The cafes of the museums of Athens

Inner courtyards, rooftops overlooking the city, lush gardens… The museum cafes in Athens never cease to surprise. Popular with locals, they are also popular with tourists looking to relax, especially after hours spent browsing the capital’s exhibitions and galleries.

Each café-restaurant transports us into a different world. To help you make your choice, we’ve selected 7 must-see places to combine your cultural experience with a pleasant moment of relaxation.

1. The famous Acropolis Museum cafe of Athens

It’s impossible to talk about Athens’ museum cafés without starting with the Acropolis Museum. Ideally located, the museum café is ideal for a well-deserved gourmet break after a visit to the sacred rock. Right next to the souvenir store, it overlooks the archaeological digs just below the building. You’ll find delicious pastries, coffees and other refreshing drinks on the menu.

Good to know: to satisfy all your senses, the museum also has a restaurant on the top floor. Many European dishes and traditional recipes are on the menu, but it’s above all the setting and the breathtaking view of the Acropolis that will surprise you.

2. Cafe Ilissia, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum

Looking for a refreshing break? Flowerbeds, large green spaces, Byzantine-inspired villa: the garden of the Ilissia café is a real place to relax. Like most museum cafés in Athens, you can get there without buying a ticket. We do, however, recommend a visit to the Byzantine and Christian Museum, an interesting venue even if you’re not a fan of Byzantine art. Both a museum of art and civilization, the collections are rich and the beauty of the works will certainly not leave you indifferent.

3. The elegant cafe of the Museum of Cycladic Art

Museum of Cycladic Art is also located in the heart of the Kolonaki district. Housed in a magnificent neoclassical building, it fascinates us as much by the richness of its collections as by its architecture.

Like the museum, Cycladic Cafe is elegant, stylish and uncluttered. Its green wall and the omnipresence of white create a soothing, inspiring environment. Greeks love to meet up with friends or for business meetings.

Creative cuisine, gourmet desserts and tempting drinks are all on the menu.

4. The patio of the Athens National Archaeological Museum

Located in a pretty inner courtyard, the café of Athens’ famous National Archaeological Museum is a surprise with its dense vegetation. A veritable oasis of freshness, it’s the ideal place to relax after exploring the museum’s 8,000 m2. Some works of Greek and international artists continue to delight your eyes.

But that’s not all: numerous events, shows and cultural encounters take place throughout the year. Take a look at their website to find out more.

5. B&E cafe, the splendid coffee shop in the Goulandris museum

The Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 2019. To the delight of the inhabitants of the Pangrati district, a café-restaurant has taken up residence on the museum’s premises. Its modern, elegant setting makes it ideal for business meetings or weekend brunches with friends. B&E is also about discovering innovative and delicious cuisine. The café is managed by the Ohh Boy team and chef Andreas Lagos. You’ll also find plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.

6. The garden of the Athens Numismatic Museum

Even if you’re not really interested in coins, the numismatic museum’s neoclassical architecture (and especially its lush garden) may be worth a visit. Here again, without visiting the museum, it is possible to taste many dishes, desserts or simply have a coffee. This immense space is home to magnificent century-old trees and ancient Greek statues. You almost forget you’re in the center of town.

7. Benaki Museum of Islamic Art cafe

It’s our favorite. This charming little café is located on the top floor of the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art, with its balcony offering a breathtaking view of the Kerameikos archaeological site and the Acropolis hill. Why do we love him so much? It’s one of those places whose beauty lies in its simplicity. The interior is decorated with a magnificent oriental-style mural by the talented artist Navine Khan-Dossos.

Good to know: the museum houses one of the world’s most prestigious and impressive collections of Islamic art. The collections trace the development of Islamic art from its earliest days.

Jennifer. P