Archives for “cafe” tag

The Artist, opened 2012, is a cute café-bar situated far to the north of the centre of the city, in what must definitely be one of the “here be dragons!” zones for most travellers and tourists in Athens. It certainly belongs to those hangouts for which a single photograph just isn’t enough. It’s on the first floor (second, if you’re American!) of an old building; the staircase leading up to it is all painted and drawn on and has little Christmas lights. The entrance to the building itself is almost covered in posters. That’s just for entreés.

Doing its name full justice, The Artist is furnished with recycled “trash”, hosts temporary art exhibitions and tango lessons (on Wednesdays), has concerts usually on the weekends and often features theatre plays. In fact, that is how I got to know the place: the drama group I participate in has rehearsals here several times every week. When the weather is warm enough to stage a performance at night outside, that is late May-early June, we’re going to bring the play we’re working on right now and use the cafe-bar’s isolated back garden for booze, summer & drama nights. The prices aren’t the cheapest but then again, the northern suburbs are the posh ones.

Its only short-coming is its remote location, but that is easily solvable: central trolleybus line 10 has its terminus right outside it: you can even see the “antennae” of the buses waiting to leave from inside the café!

Varnava café, or most known by the locals as “Themis”, is one of my favorite spots in Athens. One of those places that I am emotionally connected with as it has been accompanying me through my entire life.

I remember playing in the Varnava Square as a kid and my mother would sit on this café. Then I remember going there for coffee with my friends after school or even when I should be at school and Themis, the former owner, would tease us and call all girls “models”.

Now I still go there for two reasons. First of all Varnava cafe is the place where I gather with my childhood friends. Secondly there I can find the cheapest drink in Athens without worrying if it is spoiled. Actually I would suggest this place to low budget travelers and to those who would like to see how is an ordinary night with locals!

Glykis cafe is located in Plaka – the most touristic area of Athens. But what makes it not so commercial is that is hidden at a corner of two small roads. It is one of the most quiet and relaxed places all over the city. It can be a small urban jungle as there are plants and flowers around. Take a look also at its drawings that refer to traditional myths – like the mermaid that swims across the oceans.

I like it at lunch time. Their pies (cheese, spinach, etc.) are really tasteful. You can also taste “saganaki” – baked cheese or ask for a “poikilia”(like spanish tapas). And if you are in a mood for something sweet do not miss “ipovrixio vanilia” -a great candy that is ideal when you are really thirsty.

Plaka can be an interesting great neighborhood especially if you avoid the touristic traps and discover its secrets just by wandering around.

Lacandona is an area of rainforest which stretches from Chiapas, Mexico into Guatemala and into the southern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. But if this Lacandona is a bit far away for you, why don’t you visit our Lacandona? And what is all this about?

Lacandona is a cafe – grocery located in the center of the city. Its main characteristic is that all the products are based on the fair trade market. This means that the products are bought directly from the producers, making for better trading conditions and promoting sustainability.

You can buy traditional products from Greece but also products from Latin America Asia and Africa. Biscuits from Kythira island, tea and chamomile from the mountains, merenda from Mexico (this is my favorite one ) but also handmade soaps and African musical instruments. But as it is a cafe also you can enjoy a double espresso from Ethiopia or a hot rakomelo.

Check their parties every Friday night! Cheap mojito and groove!

Ag. Eirini is the church that has given its name to the square and as I have heard it has a good choir. In the square is located, for many years, one of the best ‘souvlaki’ in town, Kostas. Because of the different version from the usual souvlaki and the good quality that it provides, every day many people are waiting in the queue to buy souvlaki from Kostas (open daily from 09:00 – 17:00). Those two are the oldest spots in the square but lately it’s become more alive as many new cafes have sprouted here.

Kapaki was the first cafe which opened several years ago. It is a lovely café with outdoor tables. Rooster is a bar where many events take place. Then there’s Throubi, a bar that it is well known in Spetses Island, that opened its doors in Athens too. The last entry is Tailor Made, an all day bar. My two favourites are Kapaki and Throubi but I also  visit often the outdoor tables of Tailor Made because it is usually very sunny.

Suddenly, one day, I was passing by Ag. Eirini square and it was full of people and life. This square is the new hot spot of the town and sometimes is hard to find a place to sit to any of these cafes.