Best Restaurants in Athens for 2026

Last updated June 1 2026

It’s official. Athens has outdone itself. Again. This year’s FNL Best Restaurant Awards crowned 73 dining spots across the capital, and honestly, we’re not surprised. From neighbourhood tavernas to rooftop fine dining, Athens is serving serious flavour in 2026. If you're heading to the city and wondering where to eat, this is your go-to guide. This list brings together the heavy hitters, the local favourites, and a few fresh faces shaking up the scene. We’ve curated a shortlist of the best restaurants in Athens for 2026, keeping in mind what makes this city such a standout: bold flavours, big hospitality, and that unbeatable mix of old meets new.

Building a full day in Athens? Pair dinner with our best museums in Athens guide for the afternoon.

Top 5 Restaurants in Athens for 2026

Botrini’s – Best for Greek fine dining
Delta – Best for design lovers
Pelagos – Best for seafood by the sea
Cookoovaya – Best modern taverna
Birdman – Best for something casual but cool

New Restaurants in Athens Worth Mentioning for June

Athens never stands still. Just when you think you've got a handle on the city's dining scene, a new restaurant opens, a forgotten neighbourhood comes back to life, or a local taverna quietly becomes impossible to book.

The past year has seen another shift in where Athenians are eating. While visitors still flock to Plaka and Monastiraki, locals are increasingly spending their evenings in places like Omonia, Kypseli and Pangrati, where chefs have more freedom to experiment and diners are looking for something beyond the obvious.

Amphibian

One of the most anticipated openings in Athens, Amphibian has brought fresh energy to the city's fine dining scene.

Located within the Onassis Stegi cultural centre, the restaurant combines contemporary Greek cooking with one of the most interesting dining settings in the city. The focus is seasonal ingredients, thoughtful presentation and a menu that feels distinctly Athenian rather than internationally generic.

It's the kind of place you'll want to reserve well in advance.

For travellers interested in experiencing the more creative side of modern Greek cuisine, Amphibian is quickly becoming one of Athens' essential tables.

Iodio

Kolonaki has never been short on good restaurants, but Iodio continues to stand out.

The seafood-focused menu balances sophistication with restraint, allowing exceptional produce to do most of the talking. Expect beautifully prepared fish, inventive combinations and a dining room that feels polished without becoming intimidating.

What makes Iodio particularly appealing is that it doesn't rely on gimmicks. The food is confident, elegant and deeply connected to the ingredients of the Aegean.

Makris Athens

Some restaurants survive the opening hype. Others continue gaining momentum years later.

Makris falls firmly into the second category.

Located beneath the Acropolis, the restaurant remains one of Athens' most memorable fine dining experiences. Its tasting menus showcase ingredients sourced from the restaurant's own farm, creating a connection between land and table that feels genuinely authentic rather than performative.

If you're celebrating something special during your time in Athens, this is still one of the city's standout addresses.

Zigoala

If there's one restaurant locals seem to be recommending more than any other right now, it's Zigoala.

Located in Omonia, the restaurant has quickly built a reputation for thoughtful Greek cooking that feels both familiar and contemporary.

The menu changes with the seasons, the wine list is attracting attention from Athens' growing natural wine community, and the atmosphere manages to feel distinctly local.

For visitors wanting to experience where Athenians are actually eating, this is an excellent place to start.

The Five That Stole the Show

These restaurants each received three stars at the FNL awards this year, putting them at the very top of Athens' dining game:

Botrini's: A masterclass in Greek fine dining. Elegant, surprising, and still deeply connected to the food of the islands.
Delta: Set inside the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Delta is a futuristic blend of architecture and culinary artistry.
Pelagos: Tucked inside the Four Seasons in Vouliagmeni, Pelagos climbed the ranks with a sharp, seafood-forward menu.
Spondi: A long-time favourite in Pagrati, Spondi remains a benchmark for refined international cooking.
Veri Table: The surprise of the year, Veri Table is quietly redefining what European cuisine looks like in Athens.

The Two-Star Club

With 22 restaurants earning two stars, this tier is where the energy really kicks in. These spots balance flair and familiarity, with menus that push boundaries without losing their roots. Highlights include:

Basegrill Glyfada: A stylish outpost of the legendary Peristeri steakhouse.
Brutus Tavern: Meat-centric and wildly confident, it’s Kolonaki’s answer to nose-to-tail cooking.
Cookoovaya: Still one of the best spots in Ilisia for modern Greek food that doesn’t try too hard.
CTC: Chef Charalambopoulos is doing bold, theatrical Greek dishes in Metaxourgeio.
Hytra: A rooftop classic that continues to impress with seasonal tasting menus and standout cocktails.
Matsuhisa Athens: Nobu fans, this one’s for you. The setting, the sushi, the scene, all on point.

Other top names to note:

Kinjo
Makris Athens
Nyn Esti
Pharaoh
Sense
Soil
Travolta
Tudor Hall
Vezené

One-Star Local Hits and New Kids on the Block

Not every great restaurant in Athens is glitzy. Some just get it right without the fuss. The one-star group is full of spots that nail the brief. Here are a few that stood out:

Ateno: A new face in the centre, Ateno is cool, confident, and a joy from start to finish.
Birdman: A Japanese pub-style eatery in the heart of Athens, known for its smoky yakitori and top-notch nigiri.
Atole: If you like your flavours bold and your margaritas sharp, this refined Mexican spot is a must.
Ex Machina: Think experimental plates, a buzzing crowd, and a chef with something to say.
Gallina: Hidden in Koukaki, this modern bistro has serious wine game and a beautifully written menu.
Atelier Papaioannou: An elegant take on Greek seafood, right in the city centre.

Athens Food Guide for Every Kind of Diner

If you’re after fine dining in Athens, an authentic taverna near the Acropolis, or a rooftop table with sunset views, there’s a place for you.

Best rooftop restaurants in Athens: Hytra, Sense, and Tudor Hall all deliver the views with menus to match.
Romantic dinners: Pelagos, Gallina, and Veri Table top the list for something a little more special.
Trendy and casual: Birdman and Atole are buzzy and relaxed but still high on flavour.
Best Greek food in Athens: Try Botrini’s or Cookoovaya for something traditional with a twist.

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Planning Your Trip Around Your Plate

Athens isn’t just a stopover anymore. It’s a food destination in its own right. This year’s best restaurants prove that the city’s culinary scene keeps evolving, and it’s only getting better. Most of the places on this list are within 25 minutes of Syntagma Square, so planning a full day of exploring and eating is easy. Book the table, order the wine, and leave space for dessert. Your 2025 Athens food journey starts here.