Sophisticated restaurants with incredible views of Athens' iconic landmarks and exceptional dishes Plan your Athens food experience with Dimitris.
Sophisticated restaurants with incredible views of Athens' iconic landmarks and exceptional dishes.
With views of the iconic Acropolis rock and the Parthenon, Lycabettus Hill and Filopappou Hill, or even the National Garden, Athens' rooftops continue unabated even during winter. They serve dishes full of flavor and quality, ideally combining the view with the restaurant experience. Refined spaces with emphasis on decoration and visitor comfort become meeting points in a wonderful winter Athens.
Sense: Modern Greek on the Acropolis
The rooftop of Athens Was hotel on the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street is an emblematic Athens restaurant, Sense, headed by chef Alexandros Charalambópoulos, ever-moving, talented, and low-key. With a unique view of the Acropolis, taste remains a basic element in the equation, transforming the space into a particularly popular city restaurant. It serves modern Greek cuisine with a creative perspective that focuses on aromas and artful simplicity.
Specifically, the chef has created three tasting menus with influences from traditional Greek cuisine with a modern approach. There's the "gastronomic journey to Greece" and "taste of senses," which among other things include yaurtlou tartare, chicken soup, sole, and lamb. There's also a vegetarian option, "senses of Greek nature," with smoked eggplant croquette and vegetable tart.
Info: Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, (7th floor of Athens Was hotel) Tel.: 2109249954
NYX: Japanese Fusion with a View
With views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus, the rooftop restaurant of "Academias Hotel" in central Athens, NYX, serves Japanese fusion cuisine, while visitors can also try modern-philosophy cocktails at the beautiful bar. Chef Dimitris Kotsalis, having gained experience from various restaurant projects, presents a menu that focuses on taste while maintaining the connection with Japanese cuisine, and at the same time creatively incorporates elements from Peru, Mexico, and Italy.
Aromas and flavors mingle, yet manage to maintain a balance that makes the result excellent and interesting. The space is modern, with tall glass walls giving character and simultaneously highlighting the view. Refined lines, soft lighting, comfortable sofas, large pillows, and plants transform the space into a hospitable oasis in central Athens.
Info: Academias Hotel, Autograph Collection, Academias 38 & Omirou, Athens, tel. 2103670000
MiraMe: Look at This View
It's one of Athens' most interesting gastronomic rooftops, which beyond the Acropolis and Parthenon has a unique view of the Temple of Hephaestus, the best-preserved ancient temple. It owes its name to this view, as "MiraMe" is an indirect imperative, "look at me," that the place addresses to the visitor. The restaurant operates on the top floor of the boutique hotel of the same name, having acquired a warm atmosphere with an elegant, fully opening glass wall and a retractable roof, so that the hotel's beloved rooftop functions in all seasons, rain or shine.
The menu, which Aris Rousos curates as executive chef and implements with the excellent cooperation of Grigoris Boniakos, is based on Mediterranean cuisine with Asian influences, while the food is framed by wines from selected Greek producers and inventive handmade cocktails and drinks. Fresh fish, specially cut meats, pasta and risotti, handmade breads and dips, made with knowledge and lots of love and passion. Daily specials are on the program, with whatever is most select found daily, while the menu is frequently renewed. Pastry chef Babis Zintilis signs the desserts.
Info: MiraMe Athens, Ermou 118, Athens tel.: 2152151930
Sweet Basil: Tradition Meets Innovation
With unobstructed views of all Athens, the rooftop of the iconic Stanley hotel in Karaiskaki Square becomes a meeting point. With impressive views covering from the Acropolis and Lycabettus to Piraeus, the Saronic Gulf islands, and Parnitha, chef Konstantinos Philippópoulos presents cuisine that emphasizes quality and the importance of preparations. On the hotel's rooftop, which is the largest in Athens at 1,350 square meters with a beautiful heated pool, operate the elegant Ikaros bar and the award-winning Sweet Basil restaurant, which function year-round. For a deeper dive, join a private food tour of Athens.
Visitors can enjoy dishes from traditional Greek cuisine with a contemporary eye, like saganaki with a cornflake coating, tomato marmalade, and feta foam with vanilla; veal with siufichta and sour mizithra; linguine with Santorini cherry tomatoes; or fricassee grouper with Greek greens. At the same time, the food proposal from The Stanley includes the raw bar, which beyond sushi contains iconic dishes from Japanese and Peruvian cuisine like ceviche, carpaccio, and tiradito.
Info: The Stanley, Odysseos 1, Karaiskaki Square, Tel.: 211 9900900
Manouka: Comfort Food Above Ermou
Manouka is located on the 7th floor of the Utopia hotel on Ermou Street, near the iconic Panagia Kapnikarea church, and has an imposing view of the Acropolis, while the Parliament building is also visible. The space, laid with beautiful rugs, creates a hospitable setting. The menu includes comfort recipes, delicious and light, ideal for a lunch break from the office or a business meeting.
The core of the dishes, prepared by chef Stathis Christidis, consists of fresh ingredients following the modern conception and emphasis on the Greek element. With a sign of memories from family tables and his travels to famous exotic cuisines, the chef emphasizes deliciousness and creativity. At the same time, the updated wine cellar will help you accompany the dishes in the ideal way.
Info: Manouka, Ermou 46, 7th floor (inside Utopia hotel) Tel.: 210 3241814
New Hotel: Weekend Brunch with a View
Located in the heart of Athens on Filellínon Street, it's a meeting point for lovers of quality food. This is the restaurant of New Hotel, located on the building's top floor. Among other things, it's worth visiting the space to enjoy the delicious brunch, served Saturday and Sunday from noon to five in the afternoon. All other days, the space operates from noon to midnight with the a la carte menu.
Regarding brunch, executive chef Babis Koutoúris has created a menu that stands out for classic favorite flavors like pancakes, croques, and fresh-baked pastries, and also for new proposals like rice pudding with chia seeds and the "smashed burger" with American Angus. At the same time, special emphasis has been placed on egg dishes, with choices extending from all-time-classic eggs Benedict and eggs Florentine to traditional kayana. In addition, a wide variety of salads and sandwiches are served, and the famous "brunch specials."
Info: NEW Hotel, Filellínon 16 & Navarchou Nikodimou 1 (entrance from Navarchou Nikodimou), Tel.: 210 3273170
Common Questions
Where do Athenians actually eat?
Not where you think. The best spots are in Koukaki, Kypseli, and Exarchia — neighborhoods with no famous landmarks, just honest tavernas where the owner's mother is probably still in the kitchen. Stay away from anything with photos on the menu within 300 meters of the Acropolis.
Should I book a food tour in Athens?
If it's your first time, yes — and not just any tour. I run a private food walk that covers Monastiraki, the Central Market, and Psyrri with 10+ tastings. But even if you don't do mine, do one. Athens food culture is layered and a good guide saves you days of figuring it out alone. See my best Athens food tours comparison.
