BEST WINE BARS IN ATHENS
Credit: Athens Insiders
The relationship between Athens and wine goes back to the roots of its history, during a time when wealthy Athenians of ancient times would gather and engage in philosophical conversations at exclusive wine and food parties called ‘symposia’.
There is an abundance of greek vines and wineries across the country with some of them being as popular as to be exported outside of Greece for the rest of the world to taste. The wine scene in Greece as we know it today has been relatively non-existent until about a decade ago when the economical crisis forced people for ‘cheaper than spirits and cocktails’ choices and the interest was turned in wine. The local grape production began blossoming and that was reflected in the rising sales and popularity of Greek wine.
This wine revival was also portrayed in the many new wine bars that appeared in Athens which quickly became a favourite spot for locals and travellers alike. Quality wines, elevated food and a friendly atmosphere is what this blog is about as we present you the best wine bars in Athens.
Written by Savina Skourmalla on 12-01-23
- Best wine bars in Athens – Monk Grapes and Spirits
Tucked away in the heart of Athens, you will find Monk Grapes and Spirits, one of the best wine bars in the city. This non-classic wine bar is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building and specialises in wine and hospitality.
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The spacious interior with the high ceilings, hanging wine glasses and dim lighting gives this bar a vintage atmosphere and it will make you feel like you travelled to a 1950ies New York bar. The bar is one of the largest in Athens and it’s divided into 3 different sections, one for wine, one for spirits and the other for food.
The famous sommelier Vasilis Papadopoulos who is responsible for the wine section has created a unique wine list that includes a variety of wines from a number of different countries and wineries, so there is definitely something for every taste. One thing you should absolutely not miss is the ‘secret cellar’ section of the menu that gives you the opportunity to taste wines that cannot be found in the market any longer. This is possible with the Coravin system that allows wine to be pumped out of the bottle without it actually being opened, so it’s also a great chance to see how this peculiar system works.
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The spirit and food sections are also well designed and a lot of thought was put into giving the guests of this wine bar a complete outing experience. The executive bar tender Petra Maragou has created some whimsical wine-based signature cocktails and has altered some classic favourite drinks to match perfectly with the food options of Monk Grapes and spirits.
Do not be intimidated by the refined character and sophisticated aura however. What makes Monk and Grapes one of the best wine bars in Athens is not just its ‘grapes’ but also the friendly, cosy atmosphere with lots of weekly events and live shows that bring Athenians closer for a relaxing time and a chat.
Address: Karori 4, Athina 105 51
Hours: 09:00 am – 03:00 am
Phone: 21 0321 1117
- Best wine bars in Athens – Materia Prima
The small and cosy Materia Prima is located very close to the Acropolis Museum, in the hip and fun Koukaki area. After a long day of sightseeing and exploring, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some of the best wines in town and some exceptional delicacies in a chill atmosphere with your friends. Materia Prima means ‘the best raw material’ and this is exactly what the owner Michalis Papatsibas had in mind when creating this bistro which is now considered one of the best wine bars in Athens.
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In the Materia Prima menu you will find about 40 different by-the-glass wines varying in prices with the cheapest starting at 5,00 euros. Its cellar provides about 800 labels of wine, provided by passionate smaller or bigger producers, so there is definitely something for everyone here as well.
You can enjoy a glass of wine paired with a hot or cold place, carefully picked to accompany each wine. Don’t be afraid to ask the highly trained and friendly staff for tips and recommendations if you don’t know what to choose from the menu. Enjoy a delicious roast beef brioche or am inspired carpaccio and explore new twisted tastes and some vegetarian options too.
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From Materia Prima’s e-shop you can select from a wide variety of wines as well as deli items that will be delivered to your door for you to enjoy the tastes of one of the best wine bars in Athens!
Address: Falirou 68, Athina 117 41
Hours: 06:00 pm – 01:30 am
Phone: 21 0924 5935
- Best wine bars in Athens – Oinoscent
The next wine bar on our list it’s not just one of the best in Athens but also one of the oldest and most loved. With a decade of experience, more than 1000 labels of wine and the most famous cacio e pepe in the country, Oinoscent is not playing when it comes to competing in the wine bar industry. However, the two owner-brothers Danis and Agis Agapitos along with top-greek sommelier Aris Sklavenitis take no success to their head. With constant changes and refreshing touches in the wine and exceptional food menu, they have managed to keep Oinoscent’s character authentic and exciting.
Credit: The good life
The wine list is constantly evolving, adding new wines from the best qualities in Greece. Here you will find 50 by-the-glass wines and a cellar with 1000 different wines from Greece and beyond. The staff’s passion about wine is perfectly reflected in the wine itself which they believe is best enjoyed with friends over a casual conversation.
The past few years, Oinoscent has expanded its cosy grounds as well as its menu, creating the most gourmet experience. The executive chef Giannis Tsakoudakis is creating extraordinary dishes that could compete with some of the finest restaurants in the city while raising the bar for Oinoscent even higher. His signature and most popular dish, Cacio e Pepe was created during the covid-19 lockdown when the chef added Tasmanian Pepper on the spaghetti and turned them into a pink explosion of taste. Among other favourite dishes one can find gnocchi with wild mushrooms, sage and an onsen style egg, flank steak with caesar’s sauce and even grilled octopus with polenta and pepper sauce.
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If you find yourself in Syntagma area, make sure to go down Voulis street and enjoy a spectacular meal+wine combo in this beautiful bistro and see for yourself why it’s considered one of the best wine bars in Athens!
Address: Voulis 45-47, Athina 105 57
Hours: 02:00 pm – 01:00 am
Phone: 21 0322 9374
- Best wine bars in Athens – Heteroclito Cave & Bar
In the same area of Syntagma, you will find another one of the best wine bars in Athens, the small yet bright Heteroclito Cave & Bar. This hip and colourful street bistro also counts a decade of being a meeting point of the locals with its cool and hip vibe and of course exceptional value-for-money wine list.
Credit: Greekality
This is probably the only wine bar in Athens that is exclusively dedicated to natural Greek wines, with about 15 of them by glass and around 200 labels in its cellar. Among them you will also find some of the rarest names that will make all wine-lovers geek out in delight! If you’re looking for something different and new to try, this is the perfect place for you!
Its name might be hard to pronounce but it will definitely be worth the struggle! In comparison with other wine bars, the food here is modest as Heteroclito focuses more on a fun, socialising experience through pure wines and in the hearts of Athenians it remains the spot with fond memories and fun nights with friends who loved to go back again and again.
Address: Fokionos 2, Athina 105 63
Hours: 12:30 pm – 12:00 am
Phone: 21 0323 9406Before exploring Athens by night, you have the opportunity to get to know the city by day like a true local! Our city bike tour is the perfect introduction to this vibrant and fun city and the best way to explore areas and places only true locals know. A fun cycling experience around the city centre complete with a long list of food and drink suggestions is all you need to make your stay in Athens truly unforgettable!
