Excavating the Athens specialty espresso scene is a fragile stability of custom and modernity. For many years the locals have gathered in Kafeneia—their model of conventional espresso homes—to smoke cigarettes, talk about the information, and deal with their Komboloi beads. Over time the tastes have modified from thick Greek espresso, to medium-roast espresso drinks, and now, the beginnings of a shift to filter espresso.
What’s fascinating is even in essentially the most fashionable cafe, you’ll see pensioners dropping in to take pleasure in a cappuccino, or purchase a bag of espresso beans. As I used to be ready my flip, I witnessed an aged girl double-park in the midst of the road, rush into the cafe, ask for a bag of Peruvian espresso roast espresso, and peel off down the street. The juxtaposition of sun shades and thin jeans-clad clients, sipping filter espresso beside cappuccino-drinking pensioners is a really Greek factor, and it’s a sight to behold.
Greece can be residence of the well-known “Freddo”. You possibly can’t stroll a half block with out seeing a number of locals clutching to-go cups. It’s a nationwide infatuation. Whether or not they’re ingesting a Freddo espresso (espresso blended with ice), or a Freddo cappuccino (the identical espresso recipe, however with a layer of chilled, aerated milk) locals have a tendency to love theirs with a contact of sugar. To compensate for this, even specialty outlets favor medium-light roast blends for his or her normal drinks.
Followers of a lighter roasting fashion will nonetheless discover loads of pleasure in Athens, as most cafes carry single origin choices. Hand brews are extensively out there, however should not overly common. The nation continues to be intoxicated with espresso-based espresso, and that is the place your Greek odyssey ought to begin.
Zudi Espresso Co
Newly opened Zudi is situated within the northern suburb of Marousi, a 30-minute trip from downtown Athens by metro. Fortunately, it’s value each jolt and screech of the previous M1 line, and should you sit on the right-hand facet you may even catch a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium. The store acts as a midway home between a high-end specialty bar and a area people cafe. A spiral staircase leads you to an higher flooring with all of the prospers you’d count on: Standart magazines, picket finishes, and hanging furnishings. Downstairs, the retail wall pops with brewing tools from Timemore, and Zudi’s personal espresso, housed in vibrant containers.
“We selected the patterns on the espresso packaging to resemble the hides or pores and skin of the animals from the espresso’s origin nation,” states Orestis Sfiris, Zudi’s co-owner.
Critical espresso lovers shouldn’t balk on the location. Orestis Sfiris is a multi-award-winning Hellenic Cup Taster (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024), while considered one of his (4 in whole) enterprise companions, Nikos Kanakaris, is each a WCC licensed choose and an SCA coach. When not competing, they serve espresso-based espresso, chilly brew, occasional V60s, and small bites to their loyal neighborhood clientele, a big consider why they opened on this location.
I loved a juicy and balanced Kamagogo from Kenya with pink berry and chocolate tones, and earlier than bidding farewell, a fantastically extracted pure Ethiopian Chelbesa espresso, which had a velvety mouthfeel, sweetness, and citric notes.
Lobby Espresso Bar
The hill behind the Nationwide Backyard rises gently up Eratosthenous road, bending left into Eftichidou, and a pointy proper on Vriaxidos leads you to Lobby Espresso Bar. The white brick inside is trendy and basic, with a La Marzocco espresso machine plum within the center, and a V60 station up entrance. They bake in-house, and supply a effectively curated menu of filter espresso choices that includes altering roasters.
Lobby is effectively regarded in espresso circles. Co-owner Giorgos Papantoniou took first place within the 2025 Hellenic Brewers Cup competitors, and was available to brew me a uncommon pure processed Kenya espresso, from Kamavindi property. An SL28 selection with vibrant acidity, a pop of berries and a creamy physique, roasted by Folks Possession (who have been a Finalist for Notable Roaster within the 2025 Sprudgie Awards).
Scorching Tip: When you’ve made it up the hill to Lobby, give your legs an additional half kilometer exercise and reward them with the legendary phyllo pastry desserts at Galaktompoureko Galyfianaki.
Oven Roastery
One other new child on the Athens espresso scene, opened in March 2026, this fashionable warehouse is residence to top-of-the-line new outlets on the town. Oven has a number of branches in Athens, however the Roastery is a 20-minute practice trip from Monastiraki, and a block and a half from the station. Housed in an open, inviting concrete and wooden constructing, the espresso right here is actually wonderful.
“Candy espresso, candy is what I’m going for. To supply nice high quality inexperienced espresso, attempt to roast it to spotlight the weather of the variability, after which brew it completely with nice water. That is what we’re aiming to do right here,” states head roaster Dimitris Pantelis.
Pantelis discovered his commerce at Samba Espresso Roasters. He determined it was time to unfold his wings, purchased a model new 15kg Loring machine, and began roasting his personal espresso. I tasted a fruity and acidic Brazilian espresso from Barinas Farm, and a fantastically candy Colombian honey processed pour-over. They presently have two coffees on supply, however the long run plan is to include new coffees, slowly, once they really feel they’re prepared.
Omsom
Omsom was one of many first specialty locations to open outdoors the downtown space, bringing that metropolis centre vibe to the neighborhoods. Their department in Koukaki is an open, chatty espresso store with a big unfold of tables tucked beneath an arcade. They’ve a devoted pour-over counter sitting like an omakase nook, permitting friends to ask about origins and roast profiles throughout the brew course of. Of the 2 areas that is the intense, minimalist one. When you’re feeling peckish, strive considered one of their pizzas, with a tiramisu for dessert.
At their Peristeri location, head roaster Nikos Bellis charts roasting curves on a Greek made Coffeetool machine. Inside is much less Scandinavian minimalism, and extra “unbiased espresso store of the 90’s vibe.” I ordered a pure processed Heirloom selection from Ethiopia, ready V60 fashion. It had strawberry and pink apple hints, with a chocolate undertone. On the Koukaki department, I sipped a fruity Murue Kavutiri hand-pour from Kenya, and a washed Papayo espresso from Colombia, which confirmed hints of apricot, a velvety mouthfeel and pronounced acidity.
Their vibe could be summed up by the slogan on their take-away cups: “Have an OMSOM day.”
Myller Espresso Store
“This was an previous cobbler store, which we took over and determined to maintain the identify. The realm was actually sketchy, however we believed issues would flip round, and now it has turn out to be one of the common hangout areas in downtown Athens,” says Myller proprietor Nikos Vasiloudis.
Myller may simply have been planted on Venice Seashore. This graffiti adorned nook bar emits a grand mixture of summer time, nice playlists, and critical vitality. Inside is a frenzy of blenders on full blast, espresso machines cranking, and trays being collected by keen clients. Aside from a bench inside, many of the seating house is outdoor, good for these lengthy spring days.
The blends and single origin beans are provided by Handpickers, a roaster from the neighborhood of Kallithea. Well-known for creating blends that work effectively with milk-based drinks, it’s the good match. After tasting each the scrumptious Freddo cappuccino and espresso, I switched to an Ethiopian handbrew—a pure Heirloom from Bildimoo Dance. It was ready on a Intelligent dripper, to maintain issues as constant as attainable.
The brownies and banana bread promote out shortly right here, so come early if you need a slice.
Darg
2024 Greek roasting champion Anargyros Fakos is the brains behind Darg. His small roaster/cafe on Evridamantos road is speckled with private touches. Darkish interiors, partitions coated in collages, and an Ozzy Osbourne vinyl on outstanding show. That is the polar reverse of a industrial espresso chain.
He roasts in-house on a fairly uncommon Silon ZR7, which supplies an unimaginable vary over the variables. This helps shield the pure sweetness and inherent flavors of the espresso and nonetheless roast it a light-medium. My Colombian espresso, from Finca El Bosque, was syrupy and fruity, with an extended end. It had meyer lemon and apricot notes that have been effectively pronounced. Subsequent up was a Guatemalan pink Catuai ready on an Origami dripper at a 1:15 ratio.
Anana
With a give attention to plant-based meals objects, weekly rotating dessert specials, and a barely lighter profile than most in Athens, Anana is a severely cool cafe to spend your mornings. They roast their very own single-origin espresso, and serve blends with their Freddo and milk drinks. The workers are continually on their toes as a result of the tempo is relentless, so if you wish to ask questions on extraction instances, select your second.
My morning cup coincided with a slight pause within the frenetic foot-traffic, and I may pick the delicate florals and sweetness of their Nicaraguan Finca Idealista Gesha, brewed on a V60. My second cup I left as much as the barista, and he shocked me with a Pacamara that had undergone a double fermentation with watermelon.
The Underdog
Winner of quite a few awards (2007 Barista Championship and the 2008 World Espresso in Good Spirits championship), and serving as a contest finalists coach, Tasos Delichristos’ influence on the Athens espresso scene is unparalleled. His flagship retailer is situated close to the trail main as much as the Acropolis, two minutes from the Thiseo metro station.
Their flagship department is a multi-floor operation. The primary flooring incorporates the primary store, and a devoted espresso station. Be happy to drag up a stool and chat while ordering your pour-over. The workers have been very happy to debate brewing ratios and water minerals, so you may let your interior nerd out. I used to be served a pure processed Ethiopian Heirloom selection as a batch brew, adopted by a fruity washed Kamwangi AA Kenya espresso as V60.
The second retail location in fashionable Kipseli, is a smaller take-out solely retailer.
Mokka
For followers of the extra conventional Greek brewing strategies, this establishment on the cusp of the busy Varvakios Central market delivers greater than meets the attention. Espresso drinks brewed with their very own beans are a fantastic choice for these purists pining for a time earlier than espresso went in “waves”. Must you need to check the waters additional, that is the place on the town to take pleasure in an Ibrik-style espresso, the place finely floor espresso is ready in a Hovoli (a mattress of sizzling sand the place espresso is heated in a small copper or brass pot).
I opted for an Ethiopian single-origin espresso “ibrik” fashion, and it had nice acidity and sweetness. The cafe itself is a wonderful shade of retro, with excessive ceilings, and comfortable tables outdoors kissing the home windows on a busy sidewalk, permitting the true grit of Athens to create the backdrop. As per widespread sense in massive cities, hold a eager eye in your belongings.
Scorching Tip: Though it has been written about in numerous magazines, the basement restaurant Diporto is actually an Athens staple. Seize a desk and allow them to serve you a number of plates of straightforward, home-cooked meals. It’s a minute’s stroll from Mokka.
Taf
Final, however positively not least, Taf is the patriarch of the Athens specialty scene. A de-facto college the place lots of the metropolis’s champions and low store homeowners honed their abilities. They supply all their espresso by direct commerce, visiting farms to verify employees receives a commission a good wage. Aside from ordering a drink, TAF can be a fantastic place to choose up tools corresponding to filter papers and drippers.
My order was a single property Las Delicias from Nicaragua and an Ethiopian heirloom from To-La reserve, served with three completely different cups to style and expertise various aromas and flavors. Grigoria Katsikarou ready them, and being a sensory espresso championship choose, it is sensible serving it this manner. Must you be a fan of batch brew, on the time of writing they have been serving an Alida Gesha.
(For additional studying on Taf, you may confer with the Sprudge interview with founder Yannis Taloumis right here)
Scorching Tip: Taf is a brief stroll from two of Athens’ most legendary spots. Ktistakis, the undisputed king of loukoumades (a deep fried crispy dough ball soaked in syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds and cinnamon). And Stani, a must-do on any Athens itinerary for his or her sheep’s yogurt with honey and nuts.
Extra Suggestions
After three weeks of step counts and caffeine over-indulgence, the Athens scene positively warrants a deeper dive. Must you be right here on a brief weekend visiting the websites, then keep on with the downtown outlets, however in case you have the motivation to essentially see what makes the town tick, then take a metro or bus out to one of many additional cafes, and spend a morning chatting with a barista about this superb group.
The information above would make an epic itinerary for any cafe lover. However do you have to want extra, you’ll find a fantastic cup of espresso at any of the next spots too. I visited all of them.
CAFEISTAS – Whereas not a standard walk-in cafe, the affect of Cafeistas is immeasurable. Working out of an enormous manufacturing unit in Peristeri, they proceed to provide dozens of retailers round Greece, and have been foundational in offering the coaching to many champions and roasters.
KAYA – An OG within the espresso scene of Athens. It’s a ceremony of passage to seize a take-away espresso from this store.
KROSS COFFEE ROASTERS – Award successful roasters from Chania, Crete, housed in a minimalist espresso store very near Lobby Espresso Bar.
BEHOLD THEMAN – Fashionable twist on a punk squat vibe, serving Omsom espresso so you may drink your favorite brew with out heading to the suburbs.
WILLIWAW – Kipseli is the brand new fashionable space in Athens, and Williwaw is a good cafe well-known for his or her sandos and low roasted by The Handpickers.
SAMBA – With a number of areas round city, Samba is a protected guess for a Freddo espresso on the run. Large number of single-origin coffees.
MOTE – Fashionable cafe in Piraeus serving espresso by native roasting legend Create.
KUDU – Ibrik, filter espresso and batch brews. Reverse Lobby Espresso Bar, so you are able to do a triple-dip with Kross.
Benjamin Sand is a contract journalist and the creator of The Mouth. Learn extra Benjamin Sand for Sprudge.
