The smart hillside quarter under Lycabettus, with the Kostarelos dairy counter, Patriarchou Ioakim cafes and the long-running Kolonaki bistros.
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.
Signature: Feta board, Cheese sandwiches, Greek salad
Order: The feta-and-graviera board with a glass of the house assyrtiko.
Tip: Lunch on the pavement bench faces Kolonaki Square; deli counter open until 22:00 Mon-Sat.
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.
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.
Venetis 1948 in Kifisia is the original founding store of the Athens Venetis bakery chain, a destination for Greek breads, tsoureki at Easter and pies.
Tip: Multiple Athens locations; the Kifisia 1948 store is the founding bakery with the widest stock.
Worth the queue: Tsoureki bread at Easter
Maison d'Olive on Xanthippou in Kolonaki Athens is the olive oil cellar of the city, 200 internationally awarded Greek olive oils plus bottarga, truffles.
Tip: The daily counter tasting is free; ask the in-house sommelier for the day's PDO and varietal flights.
Kostarelos in Kolonaki Athens is the cheese-counter destination, three generations of cheesemakers with 14 cheeses, charcuterie and a sit-down counter.
Tip: The Sunday morning rush ends by noon; ask for the day's graviera flight to taste.
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.
Order: The feta and graviera board with a glass of the house assyrtiko.
Tip: Sunday morning rush ends by noon; ask for the day's graviera flight to taste.