The Vegan Traveler's Guide to Athens

Athens is becoming a fast-growing haven for vegan and plant-based dining. As interest in veganism rises, so does the selection of creative, flavor-packed vegan dishes that showcase Greece’s rich variety of fresh vegetables, grains, legumes, and local herbs. Here’s a guide to the thriving vegan scene in Athens and some of the best places to find plant-based fare.

The Vegan-Friendly Culture of Athens

Greek cuisine is naturally abundant in plant-based dishes, thanks to traditional Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, fresh vegetables, and legumes. Many classic Greek dishes can easily be made vegan or are already vegan-friendly, like horiatiki (Greek salad without feta), fava (yellow split pea dip), and gigantes (giant beans in tomato sauce). This makes Athens especially welcoming for vegans, with many traditional and modern eateries offering vegan options.

As veganism gains popularity, Athens has seen a rise in dedicated vegan restaurants and creative fusion spots. Whether you’re after classic Greek flavors reimagined for vegans or inventive new plant-based dishes, the city has options for every palate.

Top Vegan and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Athens

Cookoomela Grill

Location: Themistokleous 43, Exarchia, Athina 106 83 (Metro Panepistimio)
Specialty: Vegan gyros

Cookoomela Grill offers a delicious vegan take on the classic Greek souvlaki stand, serving hearty gyros stuffed with plant-based meats, savory mushrooms, and fresh veggies. Packed with flavor and drizzled with homemade sauces, their gyros have become a favorite for both vegans and non-vegans alike.

Avocado

Location: Nikis 30, Syntagma, Athina 105 57 (Metro Syntagma)
Specialty: Mediterranean-inspired vegan and vegetarian dishes

One of the pioneers in Athens’ vegan scene, Avocado offers a wide range of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, from Buddha bowls and pasta to vegan versions of Greek classics. The bright, welcoming space and creative menu make it a great spot for brunch or lunch.

Veganaki

Location: Athanasiou Diakou 38, Athens, 117 43, Metro  Acropolis)
Specialty: Traditional Greek vegan food

Veganaki focuses on Greek flavors with a vegan twist, serving dishes like vegan moussaka, stuffed vine leaves, and fresh salads. Located conveniently near Syntagma Square, it’s a perfect choice for travelers who want to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine in a plant-based form.

Peas Vegan & Raw Food

Location: Falirou 40, Koukaki, Athens, 117 42 (Metro Syggrou Fix)
Specialty: Fresh, raw, and cooked vegan food

Located near the Acropolis Museum, Peas is a cozy spot with a vibrant menu that includes wraps, burgers, bowls, and raw treats. Known for their friendly atmosphere and colorful plates, Peas is ideal for those looking for wholesome, health-focused vegan meals.

Bamboo Vegan | The Athens Vegan Sandwich Spot 

Location: Zoodochou Pigis 36, Exarchia, Athens, 106 81 (Metro Panepistimio)
Specialty: Vegan deli and grocery

Bamboo Vegan is both a small café and a vegan grocery store, offering tasty plant-based snacks, sandwiches, and salads. You’ll also find a variety of vegan pantry staples and Greek vegan products to take home, making it a perfect spot for travelers looking to try local, plant-based specialties.

Mama Tierra

Location: Akadimias 84, Athens, 106 78 (Metro Panepistimio)
Specialty: Fusion vegan cuisine

Mama Tierra’s menu is a blend of Greek and international flavors, offering dishes like vegan moussaka, falafel wraps, and creative grain bowls. Their use of fresh, organic ingredients and inventive flavors makes it a standout choice for plant-based diners.

Vegan Beat

Location: Perikleous 56, Athens 105 60 (Metro Monastiraki)
Specialty: Street food-style vegan eats

This small, trendy spot serves street food-inspired vegan dishes, like wraps, burgers, and hearty salads. With bold flavors and a convenient location in the heart of Monastiraki, it’s a top choice for a quick, satisfying vegan meal on the go.

Magic Kitchen

Location: Themistokleous 45, Athina 106 82
Specialty: Vegan street food from Turkey and beyond.

At Magic Kitchen, you can taste traditional Turkish recipes reimagined as vegan street food, like tanduri, gozleme, and a red lentil soup—one of the most famous dishes in Istanbul. They also serve refreshing homemade kefir, lemonade, and kombucha.

Winners Vegan

Location: Nikis 27, Athina 105 57

Conveniently located just steps from Syntagma and open for lunch and dinner, Winners is the perfect spot for vegans or for anyone looking to skip meat and animal products, even if just for a while. While some dishes might be a little pricier (reflecting the use of organic ingredients), every plate is carefully crafted, and the portions are more than generous.

Veganistan

Location: Keramikou 101, Athina 104 35

It is a place that will offer quality, handmade and healthy food, accessible to all, while it will also serve as a hub for a multitude of activities in which we will share and evolve based on solidarity, empathy, art and culture.

Early bites

Location: Geor. Stavrou 6, Athina 105 59

A vibrant vegan restaurant serving up classic Greek brunch dishes and tasty snacks. Enjoy Greek pies, chickpea tempeh falafel wrapped in pita, delicious vegan omelettes, a Seitan No-Chick Club Sandwich, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts

Holy Llama

Location:  Nikis 23, Sintagma, Athens, Greece

A creative bakery aiming to reveal the magic of flavors hidden in plant-based cuisine, completely avoiding animal products and by-products.

F*cking ‘Avit Cafe

Location: Kalamiotou 8, Athens, Greece

Vegan restaurant est. 2018. Offers brunch foods, salads, bowls, burgers, soups, sandwiches, and coffee with oat, soy, or pea milk. Everything made in-house. Relocated from Glyfada.

Yi

Location: Grigoriou Lampraki 69, Glifada 166 75

This plant-based restaurant in Glyfada has been offering a philosophy of eating that transforms how we view life. By connecting with nature through the food we consume, it offers a collection of recipes that showcase the vibrant flavors of plant-based and raw cuisine.

The Vegan Vandal

Location: Aminta 15, Athina 116 35

An all-vegan place in Pagkrati with a chic decor and a hip atmosphere. Offering street food such as burgers, salads, pita and other Greek dishes and desserts.

Mother Vegan Cafe Bistrot

Location: Dimitrakopoulou 95, Koukaki, Athens 117 41

Artistic vegan bistro and bar with attention paid to design details. Serves organic and wholesome vegan cakes and treats and savories like vegan cheese platter and canaby pie. Beverages selection includes speciality coffee, wine, beer, cocktails and biodynamic spirits.

Vegan Greek Dishes to Look For

Even outside of vegan restaurants, you’ll find many Greek dishes that are either vegan by nature or easily made vegan. And usually those dishes are on the menu of every restaurant, vegan or not. Keep an eye out for these classics:

• Fava: A creamy yellow split pea dip, typically served with lemon and olive oil.
• Gigantes Plaki: Giant beans baked in a rich tomato sauce.
• Horta: A simple dish of boiled wild greens, often served with olive oil and lemon juice.
• Briam: A roasted vegetable medley, often including potatoes, zucchini, and eggplant.
• Gemista: Vegetables, typically tomatoes and peppers, stuffed with rice and herbs.
• Loukoumades: Traditional Greek donuts, often with vegan-friendly topping options.

Seasonal Events and Food Festivals

Athens hosts a growing number of vegan-friendly events and festivals, reflecting the city’s expanding vegan community. Some noteworthy events include:

• Vegan Life Festival: This annual event brings together vegan food vendors, workshops, and talks on veganism in the heart of Athens. It’s a fantastic place to explore Greek and international vegan products.
• Local Farmers’ Markets: Weekly farmers’ markets (laiki) can be found throughout Athens, offering fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and local herbs, perfect for vegan travelers who want to sample local produce.

Tips for Vegan Travelers in Athens

• Ask for Ingredients: While many Greek dishes are naturally vegan, some may include animal-based ingredients like cheese or yogurt. Don’t hesitate to ask if a dish can be made vegan.
• Use Local Words: Learning a few basic Greek words can help, like “νηστίσιμο” (nistisimo), which refers to fasting foods often made without animal products.
• Explore Neighborhoods: Neighborhoods like Exarchia, Monastiraki, Kerameikos, Psirri are particularly vegan-friendly, with a range of dedicated vegan eateries and markets.

Athens is an incredible destination for vegan travelers, offering a blend of traditional Greek dishes and innovative plant-based cuisine. From hearty moussaka and fresh salads to sweet treats like loukoumades, Athens makes it easy for vegans to experience the full range of Greek flavors. With an expanding array of vegan restaurants, markets, and local specialties, Athens is proving itself to be a top vegan-friendly city in the Mediterranean.