We will be arriving in Athens airport at 6:55 pm after an overnight flight with layover at Heathrow. We will check into hotel just north of Monastiraki Square and will probably have enough energy for dinner before crashing. Any recommendations for a nice, casual restaurant in walking distance? Outdoor dining preferred. We eat everything and will have two more nights for Athens dining before picking up a rental car.
It's not really a typical Greek restaurant, I went there from time to time for a drink, but given the view, you might like it for a first evening in Athens, It's called Couleur Locale:
https://couleurlocaleathens.com/en/
It is hidden in a small pedestrian alley (Normanou Street) 100 meters from Monastiraki Square via Ermou Street.
Take this alley on the left from Ermou Street, walk a few meters and look to the left, at the end of a corridor you will see "Couleur Locale" in blue neon. Go ahead and take the stairs to the 3rd floor.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rWz9wuR1JckETHhV6
Further north, for meat lovers: Karamanlidika, few tables, not sure you will have a table without booking.
https://www.karamanlidika.gr/en/
Otherwise, in the same block at 7 theatrou Street: Tis theatrou to steki. Simple, inexpensive restaurant, family cuisine with a few tables on the sidewalk.
https://www.facebook.com/tostekiomonoia
Don't be afraid of the environment in the small streets of this neigborhood, it's perfectly safe, even at night..
If you are still awake enough to go to a more lively area, enter the Psyri district, just next door going west.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iKtn3mHTG3qfnRYv7
Lots of bars, taverns and restaurants, quite a few tourists, but also locals going out for the evening.
You might consider the Diodos, a cafe-restaurant on Adrianou, about three minutes from Monastiraki. Brilliant views up to the Acropolis and a relaxed casual atmosphere. The food is meze- small dishes - which might suit after a flight and if you’re tired. We often go there for a drink when we first arrive and end up eating as we settle in.
It’s not haute cuisine, just well done traditional Greek food at a fair price.
https://www.diodos-restaurant.com/
Alan
There is a fantastic street (walk / steps really) called the Mniskleous Steps, from Monastiraki up to the Acropolis hill. Plenty of nice restaurants with fantastic atmosphere at the foot of the Acropolis.
The one we ate at was Geros Tou Moria, but there are plenty of choices.
Here is a Google Street View to get you situated: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9735928,23.727954,3a,75y,204.02h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTPqWu1_cEyQVeYVBbzA2Lg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DTPqWu1_cEyQVeYVBbzA2Lg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D199.35645%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0&coh=205409&entry=ttu