Athens has fed travellers for thousands of years, but its fine dining story is much younger. Over the past two decades, the city has built a serious following among food lovers.
Its best tables are rarely where you expect them. Some sit above the sea, others in garden terraces and hotel courtyards away from the crowds.
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Athens on the MICHELIN Map
The MICHELIN Guide first covered Athens in 1987. Spondi earned the city’s first star in 2002. The most recent Athens selection, published for 2024, listed 36 restaurants. Delta held two stars and 11 restaurants held one.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, said at the launch: “Greek cuisine embodies the soul of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.” The guide is now expanding in Greece. Santorini and Thessaloniki join Athens in the 2026 edition, with the new selection due in the second half of the year.
Starred Tables Worth Planning a Trip Around
Delta: Two Stars Above the Sea
Delta sits on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, with views towards the sea. Chef George Papazacharias serves a single 12-course tasting menu.
Much of the produce comes from the restaurant’s own vegetable garden or from local, sustainable sources. A vegetarian version and wine pairings are available.
Spondi: Terraces in Pangrati
Spondi, near the Panathenaic Stadium, held two stars from 2008 to 2019 and holds one in the 2024 guide. Chef Arnaud Bignon’s dining rooms open onto two Mediterranean-inspired terraces.
Soil: Cooking From the Garden
Chef Tasos Mantis runs Soil around a winter garden used all year, plus a terrace. Herbs come from a vegetable garden tended by his father.
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The Courtyard Effect
Outdoor tables are part of everyday Athenian life, and the city’s top kitchens have embraced them.
Patio, in the coastal suburb of Vouliagmeni, occupies the inner courtyard of The Margi hotel, about half an hour from central Athens.
Chef Panagiotis Giakalis cooks modern Greek dishes with a farm-to-plate approach, using produce from his own farm when possible.
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Beyond the Stars: Bib Gourmand Favourites
MICHELIN’s Bib Gourmand marks good cooking at good value. The 2024 Athens selection named six, including newcomers Akra and Pharaoh.
These are the places to taste everyday Greek cooking done well between tasting-menu dinners.
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How Athens’ Starred Restaurants Compare
| Restaurant | Area | Stars (2024 guide) | Setting | Chef |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | Kallithea | 2 | Fifth-floor dining room with sea views | George Papazacharias |
| Spondi | Pangrati | 1 | Two Mediterranean-inspired terraces | Arnaud Bignon |
| Soil | Central Athens | 1 | Winter garden and terrace | Tasos Mantis |
| Patio | Vouliagmeni | 1 | Inner courtyard of The Margi hotel | Panagiotis Giakalis |
Where to Stay for a Food-Focused Trip
A culinary trip works best with a base that feels private after long dinners. Some travellers prefer a residence over a hotel.
For that kind of stay, Athens-based OLIAROS offers luxury villas in Athens as part of its wider collection of homes across Greece.
If you are planning a wider gourmet itinerary, browse our food and drink stories or read about three-star Mirazur on the French Riviera.
Watch: MICHELIN Guide Athens
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=799Xg_pgSSs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Michelin-starred restaurants does Athens have?
The 2024 selection listed 12: Delta with two stars and 11 with one. A new selection is due in the second half of 2026, so check the guide for updates.
Which Athens restaurant has two Michelin stars?
Delta, on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
What is a Bib Gourmand?
It is a MICHELIN distinction for restaurants serving good quality food at good value.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes. Tasting-menu restaurants seat a limited number of guests, so reserve well before you travel.
A Capital Worth Tasting Slowly
Athens rewards diners who look beyond the obvious. Pair one starred dinner with courtyard lunches and neighbourhood tavernas for the full picture.
For more destination ideas, explore our travel and hotels section.
All imagery courtesy of Unsplash. Featured imagery courtesy of Unsplash//Despina Galani/Grigorii Shcheglov/Delightin Dee.