For all those Londoners pining for a fix of Mediterranean magic between summer holidays, don’t despair! Sophie Kalinauckas has unearthed 5 top city spots where you can live like a true Greek, whatever the weather. As wonderful as London is, we locals often find ourselves dreaming of a faraway land full of sunshine, frappes, cr...
Read moreDubbed as a departure from other lounge restaurant bars in the area, Glyfada’s swanky new arrival Blends (run by the same peeps as Moorings in Vouliagmeni) puts a contemporary spin on Mediterranean fare with a side-order of high-art. Sudha Nair-Iliades dons her glad rags to test it out. Glyfada’s shiniest newest kid on the blo...
Read moreIf you haven’t found time yet to road-test Kolonaki’s shiny new kid on the block Simul … we have just this to say: Make Time Simul (Gastronomic Situ) opened up shop on the former site of Kolonaki stalwart Prunier last December and has completely transformed the rather old-school French bistro into a minimal, chic and beautiful...
Read moreAmanda Dardanis spends a flavoursome evening at Nikkei - the city’s most talked-about ambassador of the Japanese-Peruvian food trend. The problem with “It” restaurants – those hot new places suddenly on everyone’s radar that you generally have to book weeks in advance - is that they so often don’t live up to their hype. Maybe...
Read moreInsider’s linguistics whiz and cultural commentator John Carr provides our readers with a fool-proof guide to avoiding verbal offence here in the Great Olive Belt. Visitors and newcomers to Greece are often under the impression that the Greeks, being a voluble, open and highly expressive people, have little use for the kind of...
Read moreThe new breed of experience-chasing tourist is no longer content just to sit back and worship the sunset while imbibing on the prized wines made from this sun-drenched rocky marvel. They want to gain first-hand knowledge of Santorini’s unique grape varieties, while at it. Boutari, Santorini’s most celebrated wine label, lets you follow th...
Read moreMaster story teller George Pittas has travelled all across Greece and culled Hellenic culinary traditions from every corner to present his comprehensive Greek Gastronomy Guide. Here, he pays homage to one of Insider’s favourite urban eateries, Café Avissinia, and its humble origins as a tea room in the heart of the flea market. ...
Read moreAncient customs that claim to elevate your Γούρι (Gouri) – your luck - are still widely practised, especially around New Year. Here are the most popular ways to usher in good luck and fortune for the year ahead. Plus, Insider shares a few trusty Greek tips to staying lucky – and warding off misfortune - all year long. As luck...
Read moreVegetarian restaurants and Greeks. They used to be about as popular a pairing as wet weather and weddings. But times they are a-changing, and now this nation of meat lovers is also embracing healthier, more energising diets, (as evidenced by the capital’s growing crop of vegetarian and greened up menus). If you like the sound of feta made...
Read moreAs a general rule, many Athenians prefer to holiday on Greek islands that are convenient to get to – but far away from “the masses”. Amanda Dardanis lists her favourite Athenian Boltholes – all within 3 hours of the capital. (Just don’t tell too many others!) Serifos There’s been a quiet buzz building about the island of Serifo...
Read moreFear of missing out (FOMO) finally led us to the door of Nolan last week: the all-day concept restaurant in Syntagma that’s had fashionable foodies all aflutter since opening in December. At Nolan, Chef Sotiris Kontizas (pictured above right) is masterfully blending shades of Japan, Vietnam, Korea and China with indigenous Gre...
Read moreFrom rebel teen to globally-hailed artist, Stella Sevastopoulos catches up with the acclaimed sculptor Costas Varotsos, best known for his Athenian landmark ‘The Runner’, and encounters living proof that art conquers all. Costas Varotsos has proven that where there’s a will there’s a way. From expelled rebel teenager, to a suc...
Read more
