Many Athenian restaurants promise – without travel and luggage – alluring ethnic cuisine journeys of gustatory variety from faraway places. Knife and fork or chopsticks, as well as an appetite for discovering the exotic side of the city, are all that is needed. Indian, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese as well as increasingly popular nikkei, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, are all represented.
Mamacita
This vibrant spot of allegro temperament has added cheerful Mexican colours and aromas to the multiethnic neighbourhood on Apollonos St in the central Athens’ Plaka district. We recommend that you begin your Mexican food journey here with chili con carne and huevos rancheros, before continuing with any of the cuisine’s customary flat-bread varieties – tacos, burritos, quesadillas – fajitas with chicken, beef of pork, or imaginative burgers such as the El Santo selection with beef patty, guacamole and pico de gallo sauce. Cool down with the chilled Margaritas or carefully prepared cocktails.
9B Apollonos, Plaka, +30 210 3210240, Website, Facebook
Andaman
Reaching the colourful, plant-filled rooftop space of this well-known Thai restaurant in the inner Petralona district immediately creates a faraway impression. Besides the exotic setting, the rich menu also plays a key role in making diners feel as if they are a long way away from Athens. It has culled the most definitive Thai cuisine selections, including Pad Thai, handmade dumplings with mince, Thai spring rolls with tamarind sauce, as well as a full range of curry dishes with chicken, beef, pork or seafood, which can all be sided by rice. Well-matched cocktails are prepared at the bar, while, for dessert, a refreshing chocolate mousse with fresh mango is a perfect finale.
65 Alopis, Kato Petralona, +30 211 2104939, Facebook
Hanoi
This recently launched small Vietnamese restaurant with a limited number of tables, set outside on delightful Petraki St, in the Syntagma area, serves generously portioned salad bowls, including with papaya, chicken, prawns and nuts, various deep-fried or steamed spring rolls, exotic soups, as well as noodle and rice recipe selections. The spot also offers a number of dishes prepared in a wok, such as chicken with curry and coconut milk; beef with spicy satay sauce and peanut butter; as well as prawns with sweet chili sauce, all accompanied by steamed rice.
12 Petraki, Syntagma, +30 213 0451379
La Casa Azul
Taking its name from the renowned Frida Kahlo house-museum dedicated to the life and work of the Mexican artist, La Casa Azul is a well-kept all-day spot in Peristeri, western Athens. Its hidden yard at the back overflows with colour and vibrant, positive energy, while the food is Latin American with modern touches. Meals begin with patatas bravas with adobo sauce and rich salads, including one with dry anthotyro cheese, mint and jalapeno pepper dressing, and continue with tacos, burritos, quesadillas and chimichangas, all imaginatively prepared. Diners can accompany their dishes with homemade sangria or interesting cocktails.
143 Thivon & 13 Pelopida, Peristeri, +30 210 5716143, Website, Facebook
Red Elephant
The screen offers a continual flow of Bollywood movies, the surrounding colours are intense, and the tables at this small restaurant in the central Abelokipi district carry all the classic and essential exponents of charming Indian cuisine. Fried vegetable samosa pies, onion bahji croquettes breaded in chickpea flour, fluffy Indian naan bread of various versions, chicken Vindaloo, for diners able to cope with intense flavour, or Korma, if preferring sweeter tastes, as well as a series of proposals prepared in a traditional tandoor oven, are all on the menu.
Buba Bistrot Exotique
Though situated in the heart of up-market Kifissia, northern Athens, the yard space of this renowned bar-restaurant, adorned with hanging lanterns and assorted exotic memorabilia, makes the experience feel like being at some open-air market in Asia. The spot’s cuisine focuses on Thai food, but also includes Chinese and Japanese options, meaning wontons with prawns and spicy mango sauce, chicken skewers with satay sauce, steamed prawn and fish dumplings in Thai broth, as well as Peking duck with small pies, fresh vegetables and hoisin sauce can co-exist on the one table. An impressive bar preparing signature cocktails, including a Bloody Mary version with soya, sweet chili and fresh cucumber graces one end of the space.
4 Papadiamanti, Kifisia, +30 210 6231151, Website, Facebook
Huaca
This stylish bar-restaurant in central Mets serves nikkei, fusing Peruvian and Japanese cuisines. At its tables, lined along Timoleontos St, diners can try ceviche, tiradito, tartare, shrimp and beef dumplings, sushi, as well as a selection of cold plates, including a dish with miso salmon fillet, pak choi cabbage and spring onion. As for dessert, definitely try the green tea fondant with caramel sauce and yuzu. The cocktail list includes classic proposals with exotic touches, such as the Huaca Margarita, whose mix includes fresh lime, Thyme honey, white pepper and turmeric.
