Athens Is the New Wine Capital. Here Are 33 Reasons Why.

This wine bar is structured around scheduled listening sessions. A dedicated sound system and vinyl programming determine the pace of the evening, with seating arranged to face the speakers rather than a stage or open floor. The wine list focuses on small producers who ferment with native yeasts and avoid heavy filtration or additives, presented through a rotating by-the-glass selection and a broader bottle catalogue. The food choice is limited to preserved fish, cheese, charcuterie and bread, allowing the format to function without the mechanics of a full kitchen. The room operates as a place to sit, drink and listen with attention.

Nikiou 9, Syntagma

02

Gamay

Named after the grape variety associated with Beaujolais, this wine bar centers its identity on varietal exploration. The list, curated by sommelier and co-owner Giannis Pappas, includes over 130 labels, with at least 20 offered by the glass. Service takes place within a preserved building, structured around a central bar that anchors the room. The kitchen serves up soothing plates, including ladenia (a type of Greek pinsa), tacos, burrata salad and charcuterie, that pair well with the wine menu.

Zoodochou Pigis 42, Exarcheia

03

LOU

Small in scale and discreet in character, this uber-trendy wine bar keeps its focus tightly on the Greek vineyard. Around seventy-five percent of the list is made up of Greek varieties and labels personally selected by the owner, available both by the bottle and by the glass. The food menu remains concise, with three to four small plates designed to accompany the wine rather than compete with it. With only a handful of tables, arriving early is advisable.

Chavriou 1, Syntagma

Walk In, the sibling of Line, owned by the multi-awarded The Clumsies bar team, recently opened on Mavromichali Street in Exarchia. The space shares the same philosophy as Line in Petralona, with transparency-positive industrial elements, a spacious bar, and scattered tables throughout an airy venue. The menu also embraces sustainability and zero waste principles. A notable addition is the on-tap service of distinctive fruit-made wines (without using grapes). The wine selection also includes bottled wines made with gentle winemaking processes from Greek vineyards.

Marvromihali 56, Exarcheia

05

This is the talk of the town: There are vases filled with fresh flowers and candles adorning a marble bar, artwork by Michael McGregor adorning the wall, subdued lighting, and pleasant music streaming from the speakers. However, if you arrive without a reservation, especially after 8pm, you’re unlikely to find anywhere to sit. Newly opened in the Neos Kosmos area, this highly popular bar has a wine selection with delightful offerings from France and Greece. With around 10 choices available by the glass, mostly from magnum bottles, the collection includes over 100 different labels. The appetizers pair perfectly. As the evening progresses, the music volume rises, transforming the into a full-fledged party with orders for Aligoté, Viognier, Assyrtiko, and Serifiotiko wines. Also try Fua, an organic Assyrtiko wine from Sifnos produced in collaboration with a winery in Santorini, that’s exclusively available in Athens at this location.

Maiaichmou 3B, Neos Kosmos

BoBo, in Koukaki, is a fusion of its owners’ bohemian spirit and a minimalist 70s style, a laid-back bar set in a converted garage. Dedicated to its loyal clientele, it specializes in Greek and eclectic international wines, which are listed on the daily chalkboard. Enjoy a curated selection of around 25 biodynamic and organic wines by the glass and tasty tidbits like carpaccios and salads in a vibrant yet unpretentious atmosphere.

Anastasiou Zinni 36, Koukaki

In the heart of the city, in Plaka, this elegant wine bistro, a classic, offers a hidden retreat with over 500 wine labels, including rare Greek and international vintages, and more than 200 by-the-glass options. Enjoy your selection in a quaint arcade or on the tree-lined square, in the shadow of the Russian Orthodox Church. A Mediterranean menu complements the extensive wine selection.

G. Souri 3 & Filellinon, Ralli Arcade, Syntagma

08

Cinque

Wine education here is paramount. Staff use maps and visuals to illustrate the origin of each wine and offer very popular curated tastings of three or five Greek wines. The original Cinque Wine & Deli Bar in Psiri and its Monastiraki sibling, Cinque Wine Delights, both exude intimacy and charm, with an emphasis on exceptional service in a warm and vibrant atmosphere.

Agatharkou 15, Psyrri and Voreou 10, Monastiraki

09

Heteroclito

Heteroclito is a wine connoisseur’s delight in a cosy, bistro-style setting. With a wine list of 200 labels, this establishment prides itself on Greek wines only, with around 20 available by the glass. It’s the ideal place for those seeking rare labels, limited production and natural wines. Here you can taste different grape varieties from different terroirs, perfectly paired with Greek cheeses, dried fruits or homemade pies. And if a particular bottle catches your eye, you can buy it to enjoy at home.

Fokionos 2 & Petraki, Syntagma

10

Junior Does Wine

Junior (Does Wine) stands out for its wine and food pairings in the Ilisia district of Athens. With over 60 indie labels selected by sommelier Vasiliki Galani, focusing on small, alternative producers, it offers around 15 wines by the glass, complemented by seasonal snacks such as bruschetta. Founders George, Nick and Chris have created a welcoming space for exploring diverse wines and flavorsome bites.

Μaiandrou 5, Ilisia

11

To Koperti

In Petralona, To Koperti stands out as a celebrated wine restaurant known for its exquisite selection of wines and starters. It exudes an atmosphere of authenticity and relaxed comfort. The menu evolves with the seasons, carefully curated to complement the nuanced flavours of the wines, and draws culinary enthusiasts from all over the city.

Trion Ierarchon 188, Petralona

Kiki de Grece, founded by Rosa Kardara, combines a wine-centric ambience with culinary delights. This venue presents a selection of 50 Greek wines, 80% of which are available by the glass. The concise menu complements the wines with offerings such as cheese and honey trios, fava with caramelised onions and smoked eel, and an array of meze. The wine-tasting experience is further enhanced by a selection of snacks. Inspired by the adventurous spirit of Kiki de Montparnasse, the bar also features a detailed map showing the origin of each of the wines.

Ippitou 4, Syntagma

Atop the Athens Utopia hotel, the Manouka wine bar boasts an expansive view of Athens’ skyline, highlighting landmarks such as the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, the Parliament Building and the National Observatory. With over 100 Greek wines curated by head sommelier Vassilis, each available by the glass, it’s a haven for exploring local viniculture. Dear Manouka, its sister venue in Pangrati, offers a tranquil experience in a beautifully restored neoclassical townhouse.

Ermou 46, Monastiraki

Located near the Museum of Contemporary Art, Materia Prima is a sophisticated wine bar where sommelier Michalis Papatsimbas showcases over 20 rotating wines by the glass. He focuses on rare finds from small Greek winemakers and minimum intervention wines, and pairs this exclusive selection with a sophisticated menu. Its counterpart at Pagkrati offers a similar experience.

Mesologgiou Sq 3, Pangrati

In central Athens, MONK Grapes & Spirits offers an eclectic wine experience in a renovated, high-ceilinged house with an industrial-artistic vibe. Here, you can sample from an impressive selection of 180 wines by the glass, curated to complement Greek-Mediterranean cuisine. The venue also hosts themed wine events, including tastings and dinners, with reservations recommended, particularly from Thursday to Saturday.

Karori 4, Monastiraki

A pioneer in the capital’s wine bar scene since 2008, Oinoscent in Athens boasts a vast selection of over 700 wines from around the world. Run by the Agapitos brothers and with award-winning sommelier Aris Sklavenitis, it offers tastings from a dynamic list of Greek and international wines. Expanded in 2012, the cellar now houses over a thousand labels, offering a rich, exploratory wine experience for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

45 Voulis, Syntagma

Another hot spot combining a unique culinary atmosphere with a vibrant wine scene, Pharaoh is located in central Athens. A curated selection of 400 natural wines, overseen by sommelier Paisley Tara Kennett, complements chef Manolis Papoutsakis’ wood-fired cuisine. The venue doubles as a Japanese jazz bar where top DJs play an eclectic mix on vinyl, creating a multi-sensory experience where food, wine and music come together.

Solomou 54, Exarcheia

Wine is Fine, a recent addition to Athens’ wine bar scene, is dedicated to gently vinified wines, primarily Greek and French, with some selections from Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, and beyond. While there are only a few wines available by the glass, there’s a total of around eighty options to explore. The bar, located on Vyssis Street near bustling Athinas, offers a nostalgic nod to the 90s in its aesthetics and is an endeavor by Frenchmen Rafael Wallon-Brownstone and Thomas Brengou, in collaboration with Greek chef Stavros Chrysafidis.

Vissis 6, Psyrri

Just steps from the Acropolis Museum, this Athens wine bar is renowned for its exclusive commitment to Greek wines, offering a rotating selection accompanied by cheese and charcuterie platters and a jazzy soundtrack. The sommelier will help you choose, and guests are introduced to the ‘winemaker of the month’. With around 250 labels from 120 wineries, it’s a prime destination for local and visiting wine lovers, and bottles are available for purchase.

Porinou 2, Makryianni

20

Located just a 10-minute walk from Kypseli Square, Mellem attracts its own crowd despite being away from the area’s popular spots. The small corner space, adorned with mosaics, large windows, and sidewalk tables, serves coffee in the morning but transitions to a wine bar later in the day, offering a select list of gently processed wines. For snacks, aged graviera from Tinos, manuli from Kasos, and other local cheeses and deli meats selected from Karamanlidika tou Fani deli and restaurant are available.

Faidriadon 76, Kypseli

21

Iouda

Opened in early 2025, this is a chiefly Greek-label wine bar that pairs a tight, local-facing list with DJ sessions (mainly house music) and late-night energy. Indeed, the room is run as a bar first, with music as a scheduled feature rather than background. Service is built around wine, with a food section that stays in snack territory, keeping the format flexible for walk-ins, short stops, as well as longer sessions.

Karori 5, Monastiraki

22

Terroirist

This is the Athens branch of the established wine retailer Terroirist, now operating as a dedicated wine bar with on-site service. The wine list centers on organic, biodynamic and low-intervention producers, with a strong representation of Greek vineyards alongside selected international bottles. Wines are available by the glass and by the bottle, allowing for both structured tastings and extended table service. The food centers around cheese, charcuterie and small plates that accompany the wine list.

Embedokleous 28-30, Pangrati

23

Philip Glass

This venue presents itself clearly as a wine bar, with a program structured around labels selected from small producers and a rotating by-the-glass list. The space offers both seated service and bar-counter drinking, and music forms part of its weekly schedule without shifting the focus away from wine. The food menu is short and bar-centric, designed to accompany tasting flights or a single bottle shared between two.

Louka Bellou 3, Ambelokipi

24

Lost Roots

Shelving filled with bottles runs the length of the room, making the range immediately visible. The list draws from Greek and international vineyards, with emphasis on organic and biodynamic producers, and a rotating by-the-glass section that allows guests to taste across regions and grape varieties. Bottles are also available for retail purchase. The kitchen stays within the wine bar format, serving Mediterranean small plates and sharing boards designed to accompany either a tasting sequence or a full bottle at the table.

Irakleidon 30, Thisseio

25

Drunky Goat

Tasting flights are central to the format here. The program highlights Greek vineyards, with curated samplings that move across grape varieties and regions in structured sequences. Bottles are available for on-site service and for retail purchase, supported by staff-led guidance. The kitchen is pairing-oriented, offering cheese, charcuterie and small plates designed to match the flight format and encourage longer sessions around the table.

Navarchou Nikodimou 5, Exarcheia

26

Bouchon

Seating is arranged to invite both eye-level conversations and slow exploration of the cellar. The wine list spans Greek and European labels, with by-the-glass options that change regularly and a broader selection by the bottle that rewards time spent browsing. Staff are keenly knowledgeable and willing to guide guests through tasting choices. Small plates and boards sit alongside the wine list, piled with cheese and charcuterie that pair well with the wines.

Tzort 24, Exarcheia

27

Girafe

The wine list is the central statement here, with 135 labels spanning the Greek and international vineyard. The wine list is curated by sommelier Vasilis Papadopoulos, whose selection gives the cellar both depth and range. The kitchen is inspired by Mediterranean, French and comfort flavors – from bruschetta to mushroom and chicken volovans to smash burgers. This allows the venue to operate equally as a wine bar and as a casual dinner stop.

Kallidromiou 17, Exarcheia

28

Feelin’ Tipsy

Around 100 labels shape the list here, with emphasis on New World producers alongside selected Greek bottles. Seventeen wines are available by the glass, allowing structured comparison without committing to a full bottle. The Mediterranean food menu includes light bites, cheese and charcuterie boards as well as warm dishes like tagliata. Seating along the pedestrian stretch creates a setting suited to extended evening service under low lighting and steady music.

Charitos 43, Kolonaki

29

Alfiere Caffe

In the ever-shifting rhythm of Kolonaki, Alfiere endures with quiet confidence – a tiny, debonair italian/wine bar that has become something of a neighborhood institution. Its scale is intimate, almost conspiratorial, which may explain why on any given evening you might find yourself seated shoulder to shoulder with an artist, a shipping heir, or – don’t be surprised – even the prime minister. The staff are exceptional in that understated, deeply professional way: they remember your drink, your preferences, and often your story, cultivating a loyal following that includes patrons (the editor of this post among them) who have been returning for more than a decade. Its Mykonos outpost (at the fabulous Nammos Village) brings the same polished ease to the island crowd, yet the Kolonaki original remains the true clubhouse – discreet, well-mannered, and reliably elegant with a short, exceptional wine list that’s always – of course – served in the right temperature.

Sekeri 5, Kolonaki

30

Faos (Φăoς)

Blue and white tones define the interior, reflecting the owners’ origins from Naxos. The name derives from the ancient Greek verb meaning “to illuminate,” and the wine list focuses exclusively on Greek indigenous grape varieties. The current selection at this wine bar and spritzeria includes 20 Greek labels, forming a well-defined list. The food menu centres on light bites like bruschetta with smoked fish, sandwiches and even main dishes like steaks and salads, allowing the venue to function as both a tasting stop and a seated dinner option.

Varnava Square, Pangrati

31

Fellos

This spot runs on a wine-first program with spritzes as a parallel lane, and a small-plates menu conceived for sharing at the table. The wine list leans strongly Greek, with a shorter by the glass section, and the drinks side extends into spritz-style serves and a broader cocktail page. Food stays in the bar register, with seafood-leaning cold plates and deli-style boards alongside more composed dishes.

Vasilikis & Kolokotroni, Syntagma

At Tanini, a laid-back wine bar, over a hundred biodynamic, natural, organic, and terroir-driven wines are showcased by knowledgeable sommeliers. The wine list is complemented by dishes from Maria Kofitsa, enhancing the tasting experience. Known for personalized service and wine-focused discussions, Tanini also offers bi-monthly tasting seminars and a weekend brunch menu with live piano, starting in May.

Ippokratous 91 & Methonis, Exarcheia

In Athens’ Kolonaki – where standards are exacting and taste is practically a civic duty – Mr. Vertigo rises to the occasion with quiet, assured chic. Nominally a wine shop, it offers the added pleasure of a perfectly poured glass enjoyed just outside, turning a quick stop into a small, civilized ritual. The curation is thoughtful, the mood unfussy yet refined, and the clientele as polished as the neighborhood it serves. We are making a rare exception by including it in our best wine bars list – a testament to the fact that sometimes the most elegant experiences begin with a bottle and a bit of pavement (not any pavement – on a the new subway station construction front).

Pl. Filikis Eterias 15, Kolonaki