Athens' 10 Best Brunch Restaurants
Whether your plan is to wander around Athens‘ ancient monuments or along the shady narrow streets of Greece‘s capital city, start the day with a good breakfast. Here are the best places to stop for a morning meal or a light bite.
Odium of Harodes: sunrise in Athens | © Sang Trinh
Mama Roux
Restaurant, North American, $$$
Burgers at Mama Roux | © Mama Roux
A popular and trendy haunt in the heart of Athens,
Mama Roux has tables on the pedestrian street of Aiolou, near Agia Irene Square. Sunday brunch includes Eggs Benedict, muffins, bagels, omelets, pancakes, scrambled eggs, and burgers, all served quickly by friendly staff. The portions are large, but there is an option to have half portion dishes if you ask.
Rakkan
Restaurant, Japanese, 0
Rakkan is the only restaurant in Athens that serves
Japanese brunch every Sunday, and it does it well. Located in the classy district of Kifissia, it is open from early until late, when it then becomes a bar. Even if you’re not familiar with Japanese cuisine, you’ll love the delicious brunch options, which include the great Musabetsu Τomago (scrambled eggs with salmon and rice), rice omelet Omuraisu, the small burgers and the chocolate brownies.
New York Sandwiches
Restaurant, American, $$$
New York Sandwiches, Sinopis Street
A bit of New York aura finds its way to Ampelokipoi where diner
New York Sandwiches offers smiling staff serving French toast, Eggs Benedict, American pancakes (the praline pancake is particularly good), bagels with various fillings, burgers, salads and, of course, New York cheesecake for dessert. Wash down with strong filter coffee, a fresh juice or a Bloody Mary.
Momo is located in the area of Kallithea and open for brunch every Sunday from 12 am. The menu is varied; try the sandwiches, the tasty hot dogs, paella and the burgers, all enjoyed in the industrial-style interior or in the garden in spring and summer.
Paella | Courtesy of Momo
The Handlebar is the first Cycling Cafe in Greece, established a few years ago by a group of cycling fanatics. Located in the neighborhood of Psirri, the cafe has a friendly atmosphere and contemporary decor with retro, street and pop elements. The (British-born) concept is that while you wait for your bike to get repaired, you can enjoy a tasty English breakfast. The cafe also hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year.
Bicycles | © stephenrwalli/Flickr
Bel Ray
Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, $$$
Breakfast | Courtesy of Bel Ray
Bel Ray is a corner snack bar in Koukaki that offers a great Sunday brunch with comfort food choices that include
Croque Madame with smoked ham, tomato and Swiss cheese, pancakes, vegetable tarts and
French onion soup. There is also a menu of delicious freshly squeezed juices and amazing cocktails for later in the day.
Black Duck Garden
Cafe, European, $$$
Located in the Karitsi neighborhood,
Black Duck Garden is a classy European-style retro cafe-bar-restaurant full of original art. Its brunch options include a variety of sandwiches, omelets and sweet delicacies, from orange and apple pie to chocolate souffle and
millefeuille. It also hosts artistic exhibitions, theatrical performances and live DJ set nights.
Friendly chef, George Gerardos creates delicious brunch options based on the Greek culinary tradition here at this small, hospitable place in Kallithea. Try the wonderful kagianas (scrambled eggs with sausage), the pancakes with strawberries or honeyed bacon and sandwiches piled high with local Greek ingredients.
Anthos Madame | Courtesy of Anthos Geuseon
Harvest Coffee & Wine
Wine Bar, Spanish, Pub Grub
A wine bar-restaurant based on the
Spanish culinary tradition, this is a small rustic joint with a friendly atmosphere.
Harvest’s brunch is served every day from 9 am until 7:30 pm and is a great way to start the day with a
wide range of eggs (try the
huevo de corraleggs
) and pancakes filled with sweet and savory treats.
Acropolis Museum Restaurant
Cafe, Restaurant, Greek, $$$
Acropolis Museum Restaurant | Courtesy of Acropolis Museum. Photo Giorgos Vitsaropoulos.
Located on the rooftop of the
Acropolis Museumthis restaurant offers a breathtaking view of the archaeological site as well as a great brunch menu. Thessaloniki bagels with
gravieracheese, fresh milk with oats and currants, pancakes with syrup and
tahini, fried eggs with
syglinosausage from Mani and milk pie are just some of the Greek breakfast options.
