Where to find The Best Vegan Food in Athens
Welcome to Athens, a city famed for its rich history and Mediterranean charm. Yet, beyond the myths and the mythos, Athens has a hidden treasure trove for vegan food enthusiasts like us. In a city known for gyros and souvlaki, moussaka and falafel, we embarked on a culinary adventure to uncover the finest plant-based alternatives and vegan classics. Amidst the vibrant tapestry of this bustling metropolis, Athens offered us an array of mouthwatering vegan delights, from sumptuous gyros to wholesome smoothie bowls. Join us as we share our top picks for vegan dining in Athens, inviting you to savour every bite of this vibrant food scene!
Photo from Early Bites Instagram, the pies were so good I forgot to get any pictures of them… this is the chicken quesadilla
Early Bites
100% plant-based, best pies in athens
Price: €2.50 per pie, 2 for black coffee
Nestled just around the corner from the Bank of Greece, Early Bites is one of those hidden gems that could easily escape your notice if you weren't in the know. This independent cafe, in our humble opinion, boasts the absolute best vegan pies in all of Athens. During our many visits, we devoured delights like the no-chicken pie, the no-beef pie, the savoury mushroom pie, and the incredibly tasty vegan quesadilla.
Early Bites also offers great coffee that will satisfy even the most discerning caffeine connoisseur. Plus, the service was always great here too; the guy who served us was always happy to see us and remembered us and our coffee orders. The bistro-style ambience, with a smattering of outdoor tables and chairs, is refreshingly unpretentious – it's all about the pies here. As the name implies, we highly recommend arriving early, as once these delectable pies sell out for the day, they're gone – and you won't want to miss out!
Address: Early Bites, Geor. Stavrou 6, Athina 105 59
Fontana
Some vegan options, best for breakfast with a view
Price: €9 for smoothie bowl, €2.50 for black coffee
This is the best breakfast spot if you’re after a dreamy view of the Acropolis through the winding and lively streets in Athens. Our go-to vegan option here was a smoothie bowl; we had the acai bowl, which comes with fresh peaches, granola, peanut butter and other fruit, we probably had this about four or five times during our four-week stay in Athens. They've got a range of vegan milk options that pair perfectly with your morning coffee. Beyond the fantastic smoothie bowls, you'll find goodies like avocado toast and several other vegan-friendly dishes. Plus, they also have a huge array of juices to choose from; even the plain old fresh orange juice tastes incredibly delicious.
Address: Fontana, Aiolou 17, Athina 105 51
Photo from their website, again, the food so good I forgot to take pictures… I’ll admit, not great for a ‘food blogger’, you’ll just have to trust me on this one.
Mama Tierra
100% vegan
There are two Mama Tierra’s in Athens, one near Exarchia and one very close to the Acropolis; they have slightly different menus, both delicious!
Mama Tierra street food, Acropolis
The Mama Tierra closest to the Acropolis exudes a vibrant street food atmosphere. Here, you'll discover a delectable array of vegan renditions of Greek classics, including options like vegan chicken souvlakis, and savoury mushroom souvlakis, as well as more classic vegan dishes, like a vegan beyond-meat burger.
While the seating inside is rather limited, with cosy tables that can only accommodate a few guests, the true charm of this spot lies in grabbing a souvlaki to-go. Wander through the ancient streets surrounding the Acropolis, where you'll find plenty of benches and inviting spots to savour your meal while enjoying the captivating views of this historic wonder.
Price: €4 for a souvlaki
Address: Chatzichristou 29, Athina 117 42
mama tierra, exarchia
At this Mama Tierra in Exarchia, you'll find a more sit-down dining ambience that offers a more extensive menu. Alongside the classic souvlakis, they also have options like nourishing grain bowls and sumptuous falafel platters, if you want a break from the bread or the pies.
If you're in the mood for a sweet treat, don't miss the chance to indulge in some delectable baklava after you've enjoyed your main course. It's the perfect way to round off a satisfying meal!
Price: €9 for a grain bowl
Address: Akadimias 84, Athina 106 78
Holy llama
100% vegan, best variety, best vegan croissants
Price: €12 for a holy bowl, €2 - €5 for pastries
I would have eaten at Holy Llama for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day if I could have! Everything we had from here was so delicious, they have a great range of options, from croissants, to smoothie bowls, to BLT’s to tofu bowls, they cater for all moods.
I would highly recommened the vegan BLT, it is, by far, the best vegan BLT I’ve had to date! I’ve also had the caprese croissant which was with cashew mozerlla, pesto and tomatoes, and the holy bowl with tofu, tempeh bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and potatoes was also delicious.
It’s often very busy if you go for brunch and the service can be a little slow sometimes, but for the food you get, it’s definitely worth the wait.
Location: Holy Llama, Nikis, Syntagma 23
Wild Souls
100% vegan, trendy aesthetic
Price: €8 - 10 for a sandwich
Upon entering, you'll find yourself immersed in an orange-hued dream. Here, a bountiful menu awaits, boasting a delightful array of completely vegan offerings, all presented in their purest form, free from additives or anything that might tamper with their natural goodness.
From comforting overnight oats to nourishing Buddha bowls and even mouthwatering vegan BLT's, Wild Souls caters to every vegan palate. The portion sizes are generous, ensuring you leave fully satisfied, and their coffee is great too.
While it's true that Wild Souls may be a tad pricier than some other options in town, this premium is entirely justified by their commitment to using all-natural ingredients. In the end, the wholesome and flavoursome experience you'll savour here makes every extra penny more than worthwhile!
Location: Voulis 36, Athina 105 57
Vegan Beats
100% vegan, street food vibes
Price: €7.50 for a burger
For those exploring the town center and craving vegan delights, this place is an absolute must-visit! Despite having a compact menu, every item on it packs a flavorful punch.
Our taste journey led us to the Lahmajoun, a recommendation from the friendly locals we met, who weren't even vegan. Let me tell you, it lived up to the hype! In addition to this delightful creation, they offer a cauliflower burger and a hearty big-boss burger, both generously sized and bursting with deliciousness. What sets this place apart for me is that their burgers that aren't just Beyond Meat replicas; they are crafted from a medley of vegetables and aromatic spices.
Also, don't miss their homemade lemonade – the ginger-infused one was one of our personal favorites. And if your sweet tooth still craves attention, they have you covered with desert options like a vegan Snickers pie and a banoffee pie.
Location: Vegan Beats, Perikleous 56, Athina 105 60
Bamboo Vegan
100% vegan
Price: €4.00 for a sandwich
A very small shop in the heart of Exarchia, in the artsy district of Athens. With a small menu of four vegan sandwiches to choose from, we’re gutted that we only managed to try one during our times in Athens. We had the New-Yorker sandwich which was tofu ham, vegan cheese, vegan mayo and salad in a wholeweat baguette, whilst it sounds basic, sometimes you just can’t beat a classic vegan sarnie!
Again, they do great coffee and have oat and pea milk available to satisfy your flat white or cappucino craving! Plus, the woman who served us there was really lovely and welcoming, which always helps.
They also host events with vegan street food on Friday’s, but we can’t really comment much on this as we didn’t manage to make it to one.
Location: Bamboo Vegan, Zoodochou Pigis 36, Athina 106 81
Sugar Killer: vegan ice cream bar
100% vegan, 100% tasty
Price: €3.50 a scoop
This is the best spot for desert, and the best bit is that it’s just across from Vegan Beats if you fancy some ice cream after your dinner! With plenty of flavours to choose from there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We had the vegan Snickers and the peanut butter cookie dough ice cream, and both were delicious, you couldn’t tell that they were sugar-free, or vegan for that matter.
Location: Sugar Killer, Perikleous 33
And there we have it, the best vegan spots in Athens!
We hope you found our guide helpful! None of these places have paid us to talk about them, these are just places that we stumbled across or found on Happy Cow.
