December 15th, 2023

Solo dining in Athens

The ideal option for the solo diner, choosing to eat at a counter is rapidly on the rise as more and more people opt to see the chefs in action around an open kitchen or watch the bartenders as they mix up a storm. 

Whether you’re looking for a cozy, local taverna or a glitzy solo date on a rooftop, Athens is packed with restaurants offering a wonderful counter dining experience.

Birdman

Hidden away in a quiet alley close to Syntagma Square, Birdman is a self-described Japanese Pub and Grill that pays homage to the late-night eateries of Tokyo. They use fresh, local ingredients to create Japanese-inspired dishes, all cooked on a robata grill, the traditional Japanese style of cooking that uses hot charcoal to create sensational, smoky flavors. 

Pair some of their delicious dishes with an eclectic cocktail menu using Japanese liquors on sleek wooden-top counters, all while listening to a curated playlist designed to create a warm ambience that rivals the Kissa-style record bars of Japan.

Voulis 35, Athens 105 57

Seychelles

From a stool surrounding the kitchen counters, watch as the chefs at Seychelles imaginatively revisit classic Mediterranean meals to create dishes packed with flavor, such as their mouth-watering manestra with Kimolos veal ragu or croaker ceviche with peach and roasted corn.

Tightly-packed tables, no-fuss service, a buzzing atmosphere and moreish flavors make dining at this taverna the ultimate Athenian experience.

Keramikou 49, Athens 104 36

Cardinale Athens

Cardinale’s head chef Christo Mohamet brings traditional Italian cooking to the historical heart of Athens with fresh branzino from the Aegean sea, pasta and pizza enhanced with Greek influences and creamy, crunchy cannoli to finish.

The extensive wine list, boasting over 80 labels from Italy, Greece and the New World, has been carefully designed by the in-house sommelier, Fotini, to offer a perfect pairing for every dish on the menu.

38 Mitropoleos Syntagma Square, Athens 105 63

Athena’s Cook

Athena’s Cook is a lovely little restaurant that offers a menu of classics that will transport you to every corner of Greece in a single bite. From the Cretan village salad of sweet tomatoes, capers, olives, xinomizithra cheese and a honey vinaigrette that will take you to the idyllic isles of Crete to the creamy chicken with smoked metsovone that will teleport you to the quaint mountain town of Metsovo in Northern Greece.

Their special drinks menu is overflowing with unique beers and wines from Greek microbreweries and vineyards that pair perfectly with their delicious Greek cuisine all within the simple, rustic interiors.

20 Nikis Syntagma, Athens 105 57

GB Roof Garden Bar

GB Roof Garden Bar is the place to go for an excuse to get dressed up and celebrate a special evening. The elegant setting combines incredible dining with breathtaking views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon on the 19th-century Hotel Grande Bretagne’s rooftop.

Their small menu is a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to perfection, with Mediterranean staples enhanced by local, seasonal ingredients, such as soft celery root and truffle ravioli, lamb that simply melts in your mouth and grilled calamari with smoked fish roe sauce.

1 Vasileos Georgiou Syntagma Square, Athens 105 64

Image Credits: Restaurant table by Ruben M Ramos © Shutterstock; Athens street by Adisa © Shutterstock; Sommelier by il21 © Shutterstock; Greek salad by ecstk22 © Shutterstock; Dinner with view of the Acropolis by Songquan Deng © Shutterstock.