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Updated on Feb 22, 2026
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Best Cafes in Athens: A Guide to New and Established Specialty Coffee Shops and Roasters
Specialty coffee has become quite the buzzword in Greece’s coffee crazy capital. I’ve got to witness the growth of the coffee scene first hand, while cafe hopping in Athens summer after summer. I am excited to present you the results of these caffeinated adventures: a specialty coffee guide featuring the real deal – new and established cafes in Athens.
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Come day, come night, The Underdog has got you covered! Set in a picturesque pedestrian street close to Thissio metro station, it’s not only coffee shop, roastery and bar all in one, but also home to at least 3 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champions and one Runner-Up! There is really no limit to the professionalism and innovation you’ll encounter at the Underdog cafe.
When I last visited, the 2016 champion Michalis Dimitrakopoulosserved a really tasty flat white, followed by a cold brew that was a pure joy during the midday heat. Their bar offers various espresso and filter roasts. Depending on the day you’ll be choosing between single origins from Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Ethiopia or Kenya. If you come by the cafe hungry an extensive brunch menu will take care of your cravings.
Samba Coffee Roasters opened its first flagship store in June 2020. A bold move at an uncertain time. Unlike the roastery, which sits away from the city center, the small, well-organized café is right in the thick of things. Regulars appreciate this, they can taste their way through the selection to their heart’s content without traveling far.
When it comes to coffee selection, two-time Greek Barista Champion and head roaster Nikos Antzaras bridges the familiar and the exotic. An exclusive blend of two Brazilian coffees and three Central American varieties is the crowd favorite. Alongside this, there are always two other specialty coffees on offer. A visit might surprise you with a fruity and complex coffee from Uganda or Burundi. For those seeking something special, competition-level coffees are also available. The shop is known for its use of Origami drippers, valued both for their consistency and efficiency during rush hour. Whether ordered as espresso, with milk, as filter coffee, or as a Freddo, Samba Coffee Roasters promises to give each cup a distinct character.
Kostas Spiliotopoulos, Panagiotis Zotiadis, and Spyros Lappa created their own favorite gathering spot in the Ilissia neighborhood at the end of 2018. United by a passion for coffee and surfing, they quickly found common ground on atmosphere and design. It had to be unconventional, laid-back, and a touch of vacation feeling was absolutely essential.
Considering the neon lights, palm trees, and generous sun terrace, we’d say the endeavor has undoubtedly succeeded. On Vrazilias Square, an aromatic, lively breeze blows until late into the evening hours. Here, coffee is celebrated the way wine or whiskey are celebrated elsewhere. The in-house roastery Area 51 keeps things interesting in the grinders with three different coffee varieties. And because summer temperatures call for cold coffee, cans filled with cold brew have long become a signature of Lot 51.
Anana is blending seamlessly into its immediate surroundings. Generous window fronts create a fluid transition to the busy street and the urban life passing by its door. On a wooden counter, the red La Marzocco espresso machine captures every gaze that hasn’t already lingered on the display case filled with vegan and vegetarian comfort fare.
The kitchen follows a plant-based philosophy, offering a diverse range of dishes carefully crafted to complement the coffee. The combination of vegan cheesecake and flat white has long been declared a local favorite by Athenians. Whether in the small courtyard, inside the café itself, or on the outdoor benches, there’s no shortage of cozy places to retreat.
THIRD PLACE. is a safe harbor where everyone stands on equal ground. It’s the vision of Michalis and his partner Katerina, the creative duo behind this urban destination for specialty coffee, design, and slow living. The international atmosphere draws tourists and newcomers to the city in particular.
Alongside the coffee, a carefully curated selection of design objects from Scandinavian and Japanese brands lines the space. From furniture and lighting to accessories and stationery to coffee equipment, everything adheres to a minimalist, functional aesthetic. Since launching in August 2018, THIRD PLACE. has served single origins from Ofellia Coffee for espresso and V60.
Caffeine Dealer established itself in Koukaki, an up-and-coming Athenian neighborhood with a keen eye for emerging trends. Driven by the shared coffee passion of Ioanna Kalaitzi and Zannis Tsoukaneris, a nephew-and-aunt duo, this neighborhood spot presents itself as a welcoming retreat for regulars and casual visitors. In collaboration with Area 51 Coffee Roasters, they offer a selection of specialty coffees from diverse growing regions: from a balanced Brazilian blend with fine chocolate and nutty notes to rotating single origins.
And because good coffee often calls for something sweet alongside it, Caffeine Dealer delivers on that front as well: homemade cinnamon rolls, fluffy croissants, and delicious cookies fresh from the oven of local baker Cookie Dude satisfy any snacking needs. The café sees itself as part of a community, with a focus on connecting with guests, consistently warm greetings, and genuine exchange. “Support your local caffeine dealer” is the motto, a call to back local businesses that’s hard to argue with.
Even though I feel like Taf Coffee needs no introduction, a guide to specialty coffee shops in Athens wouldn’t be quite right without featuring them. The roastery was found by Yiannis Taloumis already in the 90’s. It evolved from roasting the traditional Greek way to becoming a pioneer in bringing third wave coffee to Greece and finally to the capital Athens. Taf was actually the first specialty coffee shop to open in Athens as early as 2009.
With such a longstanding tradition and experience Taf received recognition way beyond the Greek borders. For anyone who is still coffee-curious, their award-winning house espresso blend Rosebud provides a great entry into the tasty world of specialty coffee.
This coffee shop underwent several changes in recent years. At the time of my first visit to Athens in 2016 it was still associated with Kudu Coffee Roasters, later Mr. Bean, and now runs under the name MOTIV. The coffee menu offers a variety of options, including espresso, cappuccino, and drip coffee, as well as alternative brewing methods such as Chemex and V60.
Kaya is definitely not an easy cafe to track down. It is located inside a shopping complex called “Stoa Bolani” close to Syntagma and is a take away espresso bar run by a nice bunch of coffee professionals. You’ll not only find that the coffee is very inexpensive, Kaya also has the highest number of grinders for espresso I have ever seen in one shop. Apart from their house blend, a nice range of local roasters and their single origins is rotating in a total of five grinders. It is the perfect place to drink yourself through Athens specialty coffee scene in just one afternoon.
Cultivos Coffee Exarchia
Skoufa 66
10680 Athens
10680 Athens
Cultivos Coffee operate various locations across Athen. With their in-house roasted coffee, Cultivos Coffee caters to both casual drinkers and enthusiasts. Come for the coffee, stay for the good vibes.
Coffee Shops Beyond Central Athens
In August 2016 I met Alexandros at Nomad, where he was working as a roaster at the time. Since then he has built his own brand and roastery Handpickers Coffee Roasters together with his partner Natalie. Alexandros has won several national coffee competitions and brings many years of experience to the table. The idea for the name of the brand came about when Alexandros visited Kenya in November 2016 together with Nordic Approach. It reflects the deep appreciation he has for the hard work that coffee growers and pickers carry out at origins. They have moved location since I last visited and are now headquartered near the marina.
Photo credits: Kudu
In Neo Psychiko, a neighborhood removed from the hectic center, lies the flagship store of Kudu Coffee Roasters. Brought to life by a group of coffee-obsessed friends, Kudu has been firmly anchored in the Athenian coffee scene for a decade and now counts 250 partners who have joined their vision. The careful selection of coffee beans and direct collaboration with farmers form an elementary part of their philosophy: quality over quantity. Each roast is a game of patience and finesse, where precise fine-tuning makes the difference.
Beyond exceptional coffee, Kudu offers a rich selection of treats. From housemade baked goods to generous brunch dishes, the varied menu speaks to breakfast enthusiasts and afternoon snackers alike. Industrial and natural elements merge in an interior dominated by green and black, while glass and iron structures create an open, light-flooded atmosphere. As befits Athens, a spacious outdoor area is naturally part of the equation.
In this city guide I’ve introduced the most central coffee places, many of them are easy to reach from Syntagma Square. There are more great specialty coffee shops not featured here, such as Mind the Cup and Manor House in the Peristeri neighbourhood or Nomad Roastery in Chalandri neighbourhood.
Manor House
Emiliou Veaki 36
12134 Peristeri
12134 Peristeri
kokkos
Spirou Merkouri 25
11634 Athens
11634 Athens
Nomad
Thoukididou 3
15232 Chalandri
15232 Chalandri
Continue the journey at home. Find Greek specialty coffee roasters with our bean discovery engine.
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