Top Restaurants in Athens

Varoulko:  In its new Athens location that offers a drop-dead gorgeous view of the Acropolis, and with a menu that adds tasty meat dishes to its signature seafood, Varoulko continues to win the approval of its diners.  Everything here is so good that many Athenians believe chef/owner Lefteris Lazarou serves not only the finest seafood in Athens, but some of the best food in all of Greece.

Vlassis:  This small restaurant has a very loyal following, ranging from prominent ambassadors to struggling artists, and serves traditional Greek cooking at its very best. A tempting choice if you have only 1 night in Athens -- but be sure to make a reservation.

48 the Restaurant:  One of the most popular places in the city, this former art gallery has high ceilings and a big industrial space with fantastic design and lighting. The food here is exceptional – inspired dishes using traditional Greek ingredients in new ways. The menu changes daily according to the find of the day from the local markets, and the wine list alone offers more than 500 labels from the owner's private vault in Paris.

Damigos (The Bakaliarakia): This basement taverna, with enormous wine barrels in the back room and an ancient column supporting the roof in the front room, has been serving delicious deep-fried codfish and eggplant, as well as chops and stews, since 1865. The wine comes from the family vineyards. There are few pleasures greater than sipping retsina while you watch the cook turn out meal after meal in his absurdly small kitchen.

Daphne’s:  Beautiful paintings adorn the walls of this neoclassical 1830s home, which includes a shady garden courtyard displaying bits of ancient marble found on-site. Diners from around the world sit at Daphne's tables. The courtyard makes it a real oasis in Athens, especially when summer nights are hot.  Recommended by the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, and just about everyone else, the food gives you all the old favorites with new distinction and combines familiar ingredients in innovative ways. 

Milos:  After two successful locations in Montreal and New York, Milos arrives at its birthplace and is better than ever. Housed in the ground floor of the Hilton hotel, this is an absolute must for any seafood lover. The main draw here is the freshness of the ingredients supplied from all over the country, sent directly to the restaurant via airplane from the fishing boats. The prices are a bit high, but it is truly worth it.

Before you try these delicious restaurants, learn about classic Greek foods.