If there is a better seafood kitchen in Athens, I have not found it. The restaurant, which won a Michelin star in 2002, could be called elegant and unfussy, which also describes the cuisine here. There are no bizarre combinations of ingredients, there is no foam—just excellent fresh everything. As a bonus, there's an Acropolis view from the rooftop terrace, which is open in summer. The fish could not be fresher, and what's on the plate was probably in the sea no more than a day earlier. That means that the menu varies with what's caught, but usually features crayfish, sea bass, monkfish, and lobster. If you've never had fish soup, squid, or octopus, you can't find it done better than here. There's also usually an excellent value €50 chef's recommended five-course special that changes frequently. For die-hard meat lovers, there are usually some choice cuts, sometimes including that increasingly rare delicacy, sweetbreads. Otherwise, there are sometimes sausages made of shrimp. Alas, the service can often be described as ranging from indifferent to brusque.
Athens
Travel Guide
Athens› Restaurant
Varoulko
80 Piraeos. From the Metro station, head left on Ermou and then right on Piraeos. Varoulko is next to the Eridanus Hotel.
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Around town
Hours
Mon–Sat 8pm–midnight
Transportation
Metro: Theseio
Phone
210/522-8400
Prices
Fish priced by the kilo. Dinner for two from about €150
Cuisine Type
Seafood
Web site
Varoulko
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.