Music

Image by Marilena Salamanou

Manos Kafeneio! Leocharous street. You are at the center of Athens but when you enter this hall it is like you go back to the decade of 50s. And for what reason? This kafeneio(the traditional style for a cafe) is related to Stelios Kazantzidis.

Maybe you have never heard of him before! Kazantzidis used to be the most famous singers in the 50s. Not only in Greece but also in Greek communities outside of Greece. For that reason, when you visit that small, strange place, you can meet people that left Greece to live in Germany who take Kazantzidis’ tapes with them in order not to feel nostalgia for the lives they left behind.

I love its authentic love they have for the singer. You can understand it if you look at the posters on the wall. Nothing else than Kazantzidis.

You can enjoy a glass of ouzo and a beer while listening to… ? Guess!

It is a top secret place!

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Manos kafeneio | Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks
22 Leocharous | Monastiraki
10:00 – 19:00 daily

Image by Maria Porfyriadi

Whether it’s warm or cold in Athens, the seaside is always a choice for the residents of this versatile city.

This spot is located away from the centre, right on the shoreline, at the far end of the peninsula of Vouliagmeni, inside the marina by the same name. Anywhere you look… it’s blue you see!

Day & night, year round… this place soothes your mind at the view of the endless blue. Just visit to take in the experience or even stay either for a beverage, a quick snack or even a full meal which could be rather pricy but totally worth it!

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Moorings | Bars, Music, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.)
Marina Vouliagmeni | South suburbs | +302109670659
10:00 – often till after midnight

Image by Petros Sideris

A café / bistro right under the Holy Rock of the Acropolis, with a lovely cuisine of simple, earthy tastes.

A big fireplace indoors and coffee tables placed in an amphitheatrical manner… outside.

Have a coffee, a jasmine tea, a glass of warm wine or one of their hand-made pastries; them alone can be more than a satisfying experience with their creamy, chewy fillings!

It’s a great people-watching spot. A calm place to relax and enjoy the conversation with friends in the middle of such a busy area! Unexpectedly peaceful…

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Yasemi | Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Bistro)
Mnisikleous str., Plaka | Monastiraki
Daily

Image by Petros Sideris

Such a lovely neo-classical building; with high ceilings, wonderfully decorated with cornices and hand-painted detail.

A piano, candle lights and various occasional live musicians, keep us company whether we’re seated by the old-fashioned bar or in one of the two different dining areas.

Baroque-style curtains drape down the windows and the atmosphere takes us back to 1904, when this building first stood proudly among us.

Sweet tenderloin in “Masticha” dressing, warm brie cheese salad in a mandarin & honey dressing and the inevitable specialty dessert crepes -which made them famous in the first place- are what will complement our evening alongside fine port wine for tonight!

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Phaedra Restaurant | Music, Restaurants (Greek) | Meal from € 25
Metsovou 14 | Exarcheia | +302108835711
Tue – Sun from 20:00

Image by Maria Porfyriadi

A little humble fish tavern (“ouzerie” as we like to call them in Greece, due to their wide variety of local Ouzo & Tsipouro) located in a tiny dock, jolly picturesque through its simplicity and effortlessness.

We were once headed to the ferry boats to Salamina Island, quite a few years ago, back when the new high way was not yet built so you had to take the old road to Perama port. That’s how we discovered “Limanaki”.

From the main road, you have to go down quite a few steps that lead to the dock. It’s right on the seafront but don’t expect to see any sailing boats or swimmers around.

There’s nothing fancy about this place. It’s more of a repair dock for small ships, reminiscent of an older era.

They’re open throughout the week, mainly serving to the workers of the dockyard and few random passers-by. On most weekend evenings, the municipality organizes a small local band playing live Greek music, but you might want to check that with them beforehand, as there’s been a few occasions where they were playing in the afternoons instead.

Give it a go if you want to try some real Greek salad and fresh fish.

I would expect getting there by public transport to be difficult but it shouldn’t be more than €10 to go by taxi from Piraeus port.

It is, though, one of the most beautiful coves that have remained in the area, having resisted the overall development-mania.

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Limanaki | Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Fish Tavern) | Per person € 15.00
DEH, Limanaki, Keratsini | South suburbs | +302104004721
From 12:00 – until late daily