My husband and are a looking for a special restaurant in Athens to spend the last night of our 10 day honeymoon in Greece at the end of May. We will have been traveling the Peloponnese for 7 days and this will be our third night in Athens. We are Gen X, from NYC, and have no food restrictions. Willing to splurge as a way to end the trip. Hytra and CTC both have current availability that evening, but are open to other options. Definitely want Greek food to finish out our trip.
Athens Restaurant Recommendation - Last Night of Honeymoon
RecommendationsSo many good choices, so hard to choose! Thanks for your recommendations.
What's the best way to get to and from Ithaki? It looks like it's a ~45 min drive from where we're staying. I'm guessing Uber would work on the way there, but I'm worried about getting back after dinner.
Uber is basically taxi (yellow cabs) since Greece doesn’t allow private vehicles to operate as taxis (with some exceptions). There are other apps that are also similar and probably better. Worst case ask the restaurant to call you a taxi.
I recommend Akra in Pangrati.
I haven't been yet, but I booked Soil for my trip in a few weeks. Lots of good reviews and recommendations!
Check "Spondi" restaurant in Pagrati.
We were at Soil last week and it was tremendous. Honestly one of the best tasting menus I've had (and I had many!). Highly recommend.
If you are willing to splurge on a Michelin star restaurant, you could try Varoulko on Mikrolimano in Piraeus. Another good one but less pricey is Vezené next to the Greek National Gallery
Varoulko ❤️
I agree with Soil and Varoulko as well as Hytra! I personally disliked Akra and i thought it was massively overhyped, only liked the dessert!
My husband took me to The Margi Hotel in Voula in October and we had a wonderful meal next to the lit-up pool. It was really lovely.
Oinoscent close to Syntagma
Papaioannou in Piraeus Port (seafood)
Dionysus Zonar (Plaka)
Vassilenas (Kolonaki)
My boss is a gourmand and goes back and forth between Greece and these are his top favorites.
Aleria was amazing!
Avoid CTC... I had the most shocking experience at CTC last night... Never had this dining in many Michelin star restaurants and eating many tasting menus...
We were literally asked to vacate our table IMMEDIATELY between the last dessert and petit four, and told to "eat them outside". No warning, just booted out.
Here's what happened for context. - Last dessert of the tasting menu was cleared. - We were then told to vacate the table immediately, next seating was waiting. - Despite other 2 seater tables available nearby! - no prior warning that our time was coming up. Not 10 mins, 15 mins before... - They blamed us - "didn't you read in your confirmation email that the table is only for 2.5hrs? It's your fault your time is up". - implying that it is up for us to keep track of our time, during a tasting menu? - talked to the manager and the head chef / owner on the phone, and both were adamant that we agreed to 2.5hrs when booking, it is their right to kick us out when the time is over. Wow. So arrogant.
I've eaten in many Michelin star restaurants, had many tasting menus. And never before gotten this kind of rude service. It completely spoiled the evening.
They are implying that it is the diner's responsibility for keeping track of their 2.5hr allocation during a tasting menu... Am I meant to time each course? Make a schedule? Keep looking at my watch? Chase them for the next one quicker?
Plus, anyone who has had a 11 course tasting menu before, knows that it takes 2.5-3hrs to enjoy. I have never ever exceeded any time allocation for a reservation. Not in the tens of Michelin restaurants or tasting menus I've had. So really, I don't recommend this place, as they are just too unrealistic about expecting guests to finish 11 courses within 2.5hrs. And then blaming you and booting you out ASAP for "violating" the fine print in the booking.
Out of thousands of places I've eaten at, this must rank as the worst service.
Also honeymooning in May and I think I’m leaning towards soil!
So many great suggestions- trying to figure out if we have the stomach room to fit more than one in. I think we are going to do soil Saturday night. The seating options are chef’s table, outside, or inside area. Which would you choose for the late May? (I know the Chef’s table experience is more expensive but if you tell me it’s amazing we would consider it for a special experience).
Living in NYC you should definitely try a Michelin star restaurant in Greece. For 100 bucks a person all inclusive (tax, no tip expected) you ll have a 15 course meal. Same quality of meal in NYC would be 3x.
“Soil” is also excellent. I mean you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in the Michelin guide.
A bit further away:
Pelagos is also awesome, and a splurge.
Ithaki is another good option.