Athens has long been a food lover’s destination – situated in the heart of the Attican region it is surrounded by historic vineyards and fertile farmland which supplies a rich source of local produce, as well as bordering the Aegean Sea, with its abundant fresh fish and seafood. While the financial crisis may have brought tough times to the area, as to the whole of Greece, a positive side effect of the economic troubles seems to have been a recent reinvigoration of the food scene in the city. Creative projects are bubbling up all over the centre and a flurry of new food and drink offerings have opened their doors.
An ancient city with a modern spirit, Athens has always fused the old and new when it comes to eating out, with traditional Greek tavernas sitting alongside more contemporary food spots which take their influences from both home and around the world. It has two Michelin-starred operations and many fine dining offerings, as well as a huge range of more relaxed but increasingly hip destinations which blend global influences in their cutting-edge cuisine. A thriving farmer’s market also runs twice a week with a focus on sustainable, locally sourced food.
The past few years have also seen a boom in street food thanks to the influx of immigrants and their native cuisines, as well as an increasing demand for cheaper food options. Another emerging trend is that of modern Greek cooking, with many chefs rediscovering their culinary roots, taking classic Mediterranean dishes and reinterpreting them in their own unique way. Here we take a look at the most interesting new (and established) restaurants that are focusing on Greek food and giving this traditional cuisine a new image.
