Babouras (Greek for bumblebee) is one of my true random discoveries in Athens. One day I saw it while riding in a taxi and knew at once that I had to visit the place, and did so alone. Ever since, it’s been one of my ideal summer spots (when it’s not packed with people, which isn’t too often — try dropping by earlier rather than later!)

It has this vibe of the old-meets-new kafeneio that is very fashionable in Athens right now, but somehow this one feels closer to the new than other similar spots.

The first thing you should do is get some friends, order some raki and start making plans for the summer! Or, if it’s not summer anymore, get your laptop and get some work done inside on one of the high benches in the afternoon.

There are 3 things that truly make this place special for me:
1) If all tables are occupied, there’s the option of sitting on some stairs outside the threshold of the house next door. That is unexpectedly cozy.
2) It’s on a busy but rather quiet road, considering its central location.
3) At night, the streetlights illuminating the tables outside yellow make the atmosphere quite simply perfect. I love going there just to take photographs. The lights of passing cars make for some truly interesting camera experiments.

The easiest way to reach Babouras is walking from metro stations Kerameikos or Thiseio.