I remember, in my early shivers, going up the hill to watch John Lurie and his Lounge Lizards, and later Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds. In between, many climbs up the uncharted paths of the hill, heart in mouth, to catch up, not to miss the support. Tucked away in the shade of the vegetation, I only discovered the Green Tent just before it closed for the first time. One spring evening I dined at the restaurant with the most clever and literally distinctive name in Athens.
“The Green Tent first opened in 1931 and operated as a café-ouzerie,” says the current manager of the place, Minas Minogiannis. “This year it turns 90 years old and has just been reborn. Its history is long and over the years, many generations of Athenians and many visitors from all over the world have honoured it with their presence, as Lycabettus Hill is a destination that offers wonderful images and evokes beautiful memories.”
According to mythology, goddess Athena was carrying a rock when she was informed of an unfortunate event by a raven. That caused the rock to slip from her hands and fall. This is how Lycabettus hill was formed. The myth has it that ever since ravens became black. An oops moment created the second highest point of the Athens basin, which rises 277 meters above sea level and 227 meters above the city; a lofty hill in the heart of the capital.
“The Green Tent, there, next to the chapel of Agioi Isidoroi, is a landmark for the city. Its three balconies are located on the southwest side of the lush hill. With a unique and unrestricted view of the horizon in front, has served as a setting for many films in the past, and prominent personalities such as Hadjidakis, Xylouris, Katrakis, Jules Dassin and Melina Mercouri have sat in these chairs,” continues Mr.Minogiannis.
It closed in 2003 and remained empty for years, a spot of the city hidden but so familiar, like a common secret, like an urban legend -many unconfirmed stories are said to have taken place there. “In 2020, the Green Tent was completely revived by a well-known business group,” says Mr.Minogiannis, bringing us to the present day. “In 2020, the Green Tent was completely revived by a well-known business group,” says Mr.Minogiannis, bringing us to the present day. “Consonant with the hill’s environment and attuned to the needs of the 21st century, it was designed to welcome its visitors and offer them peace and relaxation, overlooking the entire Athens skyline. Looking out over the horizon, you see the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium, the shimmering city lights, the Saronic Gulf; a panoramic view of the city centre’s historical path over time.
The Green Tent’s menu features Greek flavours of products sourced from local producers and an assortment of Greek wines bearing aromas from all over the country, as well as a wide variety of refreshing cocktails”, he explains, while you can always enjoy a coffee on one of our three balconies that undoubtedly offer the best view. Anyone who wants can also walk up to the chapel of St. George, at the top of the hill, for a pigeon-eyed view of the world.
