Honouring the chefs redefining Greek gastronomy through creativity, heritage, and passion
In honour of International Chefs Day, we celebrate Greece’s culinary masters — the visionary chefs redefining Greek gastronomy with creativity, tradition, and passion.
From Michelin-starred fine dining to reimagined village recipes, these chefs are shaping the country’s vibrant food scene and inspiring a new generation of Greek cuisine lovers.
1. Ettore Botrini – The Maverick of Modern Greek Cuisine
Photo: Courtesy of Botrini’s
Born to a Greek–Italian family, Ettore Botrini is one of Greece’s most celebrated and decorated chefs. His flagship restaurant, Botrini’s in Athens, has earned a coveted Michelin star, while his Corfu-based Etrusco consistently ranks among the world’s best.
“Cooking is emotion translated through technique,” says Botrini — a philosophy reflected in every dish he serves. Known for his bold creativity and heartfelt approach, he brings both precision and playfulness to the table.
📍 Botrini’s, Vassileos Georgiou B’24, Chalandri
📞 (+30) 210 6857323/4
2. Lefteris Lazarou – The Master of Seafood
Photo: Courtesy of Varoulko Akti
The first Greek chef ever to win a Michelin star, Lefteris Lazarou revolutionised Greek seafood with his inventive interpretations of traditional dishes.
At Varoulko Akti, his landmark restaurant in Mikrolimano, the flavours of the sea meet elegant artistry — every plate a poetic expression of Greece’s maritime soul.
“My mission has always been to bring the sea closer to people’s hearts,” Lazarou notes.
📍 Varoulko Akti, Koumoundourou 52, Mikrolimano
📞 (+30) 210 5228400
3. Gikas Xenakis – The Creative Visionary
Photo: Courtesy of Aleria
At Aleria, Gikas Xenakis delivers elegant, modern Greek cuisine that is both poetic and precise. Known for his technical mastery and storytelling through flavour, Xenakis crafts dishes that celebrate Greece’s terroir while exploring the boundaries of form and memory.
“Every ingredient carries a memory — it’s our job to make it speak again.”
📍 Aleria, Megalou Alexandrou 57, Metaxourghio
📞 (+30) 210 5222633
4. Aris Tsanaklidis – The Cosmopolitan Innovator
Photo: Courtesy of Kuzina
Having worked in top restaurants across the USA, Aris Tsanaklidis fuses global influences with Greek soul. His restaurant, Kuzina, set against the backdrop of the Acropolis, offers creative dishes that mirror his cosmopolitan spirit and deep affection for Mediterranean flavours.
“Greek cuisine has always been global — it just needed a passport.”
📍 Kuzina, Adrianou 9, Thissio
📞 (+30) 210 3240133
5. Argyro Barbarigou – The Heart of Greek Home Cooking
Photo: Courtesy of Papadakis
A beloved television chef and cookbook author, Argyro Barbarigou is celebrated for her warmth, authenticity, and devotion to Greek home cooking.
At Papadakis, she serves exquisite seafood and heartfelt dishes that celebrate the flavours of the Aegean — elevated with grace and simplicity.
“Cooking is love — and Greece is full of love stories.”
📍 Papadakis, Fokilidou 15, Kolonaki
📞 (+30) 210 3608621
6. Aris Vezenes – The Global Greek
Photo: Courtesy of Vezene
Trained in the USA, Aris Vezenes combines international inspiration with Greek heritage.
At Vezene, near the Hilton, he’s known for open-fire cooking, premium meats, and bold, flavour-driven dishes that tell stories of land and identity.
“I don’t cook for tourists — I cook for people who love real food.”
📍 Vezene, Vrasida 11, Hilton
📞 (+30) 210 7232002
7. Sotiris Evangelou – The Refined Modernist
Photo: Courtesy of Makedonia Palace
With extensive experience across Greece’s top restaurants, Sotiris Evangelou has mastered the art of refinement.
As Executive Chef at Salonika Restaurant, housed in Thessaloniki’s iconic Makedonia Palace Hotel, he crafts dishes that honour the traditions of Macedonia through a modern, elegant lens.
📍 2 M. Alexandrou Ave, Thessaloniki
📞 +30 231 089 7176
8. Georgianna Chiliadaki & Nikos Roussos – The Avant-Garde Duo
Photo: Courtesy of Funky Gourmet / Iodio
The creative minds behind the two-Michelin-starred Funky Gourmet, Georgianna Chiliadaki and Nikos Roussos, are redefining the future of Greek fine dining. Their tasting menus are immersive sensory journeys — where art, memory, and flavour converge.
Chef Chiliadaki recently returned with Iodio, a new restaurant in Kolonaki that continues her signature blend of philosophy, emotion, and culinary artistry.
📍 Funky Gourmet, Paramythias 13, Keramikos
📍 Iodio, Loukianou 36, Athens
📞 (+30) 210 5242727
9. Christoforos Peskias – The Meze Philosopher
Photo: Courtesy of Dopios Glyfada
A trailblazer in Greek gastronomy, Christoforos Peskias continues to inspire with his inventive, emotionally resonant cooking.
At Dopios Glyfada, he brings his celebrated meze philosophy to Athens’ southern suburbs — celebrating local ingredients, shared dining, and the convivial spirit of Greek hospitality.
“The table is where stories are told — and retold, one bite at a time.”
📍 Dopios Glyfada, Skouleniou 1, 10561 Athens
📞 +30 210 8981747
10. Apostolos Trastelis – The Vision Behind Greece’s Fine Dining Revolution
Photo: Courtesy of Spondi
The mastermind behind Greece’s most acclaimed restaurants, Apostolos Trastelis began his haute cuisine journey in 1996 with Spondi, which went on to earn two Michelin stars — the only Greek restaurant currently holding such a distinction.
Trastelis’s empire expanded with Hytra, Fuga, and Galazia Hytra at Astir Palace, each representing his unwavering pursuit of excellence.
His consulting company now guides elite hospitality brands including Electra Palace, Sani Resort, Cavo Tagoo, Orloff, Liostasi, Porto Carras, Eagles Palace, Kinsterna, and Nikki Beach.
“Perfection isn’t a goal — it’s a lifelong practice.”
📍 Spondi, Pyrronos 5, Pangrati
📞 (+30) 210 7564021
🌐 www.spondi.gr | www.hytra.gr | www.fugarestaurant.gr
A Culinary Renaissance Rooted in Greek Soul
As Greece’s culinary landscape evolves, these chefs stand at the forefront of a delicious revolution — blending heritage and innovation, memory and imagination.
Together, they redefine what it means to eat Greek in the 21st century — reminding the world that food, like Greece itself, is a story best shared.
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