Steaming coffee, a wide variety of tea, home-made food and good wine by the fireplace; some of the capital’s most unique cafés manage to combine the pleasure of an outing with a homely atmosphere thanks to their beautiful decoration and warm aesthetics.
In a city where low temperatures are not the norm, even in the winter months, and where outdoor dining spaces seem to be the usual thing, characterful winter haunts with unique warmth are a little hard to find, but we do need them.
From the city centre and the northern suburbs of Attica at the edge of the icy mountains, to the southern suburbs, a breath away from the sea, 6 cafes serving delicious food and desserts, offer idyllic winter moments next to a glowing fire – promoting a way of entertainment that we have somewhat forgotten and that entails endless conversations and laughter with our company, without mobile phones, screens and unnecessary distractions of any kind.
Paliatsos
In Penteli, this beautiful space with its urban charm has been hosting its patrons for years in a warm and cosy lounge with a fireplace, which brings to mind images of a European club for a select few.
The long, wooden bar that features a wide variety of whiskey and other spirits, the leather sofas, the oval tables with their small, elegant lamps and the warm lighting make this well-known hangout in the northern suburbs one of the most welcoming places in Attica.
It also retains a strong theatrical character in its decoration, making guests feel as if they are in an elegant foyer waiting for a play to begin. Paliatsos, which is open from early in the morning, is also famous for its great cuisine by chef Dionysis Papanikolaou. The latter, along with his team, has created delicious Mediterranean and Greek dishes with a modern twist.
Serving everything from delicious salads and modern appetizers to pizza and juicy burgers, here you can also accompany your meal with a glass of wine from the extensive menu or a cocktail. In summer, the garden offers a cool refuge for those very hot days and nights in the city.
Vasileos Georgiou & Souvaliotou, Agia Triada Square, Palea Penteli, +30 210 8100889
Safe House
Located in Dionysos, literally in the middle of nowhere, a cosy café-restaurant embodies everything one can look for in a mountain retreat, a relatively short distance from the centre of Athens.
Boasting a very relaxed atmosphere, Safe House café-restaurant is dominated by wood and stone. And if what you’re looking for is warm fires burning all day with a view of the mountains, here you’ll find lots of different fireplaces to sit by with your friends.
The hangout that over the years has evolved into a destination for one-day getaways for families with children looking for the ideal place to spend some time by nature, is open from early morning and serves simple Mediterranean dishes at noon. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink by the fire, as well as signature cocktails at very reasonable prices.
Dionysos and Vakhon Avenue, Dionysos, +30 210 8005693
To kafeneio
It could be the setting for a film about life in Athens in the first half of the 20th century, but in reality it is a traditional, beautiful café in Plaka from another era.
Located in Epiharmou street, this charming café is housed in a 400-year-old building and is decorated with round marble tables, wooden seats, sofas with embroidered cushions, lace curtains on the windows and a beautiful fireplace for even more warmth and cosiness.
Delicious potatoes are roasted over an all-day fire and are then stuffed with butter, cheese and herbs before arriving at your table steaming. The perfect accompaniment to a glass of wine in an atmosphere reminiscent of Athens’ past. Here you will find many other delicious dishes such as meatballs, organic fava beans (yellow split peas), sweet cheese pie with honey and home-made eggplant salad.
Epiharmou 1, Plaka, +30 210 3246916
Yiasemi
Perhaps one of the most famous traditional cafés in Athens, the picturesque Yiasemi is not only a popular hangout for locals, who take refuge at its quaint green tables every weekend, but also for tourists who visit it to taste home-made delicacies and delectable handmade sweets in the shadow of the Acropolis.
When the weather is not warm enough to sit on the photogenic stairs of Plaka, Yiasemi features an enchanting hall, at the back of which an old-style round fireplace dominates, gently warming the entire space.
At Yiasemi, everything you order is fresh and home-made. From affordable daily specials to spoon sweets and juices, Yiasemi serves amazing food, while in recent years it has grown in size and has enough space to accommodate all of its would-be customers. On the first floor you will find another beautifully designed space, with large windows and views of Anafiotika.
Mnisikleous 23, Plaka, +30 213 0417937
Anafiotika
Just opposite Yiasemi, another famous café, Anafiotika, welcomes guests in a wonderful space that exudes sincere hospitality and warmth. The imposing fireplace spreads its warmth and, in the evenings, the low lighting allows the hearth to appear even more romantic and inviting.
In one of the most historic areas of the capital, under the Acropolis, Anafiotika serves good coffee all day long, a wide variety of desserts (including ice creams and fresh waffles), traditional Greek dishes and delicious cocktails.
In summer, on the roof of this large space there is a roof garden with an incredible view of the Parthenon, which seems to “dangle” just above the area of Plaka.
Mnisikleous 24, Plaka, +30 210 3244428
Aroma Plateias
Located in Nea Smyrni Square, this fascinating venue puts its tables outside in the spring and throughout the summer months, but loyal patrons know that there is a “hidden” gem inside, namely a nice and cosy fireplace. Located in the basement, it creates the perfect atmosphere for pleasant homey evenings of board games with friends or family.
The space really reminds you of a beautifully decorated living room. Aroma (as it is widely known) has managed to keep alive all the memories of a time when we went out for coffee and dessert with friends and forgot to come home. A 90′ s atmosphere where human contact was key and mobile phones were still in obscurity.
Aroma is also known for its concert nights and music choices that make it stand out among the other popular venues in the square.
25th Martiou, Nea Smyrni, +30 210 9357505
