Top restaurants of Athens

SPONDI

CUISINE: FRENCH Style/Ambiance: Thanks to its two Michelin starred food, Spondi has become a point of reference not only for Athenian gastronomes, but for those throughout Europe. Located close to the first venue of the modern Olympics, the Panathinaiko Stadium, Spondi has streaked ahead in terms of taste and presentation. Multi award-winning Head Chef Arnaud Bignon serves a menu that changes according to the seasons and his creative imagination. The food is artful and packed with exquisite flavors, and touched by a hint of exoticism. Upon request Spondi offers private dining on its immaculately decorated first floor.

Funky Gourmet

Funky Gourmet Restaurant began its operation in November 2009. In 2012 the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star, a distinction it continued to retain for two years. In 2014, Funky Gourmet gained a second Michelin star. Argyro Hiliadaki is a business partner of Georgianna Hiliadaki and Nikos Roussos. As a team, they have fully collaborated from the initial stage of envisioning and formulating their particular restaurant concept to the actual establishment and management of Funky Gourmet.

KIKU

CUISINE: JAPANESE Style/Ambiance: With its winning dishes and exemplary service, Kiku has firmly established itself as the finest Japanese Restaurant in Athens. Nestled secretly in the upmarket neighborhood of Kolonaki, Kiku has evolved and discovered new gastronomic horizons without forgetting the importance of tradition. The modern d?cor remains true to its heritage and is the perfect surrounding in which to enjoy their skillfully prepared dishes. Kiku serves an array of sushi and tempura, whilst two of their signature dishes are Hakko Unagi (eel sushi) and Hamachi Tartar (yellowtail with spicy lemon sauce). Head Chef Tanaka Minorou also incorporates local catches of bonito, sea bass and cuttlefish into his menu.

KOHYLIA

CUISINE: GREEK FUSION Kohylia Restaurant, perfectly situated within the beautiful perimeter of Grand Lagonissi Resort, has food inspired by its wonderful surroundings. For the perfect starter, arrive just as the sun dips into the sparkling Aegean Sea. In Greece there is no better backdrop for what will be an exciting and exotic dining experience. The Kohylia menu provides the elite diner a host of choices in style, flavor, texture and taste. The menu is influenced by Greek specialties, seafood and Italian cuisine and includes more adventurous Polynesian and sushi delicacies. Each dish is prepared with craft and skill, bringing a wonderful dining experience and an incredible view to every table.

17

Seventeen bar and restaurant is an establishment in itself and has a long and interesting history, since 1957, which has been described in one of the owner's books, and includes reminisces about visiting celebrities, political events in Greece and comments by foreign correspondents and journalists. Reputed to serve the best dry martini in Athens, Fotis Krikzoni?s fame has reached the New York Times and has also been mentioned by Frank Sinatra. His inventive cocktails have been awarded and are now served in many other countries. The cuisine is based on traditional Greek dishes for lunch and an international menu for dinner. Later in the evening, piano music adds a pleasant note to the atmosphere. During the summer months Seventeen is open only for lunch.

La Gabinoteca Athens

La Gabinoteca is one of the best restaurants in Madrid, now also in Athens, in the northern suburb of Kifissia, with authentic tapas madrilenas. Unique, tasty creations by the chef of the famous Spanish gastronomic destination in an attractive environment and pleasantly surprising prices. The menu includes dishes such as jamon Iberico Bellota with toasted crystal bread and fresh tomato, winter Andalusian gazpacho, mozzarella burrata with tomato, egg plant, pine nuts and smoked tuna, the origin of tapa, toasted bread with red peppers, scallops, aioli sauce, served with apple sangria, just to mention a few. You can accompany your plate of tapas with selected Greek and foreign wines. The interesting and varied cocktail list will satisfy even the most sophisticated palates. A delicious breakfast is also served from 10.00-13.00, with brioches, omelets, rustic bread, club sandwich and other delicacies.

Impasto-Pizza by the Slice (Italian)

Following the recent surge in the street-food scene, Impasto-Pizza by the Slice in Kolonaki is the new, popular all-day option for the tastiest, and not to mention best value, pizza! In its ultra-modern design space, you can watch your thin-crust pizza being made and choose from around 20 combinations, all made from authentic ingredients including Italian buffalo mozzarella, famous Tuscan cold cuts, Spanish chorizo, fresh vegetables complimented by home-made infused oils. The Italian experience does not end there, with Impasto serving daily a variety of freshly made panini, tramezzini and salads, as well as the notorious Gizmo sandwich, the Italian-American Beef Burger covered with melted mozzarella cheese and served on a delicious home-made bun. An added bonus is the selected Italian wine list.

Grande Bretagne Roof Garden (Romantic)

GB Roof Garden bar-restaurant on the top floor of prestigious Grand Bretagne hotel commands a magnificent view of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and the surroundings and is a superb place to relax and enjoy the sunset or any hour of the day. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the GB Roof Garden is not to be missed for at least one delectable meal. As the sun rises in the morning, the extravagant American Breakfast Buffet indulges your every whim. Choose from a selection of cold and hot dishes, fresh pastries from the hotel's bakery, fresh-squeezed juices and a wide selection of teas and fresh-brewed coffee. Enjoy the cooling breeze as you sit down to a delightful Mediterranean lunch, with choices such as the yellow fin tuna tartar with soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger, followed by winter pumpkin and mascarpone risotto. At night, the glittering cityscape provides a dazzling backdrop for such superb dishes as slowly-cooked lamb leg and cutlet, roasted potatoes with rosemary and Florina peppers with aubergine. For dessert, the dark chocolate entremet with hazelnut biscuit and sorbet cocoa is the perfect epilogue.

Milos Hilton

Milos Restaurant created by restaurateur Costas Spiliadis at the Athens Hilton is one of the world?s best Greek restaurants, respecting traditional values and techniques and using exclusively seasonal and local products. Suppliers are chosen personally after extensive research and travel to discover the best ingredients from Greek gastronomy. Top chef Konstantinos Spiliadis opts for simplicity in the kitchen, and amongst the specialties served at Milos is fresh fish and seafood. Excellent honey and salt from the island of Cythera add genuine flavor to dishes. The menu includes delectable plates like fried shrimps from Aigina, grilled cuttlefish with capers from Santorini, traditional vegetable pies and much more. Meals are served in an elegant ambience, inside or in the refreshing garden. Visitors with gluten intolerance do not need to sacrifice the enjoyment of tasty dishes, as the menu is based mainly on fish and vegetables, with high nutritional value. The restaurant pays great attention to individual preferences and needs and can plan a menu to satisfy personal choices. An exceptional, favorite dish is risotto with squid ink, which is gluten free and remarkably tasty.

Dionysos Acropolis

Dionysos restaurant and cafe is internationally renowned and always visited by celebrities and foreign politicians, who appreciate the excellent cuisine and the breathtaking view of the Acropolis. With a history of 40 years, this exceptional locale remains a classic reference point for high quality hospitality and dining. Cuisine is mainly modern Greek, with inspired creations based on fresh, local ingredients and all time favorite Mediterranean recipes. The cafe is ideal for a romantic rendezvous or a quiet meeting with drinks, coffee and snacks, in an idyllic atmosphere. The idyllic atmosphere and the high quality cuisine and service make Dionysos an all time favorite, both with Athenians and visitors.