Athens City Guide

Julia H. Montanez
With Athens Design Forum attracting a new design audience to the city, Athens is becoming a major destination for culture, food, and relaxation - not just as a stop off to a Greek island getaway. Our favorite aspect of the city is it’s walkability and proximity to almost everything, especially if you stay in Plaka, the city center. TDR had the good fortune to spend a few weeks in the Greek capital in preparation for the Design Forum, and was able to ask a few chic locals and design world friends for their recommendations, and we included some great discoveries that crossed our paths.
Published
17 Nov, 2021
Author
Julia H. Montanez
Categories
City guide, athens

Where to Stay:

There are many great hotels in Athens, and although some may be at the top of the luxury levels, and some more economically friendly, all of our selections have something great to offer.

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1. Perianth Hotel

2, Limpona Street,
Athina 105 60, Greece
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For an unbeatable location and large rooms, we loved The Perianth Hotel. As a member of the Design Hotels group, the hotel is designed with the discerning international traveler in mind with comfortable and elegant amenities, fast internet, and beautiful interiors.

2. Plaka Hotel

Kapnikareas 7,
Athina 105 56, Greece
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For a budget friendly price point and the best view of the acropolis, we suggest the Plaka Hotel, which has a rooftop bar available exclusively for its guests. Its sister hotel, Hermes, also in Plaka, offers comfort and a great location, also near Ermou, the main shopping street, and a 3 minute short walk from all the organic and vegan restaurants and juice bars on Nikis street.

3. St George Lycabettus

Kleomenous 2,
Athina 106 75, Greece
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The St George Lycabettus, located about 20 minutes walk from the city center in Kolonaki, offered incredible views of the city from their restaurant (which we also enjoyed - try the homemade pappardelle with mushrooms & truffle). The roof pool is the perfect place to spend the warmer months in Athens.

4. Shila

Mantzarou 10,
Athina 106 72, Greece
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The St George Lycabettus, located about 20 minutes walk from the city center in Kolonaki, offered incredible views of the city from their restaurant (which we also enjoyed - try the homemade pappardelle with mushrooms & truffle). The roof pool is the perfect place to spend the warmer months in Athens.

5. Hotel Grande Bretagne

1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str,
Athina 106 64, Greece
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The reliably elegant Hotel Grande Bretagne is perfect for the most elegant traveler, and we can highly recommend their spa services as well.

Where to Eat:

One thing you’ll have a hard time doing (especially if you follow this list) is finding bad food in Athens. We had the exceptional luck of having friends recommend some of the best meals the city has to offer, a great mix of low-key cafes, tavernas, and fine dining.

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1. Athénée

Voukourestiou 9,
Athina 106 71, Greece
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Athénée Athens is an elegant landmark restaurant established in 1939. Athénée has a varied menu with excellent Greek and Italian cuisine. The best items on the menu were the taramasalata, the polenta and mushrooms, the carpaccio, and the seafood in general. The interiors are traditional and gorgeous with the furniture upholstered in a deep velvet red; a compelling contrast to the contemporary lighting by one of our favorite designers, Greek Cypriot Michael Anastassiades.

2. The Egg of The Rooster

Millerou,
Athina 104 36, Greece
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The Egg of The Rooster is a very traditional taverna outside of Plaka in the more gritty neighborhood of Metaxourgio. Recommended to us by Athens Design Forum founder Katerina Papanikolopoulos, the food here is outstanding: The red rooster with pasta is a must, and their namesake salad with pomegranate seeds is a favorite as well.

3. Winners Vegan

Nikis 27,
Athina 105 57, Greece
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For our dairy-free readers, or anyone who needs a break from all the feta, Winners Vegan is the spot for excellent and creative salads and vegan dishes. The golden latte and Winners Salad (sweet potato, beets, walnuts, oranges, and more) were our favorites.

4. Sense

Dionysiou Areopagitou 5,
Athina 117 42, Greece
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Sense restaurant, located on the roof of the AthensWas Design Hotel was one of the more memorable meals we had in Athens. The food is chef driven, seasonal, and creative. One of the standouts was a 25-ingredient salad that looked kind of like a pile of gorgeous dirt. A perfect date spot with impressive views.

5. Cherche La Femme

Mitropoleos 46,
Athina 117 42, Greece
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Recommended by our artist friend Rubin Bansie, Cherche La Femme is an elegant, yet laid-back, outdoor cafe in the center of Plaka that can become an easy-to-frequent spot. Come here for a coffee, their pomegranate smoothie, anchovies, and saltwort salad.

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6. Ergon House

Pl. Dexamenis,
Athina 106 73, Greece
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Dexameni is a low key outdoor cafe located in a plaza a few feet away from the The St George Lycabettus. The scene is laid-back and the food is fantastic. The beets in yogurt, anchovies, and lentils are a favorite.

7. Karamanlidika

Sokratous 1,
Athina 105 52, Greece
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For when you are craving an authentic taverna experience, Karamanlidika is the perfect option for a traditional, casual, and homey feel. Don’t miss their marinated anchovies, and the yoghurt and candied carrot dessert offered after our meal was a delicious surprise.

8. Dexameni

Pl. Dexamenis,
Athina 106 73, Greece
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Dexameni is a low key outdoor cafe located in a plaza a few feet away from the The St George Lycabettus. The scene is laid-back and the food is fantastic. The beets in yogurt, anchovies, and lentils are a favorite.

9. Wild Souls

Voulis 36,
Athina 105 57, Greece
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Wild Souls is a beautifully designed healthy food concept store located in central Athens. Come here for your salads, organic coffee, excellent matcha lattes, small vegan bites, and local products you can take home like Greek honey, marmalade, and nut butters.

10. Ohh Boy

32, Archelaou Street,
Athina 116 35, Greece
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Recommended to us by Design Boom editor Sofia Lekka Angelopoulou, Ohh Boy is a chic little brunch spot - very young and cool, with downtown vibes in the outskirts of central Athens. You can get all the matcha lattes, avocado toasts, salads and organic foods that your heart desires.

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