Kathyngs

A friend and I are staying at the Electra Palace Hotel in Athens this fall for three nights. The website describes it as "located in the heart of Athens, right across Syntagma Square," and we're hoping it's just a short walk from the Plaka. Is the area safe at night for two ladies, or should we stay close to (or in) the hotel? (We won't be out in the wee hours.) Any ideas for dinner would be appreciated! We like tavernas: Is it best to simply walk along and choose whatever looks good, or are reservations generally needed?

220volt

You will be totally safe. I assume you know not to wear your diamond tiara strolling through foreign cities at night, and it is best to carry a plain-Jane purse and a copy of your passport, and keep your credit card hidden on your person.

You might want to spend a bit of time looking on the internet, or websites like eGullet or Chowhound, where foodies hang out, to get some tips about where to eat in Athens. Following the recommendations of commercial guidebooks, I've eaten some really lousy meals in Athens. But with a little bit of insider knowledge, you can get valuable tips about not just where to eat but what to eat. (Fish sounds like a good bet in Athens, but often isn't.)

I don't think you need reservations, but some places are much better than others for simple, cheap Athenian taverna eats, so you might as well let some real foodies be your scouts and guides.

If you get a chance, go up to the Kolanaki district in the evenings for an after dinner drink or just a look see. It is a beautiful cafe scene, with many bars and coffee shops spilling onto the sidewalks.

dugi_otok

Great restaurant in Athens is Gerofinikas near
Constitution Square

Heimdall

If you are staying at Syntagma Square and want to go to Plaka, get on the metro and go one stop to Monastiraki. One stop further from there is Thissio, where you can get out and walk up Apostolou Pavlou, a pedestrian walkway with beautiful views over the Ancient Agora and Acropolis. There are some outdoor cafes there where you can sit over a drink to take in the views.

Just off Apostolou Pavlou is Stavlos, a restaurant/bar complex set in a historic building: http://translate.google.com/translat...t.html&act=url
(Their website is only in Greek, so here it is in Google Translate). Look at some of the other pages to see what else Stavlos has to offer.

Heimdall

BTW, Athenians dine late, and even the wee hours are safe. ;-)

clausar

There are plenty of tavernas and greek style restaurants (as you might imagine a greek restaurant to be.... ) in the PLaka, but Athenians never eat there... I find 99% of them to be a tourist trap.

The area is very safe and full of life !!!
The Electra Palace hotel has an excellent location, it is considered to be in the Plaka...
It's sister hotel Electra is located right across Systagma Square...

Heimdall gave you some great advice with Stavlos, which is located in Thissio, a very nice old part of Athens, with excellent views over the Acropolis.
This is actually an area with many cafes and restaurants, very popular amongst the Athenians.

Gerofoinikas, that dugi_otok mentioned, was one of my favourite restaurants offering gourmet Greek cuisine ( it was located in Kolonaki), but it is closed since a couple of years.. very much to my regret...

An amazing new restaurant in Monastiraki, a short walk from your hotel is

Melilotos, at Kalamiotou 19, Tel : 210 3222458
It offers Greek cuisine, one of the best low budget restaurants you can find in the centre of Athens, the food is simply amazing !!!

Trapezaria, Theodorou Negri 1, Makrygianni, Tel : 210 9213500
It is located near the Acropolis metro station, and a short walk from your hotel. It offers new Greek cuisine, it's a very popular new restaurant.

Attikos Greek House, Garibaldi 7, Acropolis, Tel: 210 9215256
A must visit restaurant primarily because of the amazing Greek food, but also because of the amazing view....
You better make a reservation, to make sure you get a table with the best panoramic view over the Acropolis, and Philopapou Hill !!!

ulysses79

Although Plaka has the look of what we imagine old Athens to be, it's essentially a touristy place and therefore the restaurants have mostly tourists in mind. However, I must say that it's almost inevitable that you'll end up eating there (I did -- more than once) and it's definitely a place worth visiting.
I recommend the Gallery Cafe which has a terrace (double check if it's still open - it's on Adrianou Street which has several other options).

jamikins

We ate here last Saturday night and had a wonderful dinner

http://www.strofi.gr/index.php?lang=eng

Kathyngs

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I'll report back! (I'm a bit disappointed that I can't wear my diamond tiara, though.)

yipper

hi,

Trynthe "O Tzitzikos & O Mermigkos"

Yipper

brotherleelove2004

Consider taking the funicular up to the top of Lycabettus Hill from the Kolonaki District for drinks and/or dinner at sunset at the Orizontes Restaurant. http://www.orizonteslycabettus.gr/en/restaurant

clausar

Yipper...

it is o Tzitzikas ki o Mermigas .......

http://www.tzitzikaskiomermigas.gr ( only in Greek)

This is small chain with restaurants in suburbs of Athens and the one at Mitropoleos street in the top centre of Athens.

valtor

We enjoyed our dinner at o Tzitzikas ki o Mermigas, on Mitropoleos street, very close to Sintagma aquare.

But in general, we enjoyed every lunch we had at a tavern or a small restaurant in Athens! e did not spend time to look for for a specific restaurant, just stop at one in our way and always we found good food. We loved their salads, the fishes, coffee, baclava, etc.