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Editor and photographer Chris Kontos is the founder of Kennedy Magazine, an Athens-based publication known for its cinematic visuals and thoughtful storytelling across travel and culture. His wine bar, Kennedy Vins, mirrors that same mood: intimate, creative, and built around vinyl records, natural bottles, and small plates. Here are Chris’ quick hits, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… I know it’s not at all a secret, but Diporto is a standing testament to what Athens really is: a poor city with cucina povera. It feels like a relic of a disappearing Athens, which is why I care about it so much. There’s also a story behind the ownership that I love: for generations, the restaurant has been passed down through the people who worked there. The current owner started as a waiter himself, and the man working alongside him today is like a son—someone who could take over if the place survives.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... Souvlaki. Volvi and Achilleas are my top spots for it.
- Most tourists miss… Honestly, pretty much everything in Athens is known these days. But Skilodimos in Piraeus is an off the beaten path spot with real Greek spirit. It is a grocery store that serves delicious food, where locals drink wine and chat.
- Most underrated cultural space… The National Archaeological Museum and its garden cafe. Better than the Acropolis, for sure.
- When I need a weekend away, I go to… The Mani Peninsula is my family’s most cherished getaway. It’s still pretty much unspoilt, the food is amazing, and everything feels honest. If not Mani, it’s a quick weekend in Aegina for fish at Ouzeri o Skotadis and souvlaki next to Afaia temple at Nikodimos ta Vagia.
Originally from France, creative director and restaurateur Thomas Brengou has become a rising star in Athens’ creative world thanks to the chic wine bar, Wine is Fine, that he runs alongside partners Rafael Wallon and Stavros Chrysafidis. In addition to the Parisian-inspired favorite, Thomas is also behind the new restaurant at Sunset Patmos—bringing his relaxed, design-forward sensibility to the Greek islands. Here are Thomas’ quick hits, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… O Telis, my local canteen. It’s nothing fancy, with just three dishes: cabbage salad, bouyourdi, and pork chop. But together, they make the perfect meal.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... Fried shrimp at Margaro.
- Most tourists miss… Tomas Kebab. It’s a bit off the radar, but it was Martin Parr's favorite place.
- Most underrated cultural space… The Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation. It's up north in the nice neighborhood of Maroussi, which also has some amazing architectural gems.
- When I need a weekend away…: I take my scooter on the ferry to Agistri to swim and jump at Paralia Mariza.
Founder, tastemaker, and Crete native Eva Papadaki has built a small creative universe in Athens through 10am, her multi-disciplinary space in the Gazi neighborhood. From a soulful boutique and cafe to industrial-chic lofts, each corner of 10am reflects Eva’s warm aesthetic and deep appreciation for Greek craftsmanship. Here are Eva’s quick hits, follow her on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… Taverna ton Filon, because it feels like eating at home. They have some of the best ingredients in the city, every dish is mouthwatering, and the people behind it are so warm. I love them like family.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... Greek souvlaki—it’s basically our national dish. Try it at Kostas.
- Most tourists miss… My spot 10am apothoke, which is quite hidden! Open only on weekends, it offers a unique sensory experience where you can discover natural Greek products, enjoy a modern version of a Greek grandmother’s breakfast, and drink organic herbal teas, specialty coffee, and natural wines in an atmospheric setting.
- Most underrated cultural space… The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art, for its quiet atmosphere, beautiful curation, and rooftop views.
- When I need a weekend away, I go to… Hydra for its timeless atmosphere, stone houses, slow rhythms, and the feeling of stepping into another era. No cars, endless walks, little swims between the rocks, and long dinners by the sea.
Greek creative director and photographer Eftihia Stefanidi, one of Athens' most stylish residents, has played a defining role in shaping the cultural identity of Mona and Shila—two of the city's most distinctive hotels and concept spaces that are beautifully woven into Athens’ gritty-cool landscape. Here are Eftihia’s quick hits, follow her on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… ΛΙΝΟΥ ΣΟΥΜΠΑΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΙΑ. I’ve been a regular since day one—the food is consistently fresh and elegant in its simplicity.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... The tomatoes at Dourabeis, a historic seaside taverna in Piraeus that serves what might be the most mouth-watering salad in Athens: tomatoes, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Their seafood is equally exceptional.
- Most tourists miss… Athens in summer is inseparable from its open-air cinemas. Watching a film beneath jasmine trees, with the soundtrack of the city and cicadas in the background, feels like one of those small urban pleasures that has somehow survived modernity. My favorite is Cine Oasis, a decades-old cinema that captures the feeling of a bygone Athens.
- Most underrated cultural space… The Benaki Museum - Ghika Gallery is an annex of the Benaki Museum and less known than its main institution. Housed in the former home and atelier of painter Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, the space is as charming for its post-war Athenian architecture and interiors as it is for the collection. It was once a gathering place for the Athenian intelligentsia, and now it displays their paintings, photography, and poetry.
- When I need a weekend away, I go to… Hydra. I’ve been going since childhood, and by now it’s become an instinctive escape. Just over an hour from Athens, it has a magical atmosphere—think car-free streets and cat-filled, cobblestoned alleyways. A weekend there feels completely untethered from time.
Athens-based designer and curator Christina Fragkia is founder of ArchiveStudio22, the cult-adored archive boutique in Kolonaki. With a keen collector’s eye and deep fashion-insider sensibility, Christina fills the shop with rare designer treasures—think Prada heels, Tom Ford-era Gucci blouses, and vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk sets. Here are Christina’s quick hits, follow her on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… Svoura. Nothing overworked—just solid, well-executed food. It’s best to share plates so you get to try more.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... Rooster with pasta, the kind of Greek comfort food that reminds me of my grandmother. I’d go to Fita for it, or Voulkanizater if I'm in the mood for something fancier.
- Most tourists miss… Piraeus. See a few galleries (set in former warehouses), then go for fresh fish at a local tavern or a glass of wine at Paleo.
- Most underrated cultural space… Atopos, a forward-thinking cultural space that sits somewhere between art, fashion, and architecture. Check what’s on before you go, and see a performance if you get the chance.
- When I need a weekend away, I go to… Monemvasia, a medieval fortress town on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It has an almost cinematic atmosphere. I love to walk around the narrow stone streets without a plan and make my way up to the top—the views are unreal!!
Culture writer and coffee connoisseur Makis Papantoniou is part of a new generation shaping Athens’ creative scene through Foyer Espresso Bar, the beloved Pangrati café he founded alongside his brother. The sleek espresso bar—which tastemaker Sam Youkilis says has “the best coffee in Athens”—has become a gathering place for the city’s creative crowd, known for its thoughtful book selection and excellent specialty coffee. Here are Makis’ quick hits, follow him on AmiGo for more local recs.
- If I only had one meal it would be at… Taverna Oikonomou. I’d go for the Greek salad, a plate of tomato sauce, rooster pasta, and galaktoboureko for dessert.
- Favorite local dish (& where to have it)... Pork gyro pita with all the works at Achlilleas. It’s the thing I crave the most when I think of home.
- Most tourists miss… Kanaria, a family-style fish restaurant in the residential neighborhood of Moschato.
- Most underrated cultural space… Any of the city’s open-air cinemas. Athens has a strong film heritage and the open-air cinemas—some with fantastic Acropolis views—are a strong part of it. Everyone should enjoy a film under the stars at least once.
- When I need a weekend away, I go to… Hydra has been my favorite escape since I was a kid, and I think it always will be. There’s something magical about the island’s rhythm—no cars, barely any reservations, and no real sense of urgency.
**Xx
The AmiGo Editors**
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