Cafe culture has surely flourished in the Greek capital, where coffee shops that are beautifully decorated in creative, individual styles and serve a broad array of fabulous cakes, snacks, light meals and drinks, become the perfect havens for a deliciously solitary read or work session.
Today, many Athenians and Digital Nomads alike, with laptops in tow, find refuge in these charming cafes, where the hum of activity provides a harmonious backdrop to a productive session or simply, a serene observance of life unfolding beyond the windowpane. Facilitated by the rise of telecommuting—a concept once foreign, yet gradually evolving into an unspoken norm—the cafes have morphed into spaces that celebrate this fusion of solitude and camaraderie, accommodating both the contemplative reader and the engrossed worker, promoting an ethos steeped in comfort, concentration, and culture.
Whether your heart is set on a nostalgia-soaked place that echoes the decor of a French bistro, or a contemporary café with minimalistic features and a chilled-out atmosphere, here are six cafés where you can work or read with such tranquility that it will feel like you’re ensconced in your home office.
Combray
In the vibrant heart of the city, this refreshed and highly distinctive bookstore aims to transcend its mere role as a commercial hub, blossoming instead into a cherished space where seekers come to find that elusive tome they have longed to hold. The brainchild of close friends Dimitra Tsiorva and Victoria Bontourian, both avid bibliophiles sharing a truly romantic affinity for books, Combray is the manifestation of their shared and grand vision to nurture a community of fervent readers just like themselves.
Within its subdued yet inviting precincts, one can find a cozy nook to get immersed in a captivating read, or perhaps enjoy a coffee while unwinding and watching the world go by on Didotou Street.
The name of the establishment draws inspiration from Marcel Proust‘s seminal work “In Search of Lost Time”, as those familiar with the literary masterpiece would recognize “Combray” as the cornerstone of the narrator’s journey into the realm of forgotten yesteryears, a locale rich with vivid childhood recollections. In this vein, it’s only fitting to acknowledge that a visit to Combray on Didotou Street resembles an entrance into a different spacetime, an ushering into a fresh world where quality literature reigns supreme, holding both the premier and concluding dialogues in this narrative of literary enchantment and reminiscence.
Address: Didotou 34, Exarcheia, Athens.
Tigré
This diminutive yet utterly charming establishment located on Mavromichali Street in the vibrant neighbourhood of Exarchia has swiftly blossomed into a steadfast haunt for locals, capturing the affection of not only the community but also drawing visitors from wider reaches of the central district.
If you find yourself pondering the origins of its distinctive name, a mere glimpse at the iconic yellow ironwork, a trademark embellishment of the venue, might offer a hint. Tigré, both petite and stylish, occupies a truly tranquil nook, detached from the bustling heart of Exarchia, sheltered from the maddening crowd, which indeed, makes it an exemplary choice for those seeking a serene enclave to unwind, be it with your laptop or immersed in a literary adventure.
Yet, Tigré has more to unfold in its embrace, presenting a concise yet bounteous menu that promises a gastronomic delight. Whether you fancy a fleeting snack or the soup of the day, your culinary desires will be met with grace. And as the day wanes, the venue transforms into a haven where flavours meet, offering delectable bruschettas that pair perfectly with your wine or cocktail, orchestrating a late afternoon rendezvous that transcends into an evening filled with hearty conversations.
In essence, Tigré offers a generous embrace from dawn to dusk, where you can find your nook in the morning to work or read with a cup of fine coffee by your side, and as evening unfurls, it welcomes you to gather with friends for a cocktail soirée, indulging in their exquisite signature selections, lingering into the night with spirited conversations.
Address: Mavromichali 98, Exarchia, Athens.
Euripides Cafe
An old beloved bastion nestled in the northern suburbs, the Euripides cafe, ensconced within a bookstore-cum-cultural space, has graced the perpendicular arcade in Halandri for three decades. When it first opened back in the 1990s, this bookstore rapidly metamorphosed into the veritable “talk of the town,” heralded as the maiden expansive bookstore of the city, fostering a nurturing ground for an array of cultural events.
For those who were blossoming in Halandri and its neighbouring vicinities during that period, the bookstore appeared nothing short of a dazzling spectacle, fashioned in the likeness of the grand book emporiums of Western Europe, which in essence, it indeed was. As time passed, it acquired a gentler, more earthen resonance in our midst, yet unwaveringly remains a significant waypoint in Halandri, serving not only as a sanctuary to procure delightful reads but also as a great place to enjoy a good cup of coffee with friends or to immerse oneself in a freshly released literary work.
Euripides has become a beloved rendezvous point, a tradition that now gracefully ages, encompassing a full 30 years. Moreover, the inception of its “sibling” bookstore in Kifisia has manifested, offering an equally charming café setting, inviting you to unwind whilst engrossed in work or captivated by a good read.
Address: Andrea Papandreou 11, Halandri, Athens.
Petit Fleur
There are six same-named cafes around Athens today, but the quintessential Petit Fleur, the first to open, on Omirou St remains undeniably singular.
Diminutive yet sophisticated, this dollhouse-like boutique cafe, which seamlessly infused our lives with Parisian bistro aesthetics, retains its charm and naturally, its loyal and discerning patrons. On the chillier winter days, finding a vacant table might pose a challenge, given the truly intimate nature of the space. Nevertheless, it’s well worth the brief wait.
Arrive early and sit yourself down next to the large window, the perfect nook to dive into a book or set up your laptop, while relishing a large, frothy cup of hot chocolate adorned with cherries. Or perhaps, you might find delight in savoring small, delightful morsels of a lemon tart or a segment of brownie. A signature flourish of the Kolonaki’s Petit Fleur, the café piano finds its harmonious counterpart in a turntable perched at another corner, gracing the air with the notes of vinyl jazz records, weaving a symphony that emboldens the cafe’s character.
Address: Omirou 44, Athens.
Vrysaki
In the heartbeat of Plaka’s resplendent neoclassical tapestry lies Vrysaki, an artsy, ambience-rich hangout in Plaka, not far from the Ancient Agora, the Stoa of Attalos, the Odeon of Agrippa, and Adrianou Street now stand. Set up in an old, neoclassical Athenian mansion, Vrysaki is a tribute to a bygone era, a phoenix rising from the dust of vanished neighbourhoods, bidding the magnificence of antiquity to see the light of day once more.
The visionaries behind the creation of this unique cafe created it as a space where a literary, artistic, theatre community could develop to enjoy togetherness, share inspiration and create new projects.
Step into Vrysaki, and you are embraced by a beautiful Athenian courtyard. Upstairs, you’ll be thrilled to discover a pretty, open terrace, from which you can see the rooftops of Plaka in a village-style ambience. Every corner is adorned with vases brimming with blossoms and shelves laden with books that hold tales as old as time. It is a sanctuary where one can find solace in a cup of Greek herbal tea, a space that invites quietude and concentration, be it for work or scholarly endeavours. A subtle nostalgia permeates the air, offering a tantalising glimpse into a time in Athens that in essence exists no more, yet is vividly maintained in Vrysaki’s walls.
Address: 17 Vrysakiou, Plaka, Athens.
Sousourada
Sousourada metamorphoses from a morning oasis offering the day’s first brew to an urban sanctum that magnetically draws aficionados from every corner of Athens as evening descends. Remarkably, amidst its growing resonance with diverse customers, it maintains the endearing charm of a neighbourhood haunt, with a touch of authenticity in the heart of the metropolis.
At Sousourada, it isn’t uncommon to witness vignettes of life intermingling seamlessly with the quintessential Athens backdrop. Here, amidst the circular tables that seem to beckon one and all, you might find individuals engrossed in the screens of their laptops, perhaps conjuring worlds with their keystrokes, or small congregations of students fervently discussing the intricacies of their next academic pursuit. It stands as an epitome of juxtaposed worlds where concentration meets relaxation, weaving a tapestry that resonates with both solitude and camaraderie.
This beloved establishment presents itself as a canvas where conversations flow effortlessly, sometimes accompanied by a delightful snack or a hearty meal, offering a rich palette of culinary pleasures both warm and cold, as outlined in their extensive menu. As the afternoon gracefully transitions, it entices with the promise of a refreshing early drink, an invitation to unwind and soak in the nuanced rhythms of the city.
Undoubtedly, Sousourada remains a steadfast presence in the evolving landscape of Athens, a sanctuary that many regard as a second home, an escape amidst the city’s ever-present chaos. In a sprawling metropolis where establishing such havens seems increasingly elusive, it offers a cherished respite, an echo of familiarity and warmth in the heart of the bustling Athenian streets.
Address: Mavromichali 44, Exarcheia, Athens.
