Situated at the lower end of Kolonaki square, Kapsali St, a 200-metre stretch lined with lots of trees and filled with activity, as part of a very vibrant block, is definitely not one of the up-market Kolonaki district’s most renowned streets, but it does possess character.
Nestled between shops, pharmacies and offices, visitors will find good spots for a quick coffee, light lunch, a relaxed glass of wine with friends, or a take-away bao or ice cream. The area also hosts delicatessens as well as a fragrant tea shop whose aromas permeate the area. Kapsali St is definitely very interesting. We took a look, tasted various delights and present our impressions.
Le Rose
The most recent addition to the overall offering along Kapsali St and the surrounding area, Le Rose is a bistro devoted to wine, especially rosé, from which the spot takes its name. A small corner shop coloured in shades of blue, its décor also features marble and wood elements. Its open sushi kitchen at the back of this charming pint-sized space is the eye catcher. The spot is open from early in the day, serving quality coffee, fluffy croissants and other delights.
The wine list is the spot’s main strength. Most wines are also available by the glass. All dishes served here are cold plates. Selections include salads, sandwiches, ceviche, poke bowls and sushi.
3 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2107290171
Bao Bae
The rising popularity of bao buns, puffed up, steamed bread rolls, ended up attracting the attention of two siblings, Marios and Aris Dourios, who joined forces with chef Hristos Glossidis roughly one year ago to launch their street-food venture, serving the team’s own bao proposals that can be enjoyed on the spot.
The dough used for the shop’s buns is prepared on a daily basis. The buns are filled with various combinations, which, in most cases, are interesting. I recommend the version filled with pork pancetta, ginger and a mildly spicy mayonnaise with chili, as well as the spot’s burger proposal made with bao buns, beet patty, red cabbage, bacon and tomato sauce.
5 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2100107696
Redd Coffee
This pint-sized spot pays special attention to its quality coffee, not categorised based on origin, as is usually the case at most cafes, but on aroma and flavour.
When ordering espresso or cappuccino, customers may customise their coffee of preference by selecting two tags, from a number available, indicating aspects such as sweetness, acidity, complexity and aftertaste. The baristas then prepare custom beverages based on these selections. Customers can also step back and let the baristas decide on the details. Don’t leave Redd Coffee without buying a bottle of cold brew for home, even during winter.
8 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2169002141
O Dromos Tou Tsagiou
If you enjoy tea and hot beverages in general, then this is the ideal place for you. Spices, fruit, nuts, chocolate and flower petals are among the ingredients used to prepare an interesting range of black, green and white teas. The jars filled with these ingredients permeate the place with intoxicating aromas when opened.
If deciding on what to order proves difficult, proprietors Anastasia and Popi, both tea experts, will offer necessary assistance to help you decide.
5 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2107221460
Ninnolo Gelato
Renowned for its pure ice cream, made using fresh domestically produced milk, exclusively, Ninnolo Gelato’s Kolonaki outlet on Kapsali st also offers donuts, croissants, waffles, apple pie, cinnamon rolls and a range of other sweets. Customers may combine a scoop of ice cream, flavours including pistachio, hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate, with a favourite sweet, either to be relished at the shop, or enjoyed at home.
Also try the sorbet made here using only fresh, seasonal fruit.
8 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2107255703
Cup Way café
This rectangular-shaped corner café sets a small number of tables out on the footpath. It serves brunch every day of the week, perfect for a simple and relaxed break from shopping or work, for an omelette or sandwich.
10 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2114107188
Me
White-coloured, minimal, youthful and dedicated to healthy eating, quality coffee and good wine, Me is an all-day café which proved to be an instant hit from the very first week of its launch. Chef Ilias Stavropoulos is behind the spot’s interesting concept, based on the use of local products.
Its small yet comfortable interior, or tables outside, are ideal for enjoying coffee – the spot collaborates with Greek coffee company WiseCup – juice, smoothies, as well as sweet or savoury food selections, all nutritious. A midday menu is based on the same principles of the morning menu, but the dishes are more fulfilling. At night, domestic beer and wine varieties enter the picture.
10 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2107242588
Cido & Vino
A delicatessen, Cido & Vino pays a great deal of attention to cheese and charcuterie varieties from Italy, France, Switzerland and the UK, while also offering products from small-scale Greek producers. It is stocked with Agrinio feta – bulk, straight from the barrel – as well as Cretan graviera cheese, amongst other selections.
The shop’s shelves carry many superfoods, organic, vegan as well as gluten-free products. In a nutshell, customers are sure to be intrigued by a number of interesting goods at this delicatessen. It is worth spending a little bit extra here.
10 Kapsali, Kolonaki, +30 2114059707
Chez Michel
On the corner of Kapsali and Irodotou streets, the bistro Chez Michel has become a classic Kolonaki hangout. The spot has a Parisian vibe about it. The interior décor combines wood and leather without seeming heavy. The menu offers classic bistro food, in other words, a bit of everything, including Italian, French as well as Greek selections. The wine list has been expertly compiled, many of the selections also available by the glass.
15 Irodotou, Kolonaki, +30 215 551 0090
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