Located at the heart of the city, Syntagma is one of Athens’ busiest areas, buzzing with life at all times. As such, it offers plenty of food and drink options conveniently close to everything you might want to visit. From exotic food to traditional Greek cuisine, here is a small selection of the top restaurants and eateries to try when you are near Syntagma.
Tzitzikas & Mermigas
Restaurant, Greek, Mediterranean, $$$
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas, Athina | Courtesy of Tzitzikas & Mermigas
With a menu offering traditional dishes with a twist, Tzitzikas & Mermigas offers recipes from different parts of Greece. The menu features a variety of meat plates, such as lamb with leeks and cheese or chicken in mastiha sauce, as well as delicious dips and salads. Filled with Athenians, the place is truly an excellent location to enjoy Greek cuisine.
As one of the first restaurants to offer affordable yet top-notch sushi in Athens, it’s no surprise that people line up to eat at Koi Sushi. Bringing this exotic fare to Athenians without burning a hole in their wallets, it offers a variety of sushi, nigiri and sashimi plates as well as some combos for larger groups or when you want to sample a bit of everything.
Cafe, Restaurant, Juice Bar, Smoothie Bar, Vegan, Vegetarian, Asian, $$$
Welcome to Avocado, a vegetarian café/restaurant where food is life. In a bright and colorful décor, Avocado boasts a menu with Asian, Greek and Indian influences where you can taste smoothies and juices, rice dishes, pasta and pizzas. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, Avocado is a great address to drop by for a delicious lunch or dinner while in the area.
Restaurant, Wine Bar, Bistro, Bar, Greek, Mediterranean, $$$
Kiki de Grèce, Athens | Courtesy of Kiki De Grèce
Kiki de Grèce is a wine bar where you can sample Greek wine and snacks, such as platters of local cheese. Offering a variety of Greek wines, Kiki’s snack menu also maintains a local focus with items comprised of fresh ingredients sourced nearby. The chef also prepares unique, savoury main dishes and desserts.
Not Just Falafel is a self-service street food joint where, you guessed it, the menu is (mostly) all about falafel. The chef uses a fresh mix fried on the spot, which yields tasty, well-seasoned and light falafel you can enjoy in a wrap or on their own. If you’re not in a falafel mood, you can also get delicious salads and dips – as the name suggests.
With a 10-year track record under his belt, Sushimou’s chef knows his stuff. Set in a cute, small space in the traditional Japanese style, Sushimou takes you on an authentic sushi journey at its 12-stool bar. Sharp skills, the freshest ingredients and an inviting atmosphere make Sushimou top of any sushi-lover’s priority list when in Athens.
Taqueria Maya is a Tex-Mex restaurant located just five minutes away from Syntagma square. At Taqueria Maya, diners enjoy fresh ingredients, homemade tortillas and excellent margaritas – and the staff is pleasant and warm to boot, adding a bonus to the whole experience. Now you know where to go if you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex when you’re in the center of town.
Tucked away in a small pedestrian street, To Filema is a small Greek taverna where you can sample the best of Greek cuisine at reasonable prices. Offering authentic flavors, the menu features all the basics of Greek food – as well as some rather tasty French fries – and the meat and fish plates in particular are simply excellent. You can even get steamed mussels, which are delicious here. We predict a lot of dinners at To Filema with your friends.
Estrella is a brunch-lover’s paradise. The menu features sweet and savory options, such as a tasty omelette with bacon and cheddar, scrambled eggs on a bagel or a breakfast pizza. Here you can even sample the bougatsan, a unique Greek dessert which combines a buttery croissant filled with pastry cream, just like a bougatsa. Pair your meal with one of their delicious smoothies and you’re good to go.
