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Ashley Metcalfe
June 17, 2024
Want to find the best coffee in Athens?
I’m not talking about your average cup of joe now. We’re talking about Athens cafes that can serve up a brewtiful cup of coffee that make real coffee lovers go ‘ahhh’ after that first sip.
Coffee is a big part of our lives. I wish I was joking but it’s true and we’ve only gotten snobbier (well, Matt has – I still enjoy an iced vanilla latte lol). Since we are digital nomads, we get to try coffee from all over the world in very cool places like Guatemala and Colombia (some of the best in the world).
The coffee in Athens is no exception!
We spent 2 months searching and testing to find the best coffee in Athens. After a lot of trial and failure – we’ve narrowed down the list!
In this blog post, you’ll discover the 11 best coffee shops in Athens that are worth checking out.
How We Chose The Best Specialty Coffee Shops In Athens
Our first time in Greece was in 2019 during our honeymoon. We didn’t really know what to expect in terms of the coffee scene but we were excited to try Greek coffee! We sat down at a cafe and enthusiastically asked the waiter for ‘2 Greek coffees please’!
The waiter came back with these 2 small glass cups with what looked to be coffee grinds at the bottom. We thought ‘that’s interesting but let’s give it a try’. The taste test is always the true test and well…
…it was HORRIBLE!
Traditional Greek coffee is very strong, intense and there are coffee grains at the bottom which you can’t help but ingest. Don’t get me wrong – by all means, give it a try for yourself because you are in Greece after all! We just quickly learned it wasn’t for us as we love drinking flat whites, cappuccinos and iced lattes – very different compared to Greek coffee.
Here are some things we look at when determining the best coffee in Athens:
- Do they say they serve specialty coffee?
- What kind of machine do they use?
- Do they know what single origin means?
- Do they roast their own coffee beans?
- What kind of coffee orders do they serve (greek coffee vs espresso-based)?
After our first visit to Greece on our honeymoon, we thought ‘we could never live here because the coffee is just so bad’ (yes, that’s how bad our coffee addiction has become :P). But we love Greece so much and we returned 3 years later with hopes that they have caught on with the specialty coffee trend these days.
The good news? Specialty coffee shops in Athens aren’t too hard to find anymore! In this guide, we are sharing 11 of the best coffee in Athens that serves specialty-style coffee.
11x Of The Best Coffee In Athens (For True Coffee-Lovers)
The coffee scene is changing in Greece.
When we first visited in 2019, we were disheartened by the fact that we didn’t love traditional Greek coffee because it’s literally everywhere! Matthew couldn’t find a good cup of flat white coffee to save himself (you can imagine how many grumpy mornings we had).
Now…you can find specialty coffee in Athens where well-trained baristas serve strong, balanced cups of deliciousness. These cafes may even roast their own beans and know what ‘single-origin beans’ means. While you can always order a Greek coffee or Freddo cappuccino, it’s much easier to find coffee shops in Athens serving flat whites, cappuccinos or even iced coffee drinks!
Don’t get us wrong – we recommend trying traditional Greek coffee at least once. But if you’re like us – you’ll quickly spit out the coffee grains from the bottom of the cup before putting it down forever.
1. Rule of 4m Specialty Coffee (Stadio)
One of the first things we do when arriving at a new digital nomad destination is searching Google Maps for coffee shops. We spent a good chunk of time reading reviews and trying to see the machines in the photos.
Rule of 4m stood out to us because they had 200+ reviews and a perfect 5-star rating. Crazy, right? We had to check out why it’s done so well. It was only a 15-minute walk from our apartment in Athens and off we went!
Upon arriving, we realized it was a very very small coffee shop with little to no seating. Matthew and I usually like to sit, chat and sip our coffee slowly but we couldn’t do that at Rule of 4m. We were greeted by super friendly staff who looked like they knew what they were doing. These expert baristas served cappuccinos, flat whites and iced lattes – already a tick for us!
From that first sip, it was love at first taste. The cup had a lovely consistency with flawless texture, the coffee beans were strong yet balanced, the barista knew what he was doing (timing all processes) and it was all you could want in a cup of coffee. The prices were all very reasonable, about €1.80 for a flat white.
All those 5-star reviews immediately made sense! We were hooked on Rule of 4m coffee from this moment on, we would walk a total of 30 minutes once or twice a day just for a sip of excellent coffee!
If you’re a real coffee lover, Rule of 4m has some of the best coffee in Athens and it’s worth checking it out for yourself.
2. Caffeine Dealer (Koukaki)
With a name like Caffeine Dealer, you have to assume they’ve served some good specialty coffee brews.
And you’d be right in that assumption!
We’ve got another exclusively 5-star Google rating on the list of the best coffee in Athens. Caffeine Dealer is serious about crafting a delicious coffee one cup at a time.
This Athens cafe offers a few different types of roast – the Area 51 Brazil roast is a popular one. They have strong citrus and floral notes you can taste in the cup. You can visit more than once and try all the beans available. The baristas are all very knowledgeable and friendly so you can ask them any questions about the coffee or your order.
If you’re a flat white lover like Matt, this is going to be the best coffee in Athens for you! They are known for doing really great ones so make sure to check it out. Caffeine Dealer also offers a very small range of pastries to pair with your coffee but that’s about it. This is usually the case with specialty coffee stores anyway – it’s all about that C O F F E E. 😛
The prices are pretty reasonable, approximately €2.00 for a flat white when we were there in 2021. Caffeine Dealer is also located in one of the best neighborhoods in Athens called Koukaki.
3. Dope Roasting Co
Want a cafe that’s got a balance between a good cup of coffee and a great place to hang out?
Dope Roasting Co will the best coffee in Athens for you then! As digital nomads, we are always looking for great cafes that have a good amount of plugs, reliable wifi and a good cup of coffee. Dope Roasting Co delivered every time.
They have a big store with 2 levels – the bottom level has a few seats with an outdoor section you can sit in while the top level has more plugs, and benches to work and sip coffee.
Dope Roasting Co also offers really great sandwiches and pastries to pair with your coffee. While it might not be the highest level of specialty coffee, it was still one of the best coffee in Athens, in our opinion. The coffee tastes pleasant as it wasn’t too bitey but we think that their coffee could be so much better if the baristas took more care in timing their processes. The interior design of Dope is also what makes it stand out from the rest of the Athens cafes.
Overall, the coffee shop in Athens was one of our favorites because we could enjoy a decent cup of coffee, eat a pastry and get some work done at the same time!
4. Taf Coffee Roasters
Taf Coffee is a beautifully designed cafe located in the heart of Athens. If you find yourself wandering around Monastariki Square and needing a break from the crowd – head over to Taf for a fresh brew.
You will be welcomed by friendly staff and expert baristas who know what they are doing. There’s limited seating inside the cafe but they do have a few outdoor seating options.
Taf Coffee is a standout specialty coffee shop in Athens because they roast and package their own beans which turn out to be quite rare in the city. If you are into third wave specialty coffee stores – you won’t be disappointed with Taf.
You can choose from the range of beans they have available but the house blend is always a safe bet. The cup of coffee will no doubt be a strong, jolt of goodness. If you also love the traditional Greek coffee, they serve up a good freddo cappuccino!
This Athens cafe is located close to one of the most touristy areas and that means their prices are a little higher than others (but not by much), around €3.25 for a flat white.
Want a good traditional Greek coffee and good third wave coffee? Taf is going to be your best option for coffee in Athens!
5. Samba Coffee Roasters
Samba Coffee Roasters is one of the best coffee in Athens.
That’s just a fact!
From the moment you enter the coffee shop, you can see why. They have a next-level, high-quality coffee machine that must have been expensive! A great marker for whether a cafe is serious about their coffee is how much they are willing to spend for a coffee machine and Samba did not cheap out.
They specialize in small-batch roasting with a focus on creating unique flavor profiles and bringing out the best of each bean’s character. The shop is run by passionate baristas, who have developed a wide selection of espresso drinks and pour-overs, as well as freshly roasted beans.
You can order cold brew coffee, filter coffee (Aeropress/Chemex) and your usual flat white, cappuccino and iced lattes at Samba. It’s easy to tell that each cup is made with a lot of love and care at this Athens cafe.
6. Mokka Specialty Coffee
If you’re going to have a traditional Greek coffee, have it at Mokka Specialty Coffee.
They are particular about their process and at Mokka, you can actually see them make it! They use the hot sand bath method to heat the water and create a traditional Greek coffee (the one with grinds at the bottom). It’s a great experience overall!
But that’s not all Mokka serves! They also craft ‘white coffees’ like cappuccinos, flat whites and iced lattes if you’re more into third wave coffee like us. We thought it tasted really good, it’s very strong (more than your usual) – possibly because they do such a great traditional Greek coffee.
Mokka specialty coffee is located just across the street from the central market. If you find yourself tired from shopping, head inside and enjoy a brewtiful cup of coffee!
7. Black Bear Specialty Coffee
Black Bear not only has some of the best coffee in Athens but also offer a great range of healthy breakfast, brunch and lunch meals to enjoy.
This Athens cafe is located a little further out than the city center in a neighborhood near Pangrati. If you have the time, it might be worth the journey out there to try their coffee. They offer single origin beans usually from African countries – you can also simply choose the blend of the day. If you like a fruitier coffee taste, you’ll probably enjoy the coffee at Black Bear.
8. Tate Specialty Coffee
Tate Specialty Coffee is a great takeaway shop located in the center of the city. The coffee shop is a beautiful, minimalistic design. There are only 2 seats so it’s not exactly the place to sit but great for a takeaway coffee when you’re on the go.
This cafe in Athens offers different kinds of brews from filter coffee to traditional Greek coffee to your ‘white’ coffees like a flat white. The beans have a nice, smooth and balanced taste to them that doesn’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
Tate Specialty Coffee also has some of the friendliest owners you’ll meet! They make you feel right at home and keep you wanting to go back. It’s a great option if you want takeaway coffee in the city center of Athens!
9. Lot 51
This Athens cafe is the ultimate place to go with friends for a weekend brunch.
Lot 51 is a great place to visit for coffee and brunch lovers in Athens. While this cafe is located a little further out from Athens city center, it’s worth the journey out to Lot 51. They offer a selection of specialty coffees from places like Brazil, Burundi and Colombia, giving you a choice of their single origin espresso to their house roasted blends.
Not only do they offer great coffee, but they also offer a variety of brunch food. You can order pancakes, smoothie bowls, eggs benedict and more. It’s a great cafe to bring friends or family to spend some time bonding over good coffee and good food!
10. Plegma Coffee & Living
We stumbled on Plegma Coffee & Living, one day as we were walking around our neighborhood. We couldn’t tell at first if it was a cafe because they also sell really cute home goods like baskets, candles and home decor items.
Matthew and I didn’t really know what to expect with the coffee, it was just such a cute space we had to try it. The coffee did not disappoint at all! They have a very strong, flavorful bean that makes an excellent cup of coffee.
I have to mention they had one of my favorite iced coffee in Athens! If you’re like me and love iced coffee, you should check out Plegma. And if you’re a digital nomad in Athens – it’s also a nice place to work from as it’s pretty quiet and the owners are so lovely!
11. The Underdog
Looking for a bigger cafe space? The Underdog’s got it!
The Underdog has become more than just a cafe. They know also serve intricate cocktails for when you want to go from day to night. With the right combination of expert baristas and passionate mixologists, The Underdog has become a staple in the cafe scene in Athens.
They have a spacious indoor and outdoor terrace with lots of seating available. As it’s more than a specialty coffee store, you can also order a wide selection of food at The Underdog. From pancakes to burgers, you won’t go hungry here.
You can order your usual specialty coffee orders like a flat white or you can also go order the popular freddo cappuccino – whatever you order at The Underdog, you can’t go wrong!
Is There Good Coffee In Greece?
Yes! You can find all types of coffee in Greece – freddo cappuccinos, flat white, iced lattes, and traditional Greek coffee.
But I guess it really depends on what you think makes a good coffee.
We don’t love traditional Greek coffee. This might be the epitome of good coffee to some but not to us! We enjoy more flat whites, cappuccinos and iced lattes. If you’re the same as us, yes there is good coffee in Greece.
For us, these are some of the things we consider:
- single origin beans
- talented baristas
- good coffee machines
- good processes (timings, etc)
- recently roasted beans
In recent years, Greece has started to join the new wave of coffee – the specialty stores that take pride in their craft in every single cup of coffee.
What Is The Most Popular Coffee In Athens?
The most popular coffee in Athens is a freddo.
Never heard of that word before? It’s a really nice iced coffee drink that’s popular all over the country.
A freddo is an espresso coffee that they add ice to which chills the drink and then they blend it. They make a frothy milk that goes on top as well. You can add sugar to it or you can also do without!
If cafes don’t serve iced lattes or flat whites, a freddo cappuccino is usually my go-to coffee order in Greece!
Is Coffee Expensive In Athens?
We didn’t feel like it was expensive to have coffee in Athens. Before arriving in Athens, we had just come from Paris so everything felt cheaper! We were paying nearly €5.00 for a tiny espresso shot – no joke.
Coffee in Athens is very reasonably priced. You can pay anywhere between €1.50 to €3.50 which is very fair. This all usually depends on where the cafe is located – if it’s closer to the tourist areas you will pay more and hidden gems may cost less.
The cost of living in Athens is much more affordable than other European cities so it makes sense that coffee prices are pretty fair.
Does Athens Have Specialty Coffee Shops?
We are happy to report that yes, Athens does have specialty coffee shops! After living in Athens for 2 months, we scoured the city for the best coffee and we found 11 really great cafes serving delicious coffee for you to enjoy.
You have a lot of coffee chains all around Greece like Coffee Island, Gregory’s, Coffeeberry, Coffee Lab and so much more. If you’re like us and a bit of a coffee snob, these coffee chains probably won’t do it for you!
There is plenty of specialty coffee in Athens, we encourage you to go and try them out for yourselves. Let us know if you find any cafes that stood out to you!
Discovering The Best Coffee In Athens: Is It Worth Checking Out?
We have to admit: we weren’t ready to revisit Athens because we just weren’t impressed with the coffee scene.
As coffee lovers, we go to bed thinking about that delicious cup of coffee we’re going to have in the morning. Unfortunately, we didn’t feel that excitement while traveling to Greece because we didn’t like traditional grainy, Greek coffee.
But since then…
The specialty coffee scene in Athens has spread all over the city. We were pleasantly surprised when we came back 3 years laters and immediately knew we had to scour the city to find the best coffee in Athens.
We absolutely loved Rule of 4m, Caffeine Dealer and Taf Specialty Coffee. If you only have a few days in Athens or a few months, you can’t go wrong with either of those because they are some of the best coffee in Athens!
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