Written on: July 2024
Craving delicious plant-based food in the heart of Athens? Look no further! This guide is your passport to a world of vegan cafes, restaurants, and dessert spots. From hearty breakfasts to satisfying dinners and indulgent treats, we've got you covered. Get ready to explore the vibrant Athenian vegan scene!
A few months ago, I celebrated my birthday with a return to Athens. While I was eager to reconnect with old university friends and rediscover the city's charm, my taste buds were equally excited to explore its thriving vegan scene. Athens, after all, is a vegan paradise!
With a limited number of days, juggling friend visits, theatre outings, and sightseeing with my insatiable appetite for plant-based cuisine was quite the challenge. I had a long-standing bucket list of vegan restaurants to conquer, and I was determined to make the most of every meal.
I decided to divide them into cafe where you can get coffee, breakfast and brunch, then the next category will be restaurants either for lunch or dinner and last but not least dessert!
Full disclaimer: none of these are sponsored, this is my own honest opinion and I fully paid for the meals I'm mentioning.
Cafes:
Holy Llama:
Kicking off the list is Holy Llama, a fully plant-based bakery conveniently located near Syntagma Square. This gem offers a mouthwatering array of pastries, from classic croissants to indulgent cookies. But it doesn't stop there! You'll also find hearty salads, satisfying bowls, and delightful drinks to complete your plant-based experience. While seating is limited, the vibrant atmosphere is worth the potential wait. My first visit on a bustling Saturday morning confirmed its popularity. Determined to indulge, I opted for a "puff dog" and a chocolate-covered "wonder wheel" filled with pistachio cream - both were heavenly!
During my visits, I couldn't resist trying Holy Llama's savoury options. The Caprese croissant was a delightful choice one day, while the tofu scramble, served on a hearty 8-seed bread and topped with mushrooms and salad, was equally impressive.
Early Bites:
Next up is Early Bites, a charming little cafe near Omonoia Square. This hidden gem offers a delightful selection of entirely vegan Greek pies. The leek pie I tried was simply divine, and I regret not going back to sample more of their offerings. Beyond their famous pies, Early Bites also serves up vegan omelettes, light wraps, and healthy desserts.
Restaurants:
Vegan Beat:
Let's dive into the restaurant scene, starting with Vegan Beat on Perikleous Street, a parallel road to Ermou. This casual spot offers a tempting array of vegan salads, burgers, wraps, and their popular spiral potatoes. They even have a selection of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. I personally indulged in their Space Gyros, Lahmajoun, and the famous spiral potatoes, with the Gyros stealing the show.
Tanpopo:
Next up is Tanpopo, a cozy Japanese ramen haven nestled at the corner of Aristidou and Evripidou Streets in Athens' city center. Ramen-starved for ages, I couldn't contain my excitement. Despite its intimate size, Tanpopo offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Snagging a spot at the bar is a treat, as you can watch the culinary magic unfold in the open kitchen.
While the idea of a ramen topped with wild arugula and cherry tomatoes was initially unexpected, the result was pure bliss. This bowl was an umami explosion, and I wholeheartedly recommend Tanpopo. However, a heads-up: reservations are advisable, and it's worth confirming they offer the vegan mushroom ramen option, as it was the sole vegan choice during my visit.
Ergon house:
Ergon House on Mitropoleos Street is a foodie's paradise. This modern market offers a fantastic range of products, including amazing vegan options. I visited twice and couldn't get enough of their sourdough bread, olives, and chickpea hummus with sumac. I also loved their vegan Lahmatzoun (with Beyond Meat and plant-based cheese), grilled vegetable salad, and eggplant dish with tahini and cashews. Everything was delicious! Definitely worth a visit, but be sure to book a table in advance.
Dessert:
Plan(e)t:
Plan(e)t is a plant-based ice cream shop conveniently located near Monastiraki Square. With a dizzying array of flavours, there's something to satisfy every sweet tooth. I personally loved the chocolate and strawberry options. Bonus: You can enjoy Plan(e)t's delicious ice creams not only at the shop but also in several supermarkets around the city. Check their website for specific locations.
Fresh Patisserie:
Last but not least, a sweet ending thanks to my friend Marianna. She surprised me with a decadent chocolate cake from Fresh Patisserie for my birthday. It was rich, indulgent, and the perfect way to cap off my Athens adventure!
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on hours, locations, and menus, please check Google Maps.
While I couldn't squeeze in visits to every place on my list, here are a few additional spots to consider: Winners vegan restaurant, Mama Tierra, Veganaki, Keenkies, Handwich, Treis Laloun, Happy blender, Yi Athens and Feyrouz.
I hope you found this vegan guide to Athens helpful! Share your experiences in the comments below. Let me know if you visit any of these spots, what you ordered, and any other vegan gems you discover in the city. I’d love to hear your recommendations!
Nat x
