Restaurants

In the heart of the city, a very well-hidden spot, situated in a square between a church and various turn-of-the-century buildings, is Katerina café.

The name really understates all the little treasures that can be found in that single place, especially on a Saturday afternoon, which is the best time to visit.

Around midday, the owner and some good friends gather and form a mini amateur band, accompanied by their own “bouzouki” and guitars, offering live entertainment, in a very friendly and relaxed mood, alongside the traditional Greek dishes and wine served.

If you visit this particular spot on any other day of the week, you will surely not leave disappointed by their culinary skills, nevertheless you’ll miss out on the whole fun of the live music and laid-back atmosphere that the place offers exclusively on Saturdays.

Make sure you go well before 18:00 because that’s when the music finishes. After all they have to have a bite to eat as well

Fancy a cup of coffee gazing at a majestic view over the Saronic Gulf? Even a lavish meal while enjoying the all-famous Greek sea breeze?

If so, then head towards Piraeus port, and opt for the so called “Microlimano” (translated as “small port”). Istioploikos is located right on a deck above the sea, simulating the appearance of a ship and offering a unique panoramic view. It hosts a cafeteria on the deck, serving coffee and snacks during the day and drinks accompanied by loud dance music during night time, and a posh restaurant on the ground floor mainly specializing in seafood.

You can’t get any closer to the sea shore than that!

Parking can be an issue, though, if you choose to drive.

This nice little cosy cafe-bar with interesting snack selections and home made pastries located on a small terrace between the back yards of office buildings.

Try one of their freshly made tarts; my personal favourites are either the one with the mushrooms or the one with tomato-basil-pine nuts and goat cheese.

Absolutely love their pasta & cheese souffle, as well as their Boheme Salad, a mixture of fresh greens, with blue cheese & a Greek smoked cheese called Metsovone, green apple, walnuts and a balsamic & honey dressing

They also bake different pies every day so it’s always a pleasant surprise.

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.

This coffee – tea – bar cum restaurant… has been there for at least the past 20 years. It’s right next to the sea, on a wooden platform that gives the sense of being on a ship. There’s even a sail that completes the whole marine set.

In the summer, everyone goes for the outdoor sitting area, for a view over the marina and the sailing boats. There’s a large bar next to the decks offering coffee and drinks all day.

During wintertime though, there’s a warm, inviting environment waiting for you indoors, as there’s a wood burning stove blazing fiercely, large rustic tables with benches, melting candles and a range of nautical memorabilia decorating the walls.

Noontime also offers a short menu of the daily specials.