It’s easy to assume that the finest fish in Greece is found on the islands, but Athens has some incredible seafood restaurants that far too many people overlook. Athenians take their gastronomy seriously, so prepare to discover some seriously tasty seafood here!
If you ever joined one of my Athens food tours, you’ll know how fanatical I am about the oceanic offerings in this city. Between grilled fresh catches and mouthwatering shellfish, there’s so much more to the culinary scene here than what you might expect.
These are the spots to check out to uncover the best seafood in Athens, Greece.
Photo credit: Psarochori
Psarochori is a gorgeous spot in the stylish Kolonaki area, and it took me until my most recent visit to Athens to discover this place and its delicious food.
It doesn’t look like you’re typical Greek seafood tavern. Instead, it’s got a bright and airy dining area with wooden and white decor, tall ceilings, and a lovely, relaxed vibe.
Their menu had a fantastic selection of seafood, and I instantly wished I’d arrived a little hungrier so I could have tried more of the dishes! I opted for two smaller dishes: steamed mussels and sea bass ceviche.
The first dish the waiter presented me with was a bowl of delicate, soft mussels infused with citrussy white wine and roasted garlic. Within minutes, I’d finished the mussels and moved on to the ceviche, which was every bit as light, zingy, and acidic as I’d hoped.
Psarochori (€€) – Tsocha 21, Athina 115 21, Greece – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, open every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Ristorante Atlantikos isn’t just one of the most beloved restaurants in the Psyri neighborhood; it has some of the best seafood in Athens.
This is a classic Mediterranean eatery with an edge. The indoor area is simple and understated, but I was much keener on sitting outside and admiring the bold graffiti-esque art and doing some people-watching.
Seafood dishes of every kind were available here, including pasta, salads, soups, and fried varieties. I’d heard a lot about their oven-baked anchovies, so I ordered a portion to pair with some fava.
To this day, I’m still stunned by the high quality of the grub here, especially considering the relatively affordable price tags. The anchovies were cooked to perfection and bursting with salty, umami flavors that complemented the creamy, nutty fava.
Ristorante Atlantikos (€€) – Avliton 7, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
Photo credit: Fish Market
Fish Market‘s name is even more fitting than I initially expected. Each morning, this Kolonaki haunt sells fresh fish, and by night, it transforms into one of Athen’s best seafood restaurants.
Minimalistic and chic, the decor combines white tiles and striking faux greenery, giving it a laid back but sophisticated ambiance. The waitress informed me that I could pick something from the menu or some fresh seafood from their market display, which I thought was pretty great.
I loved the idea of selecting my own fish, so I made my way over the counter and decided on some red mullet.
Even though almost every table was full when I got there, my food came out surprisingly fast. It would have been worth the wait either way, as the juicy, shrimp-like flavors were divine. On the side was a generous portion of tender, mellow chicory, and a zingy, citrus-based sauce.
Fish Market (€€) – Dorileou 7, Athina 115 21, Greece – Open every Monday to Saturday from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Photo credit: Thinalos
If you’re looking for island vibes in the heart of Athens, I don’t think it gets much better than Thinalos in the Metaxourgeio area.
The interior here instantly made me feel as if I had arrived in Mykonos or Santorini. Think white wooden furnishings, stone-covered walls, and rows of delicious fish on display.
As fabulous as all the Greek food on the menu sounded, I kept finding myself drawn to the linguine with prawns. I soon learned from the waiter that it’s among the most popular dishes here, so it’s safe to say I had high hopes.
It looked even more appetizing than I’d expected, with perfectly sweet and firm prawns sitting above a bed of al dente linguine. Both were covered in a rich, zesty tomato-based sauce and teamed with a dusting of nutty parmesan.
At the end of the meal, I was offered some licorice-like ouzo as a digestive, which I thought was a lovely touch.
Thinalos (€€) – Chiou 7, Athina 104 38, Greece – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Had you told me I’d find some of the best seafood in Athens, Greece, in the city center near Monastiraki, I’d never have believed you! Yet, Nissos Seafood Tavern proves that you don’t always need to get off the beaten path to find delectable seafood dishes.
The atmosphere at this traditional Greek eatery is almost as good as the food. Their lively terrace, with its nostalgic blue and white decor, is the kind of place where I could happily sit for hours.
Even though I’d been craving shellfish before I got here, the sea bream tickled my fancy when I looked through the menu. At least half of the tables around me were ordering the calamari to start, so I had to sample some for myself, too.
I may have ordered a little too much for one person, but the crispy and mild golden calamari rings were sensational. However, the sea bream was on another level, and the meaty, clean filets were some of the tastiest I’d ever tried.
Nissos Seafood Tavern (€€) – Christokopidou 1, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open every day from 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Photo credit: Seawolf
Seawolf in the Koukaki neighborhood was recommended to me multiple times, but it was only about a year ago when I finally made it here.
Before I even got as far as looking at the menu, I had a good feeling about this place. The sleek wooden tables, glowing fairy lights, and stone walls made the entire restaurant feel warm and cozy.
Their menu was small but diverse, offering everything from tuna burgers to cod roe dip. I was famished when I sat down, so I went for smoked sardines to start, followed by the cuttlefish risotto.
I have a soft spot for sardines as it is, but the toasted notes and fruity olive oil enhanced the briny flavors of the fish.
My cuttlefish risotto was just as scrumptious, and I finished every last bite despite how full I was. While the fish was slightly chewy with subtle flavors, the rice was decadent, velvety, and aromatic.
Seawolf (€€) – Dimitrakopoulou 35, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open every Monday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Photo credit: Cookoovaya
Just outside the Kolonaki neighborhood is Cookoovaya, a fine dining, Michelin-star restaurant that serves up some of the best seafood in Athens, Greece.
It’s a super upscale spot, but the floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral color palette, and refined furniture give it some contemporary flair.
This menu mainly consisted of fish dishes, but there were a handful of meat alternatives that looked equally as tempting. That said, this place has a reputation for seafood, so I went for the fish of the day, which happened to be grouper on this occasion.
Grouper is a favorite of mine, and the red variety here was sweet, moist, and flaky. The accompaniments were also exquisite, including silky, garlic-imbued potatoes and herbaceous lemon sauce.
Cookoovaya (€€€€) – Chatzigianni Mexi 2a, Athina 115 28, Greece – Open every day from 1:00 pm to 12:00 am
Photo credit: Milos
Milos near Syntagma Square is among the hottest spots in Athens for seafood. It’s somewhere I frequently recommend to any fellow foodies looking for somewhere a little on the fancier side during their visit to the Greek capital.
The polished furniture, subdued colors, and regal gold touches inside perfectly set the tone of this restaurant, which is elegant and inviting.
At Milos, the staff members are second to none and offer so many excellent insights into each dish. I decided to go for the lobster, as it’d be far too long since I’d indulged in some shellfish.
It came out slathered with punchy garlic and melted butter, which added depth to the gentle flavors of the succulent, slightly fishy flesh. For my side dish, I chose the hand-cut fries, and each crunchy, salty mouthful contrasted the textures and tastes of the lobster.
Milos (€€€) – 3-5, Kolokotroni Street, Athina 105 62, Greece – Open every day from 7:00 am to 11:00 am and from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
You might be setting sail in Athens, or perhaps you’re visiting the city to soak up the millennia-old history. Either way, you have to carve out some time to swing by these eateries and sample some of the best seafood in Athens, Greece!
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