Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants in Athens
Looking for breakfast places in Athens? The bad news is that you could be looking for a while- breakfast for a Greek usually entails an iced coffee and a cigarette. Still there are countless bakeries, cafes, and even some decent fast food restaurants that serve up a pretty good way to start the day. Here are our top ten breakfast spots in Athens:
First on our list is, admittedly, a real treat that might be more than the average breakfast-goer is looking for unless he or she happens to be a guest at the King George Palace. But with its homemade breads, cheeses, yogurt and olives brought in from their own farm in Crete, few can deny that the Tudor Palace is giving the freshest, tastiest breakfast in the city and with a drop dead gorgeous view of the Acropolis.
Now that we have the luxe option out of the way, we can come back down to earth: Paul's Boulangerie off of Panepistimiou and Eric Kayser (stores in Kolonaki and Flisvos Marina) are both Parisian franchises that have done exceedingly well here in Athens. While Paul's is better for sitting and enjoying a quiche Lorraine or a baguette with coffee, the crowd can get dense and the service, spotty. Eric Kayser will most assuredly be less crowded, even if it means eating on your feet. If pastries and coffee are indeed your thing and the weather is nice, check out the sidewalk cafe, Filion, in Kolonaki, particularly pleasant on the weekends.
Makriyianni 3 and Regal are both along the pedestrian path of Makriyiannis opposite the New Acropolis Museum. The former has delicious egg, tomato and cheese sandwiches served open-faced and big enough to share. The prices are more than fair. Regal's prices are higher and the variety is not as large but they do have a more comfortable place to dine and pretty mean omelet. Tramezzini, a "gourmet street food" cafe around the corner, is one of the only places in the city where you can find a bagel.
For something cheap and decadent, head to Krinos, a famous institution for Loukimades, or Greek donuts. Ariston Bakery is likewise known for their stuffed, savory pies, some of the best in the city. If you prefer to sit go to nearby Chatzis and order one there- that is if you can resist sampling their excellent sweets.
It should be noted that if your hours are odd for Greek standards, meaning you prefer to eat before 9am, Everest is a 24 hour fast food restaurant always popping cheese and spinach pies in the oven. They certainly don't deliver the same quality as the aforementioned places but for convenience, they're top.
First on our list is, admittedly, a real treat that might be more than the average breakfast-goer is looking for unless he or she happens to be a guest at the King George Palace. But with its homemade breads, cheeses, yogurt and olives brought in from their own farm in Crete, few can deny that the Tudor Palace is giving the freshest, tastiest breakfast in the city and with a drop dead gorgeous view of the Acropolis.
Now that we have the luxe option out of the way, we can come back down to earth: Paul's Boulangerie off of Panepistimiou and Eric Kayser (stores in Kolonaki and Flisvos Marina) are both Parisian franchises that have done exceedingly well here in Athens. While Paul's is better for sitting and enjoying a quiche Lorraine or a baguette with coffee, the crowd can get dense and the service, spotty. Eric Kayser will most assuredly be less crowded, even if it means eating on your feet. If pastries and coffee are indeed your thing and the weather is nice, check out the sidewalk cafe, Filion, in Kolonaki, particularly pleasant on the weekends.
Makriyianni 3 and Regal are both along the pedestrian path of Makriyiannis opposite the New Acropolis Museum. The former has delicious egg, tomato and cheese sandwiches served open-faced and big enough to share. The prices are more than fair. Regal's prices are higher and the variety is not as large but they do have a more comfortable place to dine and pretty mean omelet. Tramezzini, a "gourmet street food" cafe around the corner, is one of the only places in the city where you can find a bagel.
For something cheap and decadent, head to Krinos, a famous institution for Loukimades, or Greek donuts. Ariston Bakery is likewise known for their stuffed, savory pies, some of the best in the city. If you prefer to sit go to nearby Chatzis and order one there- that is if you can resist sampling their excellent sweets.
It should be noted that if your hours are odd for Greek standards, meaning you prefer to eat before 9am, Everest is a 24 hour fast food restaurant always popping cheese and spinach pies in the oven. They certainly don't deliver the same quality as the aforementioned places but for convenience, they're top.
