Best Restaurants in Athens for 2025
Birdman: https://www.birdman.gr/
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 2025. 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 2025, keeping in mind what makes this city such a standout: bold flavours, big hospitality, and that unbeatable mix of old meets new.
Top 5 Restaurants in Athens for 2025
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
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.
Brutus Tavern: https://brutustavern.gr/
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.
Gallina: https://www.gallina.gr/
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.
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.
