Secret Garden Dining at 12 Top Athens Restaurants | travel.gr (2024)

‘Monzu’ is the name for Italian chefs who received French culinary training and worked for the Neapolitan aristocracy at the end of the 18^th century. This Italian restaurant with rich, authentic tastes is housed in a neoclassical building with a large, wonderful garden dreamily lit with fairy lights and hanging globes and lanterns. Chef Giannis Liokas prepares crunchy pizza dough, succulent pasta and risotto dishes, as well as beautifully seasoned and cooked meat and fish dishes. The drinks menu is dominated by aperitivi – the Aperol Spritz, Negroni and Campari in various renditions are excellent – and there is also a pleasing wine list.

02

Aleria

Since it opened in 2006, Aleria, led by acclaimed chef Gikas Xenakis, has been a standout in Athens’ dining scene. Known for its forward-thinking modern Greek cuisine, it offers two thematic tasting menus, ‘Earth & Sea’ and ‘Garden & Nature,’ always highlighting local, seasonal ingredients. Dishes like the ‘Spanakopita’ amuse-bouche and ‘Yiouverlaki’ tartare are must-taste experiences that showcase the chef’s innovative approach. Located in a renovated neoclassical mansion, Aleria features an atmospheric garden adorned with fairy lights, funky touches and plenty of greenery for a truly refreshing summer dining experience. The elegant interiors and high-quality service enhance the sophisticated yet cozy ambiance.

03

Balthazar

Chef Christophoros Peskias masterfully blends the bar and restaurant experience at Balthazar, a cool summer hotspot in Athens. Situated in an airy neoclassical mansion with a verdant courtyard, here you can enjoy being in a summer oasis with date palms, elegant touches and colored lanterns. Peskias’s menu features Mediterranean dishes with exotic Asian touches and a selection of finger foods, as well as refreshing summer dishes that include modern and creative Mediterranean touches. The venue attracts a fun, cosmopolitan crowd that keeps returning for the vibe as much as great drinks and a delightful dining experience.

04

CTC

Chef Alexandros Tsiotinis’ multi-awarded restaurant was one of the first in the city to bring a progressive spirit to Athens’ culinary scene. The restaurant serves a highly inventive Greek cuisine with classic French techniques and global influences. The CTC Voyage, an 11-course ‘Blind Tasting’ menu, features dishes like corn soup with lobster essence and avant-garde avocado desserts, paired with a curated wine selection. Greek nostalgia blends with ‘out-there’ concepts straight from the chef’s imagination. The menu evolves seasonally with a focus on sustainability. The restaurant is set in the elegant garden of a neoclassical mansion, offering an alfresco dining experience that is both relaxing an impressive.

05

six d.o.g.s.

This is a low-profile urban garden hidden right in the centre of Athens, just off Athinas street in Monastiraki. Go down a few steps and a lush scenery is revealed between blocks of flats, with colorful fairy lights and tables set amphitheatrically under the trees. Six d.o.g.s’ garden is an oasis where you can have an evening meal prepared by the Greek Lebanese Chef Fahd Alexandros Hassan Kassem, highly popular among the youth crowds for bites and drinks. The menu here centers mainly around vegan dishes and takes you on a culinary journey to Beirut, accompanied by a bright and fresh signature co*cktail. Above it is the popular club venue where live gigs regularly take place.

06

Noah

A cool garden near Vassilissis Sofias avenue, in the verdant Eleftherias Park, Noah’s has a vibrant, colorful ambiance. Shielded from the hum of city traffic nearby and surrounded by plants, it features a transportive signature sculpture that spells out “I love you” in sign language. This upbeat spot’s courtyard is the perfect antidote to those who feel stuck in gthe city whilst longing for summer holidays, with a decor that resembles a Mexican hacienda, surrounded by large trees. Comfortable tables, colourful details, and the scents of the jasmine and honeysuckle permeate the air. As for the cuisine, it’s a mixture of tasty Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, served alongside well-made co*cktails.

07

Vassilenas

Located in the Ilisia area below busy Vas. Sofias Avenue, this soothingly relaxed restaurant offers a stylish and friendly dining experience in a lush garden setting under the trees of Madritis Park. Known for its famous taramosalata (cured fish roe dip) among other dishes, the fish-centric restaurant serves dishes like warm octopus salad with string beans and grilled sea bass with sauteed greens. With a 100-year history, Vassilenas has evolved from a humble yet highly popular fish tavern in Piraeus to a classic modern venue with an eight-course set menu paired with wines. Dinner is complemented by excellent wine selections and helpful tips from the in-house sommelier.

Located in a beautiful, renovated 1925 neoclassical building (and in summertime in its beautiful two-level courtyard), Soil is led by Chef Tasos Mantis, who follows a farm-to-table philosophy using ingredients from his personal gardens in Attica. The ‘earthy gastronomy’ restaurant with a Green Michelin star offers a serene and exploratory experience centered around with two degustation menus, with dishes that are like works of art decorated with flowers and microgreens. Dishes include green salad with buttery oyster, scallop with yuzu kosho, and cucumber sorbet with green apple and jalapenos. The ambiance blends old-world charm with modern elegance, offering a cozy, sophisticated experience and impeccable service.

Hidden away in the gardens of the Athens Concert Hall, Fuga is a modern restaurant with a creative decor that offers a welcomingly tranquil garden dining experience in the heart of the city. The restaurant’s menu is based on a concept of fusing Italian and Japanese cuisines, with small and large dishes designed for sharing. Highlights include innovative sushi and pasta creations. It’s an ideal escape for a business, romantic or family dinner that offers the feeling of getting away from the hub of the city and enjoying exotic flavors without having to go far.

Set in the garden of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History in the northern suburb of Kifissia, this recently renovated restaurant is surrounded by tall cypresses, olive trees, laurels, myrtle shrubs, aromatic herbs and a pretty lily pond. Softly lit at night, it provides a dreamy backdrop for a delicious meal inspired by Italian-Mediterranean cuisine and based on quality seasonal ingredients. The selection of co*cktails is creative and refreshing, with several choices being ideal for a hot summer night.

Every summer, Black Duck Multiplarte moves to the garden of the Athens City Museum, originally the home of Stamatis Dekozis Vouros built in 1833. The garden, originally designed by Queen Amalia of Greece in the early 19th century, is a peaceful and elegant spot you can gladly escape to in busy central Athens. Today, this small oasis includes a bistro with a menu of contemporary Mediterranean dishes, to be enjoyed in a chic and calm ambiance. It’s an ideal place for catching up with friends in a quiet environment.

12

Ama Lachei

Just below Strefi Hill, on Kallidromiou Street, this popular eatery housed in a former nursery school is filled with greenery and exudes unpretentious and welcoming old Athens charm. Expect a lively garden atmosphere buzzing with locals and international visitors. The menu showcases a variety of meze dishes, some with creative and modern touches, as well as a good selection of Greek cheeses, refreshing salads and local PDO delicacies. The focus is on generously sized, tasty shared plates rather than mains. Highlights include fresh seafood specials, quality meats and sausages, and standout options like Karpathos macaroni and ouzo-infused meatballs. Service is quick, knowledgeable, and friendly.