If you are heading to the Greek capital this year and looking to dine at some of Athens' finest restaurants, we have rounded up the all the best places for you to try, according to FNL Best Restaurants.
Two-Michelin Star awarded restaurant Spondi gained the grandest prize amongst Athens’ restaurants for its International Haute Cuisine in this year’s Food and Leisure Guide Awards. However, there were many other restaurants that received high recognition in various categories and are well worth keeping note of.
Athens Finalists also in the International Haute Cuisine category were progressive and experimental CTC Urban Gastronomy in Kerisiani, Patio at The Margi Boutique Hotel, known for its Mediterranean-themed degustation menus, (and also on CNN’s list of Restaurants to Try Around The World) and Premiere at the Athens Intercontinental hotel, with magnificent panoramic views over the city and a creative French menu.
In the category of Greek Haute Cuisine, innovative Italo-Greek Ettore Botrini’s Etrusco in Corfu, which has also repeatedly received two Golden Chef hat awards by Athinorama, was the winner. The Athens Finalists were Botrini’s in Halandri (which defines itself as "affordable" high gastronomy) and modern Mediterranean Hytra, on the scenic rooftop of the Onassis Cultural Centre.
In the category of Contemporary Greek Cuisine, of which Salonika in the Makedonia Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki came out on top. The Athens finalists were Athiri, Aleria and Balcony, Sense at Athens Was Hotel, Tudor Hall at the King George Palace and Varoulko, each of which presents very different culinary styles yet bases its menu on traditional concepts and authentic Greek flavours with a creative and often surprising twist.
Boukarouda in Halkidiki was the overall winner in the Traditional Greek Cuisine category, while Athens Finalists were down to earth and classic choices, with high-profile yet authentic Greek Magikes Katsaroles in Paleo Faliro making the finals list as well as Mani Mani in Koukaki, which celebrates the flavours of the Peloponnese.
