The 10 best independent cafes in Athens serving specialty coffee and great cold brews: a list with our personal favorites.
In A Nutshell
- Athens ranks second in Europe in the number of cafes per capita. Specifically, it hosts 397 cafes per million inhabitants.
- Most international coffee chains, like Starbucks, have a presence in Athens. However, their stores are relatively few compared to cities like New York or London, as they aren’t particularly popular among locals.
- On the contrary, the market is dominated by local coffee chains, such as Coffee Island, Gregory’s, and Mikel, as well as independent cafes.
- Given the high competition, many of the independent cafes focus on quality, serving excellent coffee that’s definitely worth exploring.
- Among the drinks you must try while in Athens are certainly the freddo espresso and freddo cappuccino. You can find detailed information in the Guide to the Best Coffee in Athens.
- All the cafes listed below have been personally tasted and enjoyed. For your convenience, I’ve divided them into two categories: “Pick-Me-Up,” for those primarily offering takeaway coffee, and “Sit Back and Enjoy,” for those mainly catering to customers who prefer to sit in. Of course, all of them offer both options to varying degrees.
Best Cafes in Athens on the Map
Best Cafes in Athens: Pick-Me-Up
1. Kaya
For more than a decade, Kaya has been my favorite cafe for espresso in Athens — and for good reason. “Hidden” in an arcade next to Syntagma Square, it collaborates with nearly all the top local coffee roasters. Be sure to try their freddo espresso during your visit.
2. Samba Coffee Roasters | The Shop
Tiny but offering exceptional coffee, Samba Coffee Roasters serves blends they roast in-house. If you are in the Kolonaki area, make sure to stop by as it is one of the best cafes in Athens.
3. Taf Coffee
Located just minutes from Omonia Station, Taf Coffee is a stylish cafe that serves excellent coffee. Ask the barista to recommend a specialty blend for your freddo, based on your preferences.
4. Cubicup
The tiny Cubicup may be a relatively new entry in the Athenian cafe scene, but I have a feeling it will be making waves in the coming years. If you need a pick-me-up while exploring Kolokotroni Street, this is the place to go.
5. KUDU Coffee Shop Pagrati
Very close to the Panathenaic Stadium, in the hip neighborhood of Pagrati, KUDU serves some of the best coffee in Athens. With its excellent coffee blends, the shop has earned a loyal customer base that’s well worth joining.
6. Foyer Espresso Bar
Just a stone’s throw from KUDU Coffee Shop in Pagrati, you can find another of Athens’ best cafes. Foyer brings beans from some of Europe’s most renowned roasteries, offering something new every week.
Sit Back and Enjoy
7. The Clumsies
Although widely known as a bar, The Clumsies is also one of the best cafes in Athens. If you are near Syntagma or Monastiraki and want to enjoy your coffee in a stylish setting, this is the right choice.
8. The Underdog
Along with The Clumsies, The Underdog is one of the two places in the center of Athens that best balances impressive decor with great coffee. Located near the Ancient Agora of Athens, they also offer delicious brunch, though their service could be improved.
9. LOT 51
Just outside the tourist center of Athens, near the Megaro Moussikis metro station, you will find LOT 51. They brew some of the finest coffees in the city, and perhaps the tastiest cold brew in town.
10. Handpickers Coffee Shop
Handpickers Coffee Shop is located in Tavros, a neighborhood in Athens frequented primarily by locals. Nonetheless, it is one of the best cafes in Athens, serving coffee they roast themselves. If you happen to be nearby, definitely put it on your list.
Top Brunch and Food Tours Compared
I hope this article helped you discover the best independent cafes in Athens, serving great specialty coffee.
You may also want to check out the Top Brunch Places in the city and a comparison of the 5 Must-Try Food Tours in Athens.
Finally, if you liked this article, please subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive tips about Athens by using the form below.
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Airport Transfer
If you want to get to and from Athens Airport with peace of mind, I recommend pre-booking your taxi with Welcome Pickups. Their flat rate is a few euros more expensive than random taxis, but it is totally worth it. They use local, English-speaking drivers, who will wait for you even if your flight is delayed and introduce you to the city during your ride.
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I always book my accommodation with a reliable service like Booking.com. They offer a price guarantee and 24/7 support in case of any problems with your hotel. Always make sure you read reviews from other guests before booking.
Activities
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Free Athens Tours
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