Kiouzin: This elegant & charming restaurant features vintage décor that creates a warm and friendly environment; an excellent setting to enjoy traditional Greek recipes with a creative twist. Inspired Homemade food prepared with fresh ingredients, Greek POD products and a lot of care is served in this cozy restaurant furnished with wooden tables & chairs, highlighted with colorful patterns on the walls, big mirrors and flowers in every table. What also makes Kiouzin stand out is the use of organic products and superfoods in creative dishes for those looking for delicious vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free choices. Besides the great flavors, every dish is highly nutritious!
Tip from a Local: We prefer to come here for lunch, but dinner won’t disappoint you either. Menu highlights include the Beluga lentil salad, Greek Salad, Zucchini Balls, Beef cheeks with chilopites pasta (Greek noodles) in tomato sauce, the Greek carbonara and Aubergines stuffed with vegetables and bechamel. Oh! And the bread is delicious!!! For dessert, hands down for the Bougatsa (a type of vanilla cream pie). If there is a pie on the menu, any pie in the dish of the day, get it!!!
Contact details: Likavitou 16, +30 210 36 47 407, https://kiouzin.com/en-kiouzin-en/ (11min walk from Kolonaki square (Filikis Eterias), 17min walk from Evangelismos Metro Station, 10min walk from Syntagma square).
OIKEIO: For 20 years now, Oikeio (meaning “Homey”) in Kolonaki has been serving Greek dishes; some traditional, and some with a twist. The menu is based exclusively on fresh local ingredients, organic olive oil and is refreshed daily. Oikeio has an award-winning menu, including receiving the Bib Gourmand prize by Michelin Guide for the best quality/price, and has also been honored by the Greek Tourist Organization for the quality of their Greek cuisine. The bright, festive atmosphere of the bistro-like space is dreamy, cozy and warm, with wood floors accented with throw rugs, and many details from floor to ceiling including decorative flowers and pictures and floor lamps.
Tip from a Local: A somewhat rotating menu which includes meat and vegetarian options. A standout for us is the fried chicken mini-fillets. The fillets feature breast meat that is slow-cooked in butter, finished with sweet wine from Samos, honey and sesame seeds. We also very often order the yoghurt pie, definitely moussaka or giouvarlakia with egg/lemon sauce when available, lamb casserole, stuffed zucchini, oven baked chickpeas with dill, lemon and homemade tomato paste. Oikeio is very popular, thus we suggest you book in advance, especially for dinner. The restaurant has tables on 2 different levels, as well as outdoor seating on the sidewalk that is great for people watching.
Contact details: Ploutarchou 15, +30 210 36 47 407, https://www.facebook.com/oikeio/ (6min walk from Kolonaki square (Filikis Eterias), 6min walk from Evangelismos Metro Station, 17min walk from Syntagma square).
Papadakis: An elegant, classic fine dining restaurant specializing in the freshest fish & seafood located on a quiet corner of Kolonaki, on the foothills of Mount Lycabettus. Papadakis first opened its doors in 2005, when executive chef Argiro Barbarigou moved a restaurant of the same name from its original site on the island of Paros. It’s a bright and vivid space that looks like the elegant living room of a good friend’s home, with white tonal colors, pastel-colored wooden tables with white tablecloths, and colorful paintings on the walls.
Executive celebrity chef and founder of this magnificent restaurant, Argiro Barbarigou, is well-known for her tv culinary shows, and books featuring traditional Greek recipes. She is beloved by the Greek audience for her warm personality.
Tip from a Local: The outdoor tables sit under the bitter orange trees, and therefore some have a view of The Acropolis, and some do not. Make sure to mention your preference for the view when making your reservation. The ‘kakavia’ or fish soup in winter is a must. The seafood pastas are the showstoppers and the reason to come here, with Barbarigou’s signature sauces that are so light and delicate. Do not miss the starters that include octopus with honey and fried potato chips, tarama mousse or the chickpea stew, slow cooked for 15 hours on charcoal.
Contact details: Fokilidou 15 & Voukourestiou, +30 210 36 08 621, https://papadakisrestaurant.com/ (6min walk from Kolonaki square (Filikis Eterias), 14min walk from Evangelismos Metro Station, 13min walk from Syntagma square).
