T.G.I.Fridays has a unique and dynamic atmosphere, with rock music until late in the evening and interesting decor, with wooden surfaces, vibrant colors and memorabilia reviving memories. The relaxed style, the friendly service and the authentic recipes all the way from Tennessee, make this locale a favorite in Athens. Enjoy unique flavors, exclusive to T.G.I. Fridays, like the famous Jack Daniels sauce, which is offered with a variety of options, the strip steak or the baby back pork ribs, cooked to perfection. Mojitos, martinis, daiquiris and smoothies with fresh fruit are some of the best choices on the menu, made by bartenders trained in the art of cocktails. Ask for the signature Fridays Margarita, made with an exclusive recipe and known to be “the best in town”. Ideal for a relaxed lunch, an afternoon cocktail or a night out, Fridays also hosts innovative events and happenings in a party atmosphere at their 8 restaurants in Athens and another two in Thessaloniki. Kids love TGI Fridays with the special childrens menu, fun helium filled balloons and colored pencils to pass the time drawing before and after their meal
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Kids love this place, which is great fun and serves their favorite food
Nelly's expert tip: Authentic recipes from Tennessee with a variety of burgers
Wagamama Athens is located on the second floor of the luxurious Golden Hall shopping mall, a unique commercial centre with some of the most famous Greek and international brands. Following Asian tradition, the cuisine is exclusively based on fresh ingredients meat, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit, and the internationally acclaimed recipes are all prepared on the moment. The environment is minimal and friendly and the service excellent. Children will be comfortable in their special chairs provided, can paint with crayons, play noodle doodle and enjoy the kids menu, which includes mini chicken yaki soba, mini yasai yaki soba, mini grilled chicken noodle. Large tables accommodate family groups. Open Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to midnight.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Entertaining games for kids and a special menu with mini portions
Nelly's expert tip: Asian delicacies for adults and children in a family friendly atmosphere
Zoe's Premium Latteria opened in 2015 on central Akadimias street, and is ideal for your morning coffee and breakfast, a healthy lunch, an early dinner, or for buying the delicious dairy products. At Zoe's you can taste fresh milk from small producers and also homemade rice and milk pudding, yoghurt, vanilla, chocolate, orange puddings, made with mama's recipe. The apple pies and the syrupy revani are other popular specialties. The menu includes a variety of tasty pies, made with nettles, cheese, mushroom, leeks, spinach, which are prepared on the premises. The menu changes every week and is always varied, with traditional Greek cuisine. The classic decor in light colors makes a welcome change in the urban center. At Zoe's you can also find honey, fruit preserves, dairy products and wonderful ice cream in tastes such as vanilla, rose, kaimaki, or if you prefer chocolate, caramel, mille feuille.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Definitely try the ice cream in a variety of flavors
Nelly's expert tip: Home made specialties and dairy products from small producers
Philos is a lifestyle store on central Solonos street, which was created as a meeting point for people who want to discover the philosophy of Philos Athens and see the objects on show, which are selected for their timeless value and design. At Philos visitors can enjoy a complete food and design experience on the various levels of the space. On the ground floor, at the restaurant-cafe you can enjoy delicious specialties and see the fashion objects, accessories and clothing. The first floor is the continuation of the commercial part and the second floor will host photography exhibitions. Eggs play a central role on the original menu, together with other imaginative 'quick' and nutritious food. Surprise dishes are prepared daily to stimulate the senses and bring in mind memories of nurturing tastes. At Philos you can also find inspired everyday objects, such as bags, backpacks, gloves, t-shirts, enamelware and many more carefully selected items to buy for yourself or for a gift. Philos is non-smoking, ideal for families, and is not over crowded. The menu offers several kid friendly choices, such as fried eggs with toast, and cappuccino without coffee, only with frothy milk and chocolate. Childrens books are also on sale in this comfortable and relaxed place
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Philos is never over crowded, making it ideal for families
Nelly's expert tip: An original and interesting place with a unique style
Safka restaurant serves contemporary nordic cuisine offering a high level culinary experience. Chef and co-owner Samu Koskinen creates innovative dishes based on French cuisine with nordic flavors and inspired by Greek and Scandinavian ingredients. The interesting menu includes dishes such as salmon and horseradish mousse, marinated turnip, radish, with crisp malt, and mouthwatering desserts. The menu changes our menu every 2 - 2.5 months , always following seasonal produce. Their signature dish is the house smoked salmon Finnish style and of course reindeer in various ways depending on the time of the year. Wine tasting events take place regularly twice a month during most of the year. Sunday brunch is an event with delicious items on the menu: omelet with reindeer and spinach, scandinavian pancakes with home made strawberry jam, blueberries and honey, potato skins, smoked salmon mayo and cured reindeer shavings, just to mention a few. Kids love the hamburgers, the eggs benedict, omelets and pancakes, and can play safely in the enclosed yard.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Kids love the hamburgers, the eggs benedict, omelets and pancakes.
Nelly's expert tip: Nordic flavors supplemented with Greek and Scandinavian ingredients by chef Samu Koskinen
Avocado - food for life, a vegan restaurant opened recently on Nikis street at a very convenient location near Syntagma and Plaka. The people behind the well-known NYSY Studios for yoga and pilates, situated just across the road, are the creators of these tasty veggie snacks and meals, and cool, delicious healthy drinks for total wellness , inspired by the slow food movement, Avocado offers exclusively seasonal, traditional products, combined in recipes made with love. Local and exotic fruit and vegetable juices, fresh salads, soups and specialties inspired from the Mediterranean, India and the East, like the Ginger Passion juice, with carrots, apple, ginger and beetroot, the sweet Mango Nectar, the vibrant vegan pizza. Gluten free choices on the menu include Vegetarian Saffron Spanish Paella with traditional rice, oven roasted squash, seasonal vegg, nori Seaweed, mushrooms and saffron broth, Organic red and white Quinoa, served with Ragou sauce and homemade organic sausage, A triple mushroom risotto with porcini, shiitake and Portobello mushrooms, pesto served with Avocado's special basil and pine nut pesto cream, Putanesca pasta with Kalamata olives, Mani Seaweed, Capers, oven roasted garlic, oven roasted tomato sauce, Maha Porcini Pasta, served with oyster and Portobello mushrooms, rosemary and parmesan sauce. All Pasta dishes be served with a gluten Free pasta and all pizzas can be served with a gluten free dough from Flax seeds. Avocado is especially popular with families who can sit comfortably in the upstairs zen room with floor cushions. The menu includes several favorites with kids, such as smoothies, pasta and pizza
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Healthy vegetarian food for all the family with delicious tastes
Nelly's expert tip: Tasty veggie snacks and meals with specialties inspired from the Mediterranean, India and the East
Xrysa-Xrysa, located in Petralona, is a restaurant with a long history. For many years Xrysa Protopapa, the first well known Greek chef with great experience in Greek and Greek-Creative cuisine, has presented dishes which have made history and continues to impress with her gastronomic creations in her new space. Her secret is the fresh ingredients which are bought daily from the market and small local producers and also her knowledge and personal approach for refined tastes which enchant the senses and are as light as homemade cooking. Xrysa, who is descended from Asia Minor, continues and enhances family recipes of three generations aiming to develop them to the utmost. The decor of the restaurant has been planned by interior designer Lian Vermeer and is unique in its style. The menu has many specialties, but dont miss the shrimps with fennel and ouzo, the home made pasta with fermented milk, tomato and basil, the lamb fricasee with fennel, leeks and seasonal greens, the pork hock with aromatic beer marinade and honey, and for dessert the delicious halvas with cream, pistachio nuts and caramel.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Healthy and nutritious dishes with various specialties kids will enjoy
Nelly's expert tip: Memorable experience of gastronomic creations by a talented chef
Aegli Restaurant at the Zappion gardens is completely renewed, introducing a new taste concept, based on good, old Greek cuisine. With a magnificent view of the Acropolis and Lycabettus hill, Aegli enhances popular Greek tastes and aromas, offering affordable selections and homemade dishes. Simple but rich tastes, inspired from local tradition, in a new menu with high quality and reasonable prices. The plate of the day is different each time, and the excellent cuisine prepared by chef Ilias Sentris and his team fulfills the expectations of the clientele absolutely. The interesting wine list offers selected labels from Mediterra Wineries and other prestigious producers, from various regions of Greece, as well as fine distilled spirits which combine ideally with the tastes on the menu. Families prefer Aegli both for the open space where kids can roam safely and also for the selections on the menu which are preferred by kids. Pizza, club sandwiches, burgers, pasta and delicious ice cream. Aegli is very convenient for groups, as it is close to the center of Athens and offers a wonderful view of the Zappion gardens. Special menus can be planned beforehand for groups over 15 persons.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Free space for the kids to roam safely and delicious dishes for all the family
Nelly's expert tip: Traditional and elegant with creative cuisine
Awarded Athiri restaurant in Kerameikos is situated in a cool garden during the warm season and in an interestingly decorated indoor space in winter, which combines traditional elements with contemporary design. Athiri is a favorite for wedding and christening receptions, and a special childrens menu is planned with the christening party. Chef Alexandros Kardasis pays special attention to the selections on the menu, which combine traditional tastes with innovation and creativity. All the ingredients are strictly quality controlled and of local production, the bread is baked on the premises and all products are rigorously fresh. Must taste dishes are petoules (traditional pasta from Messinia) with young goat in red sauce, gruyere from Naoussa and paskitan yoghurt; fish of the day; stifado (baby onion stew) in a lemon sauce with parisienne potatoes and spinach, scented with saffron; lamb leg cooked in a vacuum with trahanas (frumenty) from Arcadia in red sauce, just to mention a few. Sunday lunch is a pleasure for all the family, as the kids can entertain themselves in a safe space full of toys. Wooden blocks, colored crayons, soft toys for the toddlers, mini chairs and tables, keep the juniors happy while the parents enjoy their meal.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Youngsters entertain themselves in the special playroom with toys and games
Nelly's expert tip: Traditional tastes with an innovative twist and strict quality control
Balcony Restaurant, close to the port of Rafina, has a magnificent view of the sea and owes its name to the location which is like a balcony in the rock face overlooking the endless view. Reasonably priced menus are available in appetizing combinations, mainly with Mediterranean tastes and at the cafe Balcony finger food, smoothies and cocktails are served. Balcony is also a favorite for wedding receptions and parties. In the specially designed childrens space, entertaining activities are held for juniors, overseen by specialized personnel, such as junior master chef, with a special award for the winner, parties, at which kids menus are served, story telling, drawing with crayons and other favorite junior pastimes. Affordable family menus are also available for families with young children. Balcony often hosts groups and parties, up to fifty persons and can plan a special menu for each specific event.
Recommended for Family Friendly because: Special menus and entertaining activities for kids make this restaurant a favorite
Nelly's expert tip: The wonderful view, the attractive location and the family friendly atmosphere make this restaurant popular