A Culinary Guide to Fine Dining in Athens

Athens has some of the most incredible fine-dining restaurants in all of Europe. From Michelin-starred restaurants like Spondi that focus on Mediterranean cuisine to traditional Greek restaurants like Tudor Hall, there’s something for anyone.

Finding a fine dining restaurant to fit into your foodie visit to Athens is largely a matter of taste. To whet your appetite, I decided to offer up a few that I think offer an authentic taste of what Athens Greece has to offer.

Our Guides’ Favorite Fine Dining

We have selected the establishments that successfully elevate traditional Greek flavors into the realm of modern culinary art. These kitchens represent the pinnacle of our city’s gastronomic ambition, combining world-class technique with a deep respect for local terroir. We look for menus that provide a sensory journey through the history and landscape of the Aegean. Book a food tour with us to learn more.

Spondi

Photo credit: Spondi

Spondi is one of the top-rated, Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants in Athens. You can find it in the Pangrati district near popular attractions like the Panathenaic Stadium and the National Gardens.

Spondi exudes an atmosphere of elegance infused with old-world Greek décor. The dining room’s exposed stone walls and soft warm lighting create a sense of privacy for each table. There’s also a spacious courtyard with outdoor seating for alfresco dining when the weather is nice.

The menu at Spondi is a fusion of Mediterranean and French cuisine, made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. There’s typically a tasting menu carefully curated by the chef, which changes based on what’s freshest and delicious at the local markets.

Some of the more popular a la carte staples include fine-dining classics like foie gras, lobster, veal sweetbreads, and elevated traditional French desserts.

Spondi (€150 to €250) – Pirronos 5, Athina 116 36, Greece – Open every day from 7:30 PM to 1:00 AM.

Botrini

Photo credit: Botrini

Botrini is the eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant of chef Ettore Botrini. You’ll find it in Athens’ upscale Chalandri district, where they offer a refined approach to the fine dining experience.

The ambiance in Botrini’s multi-level dining room is simultaneously minimalist and luxurious. They also have a beautiful outdoor terrace space that perfectly sets the mood on a warm summer evening.

Botrini’s menu includes both à la carte options and a carefully curated tasting menu that allows you to experience some of Chef Botrini’s signature creations. Many of which put an Italian-inspired spin on traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. They also have an impressive wine list with recommended wine pairings for many of their dishes.

They also have some very creative desserts worth saving room for. The Bounty Colada is the most well-known. However, I think the John Dory with courgette zucchini ice cream and butter sauce is the secret gem!

My last visit to Botrini was in the autumn, and I deeply enjoyed the duck ragout with pappardelle. The duck reminded me of a traditional Venetian duck ragout with its richness and luxurious tenderness, that perfectly matched the toothsomeness of the pappardelle. Then they garnished it with truffle, which took the whole dish over the top.

Botrini (€80 to €120) – Leof. Vasileos Georgiou B 24, Chalandri 152 33, Greece – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Go-To Innovative Kitchens

We believe that the new wave of Athenian chefs is redefining luxury by focusing on the rarity and quality of humble local ingredients. Our selection highlights venues that use fermentation, wood-firing, and molecular techniques to reveal new dimensions of familiar tastes. We value the creative courage of kitchens that challenge the status quo while remaining fundamentally Greek in spirit. Book a food tour with us to learn more.

Tudor Hall

Photo credit: Tudor Hall

You’ll find Tudor Hall restaurant on the 7th floor of the Athens’ King George Hotel. They’re well known by locals and tourists for offering an exceptional fine-dining experience with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis.

Tudor Hall’s ambiance is elegant with touches of modern Greek decor blended with neoclassical elements to create an air of sophistication. The indoor dining room has chandeliers and plush seating that exude elegance. Whereas the outdoor dining terrace lets you dine al fresco with stunning panoramic views.

Tudor Hall’s menu earned a Michelin star for their high-quality Greek cuisine. They’re known for red shrimp tartare, grouper, and lamb dishes that highlight fresh Mediterranean ingredients. All of which are plated with pic-worthy presentations.

On my last visit to Tudor Hall, I was lucky enough to reserve a table on the outdoor terrace. I ordered the fish of the day special which was grilled grouper. It had a delicate flavor that went nicely with the earthiness of the pan-roasted root vegetables and the light lemon with olive oil sauce.

The sommelier recommended a glass of Assyrtiko to go with it, which turned out to be a perfect wine pairing. The citrus body of the wine and its gentle minerality beautifully enhanced the grouper and lemon sauce.

Tudor Hall (€60 to €120) – Geor. A’ 3, Athina 105 64, Greece – Open every day from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Varoulko Seaside

Photo credit: Varoulko Seaside

Varoulko Seaside is in the Mikrolimano Marina in Piraeus, just outside of Athens. It’s one of the top-rated fine-dining seafood restaurants in all of Greece, and they’ve even earned a Michelin star under master chef Lefteris Lazarou.

The ambiance at Varoulko uses an air of modern sophistication blended with a relaxed seaside atmosphere and the seaside vistas to create an unforgettable dining experience. I recommend reserving a table in the outdoor seating area right around sunset to enjoy the stunning view.

Chef Lazarou’s menu is seafood-centric, based largely on what’s good and fresh that day. He then applies creative twists to otherwise classical Greek seafood. Many of the seafood dishes are enhanced by Avant Garde gastronomy yet feel and taste distinctly Greek.

Some of the more common popular dishes you’ll find at Varoulko include squid risotto enhanced with black ink, as well as sea bass carpaccio. The daily specials typically include some sort of seafood pasta dish with a creative sauce.

On a recent visit to Varoulko, I enjoyed the grilled cuttlefish special of the day. It was surprisingly tender and came with lightly caramelized lentils and orange sauce, which brightened the essence of the sea.  

Varoulko Seaside (€60 to €120) – Akti Koumoundourou 54, Pireas 185 33, Greece – Open every day from 1:00 PM to 12:00 PM.

Provenance of Fine Dining in Athens

We value chefs who maintain personal relationships with small-scale foragers and artisanal fishers to secure the most exclusive regional products. This “hyper-local” sourcing allows for a menu that reflects the precise micro-seasons of the Attica coastline and the mountain ranges of Epirus. We find that the narrative of the producer—whether a mountain shepherd or a deep-sea diver—is central to the identity of these top-tier kitchens. Knowing the origin of your meal adds a profound layer of connection to the diverse ecosystems of Greece.

Athens’ Fine Dining Etiquette

We suggest that while these venues are high-end, the “Athenian Style” is characterized by a sophisticated yet relaxed approach to formal dining. A smart-casual look is perfectly appropriate, as we value the authenticity of the experience over rigid social dress codes. We find that engaging with the sommelier about the revival of ancient Greek winemaking techniques can greatly enhance your meal’s narrative. Remember that in Athens, fine dining is an invitation to celebrate our culture’s evolution rather than a display of formality.

Conclusion

Of course, this is just a small sampling of great fine-dining restaurants to consider for your next Athens food tour. There are also many international restaurants serving Japanese, French, Italian, and creative twists on Greek cuisine.

Whatever type of fine-dining restaurant you’re looking for in Athens, Eating Europe can help you find the perfect fit for any occasion.