With the temperature expected to reach new highs, those of us still stuck in Athens are bound to look for a cool garden, hidden or not. Our city may not have as many as we would like, but we’ve collected seven gems, real oasis in the city, that are worth visiting.

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six d.o.g.s.

This is an urban garden hidden right in the centre of Athens. You go down a few steps and a lush scenery is revealed between blocks of flats, with colourful fairy lights and tables set amphitheatrically under the trees. Six d.o.g.s’ garden is an oasis. Here you can have your morning coffee and breakfast, have a meal from the menu prepared by the Greek Lebanese chef Fahd Alexandros Hassan Kassem, that offers mainly vegan dishes and will take you on a culinary journey to Beirut, or enjoy a chill cocktail.

6-8 Avramiotou str, Monastiraki, tel. 2103210510

Noah

A cool garden that’s within reach of Vassilissis Sofias avenue, in the verdant Eleftheria Park. The large sculpture of a hand signing the word “love” in the entrance sets the tone.

The décor resembles a Mexican hacienda, surrounded by large trees, with comfortable tables, colourful details, and the scents of the jasmine and honeysuckle permeate the air. As for its cuisine, it’s a mixture of Mediterranean and Mexican flavours, together with a list of mainstream cocktails. The crowd it attracts is mainly young people.

Eleftheria Park, Megaro Mousikis, tel. 2107233419

Hide & Seek

No matter how strange it sounds, this all-day bar-restaurant is on the busy Kifissias avenue. You might miss it at first, especially if you’ve never been before. A beautiful entrance that leads to an elegant garden with palm trees, cacti, chestnut trees, acacias and beautiful lights where you can enjoy tasty, fine dishes from morning till night. The menu is prepared by the established chef Giannis Liokas.

While the inspired, summery drinks have been created by Lykourgos Xristothanasopoulos, under the supervision of Spyros Kerkiras. It’s perfect for brunch on the weekend.

254 Kifissias str, Chalandri, tel. 2106776747

Natu Restaurant

This is the garden of the Goulandris Museum of Natural History in Kifissia, which was fully renovated last year and turned into an all-day space by the team of Dipnosofistirion. So, among the tall cypresses, the olive trees, the laurels, the myrtle shrubs, and the aromatic herbs, next to the lily pond, you can enjoy a coffee or a cool drink with your friends. At night, the lighting makes the place idyllic.

13 Levidou str, Kifissia, tel. 210 8011170

Monzu

The Italian chefs that had received French culinary training and worked for the Neapolitan aristocracy in the end of the 18th century were called monzu. This Italian restaurant is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building with a very neat garden. Giannis Liokas is the chef in charge, and he prepares crunchy pizza dough, tasty pasta, as well as carefully prepared meat and fish dishes. The drinks are also inspired by Italy with the aperitivi dominating the menu.

317 Β Kifissias ave, Kifissia, tel. 2106200495

Godmama’s Yard

Hidden in the narrow streets of Peristeri there’s a ‘godmother’ that welcomes us to one of the most beautiful gardens in the area. The old two-storey house on Vasileos Alexandrou street, where the boém Popi used to live – very well-known in the area due to her many god-children – has been fully renovated and turned into an all-day café. It opens in the morning serving coffee and brunch, while in the evening the volume turns up and the summer cocktails and delicious finger food take the lead.

98 Vas. Alexandrou str, Peristeri, tel. 210 5718393

To Lokali

One of the prettiest gardens in the city. A sport that has managed to charm locals and visitors with its cheerful, friendly vibe. In this beautiful, retro, filled with plants, umbrellas, and soft colours garden you can have breakfast, and light lunch prepared by chef Alexandros Haralambopoulos. In the evening the lights dim and drinks, that this year are tiki-inspired, take the leading part. Also, in the evenings you can “climb” to the beautiful rooftop with the fairy lights and the totally summery vibe.

44 Sarri str, Psiri, tel. 690 610 3005