Quick answer
Athens has undergone a culinary renaissance over the past decade, transforming from a city known primarily for taverna fare into a destination with serious fine dining credentials. Today, the Greek capital boasts multiple Michelin-starred restaurants alongside spectacular rooftop venues with views that rival any in Europe.
- Best overall
- Spondi
- Top pick
- Spondi - The gold standard of Athens fine dining since 2002.
Top verdicts
- Spondi: Special occasions, anniversaries, the definitive Athens fine dining experience
- Hytra: Experiencing modern Greek cuisine at its finest - combining culture and gastronomy
- Varoulko Seaside: Seafood lovers seeking the finest Greek fish and shellfish preparations
The Athens fine dining scene blends French technique with Greek ingredients and Mediterranean sunshine. You'll find chefs trained in the world's best kitchens returning home to reimagine their culinary heritage - from Lefteris Lazarou's pioneering seafood at Varoulko to the avant-garde molecular experiments at Funky Gourmet.
What sets Athens apart is the combination of world-class cuisine with ancient history as your backdrop. Dining at Tudor Hall or GB Roof Garden means watching the Parthenon glow golden at sunset while savoring impeccably prepared dishes. This guide covers restaurants ranging from intimate Michelin-starred tasting menu temples to grand hotel restaurants perfect for special occasions.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spondi | french | luxury | Pangrati |
| 2 | Hytra | modern-greek | luxury | Neos Kosmos |
| 3 | Varoulko Seaside | seafood | luxury | Piraeus |
| 4 | Funky Gourmet | molecular | luxury | Kerameikos |
| 5 | Tudor Hall | contemporary-greek | luxury | Syntagma |
| 6 | GB Roof Garden | mediterranean | luxury | Syntagma |
| 7 | Orizontes Lycabettus | mediterranean | upscale | Kolonaki |
| 8 | Aleria | modern-greek | upscale | Metaxourgeio |
| 9 | CTC | progressive-greek | luxury | Kallithea |
| 10 | Botrini's | italian-greek | luxury | Chalandri |
1Spondi
2 Michelin StarsQuick comparison
- Best for
- Special occasions, anniversaries, the definitive Athens fine dining experience
- Strengths
- Known for 2 Michelin Stars
- Limitations
- No view · Located outside city center · Formal dress expected
- Why it made the list
- The undisputed king of Athens fine dining - consistently ranked as Greece's best restaurant
- What to order
- Spondi is a featured pick in this guide.
2Hytra
1 Michelin StarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Experiencing modern Greek cuisine at its finest - combining culture and gastronomy
- Strengths
- Known for 1 Michelin Star
- Limitations
- Closed Sunday-Monday · Modern aesthetic may not suit traditionalists
- Why it made the list
- The best expression of modern Greek cuisine - Greek ingredients, global technique
- What to order
- Hytra is a featured pick in this guide.
3Varoulko Seaside
1 Michelin StarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Seafood lovers seeking the finest Greek fish and shellfish preparations
- Strengths
- Known for 1 Michelin Star
- Limitations
- 20-minute drive from central Athens · Closed Sundays
- Why it made the list
- The pioneer of Greek fine dining seafood - Lazarou transformed how Greeks view their cuisine
- What to order
- Varoulko Seaside is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
4Funky Gourmet
2 Michelin StarsQuick comparison
- Best for
- Adventurous diners seeking theatrical, innovative cuisine and new textures
- Strengths
- Known for 2 Michelin Stars
- Limitations
- Not for traditionalists · Tasting menu only · Can be a very long meal
- Why it made the list
- The most daring fine dining in Greece - an unforgettable multi-sensory journey
- What to order
- Funky Gourmet is a featured pick in this guide.
5Tudor Hall
Rooftop - Acropolis ViewQuick comparison
- Best for
- Special occasions where view matters as much as food - proposals, anniversaries
- Strengths
- Known for Rooftop - Acropolis View
- Limitations
- Hotel restaurant pricing · Can feel formal · Food is excellent but not innovative
- Why it made the list
- The ultimate Athens dining view - Acropolis at sunset is unforgettable
- What to order
- Tudor Hall is a featured pick in this guide.
6GB Roof Garden
Rooftop - Acropolis ViewQuick comparison
- Best for
- Drinks with a view, celebratory dinners, experiencing a historic Athens landmark
- Strengths
- Known for Rooftop - Acropolis View
- Limitations
- Touristy crowd at times · Premium pricing for location · Food is good, not exceptional
- Why it made the list
- The most famous rooftop in Athens - everyone should experience it at least once
- What to order
- GB Roof Garden is a featured pick in this guide.
7Orizontes Lycabettus
Hilltop - Panoramic ViewQuick comparison
- Best for
- The ultimate Athens panorama - seeing the entire city including Acropolis, sea, and mountains
- Strengths
- Known for Hilltop - Panoramic View
- Limitations
- Food is secondary to view · Getting there requires funicular or steep climb · Crowded at sunset
- Why it made the list
- No other restaurant in Athens has this view - a bucket-list experience
- What to order
- Orizontes Lycabettus is a featured pick in this guide.
8Aleria
Modern GreekQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern Greek cuisine in a charming, romantic setting without Michelin prices
- Strengths
- Known for Modern Greek
- Limitations
- Metaxourgeio area still developing · No view · Can be hard to find
- Why it made the list
- Perhaps the best value fine dining in Athens - excellent food in a gorgeous setting
- What to order
- Aleria is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
9CTC
1 Michelin StarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Serious food enthusiasts seeking Athens' most exciting contemporary dining
- Strengths
- Known for 1 Michelin Star
- Limitations
- Limited seating (book far ahead) · Off the beaten path · Only open 4 nights a week
- Why it made the list
- The most exciting new fine dining in Athens - where the city's culinary future is being written
- What to order
- CTC is a featured pick in this guide.
10Botrini's
1 Michelin StarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those seeking Italian technique with Greek soul - exceptional pasta and Mediterranean flavors
- Strengths
- Known for 1 Michelin Star
- Limitations
- Located in northern suburbs (20 min from center) · Can feel expensive for location
- Why it made the list
- A unique voice in Athens dining - Italian soul, Greek ingredients, personal vision
- What to order
- Botrini's is a featured pick in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which restaurants in Athens have Michelin stars?
Athens has several Michelin-starred restaurants. Spondi holds 2 Michelin stars and is Athens' longest-running starred restaurant. Funky Gourmet also has 2 Michelin stars for its innovative molecular gastronomy. Hytra, Varoulko Seaside, CTC, and Botrini's each hold 1 Michelin star.
What is the best fine dining restaurant in Athens?
Based on local consensus, Spondi is considered the best overall fine dining experience in Athens. With 2 Michelin stars since 2002 and consistently outstanding reviews, it offers French-Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant neoclassical setting with a garden courtyard.
What should I wear to fine dining restaurants in Athens?
Michelin-starred restaurants like Spondi and Funky Gourmet expect smart elegant attire - jackets for men are appreciated but not always required. Hotel restaurants like Tudor Hall and GB Roof Garden prefer smart casual. Shorts, flip-flops, and beachwear are not appropriate at any of these venues.
How much does fine dining cost in Athens?
Tasting menus at 2-Michelin-star restaurants (Spondi, Funky Gourmet) typically range from 150-220 EUR per person before wine pairings. 1-star venues like Hytra and Varoulko cost 100-150 EUR per person. Upscale non-starred restaurants like Orizontes Lycabettus and Aleria run 60-100 EUR per person.
Which Athens restaurant has the best view?
Orizontes Lycabettus, perched atop Lycabettus Hill, offers the most spectacular panoramic views of Athens and the Acropolis. GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall, both in Syntagma Square, provide stunning Acropolis views from a more central location. For sunset dining with views, GB Roof Garden is exceptional.
Do I need reservations for fine dining in Athens?
Yes, reservations are essential for all Michelin-starred restaurants, often 2-4 weeks in advance for weekend dinners. Spondi and Funky Gourmet in particular book up quickly. Even non-starred upscale venues like Tudor Hall and GB Roof Garden require reservations, especially for terrace seating.
What is the best seafood fine dining in Athens?
Varoulko Seaside in Piraeus is the undisputed king of upscale Greek seafood. Chef Lefteris Lazarou was the first Greek chef to earn a Michelin star, and his waterfront restaurant showcases the finest Aegean seafood with creative modern techniques while honoring traditional Greek flavors.
Which Athens fine dining restaurant is best for special occasions?
Spondi is the classic choice for celebrations - its romantic courtyard garden and impeccable service create memorable experiences. For proposals or anniversaries with a view, Tudor Hall or GB Roof Garden with Acropolis views at sunset are unforgettable. Funky Gourmet offers a theatrical dining experience perfect for food enthusiasts.