Monastiraki and Plaka are the best areas of Athens hands down!

[dimi_pat]

Monastiraki and Plaka are the best place for shopping and eating restaurants! They're both really close to the Acropolis and there are many local shops and restaurants. I really love the area and highly suggest that you visit the area and even get a hotel that's closeby because there are just so many things to do. Its pretty safe, which is important because Athens is getting slightly dangerous.

 

[Vangelis]

Definitely when a first time visitor to Athens asks me where they should go I recommend Plaka, Monastiraki and Psirri.

 

[efhernandez_]

Definitely when a first time visitor to Athens asks me where they should go I recommend Plaka, Monastiraki and Psirri.

What do you recommend to do in Psiri? Ive never been in that area

 

[Vangelis]

What do you recommend to do in Psiri? Ive never been in that area

There are a lot of unique places in Psirri (which is just next to Monastiraki). I like the feel of the area, the streets and restaurants and the shopping is more eclectic and alternative.
A few examples:
Nancy's Sweet Home: The cakes here are to die for: https://www.nancysweethome.gr/
H ΩΡΑΙΑ ΠΕΝΤΕΛΗ: I like this restaurant, it is right on the plateia and they usually have live Greek music while you eat.
El Habanero: If you like smoking the occasional Cuban cigar, this is the place to get all things smoking! https://elhabanero.gr/
Little Kook: This isn't really my scene but a lot of people seem to like it. It is a fairytale themed cafe which changes its theme every so often. It's very kooky! https://www.facebook.com/littlekookgr

But the best thing to do is walk around and check out the shops and restaurants (as always in Athens!) and you might find that you grow to like this area more than Monastiraki.

 

[acamp7]

There are a lot of unique places in Psirri (which is just next to Monastiraki). I like the feel of the area, the streets and restaurants and the shopping is more eclectic and alternative.
A few examples:
Nancy's Sweet Home: The cakes here are to die for: https://www.nancysweethome.gr/
H ΩΡΑΙΑ ΠΕΝΤΕΛΗ: I like this restaurant, it is right on the plateia and they usually have live Greek music while you eat.
El Habanero: If you like smoking the occasional Cuban cigar, this is the place to get all things smoking! https://elhabanero.gr/
Little Kook: This isn't really my scene but a lot of people seem to like it. It is a fairytale themed cafe which changes its theme every so often. It's very kooky! https://www.facebook.com/littlekookgr

But the best thing to do is walk around and check out the shops and restaurants (as always in Athens!) and you might find that you grow to like this area more than Monastiraki.

The area surrounding Little Kook is very cute at night! Great to walk around in but not stay for very long, there's a lot of noisy children and its a little too overstimulating for me (lots of bright lights and music)

 

[iamgreece]

Monastiraki and Plaka are the best place for shopping and eating restaurants! They're both really close to the Acropolis and there are many local shops and restaurants. I really love the area and highly suggest that you visit the area and even get a hotel that's closeby because there are just so many things to do. Its pretty safe, which is important because Athens is getting slightly dangerous.

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Couldn't agree with you more! I spend a ton of time here and I never get tired of it!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I totally agree with you! This is a charming neighborhood of Athens and I've had some of the best meals here.

 

[ellinasgolfer0320]

I respectfully disagree, but they're only nice if you're a tourist. When I first moved to Athens, I wanted to spend a lot of time there, so I understand the allure. You're right that they're probably best for shopping (there used to be much better places), but they are definitely not the best for eating - the prices are too high and the food is disgusting (e.g. Thanasis is terrible and dirty, and only tourists eat here). It is a nice place for meeting people for a drink though

 

[acamp7]

I respectfully disagree, but they're only nice if you're a tourist. When I first moved to Athens, I wanted to spend a lot of time there, so I understand the allure. You're right that they're probably best for shopping (there used to be much better places), but they are definitely not the best for eating - the prices are too high and the food is disgusting (e.g. Thanasis is terrible and dirty, and only tourists eat here). It is a nice place for meeting people for a drink though

Definitely the quality of food in Greece and Athens has decreased over time. Touristy areas have terrible taste and quality. This didn't used to be the case but it is getting worse and worse over the years. Sad to see...

 

[Vangelis]

@ellinasgolfer0320 So true. The touristy areas are the worst but if you really look you can find some gems. These are usually the ones that look like the olden day restaurants with not too many tourists in them. They are much harder to find but certainly there if you want to look around for them in the touristy areas. Otherwise, it's a great excuse to get out of the touristy areas and explore more of Athens. My personal favourite is Exarcheia which has many genuine restaurants, bars, bistros and cafes. There are lots of other areas too. And really, they are only about a 20-30min walk from Plaka/Monastiraki or a 3-4 euro taxi trip (I prefer the walk).

 

[efhernandez_]

@ellinasgolfer0320 So true. The touristy areas are the worst but if you really look you can find some gems. These are usually the ones that look like the olden day restaurants with not too many tourists in them. They are much harder to find but certainly there if you want to look around for them in the touristy areas. Otherwise, it's a great excuse to get out of the touristy areas and explore more of Athens. My personal favourite is Exarcheia which has many genuine restaurants, bars, bistros and cafes. There are lots of other areas too. And really, they are only about a 20-30min walk from Plaka/Monastiraki or a 3-4 euro taxi trip (I prefer the walk).

Exarcheia is a great neighborhood, a buddy of mine recommends this place but Ive never been personally, just have it on my list. https://restaurant-47828.business.site

 

[Vangelis]

@efhernandez_ I've been to that restaurant, Άμα Λάχει, a number of times but once my wife and I went there with her cousin and his partner. Firstly, they organised to meet up with us for dinner at 9pm (my wife wasn't happy about the time) but they ended up turning up to our apartment at 9:30pm. By the time we walked to Άμα Λάχει it was 9:45pm. This was on a Saturday night. We were told it was a 45min wait for a table!!! It was so busy and it's mostly local Athenians that go there (with some tourists). We ended up walking to Γιάντες and ended up eating at about 10:30pm. Athens lifestyle!!! I'll have to post my list of places to eat/visit in Exarcheia sometime.

 

[knicks_fan87]

@efhernandez_ I've been to that restaurant, Άμα Λάχει, a number of times but once my wife and I went there with her cousin and his partner. Firstly, they organised to meet up with us for dinner at 9pm (my wife wasn't happy about the time) but they ended up turning up to our apartment at 9:30pm. By the time we walked to Άμα Λάχει it was 9:45pm. This was on a Saturday night. We were told it was a 45min wait for a table!!! It was so busy and it's mostly local Athenians that go there (with some tourists). We ended up walking to Γιάντες and ended up eating at about 10:30pm. Athens lifestyle!!! I'll have to post my list of places to eat/visit in Exarcheia sometime.

Ugh that sounds so frustrating, did you go in July or August by any chance? Is that when Athens is the most crowded?

 

[Vangelis]

Ugh that sounds so frustrating, did you go in July or August by any chance? Is that when Athens is the most crowded?

It was probably around June, maybe early July. It's just busy all year around apparently especially at that time of day. Athens is most crowded with Athenians outside of August and most crowded with tourists during August. In my opinion, August is not a good month to visit Athens. Many shops outside the touristy areas (and some in the touristy areas) are closed as the Athenians will go to their villages and/or visit the islands during this time. In fact, the islands are also not good during August and it is absolutely mayhem getting in and out of the ports. Unless you have relatives outside of Athens you can stay with in August, skip this month.

 

[efhernandez_]

@efhernandez_ I've been to that restaurant, Άμα Λάχει, a number of times but once my wife and I went there with her cousin and his partner. Firstly, they organised to meet up with us for dinner at 9pm (my wife wasn't happy about the time) but they ended up turning up to our apartment at 9:30pm. By the time we walked to Άμα Λάχει it was 9:45pm. This was on a Saturday night. We were told it was a 45min wait for a table!!! It was so busy and it's mostly local Athenians that go there (with some tourists). We ended up walking to Γιάντες and ended up eating at about 10:30pm. Athens lifestyle!!! I'll have to post my list of places to eat/visit in Exarcheia sometime.

Hmmm that's such a shame! I wonder if its actually any good. How was the food at Γιάντες?

 

[Vangelis]

Hmmm that's such a shame! I wonder if its actually any good. How was the food at Γιάντες?

Άμα Λάχει is a great restaurant. It is located in an old school and the menu is very modern Greek meze style food. Highly recommended.

Γιάντες is good but not one of my favourite restaurants in the area. I think there are many better choices although my wife's cousin really enjoyed the food here. Mind you this is Yanis Varoufakis favourite restaurant and I have seen him out the front on his phone.

 

[efhernandez_]

Άμα Λάχει is a great restaurant. It is located in an old school and the menu is very modern Greek meze style food. Highly recommended.

Γιάντες is good but not one of my favourite restaurants in the area. I think there are many better choices although my wife's cousin really enjoyed the food here. Mind you this is Yanis Varoufakis favourite restaurant and I have seen him out the front on his phone.

I will definitely check out Άμα Λάχει then!! Thank you

And woah, I might walk by just to see if I can catch a glimpse of Varoufakis, I've never seen any celebrities or politicians in Greece that would be cool LOL

 

[Sandyrigo]

I actually will go to shop at several great stores that feature local artists in Plaka, but unless I need tourist trinkets there is very little there I want or need. And Athens has much better eating venues than plaka. Check out the Bib Gormand lists that have unique restaurants that offer better value for your money.

 

[cubrinj]

I actually will go to shop at several great stores that feature local artists in Plaka, but unless I need tourist trinkets there is very little there I want or need. And Athens has much better eating venues than plaka. Check out the Bib Gormand lists that have unique restaurants that offer better value for your money.

Very true, I find that I get very tired of the trinkets and touristy shops quickly.