20 of the best · Athens, Greece
20 of the Best Cafés in Athens: Specialty Coffee, Classic Cafés & Chains
Coffee is a way of life in Athens, from an iced freddo espresso in the sun to a slow Greek coffee in Plaka. Here are the city's best specialty roasters and classic cafés, the prettiest spots in the old town and Glyfada, and the familiar chains when you just want a quick coffee.
Our 20 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Athens.
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Specialty pioneers
Taf Coffee
One of the roasters that started Athens' specialty coffee scene, between Omonia and Exarcheia, with expertly made espresso and filter coffee from beans roasted in-house, pastries, and tables outside on a quiet street. Closed on Sundays.
7 Emmanouil Benaki StreetExplore View on map
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Since 1939
Athenée
The legendary Zonar's, a meeting place for well-dressed Athenians since 1939, reborn as Athenée on luxury Voukourestiou Street: a lounge-style café for coffee, pastries and light meals on one side and a brasserie on the other.
9 Voukourestiou StreetExplore View on map
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Kolonaki people-watching
Da Capo
The classic Kolonaki Square café, where locals have met over freddo espresso for decades. Grab an outside table, order a coffee and a club sandwich, and watch the smart neighbourhood go by between shopping on Skoufa and Tsakalof.
1 Tsakalof Street, Kolonaki SquareExplore View on map
The full list: Cafés, A–Z
Show 16 of 20 places on a map
Specialty coffee & classic cafés 6
Athens' best coffee roasters and its most famous café terraces, from Kolonaki Square to the Central Market.
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Since 1939
Athenée
The legendary Zonar's, a meeting place for well-dressed Athenians since 1939, reborn as Athenée on luxury Voukourestiou Street: a lounge-style café for coffee, pastries and light meals on one side and a brasserie on the other.
9 Voukourestiou StreetExplore View on map
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Kolonaki people-watching
Da Capo
The classic Kolonaki Square café, where locals have met over freddo espresso for decades. Grab an outside table, order a coffee and a club sandwich, and watch the smart neighbourhood go by between shopping on Skoufa and Tsakalof.
1 Tsakalof Street, Kolonaki SquareExplore View on map
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Books and coffee
Little Tree Books & Coffee
A cosy bookshop café a few minutes from the Acropolis Museum, with shelves of English and Greek books, good coffee, homemade cakes and a friendly, local crowd: a calm break from sightseeing.
2 Kavalloti StreetExplore View on map
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Old-school roaster
Mokka
A historic coffee roaster and café beside the Central Market, where you can smell the beans from the street. Stop for a Greek coffee or espresso at the counter and buy freshly roasted beans to take home.
44 Athinas StreetExplore View on map
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Specialty pioneers
Taf Coffee
One of the roasters that started Athens' specialty coffee scene, between Omonia and Exarcheia, with expertly made espresso and filter coffee from beans roasted in-house, pastries, and tables outside on a quiet street. Closed on Sundays.
7 Emmanouil Benaki StreetExplore View on map
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Speciality coffee
The Underdog
One of Athens' pioneering speciality coffee roasters, roasting in the basement of a city villa in Thiseio and serving it straight to the cup, with brunch in the garden.
8 Iraklidon StreetExplore View on map
Plaka, Monastiraki & Psyrri 5
Cafés on the steps of Plaka, traditional sweets and the famous Little Kook.
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Retro tribute
Café Melina
A retro café dedicated to the actress and Culture Minister Melina Mercouri, full of her memorabilia, serving coffee, meze, crêpes and homemade desserts from morning to late.
22 Lysiou StreetExplore View on map
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Acropolis views
Klepsydra
A tiny café in upper Plaka where time seems to slow down, with outdoor tables overlooking the Roman Agora and one of the best Acropolis views from a coffee table in the city. Try the apple pie.
9 Thrasyvoulou StreetExplore View on map
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Famous seasonal displays
Little Kook
A fairytale dessert café on the corner of Karaiskaki and Pittaki streets in Psyrri, famous for its over-the-top themed decor that spills out onto the street. Its huge Halloween and Christmas displays draw crowds of visitors every year, and the theme changes with the seasons, inspired by stories such as Alice in Wonderland and Mary Poppins. Open daily from 10am to midnight.
17 Karaiskaki Street & Pittaki StreetExplore View on map
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Loukoumades
Lukumades
A small café on the corner of Aiolou and Agias Irinis, famous for loukoumades (Greek honey doughnuts) with modern toppings, plus coffee, organic teas and homemade lemonade.
21 Aiolou Street & Agias Irinis SquareExplore View on map
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Café on the steps
Yiasemi
Plaka's most photographed café, with tables and cushions lined up the Mnisikleous steps and a jasmine-scented garden. Good for breakfast and all-day brunch, then a drink as the lanterns come on.
23 Mnisikleous StreetExplore View on map
Glyfada 6
The Riviera's coffee scene, from brunch spots to Starbucks and Gregory's.
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Coffee by the sea
Coffee Island
The Greek coffee chain's seafront branch, praised for its brews and pastries and handy for a coffee on the way to the beach.
85 Posidonos AvenueExplore View on map
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Greek favourite
Gregory's Glyfada
Gregory's (Grigoris), Greece's favourite coffee and snack chain, on Glyfada's main shopping street: good-value coffee, freshly made sandwiches, koulouri, cheese pies and spanakopita to eat in or take away.
Angelou Metaxa StreetExplore View on map
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Specialty coffee
High Hope Specialty Coffee
A specialty coffee bar in upper Glyfada, one of the highest-rated in the area, for carefully made espresso and filter coffee.
29 Georgiou Gennimata StreetExplore View on map
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Coffee to cocktails
Oh Mama
A stylish all-day spot on Kyprou Street, good for coffee and people-watching in the afternoon and drinks as the street fills up at night.
48 Kyprou StreetExplore View on map
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French bakery
PAUL Glyfada
The French bakery-café on Kyprou Street for croissants, baguettes, quiches and tarts with your coffee.
70 Kyprou StreetExplore View on map
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Starbucks
Starbucks Glyfada
Starbucks on Glyfada's smart Kyprou Street, among the boutiques and palm trees: the familiar menu of lattes, Frappuccinos and pastries, with tables outside for people-watching. There's another branch on Lazaraki Street nearby.
55 Kyprou StreetExplore View on map
Coffee chains in the centre 3
Starbucks and Gregory's, Greece's own coffee and snack chain, for a quick coffee on the go.
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Greek favourite
Gregory's Monastiraki
Gregory's (Grigoris), Greece's own coffee and snack chain, right by Monastiraki Square: cheap and cheerful freddo espresso, cappuccino, fresh sandwiches, koulouri and pies, perfect for breakfast on the go. Branches all over Athens.
2 Athinas StreetExplore View on map
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Starbucks near Plaka
Starbucks Mitropoleos
Starbucks on Mitropoleos Street, on the edge of Plaka between the cathedral and Monastiraki Square: the familiar lattes, Frappuccinos and pastries, and a handy stop when exploring the old town.
Mitropoleos StreetExplore View on map
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On Syntagma Square
Starbucks Syntagma
Starbucks in the neoclassical Public building on Syntagma Square, opposite the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the top of Ermou Street: a reliable coffee stop at the heart of the city.
Syntagma Square (Public building, Karageorgi Servias Street)Explore View on map
Order a freddo espresso or freddo cappuccino in summer: Athens' favourite iced coffees. Many cafés also serve breakfast, sandwiches and cakes, and some turn into bars in the evening.
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