Ano Patisia: the old countryside of Athens
In the early 20th century, Patisia was the countryside of Athens. Well-off families built villas here, on what were then the edges of the city, along the Patision–Acharnon axis. Some still stand among the apartment blocks, like the red Villa Klonaridi in FIX Park.
Today Ano Patisia is a lively neighbourhood with permanent residents of all ages and the Line 1 metro (Ilektrikos) on its doorstep. The heart of its nightlife beats between Agios Eleftherios and Ano Patisia stations: Patision, Gavriilidou, Laskaratou, Irakleiou.
Every place in this guide is within about one kilometre. This guide is part of the series Where to live in Athens.
Night bars
Spiti bar
Gavriilidou 8
"Spiti" means home, and that is the feeling it leaves you with. A small, well-kept all-day place: coffee from 8 in the morning, cocktails and finger food in the evening, guest DJs on special nights.
- MUST-TRY: mojito, one of the best in the area
- VIBE: warm, with DJ sets and remixes instead of the radio
- HEADS-UP: the music gets loud. For a quiet chat, go early
- HOURS: 08:00–00:00 (weekends until 01:00)
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.5/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Strange
Patision 354
A café-bar on Patision, with live music and a street feel. The owners genuinely care about the place and the bartenders remember what you drink.
- MUST-TRY: a cocktail on a live-music night
- VIBE: relaxed until the music starts, then full of energy
- HOURS: 10:00–02:00 (Friday–Saturday until 03:00)
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Koukos & the Bards
Irakleiou 34
For people who want rock and not a radio playlist. A small rock bar with a good choice of Greek beers from small breweries and someone behind the bar who makes you feel like a regular from the first visit.
- MUST-TRY: a Greek craft beer, ask what is on tap
- VIBE: rock, friendly, for hardcore and "casual" rockers alike
- HOURS: 18:00–03:00 (Friday–Saturday until 06:00)
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)
To Meli
Laskaratou 1
The place for people who want good food and live music.
- MUST-TRY: a meat platter for the table and flavoured raki at the end
- VIBE: from quiet on weekdays to a full night club at weekends
- PRICE: about €15 per person
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.2/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Meze places and small tavernas
Spyros-Antonis
Gavriilidou 24
The classic neighbourhood taverna, full inside and out, with home-style flavour on the plate. The waiters explain the whole menu and tell you what turned out well today. One of the most authentic tables you will find in Athens.
- MUST-TRY: lamb chops and liver, with tzatziki and fried potatoes
- VIBE: lively, ideal for groups
- HOURS: Tuesday–Saturday 12:30–00:00 · closed Sunday and Monday
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Rubaiyat Kafeneio
Tsiller 55 (next to FIX Park)
Traditional cooking with something different on the plate, very good Greek music and a crowd even on a Tuesday night. To be fair, it has its downsides: small portions and a menu that does not change often.
- MUST-TRY: halloumi, aubergine and souvlaki, with house wine
- VIBE: warm, old-café style
- HOURS: daily 11:00–01:00
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)
To Mantalaki
Babi Anninou 15
Meze with beer or tsipouro, low prices and Cretan meze dishes you should not miss. The service is slow, but without any ill will, almost a quirky part of the place. Note: there are no fried potatoes.
- MUST-TRY: meatballs and spicy sausage
- VIBE: relaxed, neighbourhood, unhurried
- HOURS: Monday–Friday 15:00–01:30 · weekends from 12:00
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Mezedopolio
Agias Lavras 13
Perhaps the best-known place in the neighbourhood. Live Greek popular music at low volume, played by old-school musicians. It is not a place for dancing; it is for conversation and singing at the table.
- MUST-TRY: prawns, stuffed pepper with cheese, sardines
- VIBE: romantic, homely
- HEADS-UP: book a table, especially on music nights
- HOURS: Tuesday–Friday from 19:00 · weekends from 12:30 · closed Monday
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.4/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Coffee and something sweet
KAME HOUSE
Laskaratou 11
A café themed on Dragon Ball, from the logo to the cups. Its real asset, though, is the coffee (Mrs Rose) and the homemade baked goods.
- MUST-TRY: cheese pie with Philadelphia
- HOURS: 07:00–20:00 (weekends from 08:00)
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Coffeedense
Iakovidou 52
A small café with tables outside on a quiet pedestrian street. Pet-friendly, with vegetarian options.
- MUST-TRY: homemade iced tea
- HOURS: Monday–Saturday from 06:30 (Monday 06:00) to 21:00 · closed Sunday
- PUBLIC RATING: 4.9/5 (Google, 10/2026)
Green space, cinema and history
FIX Park and Villa Klonaridi
Patision and Kaftantzoglou
The lungs of the neighbourhood: 7,500 m² of greenery, renewed in 2021 with more than 4,500 Mediterranean plants, a fountain, a small pond and 27 benches painted by students of AKTO art college. Ideal for a walk with your pet or for a book on the grass.
At its edge stands the "red mansion", Villa Klonaridi. It is attributed to Ernst Ziller, was declared a historic monument in 1994 and burned in 2020. The City of Athens has stabilised it and plans to open it for exhibitions. Until then, you admire it from outside.
AB summer cinema
Theotokopoulou, next to FIX Park
One of the historic open-air summer cinemas of Athens. First screening in 1971, closed in 1990. The City of Athens bought the property in 2005 to save it, and the cinema reopened in 2021, after 30 years.
- WHEN: in summer, screenings from July to September
- TIP: programme on the City's "Culture is Athens" page
The Patisia Castle
Thiras 54, near Amerikis Square
Worth a walk south as you leave Ano Patisia. The only neo-Gothic building in Athens, with battlements, pointed arches and coats of arms, it was built in 1914 as a country villa. It belonged to the Typaldos family, nobles from Kefalonia. It has been uninhabited since 1993 and listed since 2008. Entry is not allowed, but the view from the street is worth a photo.
Ano Patisia pocket park
Mitsaki and Polyla
A small oasis redesigned in 2023, with 620 new plants and shrubs, lawn and new paths. For ten minutes of calm among the apartment blocks.
Honourable mentions and practical info
Honourable mentions:
- Palia Plateia (Patision 353): taverna next to Ano Patisia station, with live music and tables outside. Bill around €33 for two. Public rating 4.4/5
- Arolithos (Agias Lavras 70): Cretan pasta, stuffed chicken, menu also in English. Bill around €28 for two. Public rating 4.5/5
- Ariston Grill-House (Patision 349): gyros and grilled meats in big portions. The answer for afterwards. Public rating 4.5/5
- THE NOHO (Leof. Ionias): takeaway coffee from 7 in the morning, and they start making it as soon as they see you. Public rating 4.8/5
Note: life gathers around Gavriilidou and the stretch of Patision between the two stations. If you do not know where to go, start there.
Getting around:
- Line 1 metro (Ilektrikos): Agios Eleftherios and Ano Patisia stations. From Ano Patisia it is 6 stops to Omonia.
- Trolleybus: along Patision, towards Omonia and Syntagma. Routes and timetables at oasa.gr.
- Street market (laiki): on Iakovidou.
Thinking of living in Patisia? See PlotX properties in Athens, for sale and for rent. For the southern suburbs, start with the guides to Agios Dimitrios and Ilioupoli.
Cover photo: Saint Andrew church in Athens, DIMSFIKAS, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).
