Noble Rot - Mark Andrew's Athens favourites
Noble Rot co-founder Mark Andrew MW has been visiting Greece regularly for the past 15 years, both for work and on holiday. Athens has become one of his favourite cities in the world. Here are his favourite wine bars and wine restaurant in the city.
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Phone: +30 21 0322 9374
Address: Voulis 45-47, Athina
My favourite wine bar in Athens, which has an expertly chosen list from around Europe, as well as the most exciting wines from across Greece. Situated on a grimy street behind Syntagma Square, Aris Sklavenitis and his enthusiastic team of sommeliers love to unearth old vintages or exciting new producers, so I always make it one of my first stops whenever I'm in town.
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Phone: +30 21 0323 9406
Address: Petraki 30, Athina
The list at Heteroclito focuses on artisanal Greek wines (many of which are organic/biodynamic/natural) and is a great place to sit outside and people watch.
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Phone: +30 21 0412 5204
Address: Polidefkous 39, Pireas
If you find yourself in Piraeus, where Athens' enormous ferry port is located, then the place to drink is Paleo. Housed in an atmospheric converted warehouse, a glimpse at the empty bottles lining the walls is all you need to confirm you're in good hands.
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Phone: +30 21 0522 2633
Address: Megalou Alexandrou 57, Athina
One of Athens more respected fine dining restaurants, Aleria combines excellent contemporary Greek food with top-drawer wine service. Stathis Tsokos is one of the country's best sommeliers and their walled garden is among the nicest spots to eat in the whole of Athens.
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Phone: +30 21 0522 8400
Address: Akti Koumoundourou 52, Pireas
Down by the waterfront in Piraeus, the seafood at Varoulko Seaside in Piraeus is second to none, with the creative flourishes and attentive service that you'd expect from the flagship restaurant of renowned Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou.
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Phone: +30 21 0967 1778
Address: Leoforos Posidonos 4, Vouliagmeni
If you're really serious about eating great fish then head down the Athenian Riviera to George Economides' BlueFish, a contemporary seafood taverna par excellence. Unlike their more casual outpost in central Athens, the Vouliagmeni site overlooks the Aegean (at the best tables you might literally get your feet wet).
