restaurant recommendations for Athens

Mani Mani restaurant, south of the Acropolis. We were also staying close by, so that was a plus, but it’s worth the effort to go there, even if you’re farther away. We just showed up the first night (April 2018), but then made reservations for a second night, to guarantee we could eat there again.

Kafeneio
Loukianou 26, Kolonaki
Kafeneio - Original urban Athenian taverna in Kolonaki, Loukianou 26, Tel. 2107237757 , 2107239600 .
The definition of classic, urban, Athenian, very good food..Tops is the pork roast.
We ate here, outside and loved it. Neighborhood feel. I think 80% of restaurants in Greece are tavernas. Kolonaki is Athens’ upscale area, up the hill from Syntagma Sq and the street where Cycladic and Benaki museums are located.. Real, not tourists.

For lunches near Syntagma Square, in Kolonaki..turn left at corner of Grande Bretagne and cross street to Kolonaki, continue walking up hill a little and you’ll come to a pedestrianized street with cafes.
ManiMani…loved this place. On southern side of Acropolis in a neighborhood. Not touristy. Nice décor, very good food so we returned a second night. Spelled ManiMani in English but ManhManh in Greek. It is upstairs, second floor of building. www.manimani.com.gr, 10 Falirou Street,5 min from Acropolis

MAni Mani has been discovered! (alas) ... for dinner, May onward, you'll need a rservation. But not in March. IT's great -- gives you a taste of Cretan cookery.

Vizantino -- in the middle of Plaka, there's a Square with trees in the middle, and surrounded by Restaurants.... and filled with tourists. Ick food, one may say -- waiters outside, luring y ou in. However, take a close look at one on a corner, by a newstand/kiosk. I passed by many times, then I saw big outside tables reserved for Greek groups. They know value, I thought. Named Vizantino (actually Byzantino). Get a table behind the KIosk, under the trees, smaller tables, quiet. TEll the waiter you're going to go look in the Kitchen -- Tip: that's the greek custom -- they'lll thinkyou are savvy. Look at what's on the "warming table" and order whatever looks good. Tip: go for dishes that are "low & slow" baked/roasted in oven... like baked lamb w potatoes, or veal stew. ONe person main dish, 2 sides, glass of wine -- no more than €12 ... solid traditional coookery. Not a "gala night out" ... just an enjoyable dinner.,

I totally agree with "To Kafeneio"

If you go a little out of the Plaka/Kolonaki districts, you can go to: Zampano

West of the Psiri district. A little more sophisticated than Kafeneio.

(16 Sarri Street) https://zampano.gr/

In the same area:
Karamanlidika
(Sokratous 1)
https://karamanlidika.gr/en/

In much less sophisticated, taking Athina Street north, in the Athens Municipal Market: Aris Tavern
(Sofokleous 17-19) https://www.facebook.com/aristaverna

(there are also other traditional and simple taverns in the market)

Thank you all so much. This is so helpful!

Also helpful to me, Sally Moxley. We will be in Athens five nights first half of April. Thanks for asking the question and thank you for all the responses.

Try Zampano in Psyrri area and Athinaikon Restaurant (Αθηναϊκόν) in Mitropoleos 34 street.

There are a few on the Mniskleous Steps (between Acropolis and Monastiraki) that we quite enjoyed. A bit touristy, but good and great location. One called Geros Tou Moria stood out. Eat on the patio if you can (https://www.gerostoumoria-restaurant.com/)

We enjoyed two restaurants on Makrigianni Street across from the New Acropolis Museum. We enjoyed eating outside at Arcadia Restaurant. The chicken souvlaki was very tender and the fish was also good. We also had a delicious dinner outdoors at the Yard All Day Bar. They were very welcoming, and the roasted chicken in lemon sauce and the sea bass were excellent. The moussaka with bechamel sauce was wonderful. We made reservations just to be sure that we had a spot outdoors. The restaurants are not very large.

Another very old and well-known traditional restaurant in Athens, near Omonia Square:

Athinaikon

2 Themistokleous str

(There is another located Mitropoleos Street near Syntagma which is newer, don't go there)

The one near Omonia is not fancy or gourmet but is very typical and saw a lot of Greek celebrities

https://athinaikon.gr/the-traditional-restaurant-of-themistokleous/?lang=en

A propos of AThinaikon... on my last trip, in June 2019, we'd already had our "glam" dinner on a high terrace w acropolis view, amid Athens' "gilded youth" (thanks to Athenian friend escorting us) ... and for final night wanted a good meal, well-served, nice setting, not pricey ... and our athens friends pointed us to the AThinaikon on Mitropoulous. .. just across from the Cathedral. Serene, attractive decor, seemingly v few customers were tourists, well-presented traditional cuisine, just what we needed.

Thanks! I will add that to our list

My husband and I are currently in Athens on day two of the RS Best of Greece tour. We arrived on Thursday; the tour began on Saturday evening.

We’ve eaten at Mani Mani and Athinaikon. The meals and atmosphere were terrific.

We also ate at the God’s Restaurant near the Acropolis Museum. Blame the choice on jet leg. The meal was below average and expensive for the quality. I broke my rule of having a restaurant chosen for a meal on the day we arrive.

Plenty of great options if you don’t mind planning and walking.

Lunches have been at bakeries for a quick inexpensive meal.

Restaurants like the "God's" located in the pedestrian street which runs along the Acrocople museum (Makrygianni street) are without any interest, the food is common, standardized to adapt to an international tourist clientele, moreover they are expansive.

If Mani Mani is fully booked and if you like seafood, in the same district of Koukaki, 250 meters further south you will find the restaurant "Seawolf"
An contemporary cuisine made by a real Chef who loves his job

Seawolf
35 Dimitrakopoulou Street

https://www.facebook.com/SeawolfAthens/

Seawolf is fully booked too?
Damn!
We continue another 250 meters towards the South until 29 Anastasiou Zinni street.
Where is the

"Dyo Dekares I Oka"

https://dyodekaresioka.gr/

When you have finished the meal, if you do not want to walk, take the trolley bus line 1 or 5 or 15 which brings you back to Syntagma Square