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 are 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 are in town.

If you want to know more about Athens city and eat like locals, you can join 🔗this guided walking food tour and get to taste authentic Greek food across Psyrri, Plaka, Monastiraki, and more areas in Athens!

Aesthetic restaurants, cafe, bars in Athens

1. BOO! Cafe Bar

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 and amazing music list.

The daytime and nighttime vibes are totally different, mostly because of the lighting. And honestly, I love both equally! My recommendation? Head there in the afternoon and stay until it gets dark so you can experience the best of both worlds.

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 favourite 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
• The exact location of BOO! Cafe Bar on Google Maps is 🔗here.
• Aesthetic apartments/hostel near BOO! Cafe Bar, in the Psyri area with balconies: 🔗Ancient Agora Apartments, 🔗ÉOS Luxury Loft by Edrano 8essentially, 🔗Living Stone Moonstone, and🔗Yellowsquare Athens (hostel with also private room option).

2. 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 set on the layers of steps, 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, all are really good!

While sitting and enjoying your meal, you can watch people passing by or even have some animal keep you company. It’s a great place to simply enjoy the atmosphere and daydream. I really like it here!

• Address: Lisiou 22, Athens, Greece
• The exact location of Melina Mercouri Cafe on Google Maps is 🔗here
• Hotels near Melina Mercouri Cafe in Plaka: 🔗Minimalist Oasis & 🔗99 Adrianou Apartments (with view of Acropolis).

3. Diego Athens

Update: it’s closed now. How sad! I loved it so much! Hope it will re-open again.

Diego Athens is an aesthetic hidden gem that offers a fun and unique party vibe.

We found it unexpectedly while walking around the Psyri area in Athens, Greece and were 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 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
• The 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: click 🔗here
• 360 Cocktail Bar phone number for reservation: +30 210-3210006
• Address: Ifestou 2, Athens
• The exact location of 360 Cocktail Bar on Google Maps is 🔗here
• Hotels near 360 Cocktail Bar, in Monastiraki area with balcony and Apropolis view: 🔗Mythos Luxury 🔗Suites, Altar Suites, 🔗Esse Athens,  and 🔗Regal Hotel Mitropoleos.

5. Ikalizwi (Η Καλή Ζωή, The Good Life)

Update: it’s closed now.

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
• The exact location of Ikalizwi (Η Καλή Ζωή, The Good Life) Restaurant is 🔗here.

6. Little Kook

Little Kook is one of the most iconic and photo-worthy cafes in Athens, honestly, it’s easy to see why.

This place has a strong character, and is very unique. Known for its magical, crazy themes and decorations that change almost every season. Even the staff costumes change to match the theme, how cool is that!

Whether you are a photography lover or aesthetic seeker, i’d say this cafe is worth a visit when you are in Athens.

• Address: Karaiskaki 17, Athens, Greece
• The exact location of Little Kook on Google Maps is 🔗here.

7. The Rooftop Athens and Selina Theatrou Athens

Update: now Selina Theatrou Athens is closed, and The Rooftop Athens has changed to Great Bear Rooftop, but it’s also temporarily closed.

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!

Book 🔗Yellowsquare Athens for a similar alternative option to Selina in Athens.

8. Yiasemi Bistrot

Update: it’s closed now.

Yiasemi is a famous 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
• The exact location of Yiasemi Bistrot on Google Maps is 🔗here.

9. Contrabando

Address: Taki 12, Athens, Greece
The exact location of Contrabando on Google Maps is 🔗here.

10. Fairytale Athens

Address: Leokoriou 16, Athens, Greece
The exact location of Fairytale Athens on Google Maps is 🔗here.

11. The Hatter’s

Update: it’s closed now.

Address: Lepeniotou 11, Athens, Greece
The exact location of The Hatter’s is 🔗here

Frequently asked questions 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. 

Public transportation in Athens is well connected and affordable. There is a direct metro to the city centre- Monastiraki directly from both Athens International Airport and Piraeus Harbour (for ferry). And the fares 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 travelers?

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?​

From my personal travel experience in Athens, I find 🔗Monastiraki, 🔗Psyri (Psiri), and 🔗Plaka  the 3 best areas to stay in Athens as these places are in the centre of everything, and very easy to walk to main attractions and are considered safe areas to stay in Athens. 

🔗Kolonaki is also a very nice area, it is quieter and more of a high-end area and close to the Lycabettus Hill I mentioned above.

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), which is notorious for pickpockets, drugs and prostitutes. Even the locals advised me not to go there both day and night.

Where to buy ferry tickets for Greek islands? ​

You can check availability and book your ferry tickets to all Greek islands via 🔗this trustworthy ferry ticket booking site. 

Since ferries to some Greek islands don’t operate daily, especially during the off-season,  booking in advance is highly recommended, as it makes planning the rest of your trip much easier.

More articles for planning your Greece trips:

🔗10 Aesthetic Things to Do in Athens, Greece (Beyond the Acropolis)

🔗6 Picturesque Places to Visit in Crete Island, Greece － Easy To Reach From Chania.