Ilioupoli: neighbourhood guide

Ilioupoli: a 100-year-old neighbourhood below Mount Hymettus

Ilioupoli began to be built around 1924, by refugees from Asia Minor. The name is borrowed from ancient Heliopolis in Egypt and first appears officially in a document from 1925. In 2025 the municipality celebrated 100 years with the documentary "100 Years of Ilioupoli".

Today it has 76,730 residents (2021) and lies about 6 km from the centre of Athens. Wide, bright streets, low buildings, plenty of squares, and the wooded slopes of Mount Hymettus covering half the municipality. Its neighbours are Argyroupoli and Agios Dimitrios.

The heart of going out is the Central Square (Ethnikis Antistaseos), together with Eleftheriou Venizelou, Iroon Polytechniou and the pedestrian street of Vyronos. It stays lively after midnight, and not only at weekends. Every place in this guide is within 1.5 km of the square. This guide is part of the series Where to live in Athens.

Night bars

Radar (Rantar)

Kotzia 22

It is housed in what was a carpentry workshop for about 50 years, and it was set up by a DJ and two bartenders who have worked in the city's good bars. In the morning, specialty coffee and bagels. In the evening, cocktails made with their own cordials and no ready-made syrups, such as a Mai Tai with homemade almond syrup or a margarita with maple, pineapple and sriracha. Music is played only on vinyl, and on Saturdays there are electronic sets.

MUST-TRY: Mai Tai with homemade almond syrup, plus a shrimp taco if you are hungry
VIBE: industrial, vinyl, lighting straight out of Blade Runner
HOURS: daily 09:00–01:30 (Friday–Saturday until 02:30)
PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Yesterday's

Iroon Polytechniou 3, on the square

The newest arrival on the square, open since November 2025. It takes its name from a legendary Ilioupoli club of the '80s and plays on '90s nostalgia, with neon but without turning into a theme park. It has a brew bar, a micro bakery and an open kitchen making pizza on their own dough. On Sunday afternoons it holds a "Greek afternoon party" with the Greek sitcom "Konstantinou kai Elenis" on the screen.

MUST-TRY: pizza from the open kitchen and a Cosmopolitan
VIBE: '90s nostalgia, with dancing
HEADS-UP: at peak times there are not enough staff
PRICE: burger €9, penne with chicken €10
PUBLIC RATING: 4.5/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Key Bar

Leof. Eleftheriou Venizelou 148

A small, lively bar on the main road, with live music and DJ nights. The staff are friendly, and the snacks are much better than you would expect from a bar. For groups who want a fun night out without going into the centre.

MUST-TRY: a night with live music
VIBE: small, loud, live
HEADS-UP: the music is loud for such a small space
HOURS: Tuesday–Wednesday 17:00–02:00 · Thursday–Saturday 17:00–03:00 · Sunday 10:00–03:00 · closed Monday
PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Kolokytha Cafe-Cocktail Room

Kyprion Iroon 58

One of the best-known bars in Ilioupoli, with lots of signature cocktails, cold and hot, with fairy-tale names and very good prices. The courtyard works all year round and takes you back to another era. To be honest, though: the vintage decor is not to everyone's taste, and when the courtyard fills up a lot of people smoke.

MUST-TRY: a signature cocktail from the menu
VIBE: warm courtyard, vintage
HEADS-UP: smoking in the covered area, and tables are not always cleared quickly
HOURS: 18:00–01:00 (Friday until 03:00, Saturday until 04:00)
PUBLIC RATING: 4.5/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Meze places and small tavernas

Skopa

Skopa 11, Kato Ilioupoli

An old café and meze place (kafeneio), untouched and just as you imagine it, run by two brothers from Ioannina. Backgammon in the morning, groups of friends in the courtyard in the afternoon. Out of the open kitchen come marinated anchovies, octopus in vinegar, lakerda (cured bonito), thrapsalo (a large squid), pastourma pie and a salt cod with garlic dip (skordalia) that has a devoted following. All with tsipouro from Epirus, and at mostly single-digit prices.

MUST-TRY: charcoal-grilled thrapsalo and salt cod with skordalia
VIBE: a café from another era, loud and friendly
HEADS-UP: do not even think about going without booking a table
HOURS: daily 08:00–00:00
PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Rachati

Leof. Marinou Antypa 93

A Cretan raki bar run by two brothers from Ierapetra, who wanted to recreate "their village café". The recipes are their grandmother's and most of the ingredients come from Lasithi: kalitsounia (small cheese pies), stuffed courgette flowers, snails, apaki (smoked pork). Tsikoudia from the family still and rakomelo with thyme honey. The wedding pilaf (gamopilafo) has to be ordered in advance.

MUST-TRY: apaki from Sitia and small myzithra cheese pies
VIBE: rustic Cretan village café
HEADS-UP: when it fills up the service is slow, and people smoke indoors too
HOURS: Tuesday–Friday 19:00–01:30 · Saturday 13:00–01:30 · Sunday 13:00–20:00 · closed Monday
PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Ether

Priamou 2

The most gourmet option in this guide, from three friends who grew up in Ilioupoli. Open kitchen, a seasonal menu for sharing and a wine list of about 60 labels with a focus on Greek wine. Marinated anchovies with Florina pepper cream, pasta with rooster from Mani, octopus. The courtyard under two large mulberry trees is the best seat for dinner in the southern suburbs.

MUST-TRY: salad with roasted cauliflower, almond cream and avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce)
VIBE: elegant but relaxed, courtyard with mulberry trees
HEADS-UP: it is one of the most expensive places in the area, and not every dish is at the same level
PRICE: €35–50 per person
HOURS: Tuesday–Friday 19:00–01:00 · Saturday 14:00–01:00 · Sunday 13:00–19:00 · closed Monday
PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Kafeneio tis Pareas

Leof. Marinou Antypa 102

There is no menu here: they tell you what is on from memory. Home-style "mum's" cooking, such as pork tigania (pan-fried) with lemon, small meatballs and prosfygakia, and for dessert ravani (semolina syrup cake) and orange pie. House wine from a barrel from Messinia, regulars playing cards, and a bill that will pleasantly surprise you.

MUST-TRY: pork baked in parchment paper
VIBE: an old café with beer posters on the walls
HEADS-UP: with no written menu, you do not know the prices before you order
HOURS: Wednesday–Saturday 09:30–01:00 · Sunday 09:30–19:30 · closed Monday–Tuesday
PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Mezedopoiimata

Leof. Sofokli Venizelou 35, on the way to the metro

A meze place with Eastern Mediterranean cooking, where everything is made from scratch. The beef souvlaki and the spit-roasts (chicken and beef) are the safe bets, and the complimentary halva at the end is a reason to go back. Generous portions and fair prices. Ideal for a family Sunday lunch.

MUST-TRY: beef souvlaki or a spit-roast
VIBE: busy, family-friendly
HEADS-UP: at weekends the service is slow
HOURS: Wednesday–Saturday 13:00–00:00 · Sunday 13:00–19:00 · closed Monday–Tuesday
PUBLIC RATING: 4.7/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Coffee and something sweet

Rialto

Iroon Polytechniou 4, on the square

One of the oldest all-day spots in Ilioupoli, and still full. A high-ceilinged space with a coloured stained-glass roof and green courtyards with sofas. In the morning, specialty coffee with a mini croissant on the side; in the evening, cocktails such as the "Zombie Head" with aged rums. Sit upstairs if you can find a seat.

MUST-TRY: iced chocolate, and in the evening a Zombie Head
VIBE: classic hangout with stained glass and courtyards
HOURS: daily 08:00–01:00 (Friday–Saturday until 02:00)
PUBLIC RATING: 4.4/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Umama

Andrea Papandreou 7, next to Kanari Square

The brunch spot with "mum-style" food that foodies in the southern suburbs love. Everything is made on site: French toast with brioche, gouda and a fried egg, apple & cinnamon pancakes, a Black Angus smash burger and fresh juices. Do not leave without a slice of carrot cake.

MUST-TRY: carrot cake and pancakes
VIBE: bright, homely brunch
HEADS-UP: at weekends you need to book a table
HOURS: Monday–Saturday 08:00–23:00 · Sunday 09:00–23:00
PUBLIC RATING: 4.6/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Indigo Drinks and more

Vyronos pedestrian street 3

Sunny tables on the pedestrian street, one of the prettiest spots in Ilioupoli. It runs from brunch to drinks. On Tuesdays there is a sushi night, and on Fridays and Saturdays guest DJs or live music.

MUST-TRY: brunch on the pedestrian street
VIBE: pedestrian street, coffee in the morning, DJ at night
HEADS-UP: prices are a little steep
HOURS: Monday–Thursday 08:00–02:00 · Friday–Sunday 08:00–04:00
PUBLIC RATING: 4.5/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Mount Hymettus, green space and sport

Kintis Grove: café and theatre

Gardiki & Smolika, about 600 m

Pine trees, a small pond with fish and turtles, and views over Athens and the Saronic Gulf. The municipal café is self-service and open every day 09:00–22:30. Next to it is the open-air Municipal Theatre "Dimitris Kintis", home of the Ilioupoli Festival at the end of every summer. The seats are plastic, so a cushion helps.

Mount Hymettus

Mount Hymettus covers the eastern half of the municipality. The Ilioupoli Hiking Club (EOS Ilioupolis) has a small refuge at 509 m altitude, with an outdoor area for picnics. For routes and meet-ups, the club's office is at Ypsilantou 7 (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 20:00–22:00).

Municipal Stadium "Chalikaki"

Saronikou 44, about 1.5 km

Athletics track, football pitch, walking paths and a playground, up high with views and a sea breeze. The place for more intense running training.

HOURS: weekdays from 07:00 with breaks and an evening session 20:00–22:00 · weekends 07:00–14:00
HEADS-UP: opening hours are limited, and in May–June it gets very busy
PUBLIC RATING: 4.4/5 (Google, 10/2026)

No Biggie: bouldering and café

Ethnarchou Makariou 34

A climbing wall of about 4.5 m and, next to it, an all-day café with granola, Turkish eggs and burgers. A different way to spend an afternoon with friends.

PRICE: lesson €12 + €3 shoes
HOURS: Monday 16:30–22:30 · Tuesday–Friday 10:00–22:30 · weekends 11:00–19:00
PUBLIC RATING: 4.8/5 (Google, 10/2026)

Honourable mentions and practical info

Honourable mentions:

To Syntrivani (Pl. Ethnikis Antistaseos 3): a home-cooking eatery (mageireio) since 1978, with beef in tomato sauce, stuffed vegetables, pastitsio and moussaka. Open at lunchtime only, 11:00–19:00. Public rating 4.3/5
To Kouzoulo (Leof. Eirinis 10): Cretan taverna with antikristo lamb (slow-roasted by the fire) from Zoniana, in a courtyard on the pavement. Public rating 4.6/5
Son Athens (El. Venizelou 197): wine bar and bistro with Latin bar food and wines from Greece and South America, €25–30 per person. Public rating 4.3/5
Shakesbeer (Ir. Polytechniou 15): gastropub on the square, known for its meat platter. Public rating 4.4/5

Note: the Central Square and the Vyronos pedestrian street have the widest choice. For food, head a little towards Marinou Antypa.

Getting around:

Metro (Line 2): Ilioupoli station, next to Vouliagmenis Avenue, about 1 km west of the square (about a 15-minute walk).
Buses: routes to the centre and to Glyfada. Timetables at oasa.gr.
Street market (laiki): every Tuesday in Kato Ilioupoli, on a street that changes every four months. The current street is announced by the municipality.

Thinking of living in Ilioupoli? See PlotX properties in Athens, for sale and for rent. Next door: the guides to Argyroupoli and Agios Dimitrios.