40 mid-range rooms in Athens, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good rooms in Athens, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Athens food.
Diporto ★ 4.8
psyrri · Sokratous 9, Athina 105 52
Diporto is basement koutouki on a market-square corner with no sign, no menu, no english; the door is two trap-style entrances at street level.
Tip: Lunch only from late morning until pans empty; descend the two doors and point at the trays.
The Underdog ★ 4.8
kerameikos-metaxourgeio · Iraklidon 8, Athina 118 51
The Underdog on Iraklidon in Thissio Athens runs a weekend brunch carte from the third-wave coffee bar, the in-house roastery's morning destination for cold.
Tip: The brunch at weekends pulls a queue from 10:30; weekday coffee runs all day.
Mavro Provato ★ 4.7
pangrati · Arrianou 31-33, Pangrati
Mavro Provato in Pangrati Athens is the daily mezedopoleio favourite for small-plate Greek cooking, Greek wine by the glass and a sidewalk of regulars.
Tip: Book three days ahead for dinner; lunch tables on the pavement are walk-up after 14:00.
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani ★ 4.7
psyrri · Sokratous & Evripidou 1, 10552, Athina
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani on Sokratous is the Athens deli-mezedopoleio for Asia Minor cured meats: Karamanli pastourma, sausages and small plates.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The deli counter runs 08:00-21:00 if you want to take meats home with you.
The Clumsies ★ 4.7
syntagma-historic-centre · Praxitelous 30, Athina 105 61
The Clumsies on Praxitelous in central Athens runs until 02:00 weeknights and 04:00 weekends, the World's 50 Best Bars regular for the after-dinner cocktail.
Tip: Late-night Friday and Saturday is queue-only; the back room takes bookings six weeks ahead.
Taverna tou Oikonomou ★ 4.7
petralona · Kydantidon 32, Athina 118 51
Taverna tou Oikonomou is a greek room in Petralona. No microwave and no menu; you point at the trays. Closes when the pans run out, often by 22:00.
Tip: No microwave and no menu; you point at the trays. Closes when the pans run out, often by 22:00.
Taf Coffee ★ 4.6
exarchia · Emmanouil Mpenaki 7, Athina 106 78
Taf Coffee on Emmanouil Benaki is the Athens third-wave roastery from 2009, an in-house roaster and cafe with the Rosebud house blend on espresso.
Tip: Wholesale beans across many Athens cafes; ask for the seasonal single-origin to take home.
Pnyka Pangrati ★ 4.6
pangrati · Pratinou 13, Pangrati, 116 34
Pnyka on Pratinou in Pangrati is the sourdough-only bakery with a stone mill in-house, baked in a wood-burning oven for a weekly local-habit crowd.
Tip: The Pangrati branch holds the stone mill; the carob loaf is the long-keeper to take home.
Holy Llama ★ 4.6
syntagma-historic-centre · Nikis 23, Athina 105 57
Holy Llama on Nikis off Syntagma in Athens is the all-vegan brunch bakery: croissant sandwiches, scrambled tofu, carrot lox bagels and a praised pistachio.
Tip: The pistachio croissant sells out by lunchtime; the brunch carte runs through to 19:00 every day.
Mavro Provato ★ 4.5
pangrati · Arrianou 31-33, Pangrati
Mavro Provato in Pangrati is the daily Athens mezedopoleio favourite for small-plate Greek cooking with regulars on the pavement from 14:00.
Tip: Book three days ahead for dinner; lunch tables on the pavement are walk-up only from 14:00 onwards.
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani ★ 4.5
psyrri · Sokratous & Evripidou 1, 10552, Athina
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani on Sokratous is the Athens deli-mezedopoleio for Asia Minor cured meats: Karamanli pastourma, sausages and small plates.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The deli counter runs 08:00-21:00 if you want to take meats home with you.
The Underdog ★ 4.5
kerameikos-metaxourgeio · Iraklidon 8, Athina 118 51
The Underdog on Iraklidon in Thissio Athens has roasted since 2011, a third-wave cafe and roastery in a neoclassical building with weekend brunch and craft.
Tip: The cold brew is the signature pour; the weekend brunch queue starts before 11:00.
Karavitis Tavern ★ 4.5
pangrati · Pausaniou 4 Pangrati, Athina 11635, Greece
Karavitis Tavern on Pausaniou in Pangrati is the 1926 neighbourhood taverna with a rustic courtyard, barrels of house wine and a point-at-trays system.
Tip: No reservations are taken; arrive before 21:00 on weeknights and before 20:30 on Saturdays.
The Brunch Factory ★ 4.5
monastiraki · Athinas 11, Athina 105 54
The Brunch Factory on Athinas a step from Monastiraki metro in Athens is the all-day brunch room: Eggs Benedict, English breakfasts, pancakes and waffles.
Tip: Weekend mornings fill from 10:30-13:00; the seated counter at the back is the calmer table.
Atlantikos ★ 4.4
psyrri · Avliton 7, Psiri, Athina 10563, Greece
Atlantikos in Psyrri is the central Athens seafood pick: Avliton 7 fires the daily catch on the grill from lunch through to past midnight every day.
Tip: The annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays and 13:00 weekends; book the original room.
Manimani ★ 4.4
koukaki · Falirou 10, Koukaki, 117 42
Manimani in Koukaki cooks the food of the Mani peninsula in a neoclassical building near the Acropolis Museum: cured pork siglino and handmade pasta.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Sunday lunch from 14:00 is the easiest service for booking a window seat.
Manimani ★ 4.4
koukaki · Falirou 10, Koukaki, 117 42
Manimani in Koukaki cooks the food of the Mani peninsula in a neoclassical building near the Acropolis Museum in Athens: cured pork siglino and handmade.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Sunday lunch from 14:00 is the easiest service to find a window seat.
Atlantikos ★ 4.4
psyrri · Avliton 7, Psiri, Athina 10563, Greece
Atlantikos in Psyrri Athens is the central seafood pick: Avliton 7 fires the daily catch on the grill from lunch through to past midnight every day.
Tip: The annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays and 13:00 weekends; book the original room.
Mind the Cup ★ 4.4
kerameikos-metaxourgeio · Aimiliou Veaki 29, Peristeri 121 34
Mind the Cup on Aimiliou Veaki in Peristeri Athens is a specialty coffee roastery and bar on a pedestrian street, a destination for Athenians outside.
Tip: The pedestrian-street terrace is the room; the beans retail across many Athens cafes.
Strange Brew Taproom and Bottleshop ★ 4.4
koukaki · Falirou 86, Koukaki Athina
Strange Brew in Koukaki is the Athens taproom and bottle shop of the Greek craft brewery, opened 2019 with the Jasmine IPA on permanent tap and rotating.
Tip: The Cellar Jams barrel-aged programme rotates weekly; ask the bar for what's pouring.
Barley Cargo ★ 4.4
syntagma-historic-centre · Kolokotroni 6, Athina 105 61
Barley Cargo on Kolokotroni in central Athens is the city's deepest craft beer bar, 230 international bottles and 70 Greek labels with 17 rotating taps.
Tip: The three-litre canisters are for groups; the tasting flight is the way to learn Greek craft.
Atlantikos ★ 4.4
psyrri · Avliton 7, Psiri, Athina 10563, Greece
Atlantikos in Psyrri Athens is the late-night seafood pick on Avliton 7, the small dining room and annex where the daily catch goes on grill until 01:00.
Tip: The annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays; book the original room.
O Telis ★ 4.4
psyrri · 86 Evripidou str. & 20 Epikourou str., 10553
O Telis on Evripidou in central Athens grills pork chops over coals until 23:00, the king-of-Evripidou-Street counter with chips, salad, bread and the house.
Tip: No menu; the order is pork chops with chips, salad, bread and red wine. Closed Sundays.
Falafellas ★ 4.4
monastiraki · Aiolou 51, Athina 10551, Greece
Falafellas on Aiolou near Monastiraki in Athens runs the falafel pita counter until 23:30, the takeaway window built fresh with tahini, salad and chilli.
Tip: Queue runs longest at lunch; late-night orders move fast through the open kitchen.
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas ★ 4.3
syntagma-historic-centre · Mitropoleos 12, Athina
Tzitzikas kai Mermigas on Mitropoleos has cooked Greek small plates with seasonal ingredients off Syntagma Square in Athens for three decades.
Tip: Lunch from 13:00 is the easier seating; book three days ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner.
Klimataria ★ 4.3
psyrri · Plateia Theatrou 2, Athina 105 52
Klimataria on Theatre Square has poured Athens taverna food since 1927, a Psyrri institution where rebetiko plays live on most evenings from around 22:00.
Tip: Live music runs most evenings from around 22:00; book a fortnight ahead for the weekend.
Athinaikon ★ 4.3
exarchia · Themistokleous 2, Athina 106 78
Athinaikon on Themistokleous is the Exarchia ouzeri of record in Athens, opened in 1932 and moved to its current corner in 1989 with vintage decor intact.
Tip: The Mitropoleos sister room is the modern outpost; the Themistokleous original is the destination.
Taverna Saita ★ 4.3
plaka · Kydathineon 21, Plaka, Athina
Taverna Saita on Kydathineon is the rare Plaka room in Athens cooking for locals. The Zacharopoulou family has fried bakaliaros skordalia here since 1970.
Tip: Pavement tables face the quiet end of Kydathineon, away from souvenir shops; book a fortnight ahead.
Kostarelos Kolonaki ★ 4.3
kolonaki · Patriarchou Ioakim 30-32, Athina 106 75
Kostarelos on Patriarchou Ioakeim is the Kolonaki dine-in cheese deli of three generations of cheesemakers, with 14 cheeses, sandwiches and a short wine list.
Tip: Lunch on the pavement bench faces Kolonaki Square; deli counter open until 22:00 Mon-Sat.
Klimataria ★ 4.3
psyrri · Plateia Theatrou 2, Athina 105 52
Klimataria on Theatre Square in Athens has poured taverna food since 1927, the Psyrri institution where giant barrels line the wall and rebetiko plays most.
Tip: Live music runs most evenings from around 22:00; book a fortnight ahead for the weekend.
Klimataria ★ 4.3
psyrri · Plateia Theatrou 2, Athina 105 52
Klimataria on Theatre Square in Athens runs until past midnight every night, the Psyrri institution since 1927 where rebetiko plays live and the wine comes.
Tip: Live music runs most evenings from around 22:00; book a fortnight ahead for the weekend seatings.
Lukumades Aiolou ★ 4.3
monastiraki · Aiolou 21, Athina 105 51
Lukumades on Aiolou and Agia Irini Square in Athens runs the loukoumades counter until 23:00, the post-dinner doughnut destination with cream fillings.
Tip: Queue runs longest on summer Friday and Saturday evenings; doughnuts are made to order.
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani ★ 4.3
psyrri · Sokratous & Evripidou 1, 10552, Athina
Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani in Athens: greek room. Tucked onto the Sokratous-Evripidou corner near Varvakios, an Asia Minor deli plus mezedopoleio.
Tip: Closed Sundays. The deli counter runs 08:00-21:00 if you want to take meats home.
Kostarelos Kolonaki ★ 4.3
kolonaki · Patriarchou Ioakim 30-32, Athina 106 75
Kostarelos in Kolonaki Athens runs a dine-in cheese-deli brunch and lunch, 14 cheeses and sandwiches on the pavement bench with a Kolonaki view from morning.
Tip: Sunday morning rush ends by noon; ask for the day's graviera flight to taste.
Taverna Platanos ★ 4.2
plaka · Diogenous 4, Plaka
Taverna Platanos under the plane tree on Diogenous has fed Plaka in Athens since 1932, a courtyard room where slow-cooked lamb in lemon sauce is the order.
Tip: The courtyard opens late spring; book ten days ahead for the Friday and Saturday warm-weather seatings.
Etnico ★ 4.2
monastiraki · Kolokotroni 22, Athina 105 62
Etnico on Kolokotroni in Monastiraki Athens cooks multi-ethnic street food across Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern menus with sit-down tables and a counter.
Tip: Late-night kitchen runs to 04:00 on weekends; the vegan list is the longest of the Monastiraki ethnic kitchens.
Athinaikon ★ 4.2
exarchia · Themistokleous 2, Athina 106 78
Athinaikon on Themistokleous is the Exarchia ouzeri of record in Athens, an institution opened in 1932 that moved to its current corner in 1989 with vintage.
Tip: The Mitropoleos sister room is the modern outpost; the Themistokleous original is the destination.
Atlantikos ★ 4.2
psyrri · Avliton 7, Psiri, Athina 10563, Greece
Atlantikos is small psyrri seafood room on a avliton side lane off ermou, easy to walk past, with the daily catch on the grill from lunch to past midnight.
Tip: Book the original room; the annex across the lane opens at 18:00 weekdays.
Little Tree Books and Coffee ★ 4.2
koukaki · Kavalloti 2, Athina 117 42
Little Tree on Kavalloti in Koukaki Athens is the bookshop café near the Acropolis Museum, a quiet morning brunch room with filter coffee and handmade.
Tip: The pavement bench faces the Acropolis Museum; closed Sundays in winter.
Taverna Saita ★ 4.1
plaka · Kydathineon 21, Plaka, Athina
Taverna Saita on Kydathineon is the rare Plaka room in Athens cooking for locals. The Zacharopoulou family has fried bakaliaros skordalia since 1970.
Tip: Pavement tables face the quiet end of Kydathineon, away from souvenir shops; book ahead.