Athens guide | part 3 of 6 ~ Eating, drinks & views

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Eating, Drinks and Views

Restaurants, cafes and bars will tend to start getting busy at 9 to 10 at night - but in the centre most are open much of the day and you can eat or drink at any time. The majority of eating places have their menu available in several languages.
 

Roof Terrace restaurants and cafes with a view - or -
"Wonderful views and where to enjoy them"

You really should see Athens from above, enjoy a delightful dinner with the illuminated Acropolis as a backdrop. Magic, not to be missed!
To help you have this memorable experience, we give you some suggestions and tips about where to go, below.

Whilst seeing Athens from above on a sunny, clear day may be rewarding and beautiful, the sunset and nighttime views (Acropolis rock & Parthenon glowing in the background) will take your breath away.
Note: Some of the outdoor roof terraces mentioned are only open in summer months (May to October).
For dinner, check the dress code with the restaurants.
 

Grande Bretagne Roof Garden - on the 8th (top) floor of this historic hotel. Opened after the big revamp for summer 2004, and now taking advantage of its prime position offering stupendous, close-up Acropolis views. For Mediterranean cuisine or drinks. Open from 7 pm to 2 am. Syntagma square. Tel: 210-333 0000. Reservations necessary for dining or you can sit at the bar for a drink. Price category: AX2. {see map location No13}

Tudor Hall (King George II Palace Hotel) - on the 7th floor of the hotel, with impressive Acropolis views and elegant, luxurious atmosphere. Cuisine is fusion of Greek gourmet and nouvelle cuisine. Open 12.30 pm to 16.30 pm for lunch, 7 pm to 12.30 am for dinner. Syntagma square. Tel: 210-322 2210. Reservations recommended but not required. Price category: AX2. {see map location No14}
 

Galaxy restaurant (Hilton Hotel) - wider angle Athens-encompassing views. Touch of "lifestyle"/trendy atmosphere. Mediterranean fusion cuisine, BBQ & sushi, drinks. Open until 1 am. Vass.Sofias 46 (National Gallery area). Tel: 210-728 1403. Price category: AX2. {see map location No54}

The House of Mr Pil-Poul - on Apostolou Pavlou and Poulopoulou streets (opposite the Thissio) - an expensive, prestigious and elegant French restaurant if you feel like enjoying truly fine dining. Dine on the roof with a view of the Acropolis adds even more to your enjoyment - make reservations! Tel: 210-342 3665. Price category: AX2. Closed Sundays. {see map location No38}
 

Filistron - a "mezedopolio" (emphasis on classic greek appetizers and dishes). Cutesy (not overdone folklore) decor. Roof top terrace has views to Acropolis and Lykavittos. Apostolou Pavlou 23 (also opposite Thissio). Tel: 210-346 7554, 342 2897. Very busy around 9-11 pm (go earlier, around 7-8 pm and/or make reservations). Price category: B/A. {location near Mr Pil-Poul map location No38}

Olive garden (Titania Hotel ) - roof garden restaurant (notable for its olive tree garden). Cozy and romantic atmosphere. Gourmet cuisine, drinks; the main thing is the view of all Athens - day and especially, night. Live piano music. Panepistemiou 52 (officially El. Venizelou Street - but few people know it by this newer name), just off Omonia Square. Tel: 210-383 8511. Price Category: A+. {see map location No42}

The roof terrace of the Electra Palace Hotel at Nikodimou Street on the edge of Plaka, a drink at the bar makes an Acropolis sundowner a special memory! {see map location No36}

Air Lounge (Fresh Hotel) - The roof garden of a colourful designer hotel. A relaxing, casually trendy atmosphere. Drinks, salads, pasta, finger food. Swimming pool. Lounge music. Views to Athens and the Acropolis rock are meta-modern: partly marred by telecom antennas! Open summer months, until 1.30 am. Sophocleous 26 & Kleisthenous. Tel: 210-524 8511. Price category: A/B. {see map location No61}

Notos Galleries rooftop cafe - near Fresh Hotel and the Athena Grand hotel, on Kotzia square (where the Town Hall is). A big department store. You can do your shopping, and then relax at the cafe on the top floor. Yes, you will see the Acropolis from here! {see map location No62}

Le Grand Balcon (St George Lycabettus Hotel) - Renovated in 2004, with large picture windows and outdoor sitting in the summer. Mediterranean gourmet cuisine, many vegetarian dishes. Wide angle views of Athens (Parthenon, Kallimarmaro stadium, even to the sea on clear days). Piano-bar. Open 8 pm to 2 am. Kleomenous 2, Kolonaki. Tel: 210-729 0711. Price category: A+. {see approximate map location No58}

Socrates (Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel) - Beautiful Athens & Acropolis nighttime views. Greek and International cuisine. Live music. Open in summer months. Parthenonos 19-25 (National Gallery area). Tel: 210-928 0100. Price category: A+ {see approximate map location No53}
 

Premiere (Athenaeum InterContinental Hotel) - Lounge bar/Grill with views. Mediterranean & international cuisine. Stop by if you are visiting the interesting Planetarium nearby. Open (summer) 8 pm to 1 am. Syngrou Avenue 89-93. Tel: 210-920 6981. Price category: A+.

Panorama Pool Bar (Ledra Marriot Hotel) - the hotel hosts also Kona-Kai; Athens' famous Japanese restaurant. For views, the Panorama Pool bar is what you go for. Drinks, lunch or dinner (Mediterranean cuisine) by the rooftop pool. Majestic views. Open in summer months. Syngrou Avenue 115. Tel: 210-930 0000. Price category: A+.

Latifis - serving home-made ice cream (the melon flavour is superb) and more - walk up to their (unadvertised) roof garden, close to the corner of Kydathineon and Andrianou near Plaka Square {see map location No32}. Look for the deep blue cafe frontage - the view may bring tears to your eyes! (see photo on Athens Photo Gallery 3)

For more Athens panoramic views, see also Lykavittos (Lycabettus).

Restaurants

Restaurant - on Thespidos - fine dining, wonderful fish and seafood (from Latifi's Cafe continue uphill - as if turning right out of the cafe, the street becomes Thespidos, it's on your right). Price Category: A+

Vyzantio - on Kydathineon at Plaka Square - a standard, good taverna, popular with locals and visitors, (neighbouring tavernas are also popular). Price category: C/D. {see map location No31}
 

For quick meals and snacks Neon on Syntagma near the Post Office {see map location No16} (has giant sign outside) or at Omonia opposite McDonald's is great value with good food, self-service. Price category: D/E.

Vegetarian food. The place to find dishes created exclusively without the prop of legs, breasts and thighs is the Eden Restaurant at 12 Lissiou and Mnisikleous Streets in Plaka {see map location No33}. Tel: 210-324 8858 Price Category: C. But, you can eat a fine variety of salads and non-meat dishes at most restaurants anyway.
If you want to explain that you are vegetarian - you tell the waiter 
"Eemay Hortofagos" - literally, I'm vegetarian.

The Noodle Bar - a new taste in the centre (Apollonos 11, Syntagma) {see map location No34}. Chinese rice noodles (10 different kinds), fresh salads, chicken satay and soups - just right for a light lunch break from sightseeing or shopping. Chinese food near the Acropolis? Why not? The owner's name is Thanassis! Price Category: C/D.

Outside the Syntagma, Plaka and Monastiraki circle - the Psirri area offers numerous restaurants, bars and cafes full of character, interesting decor and many good dining opportunities. Traditional Greek cuisine to international flavours are represented; walk around the area and choose the restaurant you like - this will give you the greatest pleasure. Price categories generally: C to A.

If dining in a recreated Greek ruin, eating foods based on ancient Greek ingredients and recipes, served by toga-clad, polite and charming waiters and waitresses is appealing (the food is special, the atmosphere is too) then you must have a meal at Archaion Gefsis (or Archeon Gefseis) (Ancient Flavours) - at 22 Kodratou, Kara'eeskaki Square {see map location No43}. Telephone for reservation: 210-523 9661. Price Category: B/A. Closed Sundays.

In general as you walk toward the Acropolis, there are many cafes that afford a fine view of the city and indeed, the Parthenon - best to choose the most appealing perch for a coffee!
 

Plus: Olympic Games 2004 information   Pireas port map   Printer-friendly (whole guide)

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