Refined Dining in Athens
Athens isn’t about stuffy fine dining and hushed conversations over white tablecloths. The best meals here feel effortless - thoughtfully sourced ingredients, deep-rooted Greek flavours and chefs who know when to step back and let great produce shine. These are the kinds of places where you can linger for hours, order another bottle of wine and completely lose track of time.
Top Pick: Linou Soumpasis & Sia - Psirri
Linou is minimalism done right, from the interiors to the menu. Raw walls, simple table, church candles and shelves lined with natural wines set the tone - it’s effortless, understated and lets the food take centre stage. And the food? Refined, unfussy, but deeply delicious. The focus here is on quality ingredients and it shows. Dishes are generous, especially for a place of this calibre and the menu changes daily based on what’s freshest. You’ll find beautifully grilled seafood, home-made sourdough that’s impossible to stop eating and a wine list that leans towards natural and biodynamic selections. It’s relaxed, welcoming, exactly the kind of place you want to sit back eat and enjoy. It’s one of my personal favourite places to go and take friends.
What to order: If the roast chicken is on the menu, don’t even think about it, simply order it. It is delicious! The corn ribs are one of my absolute favourites and if there’s anything seafood-based on the menu, you are on to a winner.
Pro Tips for Dining Out in Athens
Book ahead - The best spots fill up fast, especially in peak season.
Dress smart casual - No need for a suit, but sneakers and shorts might feel out of place.
Trust the chef’s recommendations - Greek food is all about seasonality, ask what’s best that day.
Don’t rush - Athens isn’t about quick meals, order another glass of wine and take your time.
Explore Greek wines - If you’re not already into Greek wine, this is your moment. Great underrated wines, ask for a recommendation, you won’t regret it
2H - Rooftop of Ergon Bakehouse, Syntagma
A rooftop gem blending comfort food with a creative twist. Their pork schnitzel is next level even if you’re not a pork eater like me, this dish might convert you.
What to order: Pork schnitzel and don’t skip the flatbreads.
Cinapos - Thissio
A brand new place, Cinapos is what happens when a restaurant nails both food and atmosphere. The interiors are stunning - warm, modern, but still deeply tied to Greek tradition. The menu leans into Constantinople-inspired flavours, offering dishes that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Pair that with an excellent wine list and a cozy, inviting atmosphere, and it’s the kind of place where you slow down, settle in and stay for hours.
What to order: The meatballs with yogurt and herb sauce are incredible, the steamed mussels with couscous and tarragon-infused broth are packed with flavour and if you have room, the syrupy orange cake (portokalopita) is a perfect finish.
Botrini’s - Chalandri
If you’re after a true fine-dining experience, Botrini’s is the place to do it. Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini combines his Corfu-Italian roots with a modern Greek approach, resulting in a tasting menu that’s both creative and deeply comforting. The experience is refined but never pretentious, making it worth booking well in advance.
What to order: The tasting menu changes seasonally, so just trust the process and enjoy the ride.
Fita - Neos Kosmos
There are restaurants that are hyped up and then there are restaurants that don’t need hype - just one meal and you get it. Fita is the latter. If I lived in Athens full-time, I’d probably be here weekly. My daughter put me on to this place and a short taxi ride later, I was hooked. The menu is short, seasonal and constantly changing, and the dishes that come out of the kitchen are as simple as they are perfect. No elaborate plating, no gimmicks, just food that’s been cooked with care, restraint and a deep understanding of flavours. It’s a place where you feel like you’re in on a local secret, but at the same time, you want to tell everyone about it.
What to order: The freshest fish they have that day, the fava with caramelized onions, tarama is insane and anything with greens - it’ll make you rethink how good vegetables can be.
