Where to eat and drink is a high priority for many travelers. For those who work in the industry, that’s especially the case. I’ve been in the wine business for more than 10 years, first as a wine buyer for a retail store in New York City, and then as a journalist for the past seven years. Finding the best places to get a glass in a new destination is one of the first things I research. This past summer, I headed to Athens for the first time and was intrigued by the city’s wine scene before even hitting the ground.
Photo: Heteroclito
The Best Wine Bars in Athens for a Taste of Greece's Long Viticultural History
Viticulture in Greece dates back thousands of years. However, the modern wine bar scene in Athens hadn’t really taken off until recently — about 15 years ago, to be exact. A handful of pioneering wine bars in the late 2000s led to a surge in noteworthy wine bars focused on quality. After surveying some industry friends for recs, and some on-the-ground research, these are the five wine bars in Athens you don’t want to miss, as well as two cocktail bars for a palate reset when you need a wine break.
The best wine bars in Athens
Best for natural wine lovers: Heteroclito
Located in the historic city center, Heteroclito is a wine lover’s paradise — especially for those fond of all things organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention. Founded in 2012, this natural wine haven has a 200-reference list focused on Greek varieties and under-the-radar producers, and is known for housing a solid collection of hard-to-find bottles. Food items are small but well curated — think cheeses, nuts, and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. By-the-glass wine options change at the start of each month. Cozy up at the bar or grab a window seat and enjoy the people watching with a glass of something local in hand (and feel free to grab something for the road, as the bar also sells bottles to go).
Heteroclito:Fokionos 2, Athina 105 63, Greece
Best for variety and globally-sourced picks: Oinoscent
Benchmark institutions like Oinoscent are largely to thank for the ascent of wine bars in Athens. It opened in late 2008 and moved to a larger space in 2012. Deemed one of the best vino-centric spots in the town, this spacious, industrial-feeling bar is characterized by high ceilings and concrete-colored walls. It also has one of the largest outdoor spaces in the neighborhood. Oinoscent’s well-curated selection hosts a variety of local and international picks, with 700 references to choose from in total and 50 rotating by-the-glass pours at all times. Best of all, Oinoscent is equally known for its show-stopping food menu, which has been spearheaded by chef John Tsikoudakis for the past six years. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the scallops crudo and colorful beetroot salad.
Oinoscent:Voulis 45-47, Athina 105 57, Greece
Best for local Greek wine and a seriously good meal: Pelagos
Situated in the Four Seasons Astir Palace in the Athens Riviera, Pelagos may be a bit off the beaten path. But the payoff — and unforgettable backdrop — are well worth the journey. Named after the Greek word for ocean, this Michelin-starred, wine-forward restaurant is best known for its signature Pelagos on Tour series, which takes guests on a journey of flavors through various regions of Greece without ever leaving their ocean-view seats. Spearheaded by chef Luca Piscazzi, the restaurant just unveiled its third edition of the tour, featuring food and wine picks from the Cycladic Islands of Santorini, Sifnos, and Naxos.
Although the restaurant’s signature meal highlights change, Pelagos’s rotating tours always highlight seasonal ingredients from land and sea, as well as an all-Greek wine pairing upon request (both six and nine-course menu options are available). Wine lovers will take delight in extensive offerings from benchmark Greek producers, including Hatzidakis and Vassaltis, as well as over 25 selections poured by the glass at all times.
Pelagos: Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece
Best for exploring a wide range of options: By the Glass
Founded in 2012 Fotini Pantzia, By the Glass is a wine-focused bistrot located in the center of Athens just a few steps away from the National Botanical Garden. Housed in the Ralli Gallery, the bar’s tranquil location offers a quiet reprieve from the bustling city streets — white marble floors and high ceilings included. Over 200 wines are poured by the glass at all times, providing numerous options to pair with the bistrot’s hearty cuisine (both meat and veggie-forward options available). During warm weather months, guests can sit back and enjoy a seat in the bar’s massive garden surrounded by greenery and stone walls. In addition to the bar’s extensive by-the-glass pours (as the name implies), By the Glass also offers a reserve wine list, featuring myriad old vintages of classic Greek varieties.
By the Glass: Souri 3, Athina 105 57, Greece
Best for pairing with small plates: Pharaoh
Co-founded by local food and travel journalist Fotis Vallatos, it comes as no surprise that Pharaoh has quickly captured the hearts of wine-loving Athens locals and visitors alike (as well as industry awards). Located in an industrial-inspired ambiance, Pharaoh’s 400 natural wine offerings are served alongside seasonal, flavor-packed small plates, which are prepared in the on-site wood-fired ovens, wood-fired stoves, and charcoal grill (all cooking is done without electricity or gas). Those looking to keep their visit wine focused can grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the selections of Perry Panagiotakopoulos, which highlight both locally-sourced Greek and globally-inspired picks from France, Spain, and beyond.
Pharaoh: Solomou 54, Athina 106 82, Greece
For when you need a wine break
Tiki drinks in Athens: Baba Au Rhum
Baba Au Rhum is nothing short of an institution in Greece’s craft cocktail scene. Now celebrating its 15th year in business, this legendary cocktail bar’s offerings are broken down into two main categories, The Avant Garde Cocktails and The Rum Society, with subsequent sections featuring beers, wines, and spirits. In addition to its well-crafted—and XL-sized—drinks (all of which are served in uniquely designed tiki glasses), Baba Au Rhum is known for its colorful ambiance and emphasis on hospitality, which regularly garner the spot on The World’s 50 Best List. Beyond its craft libations, the bar proudly stocks over 400 rum references, but for those looking to imbibe in the bar’s signature drink, the team’s infamous Baba’s Zombie is where it’s at.
Baba Au Rhum: Klitiou 6, Athina 105 60, Greece
Best for drinks with a view: GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Grande Bretagne
For me, few things in life beat a good hotel bar, and one as good as the GB Roof Garden at the Hotel Grande Bretagne promises to leave a lasting impression. Perched atop the hotel’s eighth floor at Syntagma Square, the bar’s spacious lounge area has both indoor and outdoor seating, which offer some of the best — if not the best — views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Dress code is smart casual (no beachwear, flip flops, or athleisure), and non-guests of the hotel are welcome to grab a drink and enjoy the view. Go at night when the sites are lit up, and make this the spot where you get your gin martini fix.
GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar: 1 Vasileos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square Str, Athina 105 64, Greece 