Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alatsi
CRETAN $$$
( 210 721 0501; Vrasida 13, Ilissia; mains €12-17; 1pm-1am Mon-Sat; Evangelismos)
Alatsi
represents the new breed of trendy upscale restaurants, serving traditional Cretan cuisine,
such as
gamopilafo
(wedding pilaf) with lamb or rare
stamnagathi
(wild greens), to fash-
ionable Athenians.
Il Postino
ITALIAN $$$
( 210 364 1414; Grivaion 3, Kolonaki; pasta €8-12; Panepistimio)
In the mood for a plate of
homemade gnocchi with pesto before a night out clubbing? Sneak into this little side
street and sup under old photos of Roma.
Spondi
MEDITERRANEAN $$$
$$$
( 210 756 4021;
www.spondi.gr
; Pyrronos 5, Pangrati; mains €35-50; 8pm-late)
Two
Michelin-starred Spondi is consistently voted Athens' best restaurant, and the accolades
are totally deserved. It offers Mediterranean haute cuisine, with heavy French influences,
in a relaxed, chic setting in a charming old house. Choose from the menu or a range of
set dinner and wine
prix fixes
.
The restaurant has a lovely bougainvillea-draped garden. Book ahead, and take a cab -
it's hard to reach on public transport.
Drinking & Nightlife
One Athenian (and Greek) favoured pastime is going for coffee. Athens' ubiquitous,
packed cafes have Europe's most expensive coffee (between €3 and €5). You're essen-
tially hiring the chair and can linger for hours. Many daytime cafes and restaurants turn
into bars and clubs at night.
TOP NIGHTLIFE TIPS
»
Expect bars to begin filling after 11pm and stay open till late.
»
Right now, Gazi and the areas around Plateia Karytsi (north of Syntagma) and
Plateia Agia Irini (Monastiraki) have the most action, while Kolonaki steadfastly at-
tracts the trendier set.
