The 48 Urban Garden restaurant is located on the first floor of the Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Center. It was founded in 1988 in a former printing house in the Ambelokipi district of Athens. The architectural identity of the old building has been preserved and the facade has industrial characteristics. The Ileana Tounta Art Center aims to promote contemporary Greek art in Greece and abroad. It includes two exhibition rooms, on the first floor and on the second floor. Before dinner, a little tour is a must!
There is also an art store – bookstore, which focuses on contemporary, Greek and international art publications, as well as limited edition art objects created by Greek designers.
© Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Center
An urban garden
The 48 Urban Garden restaurant is hidden behind the art gallery. It opens onto a lush and bright garden. A totally unexpected and unsuspected green space from the outside. In this place, glass, wood and concrete are mixed. A setting composed of several levels, a vegetable garden where vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown, and picnic tables.
This light and relaxed atmosphere is also found in the restaurant’s interior space: a whitewashed wall made of sloping bricks with optical illusion, a double-height space, walls covered with artificial ivy, an oversized wooden bench, retro garlands reminiscent of the Greek islands… all creating a somewhat surreal space that will undoubtedly delight the architecture and design lovers.
A tribute to street food
But the main element, and one that is not just for decoration, is the food truck that sits in the dining room. Here are prepared “urban snacks” gastronomic version : Cuban sandwiches, hot dogs, bao-buns, bruschettas, kebab …. The foodtruck, however static, makes us travel to the four corners of the planet: from Asia to Mexico through the United States or Italy. A mixture of cultures and flavors. All prepared with seasonal, locally produced and organic ingredients. Well-made dishes that revisit street food in a gourmet version. With a real aesthetic sense in the presentation.
Let’s not forget to mention the delicious cocktails, original and also prepared with quality ingredients.
The little trick: the aromatic herbs used in the preparation of the cocktails are picked in the outdoor vegetable garden.
And before you leave, don’t forget to make a detour to the toilets: a surprising decor!
The only downside? The prices, a bit high.
Practical info
- Address: corner of Armatolon Street and 48 Klefton, Ambelokipi, Athens – Google Maps
- Ambelokipi metro (line 3 – blue)
- Website
- Price €€
Laure M.
Last updated April 23, 2024
