One of the latest additions to Athens top-notch third-generation coffee houses has landed in one of the Greek capital’s most up-and-coming neighbourhoods, Pangrati. Rabbit Punch is owned and run by a dynamic and awarded team that had originally set up a cafe called The Underdog in Thisseio, including Michalis Katsiavos, who came fourth in the World Barista Championships of 2018 and Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, who was awarded in the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship in 2016).
Their vision is definitely founded on an upbeat and innovative outlook that one immediately gets a sense of upon entering the light-filled space, which has a long wooden bar with industrial grey stools, touches of pop aesthetic blended with hipster surf culture, neon designs (‘French lessons given upstairs x’), industrial materials like metal and feel-good or humorous messaging like “free hugs here if you’re having an off-day” or “if coffee can’t fix it it’s a serious problem”.
Apart from serving a satisfying choice of freshly-ground (by The Underdog Roasters), quality coffee from Panama, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, served in the third generation coffee shop way - ie. usually made with machinery that has a vintage aesthetic and space-age chic - Rabbit Punch takes it one step further.
Unlike any other place in Athens right now, they have made it their mission and specialty to combine quality coffee with alcoholic concoctions, creating original cocktails that can easily accompany the brunch they serve from morning to four every afternoon. From the Sundried Margarita served with salted Mexican coffee around the rim, and Almond Milky Way with Brazilian espresso to Coffee Beer with Panama coffee and Espresso Mar-tiki with Ethiopia espresso, there are eight signature cocktail options offering clients both the caffeine and a warmly fuzzy high way to start the day, as well as a good selection of craft beers and a good wine list for the all-day visitors.
The Rabbit Punch brunch menu offers wholesome, generally healthy yet indulgent options such as creamy eggs benedict with a choice of smoked salmon, pastrami or guacamole, pancakes with a choice of toppings, avocado toast, and as the day wears on foods like croque monsieurs, hot dogs, nachos with chilli or melted cheddar and pizza are served.
A: Efranoros 40 in Pangrati.
