Athens has a long coastline with plenty of places where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood right by the water.
In this guide, I’ve picked some of my favorite seaside fish restaurants in Athens, from Mikrolimano and Glyfada to Vouliagmeni.
You’ll find everything from traditional seafood restaurants to more upscale places for a special meal.
This post includes links that may be affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclaimer/privacy policy for more information.
Quick Picks: Best Seaside Fish Restaurants in Athens
| Restaurant | Area | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varoulko | Mikrolimano | €80–150 | Fine dining & special occasions |
| Nikolas tis Schinoussas | Glyfada | €40–60 | Relaxed seaside dining |
| Blue Fish | Vouliagmeni | €60–110 | Sea views & sunset |
| Garbi | Vouliagmeni | €50–80 | Classic Greek seafood |
| Ithaki | Vouliagmeni | €100–130 | Upscale dining |
| Sardelaki | Vouliagmeni | €30–50 | Casual seafood & good value |
| Labros | Vouliagmeni | €50-80 | Traditional fish dishes |
Varoulko Restaurant, Piraeus
Varoulko is one of the best-known seafood restaurants in Athens and has a Michelin star. It sits right on the water at Mikrolimano Marina in Piraeus, with tables overlooking the fishing boats and yachts.
The restaurant is run by chef Lefteris Lazarou, one of Greece’s best-known chefs, who has built his menu around Greek fish and seafood, often giving traditional recipes a more modern twist.
You’ll find plenty of fish and seafood on the menu, but some dishes are more creative than what you would normally find in a traditional Greek fish taverna.
I especially love the shrimp risotto with raisins, pine nuts, and tomatoes, as well as the sesame-crusted tuna fillet served with seaweed salad and soy-lime sauce.
Varoulko is on the expensive side, but I think it’s a good choice if you want a special seafood dinner by the water.
- Location: Akti Koumoundourou, 54-56 Mikrolimano Marina, Athens, 18545, Greece
- Average Cost: €80-150 per person
- Website & reservations: Varoulko official website
Nikolas tis Schinoussas Restaurant, Glyfada
Nikolas tis Schinoussas is one of my favorite places for seafood in Glyfada. It sits right by the sea, with outdoor tables and lovely views over the water, especially around sunset.
The menu is mostly Greek fish and seafood. I recommend trying the taramosalata, Schinoussa salad, seafood kritharoto, steamed mussels, and, of course, one of the fresh fish dishes.
What I also like about Nikolas is that you don’t have to leave as soon as you finish eating. There is a separate area where you can sit with a coffee and enjoy the sea for a little longer.
If you feel like walking afterward, Glyfada Beach is right next to the restaurant.
- Average Cost: €40-60 per person
- Location: Diadoxou Pavlou 48, Glyfada, Athens
- Website & reservations: Nikolas tis Schinoussas official website
Want to see what Vouliagmeni looks like?
Most of the restaurants below are in Vouliagmeni. In this video, I take you around the area so you can get a feel for it before you go.
Blue Fish Restaurant, Vouliagmeni
Blue Fish is in a small bay in Vouliagmeni, right by the water, and has direct access to the sea.
It’s a beautiful location, particularly if you come later in the day and stay for sunset.
Some of my favorite dishes here are the kalamari skewer, shrimp carpaccio, spaghetti al limone, and fish collar tempura.
If you don’t want a full meal, there is also an oyster bar by the sea where you can order oysters and other seafood with a glass of champagne. It’s a nice option for a drink and something small to eat around sunset.
- Average cost: €60-110 per person
- Location: Poseidonos Ave. 4, Vouliagmeni 16671 Greece
- For Reservations: BlueFish Vouliagmeni
Garbi Restaurant, Kavouri
Garbi has been serving seafood since 1924, making it one of the longest-established seaside fish restaurants in Athens.
The restaurant is elegant but not overly formal, with large windows overlooking the sea and plenty of white throughout the dining room.
There is also a small garden at the back with outdoor tables under large umbrellas.
The fish arrives daily from Greek islands including Leros, Crete, and Andros.
You can choose from dishes such as crab salad, fish ceviche, seafood pasta, and risotto, along with more creative takes on Greek favorites.
Their Mediterranean fish soup and shrimp moussaka are both worth trying, but I particularly like their taramosalata — for me, it’s one of the best in Athens.
- Average cost: €50-80 per person
- Location: 21 Iliou, Kavouri, Vouliagmeni 166 71 Greece
- For Reservations: Garbi Restaurant.
Ithaki Restaurant, Vouliagmeni
Ithaki is one of the best-known upscale seafood restaurants in Vouliagmeni, with panoramic views over the open sea.
There is a large outdoor dining area surrounded by trees and greenery, which provides some welcome shade during lunch, as well as an indoor dining room decorated mainly with marble and wood.
I’d choose Ithaki when you want something more elegant or are celebrating a special occasion.
The menu is modern and goes well beyond the usual grilled fish. Current dishes include Hiramasa tartare with yuzu kosho ponzu, spicy tuna tartare with miso dressing, sea bass ceviche, and red shrimp carpaccio.
- Average cost: €100-130 per person
- Location: Apollonos, Athinas 28, Vouliagmeni
- For Reservations: Ithaki Restaurant.
Sardelaki Vouliagmenis
Sardelaki is a more casual choice for seafood in Vouliagmeni, with tables overlooking the sea and a relaxed atmosphere that works well for lunch after the beach.
One of the things that makes it a little different is the way the appetizers are presented: a platter is brought to your table so you can see the different options and choose what you want to try.
The menu includes plenty of fish and seafood, along with a good selection of salads. The stuffed calamari is one of the dishes worth trying, and portions are generally generous.
If you’re looking for a seaside seafood restaurant in Vouliagmeni without the more formal atmosphere of places like Ithaki, Sardelaki is a good option.
- Average cost: €30-50 per person
- Location: Poseidonos Avenue 18, Vouliagmeni
- For Reservations: Sardelaki Restaurant.
Labros Restaurant, Vouliagmeni
Labros is one of the oldest restaurants on this list, serving customers since 1889. It sits directly across from Vouliagmeni Lake, with tables looking out over Vouliagmeni Bay.
The restaurant is known for traditional Greek fish and seafood dishes. One of its signature dishes is mussel pilaf with raisins, pine nuts, and dill. Other good choices include marinated anchovies, crayfish, and shrimp saganaki.
And save some room for dessert. Try the ekmek kataifi, a traditional Greek dessert made with shredded kataifi pastry and layers of cream.
- Average cost: €50-80 per person
- Location: Poseidonos Avenue 20, Vouliagmeni
- For Reservations: Labros Restaurant.
Explore the Athens Riviera
If you’re heading to the coast for lunch or dinner, you can also combine it with one of these Athens Riviera experiences.
What to Know Before Ordering Fish in Greece
If you haven’t eaten at a fish restaurant in Greece before, there are a few things worth knowing before you order.
Fresh fish may be priced by weight
This is probably the most important thing to know. Larger fresh fish are often priced by the kilo rather than per portion. The menu may show a price per kilogram, and the final price depends on the weight of the fish you choose.
Don’t hesitate to ask how much the fish weighs and approximately how much it will cost before ordering, especially at more expensive restaurants.
Ask about the catch of the day
The fresh fish available can change depending on the season and what has come in that day. Sea bream, sea bass, red mullet, grouper, and other local fish are common, but you won’t necessarily find everything every day.
At traditional fish tavernas, it’s perfectly normal to ask what fresh fish they have before looking through the rest of the menu.
You don’t have to order a whole fish
A Greek seafood meal can easily be made up of several smaller dishes shared by the table. Calamari, octopus, shrimp, mussels, marinated anchovies, taramosalata, salads, and other meze are all common choices.
This is actually one of my favorite ways to eat seafood in Greece, especially when I’m with friends: order several dishes for the middle of the table and share everything.
Grilled and fried are the classics
Fresh larger fish is often simply grilled with olive oil and lemon, while smaller fish such as anchovies and red mullet are commonly fried. You’ll also find octopus, calamari, shrimp, mussels, seafood pasta, and fish soup.
The more upscale restaurants on the Athens Riviera tend to take a more modern approach, so you’ll also see dishes such as ceviche, carpaccio, tartare, and seafood risotto.
FAQs for Fish Restaurants in Athens
Where are the best areas to find seafront fish restaurants in Athens?
Piraeus: Bustling port town with numerous fishermen’s taverns and Michelin-starred options.
Mikrolimano: Picturesque harbor with renowned seafood specialists and upscale choices.
Glyfada: Chic coastal suburb with stylish restaurants and relaxed options.
Vouliagmeni: Upscale area with luxury resorts and gourmet seafood restaurants.
Paleo Faliro: Family-friendly beach area with casual seafood spots and upscale choices.
What is the price range for these restaurants?
The prices really depend on where you go. Piraeus has plenty of good budget tavernas, while Mikrolimano and Glyfada are more mid-range to fancy.
Vouliagmeni is usually the priciest, mostly because it’s such a luxury spot.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, especially for the busy spots or if you’re going on the weekend. Some places fill up fast!
Do these restaurants have outdoor seating?
Yes. All the restaurants on this list have outdoor seating, and in most cases, that’s a big part of the experience.
If you want a table right by the water, especially around sunset, I recommend reserving ahead and asking specifically for an outdoor table with a sea view.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about living in Athens is that you don’t have to travel to a Greek island to enjoy fresh seafood by the water. Within a short drive from the city center, you can be sitting by the sea in Mikrolimano, Glyfada, or Vouliagmeni.
The restaurants on this list are quite different, from casual seafood meals to special-occasion dining, so which one you choose really depends on the experience you’re looking for.
Whichever you pick, try to get a table by the water — and if you can, time your dinner for sunset.
Join Our FB Group & Subscribe to My YouTube Channel!
For more Greece travel tips and ideas for your next trip, join my free Facebook Group or follow me on YouTube for more videos from around Greece.
Happy and safe travels,
Evgenia
