Best Coffee Shops in Athens: 2026 Choices

You’re arriving in Athens, and aside from the beautiful weather and the rich history, you notice something else—coffee is everywhere. It’s not a coincidence; coffee is a giant part of Greek culture, and recently, with the rise in popularity and wider availability of third-wave and specialty coffee, locals have more options than ever for their everyday power-up.

The signature is, of course, Freddo Espresso, a coffee you should try at least once when visiting Greece. It is indeed a Greek invention—two shots of freshly pulled espresso, shaken with ice and served in a glass with more ice. The majority of Greeks who drink freddo reach for it year-round. 

There’s also the milk alternative, aka Freddo Cappuccino—the shaken espresso is topped with a big layer of freshly made cold foam, our twist on an iced cappuccino.

Our drink options aren’t limited to Freddo drinks, though. With the steady rise of specialty coffee, the number of cafes and roasters offering high-quality coffee throughout Athens is huge, and their drink options suit every palate. It’s now very common to find even single-origin filter coffee options in many cafes, along with fresh cold brew and more than two espresso options.

Overall, coffee is a Greek’s best companion, whether as a workday essential, a post-work power-up, or a treat when walking around our city.

Best Cafes near the Acropolis and Monastiraki

The Athens Historic Triangle is the area connecting the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki. Apart from the neoclassical houses, ancient sites, and picturesque views, this triangle is full of hidden coffee gems, waiting for you to stop by during your exploration.

Minu—A 9-minute walk from the Monastiraki station and a 3-minute walk from the Thissio station, Minu offers ample space, filled with plants, and a lovely sweet treat selection to pair your coffee with. It’s perfect for when you need a quiet, aesthetically pleasing place to sit and relax after walking around the city, along with your flat white.

As it’s in a very central location, it’s best to stop by on a weekday.

Proof Nanobakery—Just one minute from Monastiraki station, Proof offers some of the best freshly baked goods in the center of Athens, crafted daily. They also offer excellent specialty coffee, served in custom-made ceramics. From their sourdough sandwiches to their cardamom buns, it serves as a wonderful option for a breakfast or light lunch stop, right in the heart of the city.

Myller Coffee Shop—A 5-minute walk from either the Monastiraki or Thissio station, Myller is a newer addition to the Athens coffee scene that offers high-quality coffee and treats. Its location in Ag. Anargiron Square is a perfect spot to walk around after your coffee break, where you can find many shops with traditional Greek products.

We recommend trying their single-origin coffee option in a flat white and preferably stopping by on a weekday.

Cultivos Coffee Koukaki—Just 3 minutes from the Acropolis station, Cultivos Koukaki brings coffee from the most prominent Greek roastery, Taf Coffee, in the heart of ancient Athens. It’s a great spot for a slow stop or a quick takeaway cup of coffee, like their Freddo espresso. Also, if you’re in the mood for something different, ask the baristas for recommendations, as they always have a large variety of beans available.

Underdog—One of Greece’s most acclaimed roasters, Underdog is right in the heart of the ancient ruins, just 3 minutes from the Thisseio station or 15 minutes from the Acropolis. Apart from their amazing coffee options, they serve great brunch and sweet treats, which you can easily pair with their filter coffee, cold brew, or any espresso the baristas will suggest. It’s best to visit on weekdays, as it tends to get very busy.

*Recipient of multiple international coffee awards.

Ubuntu—About 10 minutes from the Thisseio station, Ubuntu offers good coffee, paired with fresh sandwiches and sweet treats, making it ideal for a quick stop to sip and recharge. You must try their cold brew or freddo espresso, and it’s perfect to visit any day of the week.

Bonus: the walk from Thisseio to there takes you right past the Kerameikos archaeological site!

Best specialty coffee and roasters in Athens

What is specialty coffee? It’s basically the highest grade of coffee available. It can be either single-origin coffee (cultivated in a specific geographical region) or single-estate coffee (cultivated in a specific area/farm within a single geographical region). For a coffee to be considered “specialty,” it must score over 80 points on the Specialty Coffee Association’s 100-point scale.

Specialty coffee emerged as demand for exceptional-quality coffee increased after the third wave of coffee overtook the world a couple of decades ago.

Anana Coffee Roasters—Just 6 minutes from the Syntagma station, or 3 minutes from the Monastiraki and Panepistimio stations, Anana is one of the best Greek coffee roasteries, offering a great selection of coffees year-round. 

Their cold brew is a must-try (probs the best in Athens), and their menu is entirely vegetarian and vegan, with the best banana bread you can find. We recommend stopping by early on weekdays or past 5 pm on weekends, when it’s slower. 

Bonus: their back room is great for working with your laptop.

Foyer Espresso Bar—About 15 minutes away from the Acropolis station, Foyer brings some of the best specialty coffee options in Athens, right in the heart of Pagrati. They’re open 365 days a year and perfect for a short stop on the weekends or for a longer stop on a weekday to try their extensive coffee menu. The menu gets renewed monthly, with all entries being coffees from Europe’s top roasters.

We recommend asking the baristas for coffee recommendations so you can find exactly what fits your palate. They probably offer the best filter coffee you can find in Athens.

*Home of the 2025 Greek Brewers champions and the 2026 Italian Brewers champions.

Kross Coffee Roasters Pagrati—In the same street as Foyer, Kross Coffee Roasters offers a great selection of freshly roasted beans, all roasted in Greece. For the best taste experience, try their filter coffee or a flat white, and don’t hesitate to ask the baristas for guidance so they can find the perfect coffee for you.

The minimal, cozy space makes it perfect for a quick stop any day of the week or to just grab a coffee on the go.

Home of the 2026 Greek Brewers champions.

The Roosters—A newer brand that has taken the Greek coffee world by storm, The Roosters brings excellent coffee, roasted in Athens, and a great brunch and sweet treat menu. You can find them in the Athens center, 3 minutes from the Evangelismos station; in the west, just 5 minutes from the Peristeri station; or in the north in Vrilissia (that’s a bigger trip).

Their cold brew and freddo espresso are must-tries, and make sure to ask for dessert recommendations! It’s best to visit them on weekday mornings, as the Athens center location tends to get super busy.

Omsom Koukaki— Just shy of a 20-minute walk from the Acropolis station, Omsom brings true specialty coffee to the heart of Koukaki, one of the most up-and-coming Athens neighborhoods. Ask for their filter coffee options, their cold brew, or a freddo espresso; the baristas are always happy to help. 

It’s great for weekdays, when it’s slower, so you can take your time to enjoy your coffee along with a pizza from their food menu.

Samba Coffee Roasters | The Shop—Three minutes from the Panepistimio station, at the edge of Kolonaki, lies Samba Coffee Roasters, another prominent Greek roastery. It’s ideal for a quick stop or to grab a cup and go. Their coffee menu varies from time to time, based on what new beans they have to offer, and we recommend asking their baristas for suggestions and trying a flat white.

Make sure to pair your drink with a slice of cake. 

Best cafes with a view in Athens

Ciel—Hidden in an alley by Mitropoleos Street, just in the middle between the Syntagma and Monastiraki stations, Ciel offers a great 360° view of the city, with the Acropolis as the highlight. They offer good coffee and a great brunch, lunch, and dinner menu, making it the perfect stop for any time of the day. 

It’s best to make a reservation in advance, so you can visit hassle-free any day of the week.

Couleur Locale—Tucked in an alley right by Monastiraki’s street market, Couleur Locale is one of the most vibrant and beautiful Athens rooftops, offering a lovely view of the Acropolis and Plaka without the noise and bustle of other rooftop cafes in the area.

Apart from their great coffee, it’s a great option for lunch or drinks with a view—always with great music playing. Due to its super central location, it’s best to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Acropolis Museum cafe—Probably the best option for coffee with a stunning view, as this cafe is located right in the Acropolis Museum. The space is new and beautifully designed, offering the best Acropolis view anyone could ask for. There’s also no need for a museum ticket if you only want to visit the café or its adjacent restaurant!

It’s better to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds and enjoy your coffee with a view in peace. 

Best cafes in Athens for working with a laptop

With the rise of remote work, Athens is slowly becoming a hub for digital nomads, with many cafes, big or small, offering good internet, nice co-working seating, and, of course, great coffee. The places below are what any remote worker is looking for.

Third Place.—Just a 5-minute walk from the Syntagma station, Third Place offers great coffee and super chill vibes, just what you need to work in peace in their big communal table for laptop workers.

You should definitely try their freddo, along with one of their cookies or any other of their fresh treats. Its convenient location and quiet surrounding area make it the perfect spot for any day of the week.

Boken—Less than a 10-minute walk from either the Omonoia or Panepistimio stations, Boken is a great communal workspace in the heart of Exarcheia. There’s ample seating to work on your own or share bigger tables with other people any day of the week, indoors or outdoors. 

Try their flat white or an iced latte or one of their organic juices and artisan sodas if you’re not in the mood for caffeine, and pair your drink with a cookie or a cardamom bun.

Different Beast—About 10 minutes from the Kifisia train station, Different Beast is a quiet haven surrounded by the lush greenery of its neighborhood. They serve Taf coffee in vintage cups and plates collected by the cafés’ founders, as well as delicious treats and savory dishes, all prepped fresh in their kitchen. 

It’s the perfect stop for any day of the week, and if you try their filter coffee and carrot cake, you’ll see it’s worth the trip from the center! 

Joshua Tree—Six minutes from the Acropolis station, just over the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Joshua Tree is a vibrant yet chill cafe in the Mets’ neighborhood. They offer a great vegetarian-friendly menu, with savory dishes and plenty of sweet treats—just what your coffee needs. 

Try their freddo or any kind of milk-based coffee with their Basque cheesecake on the side, and preferably stop by on a weekday so you’re able to find the best spot to sit with your laptop.

Best cafes by neighborhood

Choosing and planning can be hard, so to make things easier, we’ve prepared a foolproof list with one cafe per iconic Athens neighborhood:

How to get to Athens, and where to go first

Once you get off the plane, you can find your personal transportation from the airport to anywhere in the city waiting for you by pre-booking a taxi through Athens Airport Taxi. Taxis are also available at the airport 24/7, and you can find one by waiting in the queue.

The metro operates from 06:10 to 23:34, and the X airport buses run on a 25-hr schedule.

Once you sort out your transportation, the best place to start exploring is Syntagma Square, the heart of the city. Many monuments, like the Acropolis, the Theseion temple, the National Garden, and the temple of Zeus, are within walking distance from there, a perfect tour to do with a cold coffee in hand.