Akra

A value of money place with great foods and nice vibes. The restaurant was also a bakery. Once stepping inside, we were surrounded by the warm and cosy aroma of various breads. The kitchen was all around the dining area, we could watch our foods being made from different angles. The steamed vegetables were refreshing and appetizing, with homemade sourdough and virgin olive oil offering delightful scents to our senses. I especially liked the rooster soup pasta, the soup was thick and flavorful yet not too filling, and it was for sure slow stewed. The desserts were delicious as well. Normally I don’t prefer dessert that are this sweet, because the sweetness could be overpowering and cover all other flavors. However even though the desserts here are sweeter than normal, the other flavors were still very clear to be sensed. The caramel was fused with different herbs, and the milk ice cream was really smooth and fresh. We also liked the white wine recommended by our waiter, he could have recommended us an expensive bottle but he didn’t, yet the quality of the wine was still outstanding.

The experience was nothing short of extraordinary. It’s more than a simple « open kitchen » concept: you literally sit in the kitchen, between the grill and the ovens, watching the cooks, waiters and sommelier working in perfect harmony. Then, there’s the food. Locally sourced, full of surprises. The bread is out of this world, the cod tartar was surprising with its delicate ajo blanco sauce, and the grilled vegetables are a delight. Then came the grilled rooster breast served with what they call a tomato-spicy sauce that is in fact the most delicate and complex bbq sauce you will ever taste. We were fortunate to have Sokol as a sommelier. A short discussion allowed us to agree on the overall pace and wishes and we gave him full control of the wine selection, by the glass, paired with each service, including a mid meal pause over a beautiful glass of orange wine. Needless to say all wines are bio and from Greece. Mind blowing. While I don’t have a sweet tooth, dessert won me over. The absolute best « milk tart » (somewhere between a cheese cake and a flan) that was finished with a torch. If you are in Athens, do not miss this. And make reservations ahead of time.

I don’t usually write reviews, but I felt I had to share my experience because I arrived with high expectations and left very disappointed. When we arrived, we ordered two main dishes, water, and wine. Our waitress — who was friendly but very insistent — immediately suggested that we should instead order 3–4 starters and only one main because the mains take about 40 minutes to prepare. Based on that advice, we changed our order to two starters and one main. She then questioned us again, asking, “Only two starters? You don’t want four?” which felt unnecessarily pushy and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the food didn’t make up for it. When the starters arrived, the bread and lettuce were burned and tasted unpleasant. After finishing them, we waited another 50–60 minutes for the main dish — and the wine still hadn’t arrived by then. When the main finally came, it was relatively cold and underwhelming in flavor. We later learned from the couple seated next to us that the restaurant intentionally “specializes” in charred / burnt elements — something that was never mentioned to us by the staff or explained anywhere on the menu. Overall, the service felt pressuring, the wait times were excessive, and the menu lacked clear descriptions about what to expect from the dishes. With clearer communication and more attention to timing and quality, this experience could have been very different, but as it stands, I left disappointed.

First thing first: We don't understand why a place like this has just a rating of 4.2 ?! From the moment we sat down, it felt like being back in our mum’s kitchen — you know, that cozy feeling where you just sit, talk, and watch her work her magic right next to you. Only this time, “mum” happens to be an entire team of talented chefs cooking around you, their stations forming a circle of delicious chaos and heavenly smells. The concept is brilliant: you’re literally part of the kitchen. Pans are sizzling, people are laughing, and somehow everything runs as smoothly as a Swiss watch — if a Swiss watch could smile and pour you wine. The staff are beautiful souls, full of warmth, quick with great suggestions, and clearly passionate about what they do. You can see it in their eyes — and in the way they make sure every plate lands with a little love. The menu changes daily, featuring homy Greek soul food that tastes like it came straight from someone’s childhood memories. Every bite has that “made-with-care” feeling, and every course makes you wish you could stay just a little longer. And then — the final touch that made our hearts melt — we each received a fresh loaf of bread to take home for breakfast, plus traditional Greek coffee biscuits (which, full disclosure, didn’t survive the night). We absolutely loved it. If we lived in Athens, we’d be here at least once a week — if not more!!!

We visited on November 12th, 2025, a party of four people. As soon as we entered, the smell of burning wood hit my nose and I immediately felt at home. Fortunately we had the opportunity to order quite a lot of things and have a better understanding of the kitchen. Overall, it was a positive experience. Everything we tried was tasty and mostly well cooked. There were a couple of issues though but nothing major. Service, unfortunately, needs improving. Although they are very eager, it is evident that they need training or better organising. Coupled with the rather high prices for the type of food offered, I would expect more. Last but not least, if you are seated for a table for two, you have another table right beside you, eliminating your privacy. These things however, would not deter me from visiting again.

I had a fantastic dining experience at Akra in Athens. The food was really good from start to finish. The bonita fish was perfectly balanced and beautifully cooked, showcasing real precision and flavor. The dessert was a wonderful surprise—light, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the meal. A truly memorable Michelin-star experience.

The meal at Akra was splendid. The service was class all the way , as for the food , the chickpea tahini stew was among the best I’ve ever had, and the beef with tomatoes was equally impressive , but the real winner was the desserts , it was an excellent meal overall.

I had a mixed experience at this restaurant. The food was definitely the highlight: flavors were excellent (almost a 9/10 for me) and the presentation was beautiful. Apart from one dish with very bitter herbs – which was more a matter of personal taste than execution – everything we tried was truly impressive. Even the dessert felt like the perfect final touch. The location and the open–kitchen concept are stunning. You really feel immersed in the energy of the kitchen — the sounds, the movement, the atmosphere. It reminded me of a lively market in a very charming way, and I personally loved that. However, the service did not match the level of the food or the space. We had a confirmed reservation, yet when we arrived they couldn’t find it, and we had to show the confirmation email sent by them. Then we were told the lunch menu wasn’t ready yet and that we needed to wait “five minutes,” but in the end we waited almost thirty minutes just to be able to order. For a lunch reservation, this was quite disappointing. Another issue was the lack of guidance from the staff. The menu changes daily — which is amazing — but the dishes weren’t really explained or “sold” to us. I showed several times that I was unsure about what to choose, but the staff didn’t help or offer suggestions. Even when the plates arrived, the descriptions were minimal. As foreigners speaking English, we would have appreciated clearer communication. Overall, the food and concept are truly remarkable, but the service left us with a bittersweet feeling. I hope the restaurant can improve this aspect, because the potential is outstanding.