Apr 3, 2025

To Laini Athens

Where the Cretan heart beats

"My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary."

If you want to taste Cretan cuisine but can not travel to Crete you are at the right place. Laini means small vase for water in Greek. The staff (Yula and Michalis) is very friendly. The venue is small and decorated like the old-school tavernas, a friendly place where you can have delicious small plates to eat with wine, beers, or traditional artisanal raki from Crete (REALLY RECOMMENDED)!

I was craving snails (chochlious boubouristous in Greek) as they were in season, and they did not disappoint. If you prefer meat, then you have to order Apaki or Cretan sausages. For vegans and vegetarians, you have plenty of choices such as baked potatoes, fava, and fennel pie as well.

My two favorites are Sfakianopita with honey and the famous Dakos. Every plate is cooked in olive oil with lots of rosemary. The music plays Cretan songs and mantinades all the time, a form of narrative or dialogue sung in the rhythm of accompanying music! So, if you first visit Athens, eat at Laini and I am pretty sure you will want to plan your next Greek destination to Crete!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Artemisiou 40

Dakos:

5

+30

2114021485

Find your way with 262 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Athens guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Athens

Victoria Square Project

Art for people

Victoria Square Project is a living example of locals reclaiming their place in the city with talks and guided tours discussing the neighborhood's history.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 29, 2025

Vasilis Canteen

The way to end your night

You can either get boiled or grilled sausage, chicken nuggets, or meat patties. The filling is limited to carrots/cabbage, cheese, fries, and sauces.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 29, 2025

Tarantino Burgers

Best burger in town

At Tarantino Burgers, the secret of its success are great raw materials. The burgers are 100% black angus ground beef, and the fluffy buns are made with their own recipe.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 26, 2025

Ζouridakis

Cretan delicatessen

"Zouridakis" in Athens, in the central market, has all the Cretan specialties you can imagine - but my favorite is the Xigalo cheese. Don't miss it, along with some raki!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 25, 2025

Koumpaki

A cute shop for indie girls & boys!

"Koumpaki" in Athens is the vintage accessory shop for you if your sense of aesthetics is that of Sundance, if you like cats or are a lover of David Bowie.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 20, 2025

Astor

My favorite indie cinema hall!

"Αstor" Athens is my favourite indie cinema hall in town. I would say that if Athens were a cinema, it would be here. Indulge in Greek culture here...

008-ticket
Cinema
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Marilena

Salamanou

Apr 20, 2025

Diomidous Botanical Garden

Oasis of Athens

"Diomidous Botanical Garden" in Athens, only 30 minutes from the centre of the city, is the largest botanical garden of the eastern Mediterranean...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Andreas

Papadopoulos

Apr 18, 2025

MOMO

Get back your stolen time

MOMO is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Athens with an exquisite backyard that will give you back the time that's been stolen from you...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Dimitris

Hall

Apr 15, 2025

Lefteris o Politis

Simply delicious souvlaki

A well-cooked pita, a juicy burger, tomato, and onion are a unique and tasty combination. It is the epitome of delicious simplicity.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Antonis

Tsapepas

Apr 12, 2025

Santaroza

Asian film noir

Its trademark is the long, wooden bar that, with a length of 14 meters is perhaps the longest bar in Athens. It's the best place for negronis and whiskeys.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Asimina

Mitrothanasi

Apr 11, 2025

Matchpoint bar

Calm, cool and collected

Matchpoint's interior is tastefully decorated, and the music is lovely but my favorite is sitting outside enjoying my drink and watching the world go by.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Ode to socks

Greek culture encapsulated

Ode to socks has made good use of the local greek heroes such as the priest (pappa), the priest's wife, the sailor, and the fisherman, who are characteristic figures in every Greek's childhood.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Zoe

Tziakou

Apr 11, 2025

Heading to Athens?

262 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Athens?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

262 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Athens

Our team loves Athens

Get to know our other Spotters from Athens

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
41
Filters