After living abroad in Copenhagen, my love for natural wine has grown immensely. I don’t know if it’s because I perceive it as #health, but it definitely goes down much easier. The last thing I expected was the surge in natural wine bars in Athens that have started to pop up around the city, a natural infection spreading like wildfire.
The urban culture in Athens never ceases to amaze me. It’s complex, raw, thrilling, and full of unexpected occurrences and adventures. You can feel this new wave of diversity in food and drink offerings, and I’m not mad about that. It has managed to find a way to incorporate ‘Western’ or more Modern ways of life while still staying true to the Greek heritage and its tendencies.
I have uncovered some of the best wine bars in Athens and am thrilled to share them with you.
Not only are these venues pouring outstanding Greek natural wines, but they’re also serving up some damn delicious food, it’s a double-ended sword. The Athens wine culture is beckoning for you, so why not pull up a chair and get ready to go on an Athens wine tasting tour with me?
If you haven’t heard of or jumped on board the natural wine train, then this is your sign. We’re living in a time where people are more conscious of where their food and drink are coming from (and rightfully so) seeing as the world is progressing at such a fast pace, and quality is often pushed to the side. I can’t say I’ve ever felt the ick after natural wine (even after one too many) but I mean getting wine drunk is another thing altogether (am I right?)
Table of Contents
What Is (Greek) Natural Wine?
Greece has had a long and loving history of wine making and it is now seeing a resurgence in biodynamic, organic, and natural wines. It’s evident that consumers and producers alike are shifting towards more sustainable methods of wine production, many paying homage to the country’s tried and tested, Ancient wine making traditions. It’s a beautiful practice to adapt to our modern world, going back to basics and honouring our roots.
What is Natural Wine? The natural wine phenomenon emphasizes the authenticity and transparency in its production. Natural wines are produced without (or with low) sulphites, avoid the use of heavy chemicals (pesticides and herbicides), and minimise any additions of additives in the cellar. It may seem like a lot of effort but these natural winemakers believe in allowing for the true character of the grapes and vineyard to shine through in their Greek natural wine (without the added BS). *Excuse my French*
Move over Italy, because these wine bars in Athens are gaining some serious momentum. The synergy between ancient production methods and the native grape varieties of Greece makes for tastefully complex bodies of wine. From Whites, Reds, and even Orange (my favourite), to your traditional Greek Retsina, these best wine bars in Athens will take you on a whimsical journey around Greece.
Your Athens Wine Tour starts now:
I often think of having a glass of wine as a luxury, a leaf to socialise, a gate to reflection, and an opportunity to unwind. I’m not one to drink, but I won’t pass up one of these natural babies.
What types of wine are you into? My go-to is a crisp orange wine that has more woody notes, a lil’ smokey you know (I like the full body), however, all that depends on what mood I’m in (and what food we’re eating). This curation of the best wine bars in Athens will please even the most peculiar of palettes and each venue pairs their liquid indulgences to suit the flavour of the space.
Let’s Dive into the world of Greek Natural Wine, shall we?
01. Tanini Agapi Mou
With a collection of over 100 bottles of Greek varieties, you know Tanini Agapi Mou (Tanini My Love) doesn’t mess around. Their focus is strongly on natural wines which are produced in organic and biodynamic vineyards. The space is simple but quirky, with timber tables, stepped seating to the facade, and a lot of greenery which adds to the natural vibe of the wine bar. They’re open daily from 6 pm to 1 am which is completely convenient but dangerous, as I’d find myself here almost every day sifting down what seems like an endless wine list.
What I adore about Tanini is that they are a by the glass wine bar (though you can get a bottle, no one is stopping you) and you’re even able to order a half glass (75mL) on a selection from the list. The list is extenuous and as a heads up, don’t be alarmed when they come out with an A3-sized menu and a ruler so you can select your poison for the night with ease. It also identifies whether the wine is organic, and also barrel-aged (which you know we love that smokiness and over-ripe flavour). If you get the head spins out of excitement, Tanini also serves up some delicious meze-style food. A double whammy!
02. Gamay Wine Bar
Gamay Wine Bar is yet again situated in the anarchistic Exarchia Athens. I’m telling you guys, this is the place to be… On another note, I feel I was pronouncing the name wrong the entire time in Athens. Gamay [ga-mé] (which is actually a red grape variety originating in France) is serving up the purest of wines by the glass (along with some cheeky, but delicious selection of small plates).
It has a timeless elegance about it. The interior may be quite minimal, but it complements its Art Deco skeleton quite perfectly. It is a little easy to miss so keep your eyes sharp. Gamay exudes excellence, it’s classy but not stiff. It’s perfect for a pre-drink situation or for a quick sip in the evening to spend time with those dearest to you. You know when a wine bar in Athens is committed to purity, your experience will be unaltered and in its pure form.
03. Walk In Athens
This Athens wine bar gives industrial warehouse vibes, it is large and expansive, you can see the wine barrels through the glazing that surrounds the bar, and by night it has an electrical neon glow that you can spot from down the street. Walk In Athens is the new kid on the block in Exarchia Athens, ‘where the wild things are’. I’m not sure if the name gave it away, but Walk In is a no-reservations-needed type of venue, it encourages you to just drop in (not walk past) at your earliest convenience.
The vibe is electric, you can lose yourself for hours as you make your way through their selection of Greek natural wine and through their quirky cocktail list (one basil spritz for me thanks)! You don’t need to be in the crowd to fit in here, anyone feels welcome and it’s the perfect spot to kick off or wrap up your night. You choose.
04. Epta Martyres
Epta Martyres is definitely one of my favourite places to enjoy the simple pleasures of food and wine in Athens. It sits opposite another 5-star venue (Annie’s Fine Cooking) and puts Neos Kosmos, in particular Menechmou Street, on the map. Not only are they serving some of the best wine in Athens, but have a selection of shared plates at 5 Euro each (as well as cheese, and a dish of the day). Choose how many servings you can stomach and then sit back, relax, and leave it in the hands of luck.
The chef curates the dishes based on what’s available on the day (sourcing from local producers). You won’t know what you’re getting (the most exciting part) and they’re flexible in accommodating dietary requirements upon ordering. The vibe is electric, everyone is engulfed in laughter with their ‘Parea’. I feel it’s the new Steki, their new local stomping ground where everyone can come together and relay nostalgic stories and happenings of their days (or vent, whatever works).
Hands down it is up there as the best place to eat in Athens. The flavour profiles were balanced and flavoursome and cooked to perfection. Reserve your table to avoid disappointment.
05. Mellem
Coffee by day, wine by night (or earlier, no judgment), Mellem is here to quench your thirst all day. They may be a recent addition to the wine bar scene in Athens but they’re already drawing in the crowds with eventful drink nights, guest host kitchens and pop-ups, and their overall vibe. They are ‘The Inbetweeners,” a place where you can get a fix of coffee, food and wine in Athens. The interior is paired back, light and roomy.
Kypselli Athens has been getting put on the map as one of the best places to visit in Athens with a surge of hip eateries, quality-focused restaurants and funky all-day bars. Mellem fits between the category of hip and funky and top quality, pouring out some top specialty coffee (we love that fruity Ethiopia blend on batch or in a freddo) and stock some top roasters on their shelves.
I don’t know what I like more, the fact that I can get a buzz and then mellow back out with a wine simultaneously, or if it’s the nonchalant vibe. It’s a tough one to decipher. Nonetheless, add Mellem to your list and keep up to date on their socials for the events of the month!
06. Wine Is Fine
Wine is (definitely) fine in Athens! Wine Is Fine is a nod to a typical French bistro, it’s decked out with vintage Bordeaux dining chairs that surround white draped table clothed tables, which are positioned carefully around and in the venue. It’s on a first come first served basis, and they pride themselves on curating a menu of food and drink from local producers and the like, which they have carefully sourced.
Wine is Fine is positioned in Vissis 6, Athens and is just out of the hustle and bustle of the main hub, a hidden pedestrian gem. Choosing the Beef Tartare? Then I’d opt for a full-body red. The Bottarga pasta is a must at this venue so don’t sleep on it. Although our experience at Wine Is Fine wasn’t the best on the night we dined there, their food quality is perfect, as is their wine equally (so I’d say give it a shot for something a little anti-Greek if you dare).
07. Feyrouz (Food And Wine Athens)
I’m cheating here as Feyrouz Athens (In particular the transitional table experience) isn’t exactly one of the ‘wine bars in Athens’ BUT it is totally up there as the best place to eat in Athens. Andreas is changing the landscape of gastronomy in Athens (where he showcases the coexistence of food from East and West), with the newly opened private dining space where they host a transitional dining experience. It focuses on the journey from low socioeconomic (or primal ways of cooking and sourcing food) to that produced and cooked for the royal families and those of higher economic status.
It is a tale of accessibility, a curation of food and wine with minimal intervention, and expresses the evolution of gastronomy as we know it today. Why I do mention Feyrouz Athens is because their wine list (while short and sweet) is beautifully curated and they feature some elegant full bodies as well as soft Greek natural wine from around the nation (I got to sip on some of my favourite white wine from the Karimalis Winery, situated in Ikaria Island Greece).
Feyrouz curates a sweet epilogue about tradition, cultural roots and how this is translated into our modern world. Taste exceptional Greek natural wine, and delve into Feyrouz’s experimental kitchen.
We Love Wine Bars In Athens
The wine bars in Athens are eclectic, diverse in their offerings, and have a knack for unifying people. There’s a warm buzz that radiates from these venues, though I suppose you could argue that this vibration is felt throughout Greece in its entirety. The Athens wine scene (in particular Greek natural wine) is committed to promoting more sustainable practices and supporting local winemakers who take great pride in their production and pay homage to traditional wine making methods.
Maybe it’s the new age we’re living in, but there is this attention to detail at the best wine bars in Athens when it comes to curating a wine list that showcases a variety of flavour profiles that also dance in perfect harmony with the available food pairings. This sequence enhances your wine tasting experience, it entices a curiosity to explore the more unique, terroir-driven wines further, and as the taste of each region remains indefinitely on your palette, you become swept away in the narrative of place.
There is such an allure to life after dark in Greece. Inhabitants go about their daily lives and walk around sheepishly, the pace slowly increasing as the hours pass (or the caffeine is digested), but the minute the sun sets, there’s an injection of vibrancy that ripples across the city. It is unexplainable, but it just is… so Athens.
Roll call for all the seasoned oenophiles and curious beginners, these Natural wine bars in Athens will offer a rich and diverse experience that will not fail to educate and inspire you (and your senses).
It’s time to explore Athens wine bars!