10 FAVORITE WINE BARS OF ATHENS
1. OINOSCENT
With 10 years on its back, Oinoscent on Voulis Street in Syntagma looks fresher than ever. It has just expanded to the adjoining area and has now acquired an air wine bistro where you can enjoy excellent dishes from its renewed menu.
In its cellar you can find more than 700 labels from around the world, which you can shop for outside. The Oinoscent team often organizes presentations of wine producers as well as wine tastings, but you must book a seat early because they are usually fully booked.
Oinoscent, Voulis 45-47, Syntagma
2. MATERIA PRIMA
You may remember him serving you at Oinoscent where he worked for several years before opening his beautiful wine bar in Koukaki.
We are talking about Michalis Papatsimpas, who at his own wine bar is always willing to serve you by answering any questions about wine. The decoration has been done by himself by using imaginatively wooden boxes and barrels for lamps and pots. When you get in, you will see the impressive glass wine cellar of Materia Prima where the wines are sorted by variety or country of origin. Do not hesitate to go in to choose the wine you want to drink there, accompanying it with unique dishes in which "Raw Material" is of course the dominant element.
Materia Prima, Falirou 68, Koukaki
3. WAREHOUSE
If you have found yourself in Exarchia at one of the many bars and taverns, you have definitely saw Warehouse on the pedestrian street of Valtetsiou and Mavromichali. There beats the pulse of the night (and afternoon) life of the area, where it serves amazing coffee, excellent wine choices and delicious, creative dishes.
Its list satisfies the most demanding tastes, since you will find wines from the Greek vineyard to French Premier and Grand cru, magnum bottles and sparkling wines from various regions of the world. The industrial and minimal decoration of its interior fits perfectly with the musical choices of the DJs it hosts and with the relaxed mood of both staff and patrons.
Warehouse, Valtetsiou 21, Exarchia
4. HETEROCLITO
As if out of a beautiful Parisian dream, Heteroclito, situated on the pedestrian street of Petraki, across from the church of Metropolis, gives a cosmopolitan scent to your nights out. This aura can be attributed to the numerous travels around the world, made by Madeleine and Dimitris, by tasting wines and exchanging opinions with remarkable people of wine and Madeleine's French origin. On its beautiful bar, from Indian marble, you can relax and chat while listening to atmospheric music.
In its very polished wine list, which is updated every month, you will find rare wines from the Greek or international vineyard, emerging labels and old vintages, with emphasis on organic and biodynamic farming as well as natural vinification techniques.
Heteroclito, Fokionos 2 and Petraki 30, Syntagma
5. A FOR ATHENS
In the roof garden of the stylish hotel in Monastiraki you will enjoy your wine accompanied by the most magnificent view of the city. Applying your hand, you think you will catch the Acropolis and Plaka and even on the hot summer days there you will probably need a jacket for the cool breeze.
On its renewed list you will find wines from the Greek and international vineyard that you can perfectly combine with one of the fanciful creations of the chef. Just recently, its cellar has expanded and is capable of housing 2,500 bottles in the most suitable storage and aging conditions.
A For Athens, Miaouli 2, Monastiraki.
6. BY THE GLASS
By the glass is inside one of the most beautiful galleries in Athens, the Ralli gallery, and with its atrium looking at the Russian church on Filellinon Street. A very up-to-date list from the Greek and international vineyard (more than 100 of them can be enjoyed by the glass) and with delicious dishes influenced by Greek and Mediterranean cuisine is the ultimate urban destination.
By The Glass, Souri 2 and Fillelinon, Syntagma
7. VINTAGE
How would you feel if you could choose between 600 wine labels by the glass? In Vintage you can! Thanks to the Coravin system that can draw wine from a bottle without removing the cork you can taste one or half a glass of exquisite bottles of famous wines without having to pay for the entire bottle. In addition to the advantages of its already very nice menu, you can add the possibility of composing your own cheeses platter with cheeses of your preference.
Vintage, Mitropoleos 66-68, Syntagma
8. KIKI DE GRECE
In the lively little pedestrian street of Ipitoy, between bars, clothing shops and an underground record store, you will find Kiki De Grece. Its wine list with Greek wines is very often renewed, while for the degustations it organizes, you have to book your seat as soon as possible, if you want to secure one. Its dishes, which are very tasteful and delicious, are based on Greek cuisine with a modern twist, but also in the local deli products of small producers.
Kiki De Grece, Ipitoy 4, Syntagma
9. WINE O' CLOCK
A breath away from Acropolis metro station, in the centre of Athens there is the cosiest and tiniest wine bar of Athens, Wine o 'Clock. Dimos Vassiliadis, with many years of experience in restaurants and hotels, decided in 2019 to create his own wine bar, focused on the Greek vineyard. Excellent choices of wines from boutique wineries from all over Greece are served by the glass, from a wine list that often changes depending on the season. Of particular interest are the flights based on the most important Greek varieties such as Assyrtiko and Xinomavro, to try the different expressions of each variety. Of course, the necessary side dishes such as cheeses, cold cuts, bruschettas etc. are not missing.
Wine o 'Clock, Lembesi 10, Athens.
10. BOBO
Its name comes from the French "Boheme - Bourgeois" and has a rhino as a logo! It’s across the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Syngrou, it has vintage decoration, a list of carefully selected labels from the Greek and international vineyard and delicious accompaniments will surely impress you. At the same time, it organizes presentations with Greek wine makers and live music soirees, while on the weekend after 11 they will serve you a delicious brunch to start your day.
Bobo, A. Zinni 36, Koukaki
Vassilis Galanopoulos
Sommelier
