3 Best Restaurants in Exarchia, Athens

Step out of Kallidromiou Street in edgy Exarcheia and find yourself in a large, lovely courtyard full of little tables and abundant greenery. Ama Lachei has gained a loyal following for its decently priced, delectable Greek dishes always made with a fanciful flourish and with bona fide ingredients. You'll find scrumptious regional cheeses; seafood appetizers such as orzo pasta with Kozani saffron and tiny shrimps; succulent meats and sausages; and plenty of vegetarian options such as the makarounes Karpathou (a traditional handmade pasta from Karpathos island) with rocket and myzithra cheese. Do like the Greeks, and accompany them with a gratifying choice of regional wines and tsipouro (the local firewater), then linger on with your parea (group of friends) until late at night. Every day there are five to nine new daily specials.

What started as a small café and then moved on to be a wine bar, has now become a popular wine restaurant that is busy almost every night of the week. With a list of more than 500 labels from Greece and around the world, the restaurant's focus is still very much on wine, but has also developed a menu with plenty of starters that are especially great for pairing with wine—from bruschettas and salads to carpaccio and ceviche, as well as hot meals like pasta and burgers. The in-house sommelier is always happy to suggest the ideal wine for you. In summer, tables are spread out along the long sidewalk while in winter it's a cozier affair. The restaurant also prides itself in its excellent quality of coffee, so pop by during the day, too.