FOR CLASSIC GREEK FOOD IN A CONTEMPORARY SETTING
LINOU SOUMPASIS K SIA

Linou Soumpasis k sia is a new-age taverna that serves the best food in Athens.

Occupying a former candle shop (whose products are still sold here), the brushed-steel dining room was opened in 2021 by a group of restaurateurs from the island of Limos.

Casual and contemporary, the restaurant features classic Greek cooking. Highlights include the seared bonito with sea beans and fresh peas, a flavorful kakavia fish stew, and taramasalata: a fish-roe spread served with house-made sourdough pita.

Sit outside in the back and arrive in the evening - Linou Soumpasis k sia serves the kind of food that's best eaten when the weather is sultry and the hour is late.

KALAMIDA 9, ATHINA 105 S4, GREECE

FOR ROOFTOP DRINKS AND DJS
BIOS

Bios Cultural Organization is dedicated to promoting the contemporary arts.

Across the last twenty years, it has created and curated a variety of events including concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs.

The innovative venue also houses a rooftop bar with great views of the Acropolis.

Enjoy drinks and a vibrant "all-are-welcome" atmosphere at the Bios Rooftop, or enjoy a hearty homemade meal at the Chez Bios restaurant on the floor below.

Mingle with a crowd of locals and expect regular appearances from both local and international DJs. Another fun fact: Bios is great for a game of backgammon downstairs during the daytime.

PIREOS 84, ATHINA 104 35, GREECE

FOR THE BEST PAPPARDELLE RAGU
SEYCHELLES

Seychelles is a taverna located in the low-key neighborhood of Metaxourgeio.

Hailed as the best mezedopoleio in Athens, the restaurant serves quality Greek food with a focus on traditional ingredients sourced from different parts of the country.

Highlights include the buffalo kavourmas from Kerkini, apaki or smoked pork from Crete, and the manouri cheese from Northern Greece. Kieran, however, goes exclusively for the pappardelle ragu.

Opened in early 2014, Seychelles is housed in an early-19th-century building.

Its relaxed location transports you from a busy city center to a small, countryside community. During the warm months, the restaurant puts tables out on the sidewalk across the street. Sit outside to enjoy the terrace and local passerbys, or inside to admire the high ceilings, large windows, and welcoming open kitchen.

KERAMIKOU 49, ATHINA 104 36, GREECE

FOR GREEK YOGURT GALORE
STANI

The last of the many traditional dairy bars that once thrived in Athens, Stani has been in the same family since it opened in 1931. The Stani speciality is strained yogurt made from the milk of sheep living on small farms near the city. An order takes the form of a thick dollop, drenched in honey and topped with crushed walnuts.

Most visitors drop by for a fortifying bowl of specialty yogurt or a fabulous cup of anthogala - basically a tall glass of whipped cream. Stani is also the place to try syrup-soaked desserts like loukoumades (miniature deep-fried doughnuts) and galaktoboureko (crisp filo pastry filled with wobbly, creamy custard).

MARIKAS KOTOPOULI 10, ATHINA 104 32, GREECE

FOR REFUGE AT THE FLEA MARKET
CAFE AVISSINIA

Cafe Avissinia has been serving Greek cuisine since 1985.

This offbeat restaurant in Monastiraki flea market began as a small tea house - over the years, it has evolved into a restaurant characterized by the family recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Surrounded by antique shops and decorated with patterned tiles, Cafe Avissina is as much about the atmosphere live accordion music and table-top dancing on the weekends!) as it is about the Asia Minor-inspired food: pork with leeks and prunes, sublime taramosalata, lamb with couscous, and stuffed vine leaves.

The top-floor dining room has one of the best views of the Parthenon anywhere in Athens - request for a table upstairs to escape the heat and flea market crowd, or ask for a seat by the square below to immerse yourself into the street party.

KINETOU 7, ATHINA 105 SS, GREECE