Eating Out in Athens

Many times in our travels we tend to give in to temptation and splurge on calories while dining out, but the truth is, we don’t have to pay the price for vacationing. Below I list several healthy dining-out options in Athens, so you can enjoy your travels completely guilt free!

Avocado 

My first pick is Avocado, the only full-service vegetarian & vegan restaurant in Athens, Greece. It is only a short walk from Syntagma Square and Hotel Grande Bretagne. For more information about Hotel Grande Bretagne visit my blog post on lodging recommendations in Athens. Avocado’s staff is very friendly and attentive. They offer a few tables outside, making it a dog friendly option for lunch or dinner. The menu is very diverse and all of the items I tried were absolutely delicious! Some of my favorite dishes include Satori Rolls (roasted eggplant rolled with cheese and fresh herbs), Maha Porchini (3 different kinds of mushrooms served with spaghetti and light cream sauce) and last but definitely not least is their raw chocolate tart, which is out of this world!

Ithaki Restaurant 

Ithaki is my family’s favorite restaurant. It is located in Voulagméni, across the hillside from Nobu. Sunset dinner here is a must, the views are absolutely breathtaking! Ithaki has an extensive menu including traditional Greek dishes like Taramasalata, Greek salad, Shrimp Saganaki, fresh grilled fish, tuna tartar, ceviche, sushi and very delicious lobster linguini. I’d say it’s a unique fusion of Greek, Japanese & Italian cuisine. There are definitely plenty of great options to choose from in their diverse menu. My top picks are the Taramasalata, grilled octopus, grilled grouper, and lobster linguini.

Varoulko Seaside    

Varoulko Seaside is a very famous restaurant in Athens, located in one of the most beautiful destinations at Mikrolimano marina in Piraeus. With only a 20 minute drive from the center, it is certainly worth the trip. Varoulko is one of the best gourmet restaurants in Athens and has received the highly acclaimed Michelin star. Despite the fact that it is a fine dining restaurant, the atmosphere is very laid back. Seaside tables provide incredible views and you are sure to create unforgettable memories here. The food is sensational. My two top picks are prawns with ouzo, red sauce & feta and orzo cooked with prawns in white wine, chili flakes & parmesan cheese. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about these dishes but there is something that makes the sauce super tasty! You should definitely try it on your next visit to Athens.

Papaioannou

Papaioannou’s location is great, just three restaurant away from Varoulko with tables set-up along the beautiful seaside. My family and I have been here many times and we love it for its excellent Greek cuisine. The menu changes daily depending on fishermen’s delivery of fresh seafood. On my last visit to Papaioannou, they served a 7kg grouper that was incredibly good! No, we didn’t eat a 7kg fish, waiters work with your party to either split the fish in half or cut fillets. If you have room for dessert, you must try the homemade loukoumades, delicious deep fried dough served with honey!

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

There are several Kiku locations in Athens, including Neo Psychiko, Kolonaki, and Vouliagméni. (Also located at the Cavo Taggo hotel in Mykonos with one of the most spectacular views.) The sushi is amazing!!! They have the best spicy edamame and spicy shrimp tempura. The tempura is not exactly Nedi approved, but having a few bites and sharing the dish with friends is absolutely ok! Lastly, the seared foie gras and eel sushi will take your taste buds to another level!

Gr-Eatings

If you need a break from dining out I recommend stopping by Gr-Eatings, a healthy and friendly grocery store located next door to Avocado. The shop is stocked with many healthy items that most Greek grocery stores do not carry. My grandma and I love stocking up on our favorite health foods at Gr-Eatings and they also offer delivery service! They have fresh and organic grass-fed goat cheese, free-range organic chicken, cage-free eggs and a big variety of pantry foods such as quinoa, gluten free flour, tamari sauce, almond butter and many more. The bilingual staff is very friendly and can answer questions regarding foods and herbs that will feed your soul.

Testaccio Organic and The Margi Hotel have great local sourced food!

I hope you get to enjoy one or more of these fabulous Athen’s eateries!