood, serving coffee from some of the best roasters around the world. Owned and run by great people.
My favourite modern Greek restaurant in the city centre, with beautiful interiors and food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also sell their own branded candleholders and locally made beeswax candles. Not to miss.
2. It’s A Shirt
A local independent brand crafting unisex shirts from high-quality locally and European sourced fabrics. They have a small, charming store in Exarcheia. The shirts are beautifully made — relaxed, timeless pieces that feel designed to be worn for years rather than seasons.
3. Taverna Ton Filon
A very cozy and unpretentious taverna with delicious food, located in the not-so-charming Kolonos neighbourhood, but with excellent service and outdoor seating as well. One of the best dinners I had in Athens.
4. O Meteoritis Bookstore
My favourite bookstore, located on the busy pedestrian street Fokionos Negri in the heart of Kypseli. Lots of second-hand and new art books, in both Greek and English.
5. Weekly Farmers Market
One of my favourite ways to experience everyday Athens. Simply a delight to walk through on Wednesdays and explore the freshest local produce, from olives and herbs to artichokes and beautifully displayed juicy tomatoes. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth wandering through just to observe the colours, sounds, and rhythm of the neighbourhood.
6. Geitonia
A family-run, home-style lunch and dinner place in Kypseli, operating since the 90s. We order or have lunch there almost every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Our favourites are the chicken soup, pea and potato stew, giant beans in tomato sauce, paired with a a slice of feta in olive oil, of course. Soul-warming food that never disappoints.
7. Alekos Fassianos Museum
Along with the many museums and the Acropolis hill, of course, I’d recommend visiting the museum of Alekos Fassianos, a Greek contemporary artist. It’s housed in a beautiful neoclassical building co-remodelled by Fassianos himself. Opened in 2023, it houses artworks and furnishings by Fassianos from 1956 until his passing.
8. Kennedy Vins
A natural wine bar in Monastiraki with nice music listening sessions, located on a very calm, almost pedestrian street. Great selection of French wines. Always filled with charming, interesting characters — a very nice weekend hangout.
9. Manári Taverna
A very popular dinner spot for traditional Greek food, especially their open-grill dishes. I’d recommend the Pastitsio, Linguine in meat broth (!), and Lamb Kebab, along with my favourite Tirokafteri (Spicy Feta cheese spread), and of course tomatoes with olive oil and salt.
10. Foyer Espresso Bar
One of the best specialty coffee places in Athens, located in the Pangrati neighbourhood, serving coffee from some of the best roasters around the world. Owned and run by great people.
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