Somewhere squished between Ermou and Mitropoleos Streets, there is a pedestrian street that barely exceeds 200 metres in length, along which a tasteful array of eateries and bars have sprung up. Here you can enjoy everything from a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a cocktail to Mexican, Vietnamese and Hawaiian food. But, that does not mean you won’t find foods closer to home with some excellent Greek and Italian options too. So if you fancy a bite, it has most of your bases covered. Another alluring feature is that Petraki retains the character of an old Athenian side-street. So, you can also can browse in the interesting shops or pop into an avant-garde contemporary art exhibition at the non-profit gallery Radio Athènes. But here
Cherchez la femme
Vintage setting, pure urban aura and a view of the Metropolis of Athens. The dining area is cozy and atmospheric, while there are tables scattered outdoors on the pedestrian street. Here you can enjoy a cup of Greek coffee with loukoumaki from Syros (traditional Greek treats, similar to the Turkish delights) – like in the good old days – or enjoy a glass of wine or simply relax over Greek ouzo and meze. This all-day restaurant is a nice respite from the everyday madness.
46, Mitropoleos Street, +30 210 3222020, Facebook
The bar in front of the bar
Newly opened and one of the most interesting drinking concepts in the city, namely, a pop up bar in front of another one that is in the works. It is the brain-child of three friends, Simeon Papanikolaou, Alexandros Tselepis and Konstantinos Theodorakopoulos. The latter two are bartenders and are the ones who whip up the drinks. The menu includes two classics and six other signature cocktails and is updated daily. So no matter how many times you visit, there will always be something new to try. They make everything from scratch in the small, makeshift workshop they have set up behind the black curtains. They don’t buy anything, no syrups, no pulps. They use the freshest ingredients, processed in various ways, and of course they try not to throw anything away.
1, Petraki Street, Syntagma, +30 698 0635896, Facebook
Ella
While the entrance may be on Mitropoleos Street, this restaurant is what we call “double-sided” and faces also Petraki, where it sets up tables. The first impression you’ll get is of a restaurant that it is only addressed to people visiting Athens, yet, “Ella” is not another tourist trap in the city centre. In the kitchen we meet chef Nena Ismyrnoglou who focuses on Greek products (many of which you can buy from the deli inside the restaurant) and highlights an interesting side of Greek cuisine. We tried the vegetable dish of the day, the fennel Osso Buco (braised veal shanks), the burgers and the yogurt kebab, as well as the pie with Mytilene gruyere and pastirma.
26, Mitropoleos Street, +30 210 3315547
In town
An all-day restaurant that opens early in the morning serving coffee and delicious brunch, and keeps it going until the evening. The menu is based on Mediterranean cuisine and holds no surprises. On the plus side, “In town” boasts a beautiful dining area reminiscent of an indoor lush garden.
26-28, Mitropoleos Street, +30 213 0403574, Facebook
Tazza
The impressive lighting, vintage marble tables, elegant chairs and the gaudy colourful setting will definitely catch your eye. Tazza has by now become a mainstay in this little corner of Petraki and Pentelis streets. It’s morphed from a tea house into an atmospheric all-day over-the-top bistro. It is so polular that recently it expanded, spilling into in the adjacent building creating a larger dining area (and even more space to fill with eccentricities!). It serves coffee, tea, brunch, Mediterranean inspired platters and wine.
5 Petraki & 9 Penteli Street, +30 210 3311999
Poké Hawaiian Sushi & Sando
Two shops sharing the same space, the same small kitchen, but with a completely different philosophy. Poké serves chunks of raw, marinated fish -very often salmon– or prawns, tossed over rice and topped with various vegetables, herbs and sauces. Sando, on the other hand, “experiments” with the homonymous Japanese sandwiches made with a fluffy bun called shokupan, which have become very popular recently. From the former I would suggest you try the “Waimea” with fish, avocado, red chilli, coriander and sesame seeds, and from the latter the delicious cheeseburger with juicy burger, crispy cucumber pickle, chopped onion and melted cheddar cheese.
7, Petraki Street, +30 210 3226653, Facebook
Taqueria Maya
One of the first Mexican street food restaurants that opened in Athens in January 2015, even before tacos became a trend in Greece. In this colourful restaurant with authentic Mexican flair, tacos, burritos and quesadillas are a must. Before you sit down at one of the tables, you can “custom-build” your meal by choosing the base, the filling, the sauce (as spicy as you like) and the extras. Be sure to ask for the guacamole, bursting with the freshness of lime and coriander, and the exuberant nachos that are generously coated with melted cheddar cheese. To finish, try the Mexican horchata (fermented rice drink) which is like drinking rice pudding.
10, Petraki Street, +30 211 2167081
Hanoi
It opened its doors in early summer and came to add a Vietnamese touch to the multi-ethnic Syntagma neighbourhood. Light dishes, most of which are steamed, traditional Pho soups, bowls of salads filled with exotic fruits, vegetables, tofu and nuts, bao buns and dumplings are just some of the many dishes you can try. My personal favourites are the shrimp, vegetable and egg noodles, the duck with curry and coconut milk, and the beef with spicy satay peanut butter sauce.
2, Petraki Street, +30 213 0451379
Athinaikon
Although it has its entrance on Mitropoleos as well, it sets up tables on the quiet Petraki Street at the back. It has been a meeting point for many great personalities and artists ever since it was located on Santarosa Street. Yannis Tsarouchis, Yiannis Ritsos, Melina Merkouri and many others have sat on its tables. The hall is absolutely urban and formal, yet bears an old glamour. Their dishes are based on Mediterranean cuisine, while their velouté fish soup is an all-time-classic dish.
34, Mitropoleos Street, +30 210 3252688, Website
Cardinale
This neighbourhood could not be missing an Italian restaurant. Although this one too has its entrance on Mitropoleos Street, it also sets up tables on Petraki. Cardinale is an all-day restaurant whose menu is based on this premise and is therefore divided in three categories: brunch, lunch, dinner. Delicious pizzas, scrumptious pasta, an excellent wine list featuring wines from both Italian and Greek vineyards (Fotini Pantzia from the famous “By the glass” is co-owner) and a beautiful hall.
38, Mitropoleos Street, +30 210 3314397, Facebook
Pnyka
The founder of this bakery, the late Dimitris Kotsaris, had been invited to Harvard to teach how “proper bread”, as he used to say, is made -with water and a little salt. Now the reins have been taken over by his son, George, who carries on the tradition and every year ploughs through Greece to find the best wheat, which they still grind themselves in their stone mill located in the oven of Pagrati. I suggest you try the herb bread, their huge bread loaf (white or whole wheat, doesn’t matter) and the one with corn and buckwheat.
24, Petraki Street, +30 210 3245162
Bon Bon Fait Maison
Kriton Poulis is one of Greece’s young, remarkable confectioners. He has worked for about ten years alongside the famous French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, hence his desserts bear a French flair. Until recently, Kriton’s sweet creations could only be found in Kythera, Mykonos and his pastry studio in Piraeus. However, at the beginning of summer 2020 he opened this little shop at the end of this stone-paved pedestrian street. In addition to velvety cannelés, mouth-watering macarons, buttery croissants and cookies, you’ll also find tempting cakes, sinful pastries and delicious ice cream.
30, Petraki street, +30 210 3318703, Website
Things in Jars
It looks like something out of a fairy tale: a black façade, a striped white and red awning, an impressive chandelier, a mural of a fairy tale and waiters in high hats. In this tiny confectionery you’ll find cakes, cupcakes – some of which are gluten-free and vegan- and delicious cookies. While on your way to work, stop by to try their mouth-watering creations. I highly recommend their carrot cake.
30, Petraki Street, +30 210 3249945, Website
Heteroclito
At the end of Petraki Street, where it meets Fokionos Street, lies this miniature wine bar. It’s gorgeous, with a few tables inside, minimal seating at the bar, a “hidden” loft and lots of goings-on outside on the pedestrian. The wine cellar boasts over 200 labels from the Greek vineyards. Pair your wine with a selection of delicious cheeses and exquisite cold cuts.
2, Fokionos Street, +30 210 3239404, Website
