Karytsi Square is a pleasant surprise for Athenians and tourists looking for hidden gems and authentic urban experiences in the Greek capital.
With freshly ground coffees, cocktails, and wines, Italian cooking, Mexican tacos, brunch, and vegan sweets, it offers many options for day and night.
The Vegan Fairies
Savoury snacks with superfoods, vegan sweets, organic smoothies, and sweet bowls (with organic products, too) are served in a young, Lilliputian, and sophisticated café bistro with arty references and minimal lines in its design.
Every morning, tables are spread outside on the ceramic tiles of Karytsi Square.
The Vegan Fairies can be found in the shadow of the church of Agios Georgios, right on the corner of the buildings that line the square (mostly housing offices and businesses). You certainly don't have to be vegan to visit them.
Give it the chance it deserves, or even include it in your morning agenda.
Pl. 5 Karytsi, tel. 21 0331 5394
Bless me Father
Its lively, retro image easily finds its place in the bohemian polyphony of Karytsi Square.
At the about-a-year-old all-day bar Bless Me Father, we either sit inside its elegant room with its high sofas, mirrors and imposing bar or sit outside under the foliage of the trees.
One thing is sure: I enjoyed the beautiful, zen side of Athens and saw Karytsi Square from a different perspective.
Its rhythms are relaxed in the morning, with specialty coffees and brunch, and more intense and uplifting late at night when the signature cocktails monopolise the interest of its always active bar.
2 Karytsi Square, Athens, tel. 6988011323
Glug Glug
It is a small, cute wine bar with many tables on the pedestrian street and an unobstructed view of the square.
Love for good wine is evident, especially for the Greek vineyard, and the bar seems to have the same appreciation for spritz.
The menu is completed by Italian cheeses and cured meats, pizzeti (magherita, salami picante, and gorgonzola), hot focaccia and veal carpaccio.
5 Karytsi Square, Athens, tel. 2103257673
Pairidaeza
Timeless hangouts are on the agenda of those who love night walks with fine drinks in the centre of Athens.
The atmospheric Pairidaeza is the oldest bar in the square of Karytsi. Its name is of Persian origin and refers to the word Paradise.
It opened in 2003, and from then until today, it has preserved the glamour of the original urban pub, with its classic heavy wooden bar and interesting premium drinks and cocktails, further enhancing its sophisticated philosophy.
A surprising element is its small isolated loft, which overlooks the view of Karytsi Square.
3 Parnassos, Karytsi square, tel. 210 3210233
Gloria Gati
Vittoria Gati introduces Karytsi Square's patrons to delicacies of authentic Italian cuisine, accompanied by special cocktails and drinks served at the bar.
It is a place of refined luxury that exudes vintage refinement and, at the same time, a modern industrial aesthetic, blending marble with wood and mats with sparkling chandeliers in a high-ceilinged and comfortable hall.
The menu features handmade preparations and traditional Italian recipes, with pasta, pizza, arancini and risotto monopolising activity in the kitchen.
Find it right next to the also atmospheric Glug Glug.
Pl. 6 Agiou Georgiou Karytsis, tel. 21 2000 0022
Poncho
The Mexican side of Karytsi Square offers delicious homemade tacos served by hand, with the church of Agios Georgios in the background.
At Poncho Tacos, a tiny taqueria with cheerful and bright colours, eat just a few steps away from the bars of the square, handmade corn tortillas with beef, chicken, pork, or mushrooms and homemade sauces that exude care and love (Verde, chipotle, and hot sauce for the more daring).
Pl. 10 Agiou Georgiou Karytsis, tel. 21 0331 7538
L'Alchimiste
With impressive decor and an atmospheric room in retro Parisian tones, this is a great place to enjoy cocktails.
Sit comfortably on the leather sofas and observe the Art Deco objects hanging on the wall and the iconic bar decorated with dozens of different liquor bottles.
And somewhere there comes the moment for signature cocktails: Playfull Sour with bourbon, peach, bitter almond, lemon, and egg white; The Elixir with Pink Gin, St Germain liqueur, lime, and tonic; and Dancing Leaf with black and gold rum, peach, and orange in an alternative version of the famous Mai Tai.
Chr. 1 Lada, Karytsi square, tel. 21 6809 0389
Loukia Chrysovitsanou is a columnist for Cantina. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
READ MORE: Klimataria: A taverna with gigandes and traditional music in the centre of Athens.
