Where to Eat & Sleep in Athens
Discover Cassandra’s recommendations for where to eat and sleep in Athens. Immerse yourself in the city and explore its most talked-about restaurants and stylish modern hotels.
EAT: FEYROUZ
If you are looking for interesting and delicious street food in the centre of Athens, look no further than Feyrouz. Five minutes’ walk from Monastiraki square, this family-run kitchen is inspired by the flavours of Eastern Turkey and the Levant, where the family hails from. Their speciality is peinirli, an open pie full of inventive, deliciously spiced fillings. Lentil soup and other more substantial dishes such as ‘Bosphorus rice’ are also available. Recently the family opened a café-patisserie across the road, serving some of the best baklava in town.
SLEEP: THE SHILA
Located in the vibrant, central neighbourhood of Kolonaki, The Shila is one of the most stylish places to stay in town. Its six spaces (‘rooms’ doesn’t do them justice) ooze individual character, containing a changing display of artworks, from ceramics and glassware to painting and photography. The designers describe their concept as a blend of Japanese wabi-sabi with local Greek style. The Shila also hosts exhibitions by Greek and international artists, runs an artist residency programme, and leads its own bespoke furniture design studio.
EAT: TO RINI
On a quiet street near the National Archaeological Museum, you will find one of Athens’s standout new restaurants. To Rini is at the forefront of the new wave of Greek cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes with a creative spin. The menu varies seasonally, but favourites include rooster ragu and charred cabbage salad, washed down by one of the many interesting Greek wines on the list. To Rini is open all day, with excellent brunch options and sumptuous sweet treats for afternoon tea.
EAT: SOIL
Soil is a unique phenomenon in Athens: a fine-dining experience with an intimate connection to the local land. Michelin-starred chef Tasos Mantis sources many of the restaurant’s ingredients from his very own garden, located just outside Athens and run by his father. He specialises in unusual herbs and edible flowers. The restaurant itself is located in a Neoclassical building just above the historic Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games. For a truly ‘earthy’ experience, guests can also visit the chef’s garden.
SLEEP: MONUMENT
Monument, as its name suggests, is a piece of Athens’ architectural history. The historic Neoclassical structure was built in 1881 by the architect Ernst Ziller, who designed many of Athens’s grandest buildings, including the Presidential Mansion and the National Archaeological Museum. The sleek contemporary design of its nine rooms has been meticulously crafted to harmonise with the original features of this historic listed building. The residence, which also contains a private wellness centre, sits right at the heart of central Athens, in the buzzing Psyrri neighbourhood.
EAT: HERVÉ
Set in the low-key, local neighbourhood of Petralona, Hervé serves a tasting menu to rival the very best. The brainchild of French chef Hervé Pronzato, in tandem with Greek chef George Efthimopoulos, this progressive spot combines Greek and international cuisine. One of the delights of this informal, stylish place is to watch the chefs at work on the counter in front of you. The experience is as fun as it is delicious.
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