Restaurant
Delta
Two-Michelin-star restaurant on the fifth floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, serving a single creative tasting menu built on its own garden produce.
Akra
A small Bib Gourmand counter restaurant and bakery in Pangrati, cooking a daily-changing Greek menu in wood-fired ovens and over an open grill.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary Greek, wood-fired
- Area
- Pangrati, Athens, Greece
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Michelin Bib Gourmand
- Counter dining
- Bakery
- Brunch
- Terrace
Why we recommend it
Akra is a small, relaxed restaurant and bakery in Pangrati that has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good-value cooking. It is run by chefs Giannis Loukakis and Spiros Pediaditakis, and its focus on wood-fired cooking and daily-changing menus has made it a favourite with Athenians who care about food.
Most guests sit at a counter around the kitchen, where the chefs cook beside them or at the wood-fired grill in front of them, so a meal here feels close to a kitchen table experience. At the front, a bakery turns out bread and baked goods from ovens spread around the room. The menu changes every day according to the fresh, seasonal produce available, with dishes from the wood-fired oven at its heart. Because it changes so often, it is best to ask the chefs what they recommend on the day rather than arriving with a set order in mind.
The setting is informal and the prices are moderate, which makes Akra a good choice for couples, solo diners who enjoy watching chefs at work, and anyone wanting a contemporary take on Greek cooking without the formality of a tasting-menu restaurant. Counter dining also means it is less suited to large groups. Pets are allowed only on the terrace.
According to the Michelin Guide, Akra opens in the evening on Monday and from the morning on the other days, with weekend opening from 09:00, and it serves brunch, so it also works as a breakfast or lunch stop. Opening times can change, so check before you go. Reservations can be made online through the Michelin Guide booking service, and booking is recommended for dinner given the small number of seats.
The restaurant is on Aminta Street in Pangrati, a short walk from the Panathenaic Stadium and around 20 minutes on foot from Syntagma through the National Garden. Pangrati is a lived-in residential district with plenty of bars, cafés and neighbourhood squares, so it is easy to stay on for a drink after dinner. Combine an early meal with an afternoon visit to the stadium or a walk round the garden.
Akra FAQs
Does Akra have a Michelin distinction?
Yes, a Bib Gourmand for good-value cooking.
What kind of food does Akra serve?
Contemporary Greek cooking from a daily-changing menu, centred on wood-fired oven dishes.
Who are the chefs?
Giannis Loukakis and Spiros Pediaditakis.
Where do guests sit?
Mostly at a counter around the kitchen and wood-fired grill.
Does Akra serve brunch?
Yes, the Michelin Guide lists brunch, with morning opening on most days.
Do I need to book?
It is small, so booking is recommended for dinner; reservations can be made through the Michelin Guide.
Where is it?
At 12 Aminta Street in Pangrati, near the Panathenaic Stadium.