Athens has changed a lot in the last couple of years. Apparently, the economic crisis has brought a lot of new ideas to the youth. The food could not be left out of course, as we are in Greece, a country of food lovers!

Even though breakfast and brunch were not even popular in Greece a couple of years ago, it has now become a new trend for locals to go out for brunch. But since we are in Greece and everything is late, no rash guys! You can most of the times go for breakfast and especially brunch, all day long! No stress, you don't have to wake up early or even worse go for brunch only in the weekends like in most European cities I have been to.

Here I will try to list some of my favorite places for brunch and breakfast, all of them located in the center or within a walking distance with only one exception.

 1. Bel Ray

Bel Ray is one of the places I often go for brunch. Don’t miss the chance to visit the neighborhood of Koukaki! The interesting fact is that it manages to maintain its local vibe even though it is right in the heart of Athens! This place used to be an old car garage, until it was transformed into a modern classy cafe-bar and snack place, with a beautiful interior design. Go for the Croque Madame, yeast bread, smoked ham, bechamel, emmental cheese and tomato. The Rachel is also a great choice, if you want to try something with some typical Greek ingredients. It is a yeast bread with sour cabbage, emmental cheese, mayo and chicken “apaki”, which is salted smoked lean chicken, typically found in Crete.

Location: Falirou 88, Koukaki

Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 2am. Kitchen closing until 11pm.

2. The Underdog

The beautiful area of Thissio offers not only great views but also great food! Go to the Underdog and sit outside in its courtyard and enjoy your breakfast in a chill atmosphere. The menu offers a great variety of tasty omelettes and Benedict eggs and all of them are amazing! But if you want to try something more Greek and special, go for its Greek style Burrito, with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, olives, feta cheese, oregano and Greek yogurt. The Greek omelette, with onions, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese is to die for.

Location: Iraklidon 8, Thissio

Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 11pm. Serving brunch Monday to Sunday from 10am.

Read also: Best Traditional Greek Desserts And Where To Try Them In Athens (Part 1)

3. Momo

Located in the local neighborhood of Kallithea, close to the center, this place will surprise you with its garden. But that is not the only reason to visit it. It serves amazing brunch. Try the melt cheese sandwich or any grilled sandwich, and definitely the Paella, which is served after 5, so make sure you save some space in your tummy! Another great option is the picnic eggs (two boiled eggs stuffed with bacon, mushrooms and grated Greek “graviera” cheese served on a toasted bread). Believe me, this brunch is a good reason to go to Kallithea!

Location: Sapfous 95, Kyprou Square, Kallithea

Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 2am. Special brunch menu available on Sundays (multiple brunch option also daily available).

4. Novak

New spot in the city founded by two people with big dreams. With its industrial design and the green velvet sofas, you will instantly feel you are maybe not in Athens, but in some other London or Berlin bar! Just like its name implies (“novak” is a serbian word to define something special that just arrived), its brunch is amazing! Everything on the menu is excellent, but try to order something that includes or comes with bread, since they make it there and it's super fresh and tasty.

Location: Aggelou Piri 6, Athens

Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 2am.

Interested in experiencing the local Greek cuisine?

5. Spiti mas (now closed)

As the name clearly indicates (“spiti mas” means “our home” in Greek), this place offers a family, homey atmosphere. It even offers a bed, if you want to rest yourself! If you are looking for a cozy atmosphere and some interesting, unconventional kind of brunch, you should not miss this place! Spitimas offers amazing huge homemade pies, with minced meat, pepper or cheese. Go for its soups too, there is an interesting variety.

Location: Navarchou Apostoli 10, Psyrri

Opening hours: Daily from 9:30am to 4pm.

Read also: 7 Best Traditional Greek Dishes And Where To Find Them In Athens

6. Beauty killed the Beast

Guys, do me a favor, don’t miss this place, located in the upcoming, trendy local area of Keramikos/Metaxourgeio. You will love this 30’s old house, the cozy interior design but most importantly its brunch! This place is honestly one of my favorite places for all day long visits. Go definitely for its “shakshuka”. It is a plate of eggs in oriental tomato sauce with spices and feta cheese accompanied with bread and baked traditional cheese from the island of Lesvos. Another amazing option is the savory rainbow pancakes with eggs and “apaki” (three different pancakes with sweet potato, spinach and beetroot, accompanied with Greek cheese “mastello” and traditional greek smoked ham “apaki”).

Location: Paramithias 14, Keramikos

Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 4am.

7. Zampano

This place takes its name from Fellini’s tragi-comic hero in “La Strada” a wandering street performer and a reckless lover. It is a pure diamond located in a neoclassical building in the vibrant area of Psyrri. Elegant interior design and soft music combined with really excellent food. For brunch, I personally love the twisted homemade pie with feta cheese, honey and sesame, all of them so typical Greek flavors. You should also try the Greek “kayanas”, which is eggs cooked in fresh tomato sauce, feta, cherry tomatoes and spinach, served with sourdough bread. Every Sunday, you can enjoy your brunch under the cool rhythms of gypsy jazz by Manouchedrome.

Location: Sarri 16, Psyrri

Opening hours: Daily except Monday from 8am till 1am. Brunch served daily except Monday between 8am to 5pm.

Taste the best Greek food with a local foodie!

8. 7 Cactus

Hidden gem in the area of Koukaki, very close to Acropolis museum. It is a new place, with modern interior design and friendly staff. This place focuses on its Greek traditional dishes, with flavors and products from all over Greece, like the islands of Mani and Naxos. One tasty example is the Mani breakfast with traditional “lalaggides”, feta cheese, honey, “graviera” cheese, a small salad and homemade fig marmalade.

Location: Dimitrakopoulou 7, Koukaki

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm.

Read also: Top 10 Ice Cream Places In Athens

9. Odori 

With its nice outdoor quiet area, this place serves the best authentic Italian pizza in the city! The menu offers great choices for brunch. Go for anything that includes eggs, everything is delicious and certainly its pizza, which is a perfect choice for brunch!

Location: Skouleniou 2, Athens

Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 4am. Brunch is being served until 2pm.

10. Kitchen Lab

Last but absolutely not least, this place is not located downtown but I believe it is amazing and it is worth a visit. It is located in the area of Glyfada, not far from the beach. So, if you are in the mood for a beach stroll, I think the visit to this place is a good idea, especially now that more and more sunny and warm days are approaching.

I don't know if you are into cooking yourself, but if that’s the case, you should definitely check Akis Petretzikis recipes. I am not surprised that many of my international friends know this chef and actually often follow his recipes. He managed to become famous worldwide through his Greek, often gourmet, recipes. This restaurant belongs to him and of course, the recipes as well! Go for the eggs Benedict with turkey. Simple and tasty. The protein shakes are also a good healthy option for those of you who want to stay in a good shape. The granola yogurt (for the healthy eaters) and of course the burgers (for the hungrier ones) are incredible.

Location: Lazaraki 26, Glyfada

Opening hours: Daily 9am-12am.

Read also: The 10 Best Street Food Spots In Athens

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So, that was our list, now it is your turn to go out there and try! Let us know if you liked these brunch places with a comment below.

Text: Christina Stathopoulou