ALL THE BEST PLACES TO EAT, DRINK, AND DISCOVER IN ATHENS

We sent a model-stylist-photographer trio — Janelle, Helena, and Icy — to Athens with free rein to shoot our High Summer project. Experiencing summer in this vibrant, historic city: ordering doughnuts in chic dresses, traipsing across secret rooftops and cobbled streets in kitten heels, and catching trains across the city.

Discover what Janelle, Helena, and Icy explored, experienced, and enjoyed in one of Europe’s most lively destinations.

Shop our holiday edit here.

We stayed in Plaka, Athens' oldest and most picturesque neighbourhood. The view from our apartment looked directly over the Acropolis! Here, it’s common for locals and visitors alike to gather on the “Plaka Stairs”, sipping coffee from the taverns that spill out onto the steps.

At the top of the steps at Anafiotika Cafe, we enjoyed lunch with a view (Mnisikleous 24β, Athina 105 56, Greece).

On our first night, we went to WINE IS FINE (Vissis 6, Athens, 10551). A cool wine bar popular with Athens’ creative community, serving small plates alongside a thoughtful selection of French and Greek wines.

The next day, we stopped by Krinos - it’s been open since 1923! - to eat some authentic Lukumádes (pronounced loo-koo-mah-thes), deep-fried, bite-sized dough balls.

With our energy renewed, thanks to the Lukumádes, we continued exploring Athens by taking the cable car up Lycabettus Hill in Kolonaki for sweeping city views—a definite must-do.

Later that day, dinner took us to TOPA (Fokionos Negri 43, Athens, 11361), where we enjoyed an amazing fusion of Cretan mezze and traditional Basque tapas. The lively Fokionos Negri Street, where TOPA is located, is also a great place to hop between bars late into the evening.

Another highlight, just a 10-15-minute walk from Plaka, where we stayed, was Varvakios Market, a food market filled with local produce and Greek specialities. We loved splitting up, exploring in different directions, then regrouping with our favourite finds; the highlight was Diḗrēs, where we found some of the best olive oil.

From there, the Monastiraki Flea Market is just 5 minutes away, lined with leather shops selling authentic Greek sandals and bags, alongside plenty of places to stop for food and drinks.

Our favourite meal of the whole trip awaited us here. Open since the early 1960s, Ouzeri Lesvos is a traditional Greek seafood restaurant in the Exarchia district of central Athens, off the tourist track, and is loved by both locals and visitors for its fresh seafood sourced from the island of Lesvos.