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We've compiled the best of the best in Greece - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
For a fancy coffee (think espresso mixed with sambuca), sweet crepes, or an impromptu meal, stop at this restored Neoclassical-style mansion and watch the crowds on Apostolou Pavlou. The seating in the square in front of the restaurant bordering the ancient agora has one of the best views of the Acropolis in town.
For such a tiny spot in a narrow street just off Syntagma Square, this small but stylish vegan-vegetarian favorite has many devoted fans. The comforting food appeals to health-conscious diners who appreciate the friendly atmosphere and a menu including ethnic and macrobiotic cuisine. Options include mock burgers, pizza, heartwarming curries, and raw food desserts. Its vitamin-rich juices and smoothies helped start a juice bar trend in the capital.
Serving Thessaloniki's most well-known fish-and-chips since 1940, this is a classic hangout where you can get your fingers greasy as you dig into crispy fried cod and fresh-cut fries. Your fish-and-chips are always accompanied by pungent skordalia garlic dip and casually served on grease-proof paper. Drink it down with a glass of tsipouro on ice, and if you are still hungry, try the stuffed eggplant or shrimp and feta saganaki as well.
Fine views from the rear terrace overlooking the rock-topped clocktower and valley accompany tasty waffles, cakes, pastries, and coffee. This café dates back to the 1950s, though it had a makeover a couple of years ago. It's still one of the most adorable spots in town.
This bright, breezy, colorful ice-cream parlor and café overlooks the old harbor and the New Fortress. It's a cool place to relax after exploring the old Campiello neighborhood.
The trendiest and most happening spot for coffee, snacks, and cocktails in Metaxourgeio, Ble Papagalos (Blue Parrot) on a large airy square, is an all-day communal destination. Always abuzz mainly with local youth but also people of varying ages, the charming hangout reflects the up-and-coming area's aspirations as an artsy, hip, green, and friendly locale. Try a fresh homemade dessert with your coffee by day or a light snack and drink by night as you watch the world go by. At night it also hosts swing parties and jazz-theme DJ sets.
Catch a coffee or freshly squeezed mixed-fruit juice at this popular hangout in tree-covered Lakka Square. This is where all the café-bars congregate, their terraces often spilling into one other. It can be a bit packed, but the croissants here are the best in town!
Open and cool, this no-nonsense riverside café serves up waffles, pancakes, pizza, and roasted meats but it is maybe best to take a coffee and some yogurt and honey and watch the water run by.
Stop for an iced coffee and a game of backgammon at this all-day bar-restaurant in the heart of Plaka. If hungry, try a pizza, fresh salad, or pasta and and watch the world go by on buzzy Kydathinaeon square.
Located in a sweet little village a short distance from the main run of Paleokastritsa, this spot has an extensive menu of snacks and light meals, along with cakes and ice cream from local producer Corfu Dolce. It doubles as village store and post office, and has its tabled settled in a pretty cobbled backstreet.
Candy lovers of all ages will adore this bright little shop where sweet alchemy happens when multicolor lollipops and sweets are made before your eyes.
On the road to the windmills, this is the prettiest place to relax over breakfast. Under a bougainvillea shade, healthy plates of yogurt, muesli, and fruits are perfect pick-me-ups to start the day, alongside classic eggs and crepes.
Breakfast is served with a genuine smile at this friendly, family-run café, with superbly comfortable seating facing out to the crystal clear blues of Roussoum beach. The food here is nothing pioneering, but it's familiar, tasty, and well-priced.
Many a late-night craving in Volos has been satisfied at this gourmet creperie near the waterfront. It's not just the sweetness or savoriness of the dishes that stimulate hunger pangs, but the inventiveness of combinations by chef and owner Konstantinos Siatras in dishes like bitter chocolate crepes with sauteed orange and cinnamon, and salmon with vegetables and pink pepper. More fun, however, is to let Siatras play consultant to the moment's desire. An excellent selection of beers and cocktails also adds to the late-night vibe . . . and munchies. Saturday night features a DJ.
Crumb not only serves great coffee but also the best healthy options in Heraklion. Eggs are offered in a variety of ways, alongside energy boosting drinks and fruit-laden bowls. The shaded outside tables are an ideal place to reflect and recharge before returning to the fray of the city center.
Small metal tables line either side of a steep pedestrian road leading from across the St. George hotel right under Lycabettus down to Dexameni Square, where one can peek through the glass to see the ancient Roman aqueduct. Throughout the year the greenery-surrounded café serves coffee, refreshments, and meze dishes to a chatty, vibrant crowd of all ages and styles. On the square you'll also find Cine Dexameni, one of Athens's old open-air cinemas that operates throughout the summer, and a playground.
Excellent food and true Greek filoxenia (hospitality) await at the combination tourist shop, café, and three-meal-a-day restaurant. Recommended are the loukanika (sausages); rolled, spiced, and spit-roasted meat; and the excellent yemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers) and papoutsakia (eggplant halves baked with cheese, spiced ground beef, and garlicy tomato sauce). If you want to try the specialty of the area, katsikaki sti souvla (roasted goat on a spit), order at least a day ahead. The krasi hima (house barrel wine) is locally produced, and the owners also serve homemade tsipouro (the Greek version of grappa) in a small carafe served with snacks.
Airy blue-on-blue sofas and chairs look over the lake here, with a menu dreamed up by sweets lovers. Waffles, pancakes, and toasts are offered, but it is really all about the ice cream---up to 45 flavors are offered.
This friendly family-run spot is named for the 2,000-year-old "dopia" olive tree that grows in the front yard. It's the perfect retreat for a cool drink or a home-cooked meal in a nicely shaded garden terrace. They also sell their own honey.
On a tiny street, across from Takis Bakery, one of Athens's best, is a small spot with outside seats that serves coffee and fresh juices in the morning and turns into something quite different from noon. As the clock strikes noon, you'll hear bubbles and the chatter intensify as drinks (especially Spudorato and other Buglioni wines from Italy, Aperol spritzes, and craft beer from Tinos island) are poured into glasses. These are happily paired with premium cold cuts and cheeses from Greece and around the world. The charcuterie and spritzes are served until midnight.
The smart option for tasty street food in Fira—the Middle Eastern--inspired dishes are a delight here—quick, healthy, and inexpensive. There is a small indoor dining area but the steps and benches outside are a great place to swap tips and photos with fellow travelers.
For innovative street food look no further than Folk. This Americana-style diner has a modest but creative menu. Beef burger with feta sauce, lettuce, tomato and crispy pear chips, a mizo tsatsiki chicken sandwich, a soft brioche filled with rib-eye fillets, orange mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, tomato, arugula and melted cheddar. For vegetarians there is the option of celeriac gyro pita with leak cream, pickled apple and popcorn.
This is a fantastic little Greek bakery filled with myriad honey-soaked and cheese-covered treats, ranging from baklava to bagel-style kalouri and pizza-like peinirli. It's perfect for a midmorning snack or lunchtime treat.
The most popular hangout in town serves homemade ice cream by day and cocktails by night in the cool, blue-cushioned interior and pebbled courtyard as well as on the rooftop terrace of a sea captain's house.
This pastry shop and bakery is the local go-to for anything traditional and sweet. It's known for Tinian specialties such as almond paste candies called psarakia tinou, and cheesecake bites made with Tinian cheese called gliko tiropitaki tsibiti. You’ll find yourself walking away with little gift boxes filled with your favorites, but before you go try their homemade ice cream.
Bright, multicolor decor sets this apart from your average grill shop as does the freshest of food. Family-run, the owners take a real pride in their establishment. Superclean, superfriendly, and all at superprices. Perfect for a just-off-the ferry souvlaki as well as for dinner.
No Greek experience is complete without a quick gyro pita on the hoof. And if that's what you're after pop into Kai Kremmidi for the best of that ilk on Hydra. Also try the tasty lahmacun, an Arabic-style mini pizza topped with spiced ground meat and a squeeze of lemon. It's located a couple of blocks up from the harbor.
