syntagma-historic-centre
Ariston on Voulis behind Syntagma in Athens is the 1910 takeaway-pie bakery where the morning Greek coffee comes alongside the spanakopita on the counter.
Signature drink: Spanakopita with a Greek coffee at the counter
Tip: Stand-up counter only; closed Sundays. The morning pies fly out before 10:00.
exarchiaWork-friendlyWifi
Taf Coffee on Emmanouil Benaki in Exarchia is the founding Athens third-wave coffee bar from 2009, an in-house roastery with the Rosebud blend as the daily espresso.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso, Rosebud house blend
Tip: The roastery on the bar is also a small retail shop; ask for the morning's single-origin filter.
kerameikos-metaxourgeioWork-friendlyWifi
The Underdog on Iraklidon in Thissio Athens is the third-wave coffee bar and micro-roastery from 2011, in a restored neoclassical building with a brunch carte at weekends.
Signature drink: Cold brew and weekend brunch in a neoclassical building
Tip: The cold brew is the order; the brunch at weekends pulls a queue from 10:30.
kerameikos-metaxourgeioWork-friendlyWifi
Mind the Cup on Aimiliou Veaki in Peristeri Athens is a specialty coffee roastery and bar on a pedestrian street, a third-wave Athens destination outside the centre.
Signature drink: Single-origin espresso and filter from in-house roastery
Tip: The pedestrian street outside is the spillover terrace; closed Sundays from October.
koukakiWork-friendlyWifi
Little Tree on Kavalloti in Koukaki is the small bookshop café near the Acropolis Museum in Athens, a quiet room with filter coffee, handmade sweets and Greek titles.
Signature drink: Filter coffee and handmade sweets
Tip: The pavement bench faces the Acropolis Museum; closed Sundays in winter.
kolonakiWifi
Kostarelos in Kolonaki Athens is the dine-in dairy of three generations of cheesemakers, where morning espresso comes with a cheese sandwich and a Kolonaki view.
Signature drink: Espresso with the morning cheese-sandwich counter
Tip: The morning rush ends by 10:30; the lunch sandwich service runs through to 15:00.