The 5 Best Healthy Restaurants in Athens

While we all like to indulge in some not-so-nutritious fare now and again, especially on vacation, sometimes I long for slightly healthier options. Traditional Greek food is packed with lean meats, veggies, and olive oil, meaning finding healthy restaurants in Athens, Greece, is actually pretty straightforward!

Anyone who’s partaken in one of my Athens food tours will know all about how well-balanced and flavorful Greek food is. That said, there’s also a slew of eateries with nutrient-dense dishes. I’ve chosen my picks for the best restaurants in the city for wholesome eats!

Up – Kyttariki Threpsi

Photo credit: Up – Kyttariki Threpsi

Up – Kyttariki Threpsi is a health food hub between Akadimia and Omonia.

Crafting healthy meals that can be relished on the go is what these guys do best. Every corner of this cute and colorful nook is filled with healthy vegan options like homemade sandwiches, salads, soups, and pressed juices.

I started with one of their smoothies, which included peach, lime, raspberries, and coconut milk. This fusion of flavors was wonderful, with the peach bringing sweet notes, the lime and raspberries adding tartness, and the coconut giving it a smooth edge.

As I was sipping my smoothie, I noticed the quinoa salad bowl and was curious to try it out. The soft quinoa and crunchy mixed greens brought some earthiness to the dish, though these flavors were livened up a little by the chewy dried fruits and tangy pomegranate seeds.

Up – Kyttariki Threpsi (€) – Akadimias 91 &, Themistokleous, Athina 106 77, Greece – Open every Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed every Sunday.

Peas Vegan & Raw Food

Photo credit: Peas Vegan & Raw Food

Peas Vegan & Raw Food, which sits right outside Makriyianni near the Acropolis, is considered by many to be one of the top healthy restaurants in Athens, Greece.

They might have some of the best vegan options around, but you don’t need to follow a plant-based diet to enjoy the food here. It’s also incredibly aesthetic inside, and I especially loved the funky light fixtures and brightly-colored hammocks.

The menu featured a bunch of dreamy dishes, the kind I expect to find in a brunch-style vegan restaurant like this. However, in addition to the chickpea bowls and veggie burgers were Greek favorites like gyros, pita bread, and Greek salad with vegan feta, which I chose.

After munching on the salty feta, juicy cucumbers, and zingy tomatoes, all of which were so fresh and tasty, I still felt slightly peckish. I followed it up with their chocolate and avocado cake. It might sound like an unusual pairing, but the result was a rich, creamy confection I can’t wait to try again!

Peas Vegan & Raw Food (€€) – Falirou 40, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Wild Souls Athens

Photo credit: Wild Souls Athens

I dabbled in another side of Greek gastronomy when I stopped into Wild Souls Athens between Syntagma and Plaka.

This nut butter specialist doubles as a cafe with superb vegan food. There are only a few tables in this gorgeous, orange-toned spot, but its small size is what makes it so charming and inviting.

Among the mouthwatering sugarless treats, gluten-free pastries, and salads were a host of homemade sandwiches. I went for the mushroom pita and washed it down with a frothy and balanced cappuccino.

Although it initially looked quite small, the pita was loaded with tender mushrooms and a sprinkling of crisp cucumbers and acidic tomatoes. 

Wild Souls Athens (€€) – Voulis 36, Athina 105 57, Greece – Open every Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm and every Sunday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Magic Kitchen

Photo credit: Magic Kitchen

Magic Kitchen is an exciting street food spot in Exarcheia that focuses on nutritious but tasty vegan and vegetarian food.

This was a classic hole-in-the-wall haunt, with just a few tables lined up on the streetside.

The waiter informed me that the menu changes regularly, and I noticed that the dishes tend to take inspiration from the cuisines of Turkey and various corners of Asia. Everything from the lentil soup to the kebabs sounded delicious, but I wanted to sample their signature gözlemes.  

I opted for the potato version of this filled flatbread. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than doubling up on carbs, and the combination of buttery mashed potato and savory bread was a perfect example of this. Mixed inside were some peppery herbs and sharp onions.

Magic Kitchen (€) – Themistokleous 45, Athina 106 82, Greece – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Thursday from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am, and every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Nolan

Photo credit: Nolan

Nolan is an Athens restaurant close to Syntagma Square that proves that healthy, high-quality food doesn’t have to come at exorbitant prices. It’s even been awarded a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide! 

Located near the center of Athens, Nolan has a cosmopolitan feel to it. I couldn’t help but admire the two-story windows, split-level design, and chic gray and marble finishes.

The theme at Nolan is Asian fusion, leaning primarily toward Japanese flavors. As the dishes were small, I was able to tuck into several plates, my favorite being the zucchini and aubergine with miso.

This dish consisted of thin strips of firm zucchini and soft chunks of aubergine doused in a generous amount of thick miso. Even though the vegetables took on the complex, toasty flavors of the miso, they also prevented it from being too salty by adding a mildness to each bite.

Nolan (€€€) – Voulis 31 – 33, Athina 105 57, Greece – Open every Monday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

Conclusion

For exceptional dining experiences and nourishing food, these are the must-visit healthy restaurants in Athens, Greece. Between fine dining spots and casual cafes, you won’t have much trouble sourcing a suitable, health-conscious eatery in the Classic City.