11 aesthetic cafes restaurants bars in Athens Greece that will make you fall in love with the capital of Greece
Athens, Greece is a surprising city with lots of uniquely designed restaurants, cafes, and bars, many of which have amazing aesthetic vibes. If you’re looking for places to eat and drink in Athens, Greece, here are 11 places that I really like and definitely recommend you visit when you’re in town.
3 best and convenient areas to find hotels in Athens are Monastiraki, Psyri (Psiri) & Plaka Neighbourhood , which are all easy to visit the following cafes and bars.
BOO! is a unique cafe & bar that has an alluring atmosphere, both during the day and at night.
What drew me to this place and made me visit it twice, was its mysterious and aesthetic vibe, and the beautiful whitewashed walls that are complemented by amazing music.
The daytime and nighttime vibes are slightly different, owing to the lighting, and I enjoy both of them equally! I would recommend visiting in the afternoon and staying till it gets dark, so that you can experience both.
BOO! offers a variety of drinks, including cocktails, tea, special flavored chocolate, and coffee. I tried the cinnamon orange bitter hot drink, which tasted just like my favorite Terry’s Orange Chocolate. It was absolutely delicious!
They also have a rooftop terrace that gave me the feeling of entering a secret forest inside a Greek-style cave. If you are visiting Athens, Greece, I highly recommend checking it out!
Address: Lepeniotou 22, Athens, Greece
Exact location of BOO! Cafe Bar is here
2. The Rooftop Athens and Selina Theatrou Athens
The Rooftop Athens is located in Selina Theatrou Athens, a co-living and co-working space designed for travelers and nomads. It is situated in the Psyri area, one of the most vibrant and artistic neighborhoods in Athens.
If you are looking for a rooftop cafe or bar where you can relax while enjoying a view of the Acropolis and meeting fellow travelers from around the world, The Rooftop Athens is the perfect spot.
The breakfast options at The Rooftop Athens are excellent, with many authentic Greek-style dishes to choose from. Additionally, they sometimes host yoga classes and parties with DJs, which is amazing!
I stayed at Selina Theatrou Athens for three nights, and it was an amazing experience. The location was very convenient for exploring all of Athens’ major attractions, and the bed was also very comfortable.
I highly recommend The Rooftop Athens and Selina Theatrou Athens to anyone visiting Athens, Greece!
Address: Pl. Theatrou 18, Athens, Greece
Exact location of The Rooftop Athens/Selina Theatrou Athens is here
Check the availability and book your stay at Selina Theatrou Athens here
3. Diego Athens
Diego Athens is an aesthetic hidden gem that offers a fun and unique party vibe. We found it unexpectly while walking around the Psyri area in Athens, Greece and was immediately drawn to the music played by DJ Manolaco.
To enter the party, we first had to go through a colourful curtain behind a door. Once inside, it felt like we’ve entered “Alice in Wonderland” with its transparent roofs, open-air bar, lush plants, and vintage decor. It’s a whole different world!
Most of the people at Diego are Athenians, and I didn’t see many foreigners. Everyone seemed happy and comfortable just being themselves. I loved it!
In addition to the party, Diego also has a restaurant, and you can really see that it has a significant character.
Address: Adrianou 1, Athens, Greece
Exact Location of Diego Athens is here
4. 360 Cocktail Bar
Located at the heart of Athens in the popular Monastiraki Square area, 360 Cocktail Bar offers one of the best and closest views of the Acropolis. The rooftop view is particularly beautiful at night when the Acropolis is lit up, and it feels like it’s right in front of you. Sipping cocktails while taking in the exotic view is a delightful experience.
Due to its popularity, the bar can be quite crowded, so be sure to make a reservation before you go.
360 Cocktail Bar website for reservation
360 Cocktail Bar phone number for reservation: +30 210-3210006
Address: Ifestou 2, Athens
Exact location of 360 Cocktail Bar is here
5. Ikalizwi (Η Καλή Ζωή, The Good Life)
This is a cute, traditional Greek restaurant with outdoor seats in Psyri, Athens. We were attracted by its paintings on the wall and the cute artistic vibe.
The owner/waiter is very cute, he introduced us to try the Greek traditional liquor – Ouzo, the white coloured anise-flavored liquor that tastes similar to sambuca. It is a must try when you are in Greece, but it tastes really strong, be ready for it!
The food here is simple, no fancy decoration but delicious, it gives you the feeling of going to a Greek people’s home for dinner.
Address: 12, Thisiou, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Ikalizwi (Η Καλή Ζωή, The Good Life) Restaurant is here
6. Melina Mercouri Cafe
Melina Mercouri Cafe is a restaurant and cafe located in the heart of Plaka. The indoor area is full of vintage decorations and furniture, as well as photos of the Greek actress and politician, Melina Mercouri. The ambience is amazing.
Personally, I love the outdoor seating area since the tables and benches are located on a slope and each bench is painted in a different colour.
Although they don’t have too many food options, I have tried their crepes, Greek salads and Greek coffee, which are all good.
While sitting and enjoying your meal, you can watch people pass by or even have some animal companionship. It’s a great place to simply enjoy the atmosphere and daydream. I really like it here!
Address: Lisiou 22, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Melina Mercouri Cafe is here
7. Yiasemi Bistrot
Yiasemi is a very green, cute, and cozy cafe/restaurant with an open-air rooftop area and seating on the stairs (as well as indoors).
It is located in the perfect spot in the Plaka area, where lots of people pass by on their way to Acropolis.
The interior design and vibe are very aesthetic and nice! It is a great place for Greek coffee, drinks, Greek salad, and desserts, as well as for people watching. The hot meals we had weren’t impressive, but I heard their desserts are good.
I do recommend visiting Yiasemi if you are a vibe and aesthetic seeker.
Address: Mnisikleous 23, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Yiasemi Bistrot is here.
8. The Hatter’s
Address: Lepeniotou 11, Athens, Greece
Exact location of The Hatter’s is here.
9. Little Kook
Address: Karaiskaki 17, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Little Kook is here.
10. Contrabando
Address: Taki 12, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Contrabando is here.
11. Fairytale Athens
Address: Leokoriou 16, Athens, Greece
Exact location of Fairytale Athens is here.
Frequently asked questioned about Athens
Is it easy to travel in Athens without a car?
Yes, central Athens is one of the best and easiest cities to travel without a car. The public transportation is well connected, and tickets are really cheap. If you love walking, it is also very easy to walk to the main attractions in Athens.
Is Athens a dangerous place for solo travellers?
No, I’d say Athens is pretty safe to travel by yourself, and very easy too. But there are some places you need to avoid going at night time.
Where are the best areas to find hotels to stay in Athens?
Monastiraki, Psyri (Psiri), and Plaka Neighbourhood are 3 best areas to stay in Athens in my opinion, since it is in the centre of everything, and very easy to walk to main attractions and considered safe areas to stay in Athens. (Above places are all in these 3 areas)
Kolonaki is also a very nice area, it is quieter and more of a high end, fashion area and close to the Lycabettus Hill, where you can see the view of the entire Athens.
Where are the areas in Athens you need to avoid going?
Athens in general is pretty safe. But there is a place you really need to avoid is Omonia area (including Omonia square, and Omonia metro station), where is notorious for pickpockets, drugs and prostitutes. Even the locals advised me not to go there both in day time and night time.
Where to buy ferry tickets for Greek islands?
You can book and plan your Greek island hopping trips in advance by booking ferry tickets here. I did this right after booking my flight to Greece. This way, it’s easier to plan the rest of your days and things to do in Greece since the ferry may not operate on certain days.
Enjoy your trip in Athens, I hope you will love it as much as I do too!!
Samantha xx
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Jenn
I love Little Kook! In my opinion Athens is one of the best food cities in the world. Look forward to trying more of your list on my next trip.
samanthavoila
Heloo Jenn, totally understand why you love it! and totally agreee what you said about Athens! We all have to go back at some point! hope you get to re-visit soon too 🙂 (I shall follow some of your Athens food list for next time too!)