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The light-filled interior of Bel Ray Bar in Koukaki, Athens — a former garage turned all-day café, bar and brunch spot with large windows and urban-cool design
The light-filled interior of Bel Ray Bar in Koukaki, Athens — a former garage turned all-day café, bar and brunch spot with large windows and urban-cool design
Bel Ray Bar Athens — the light-filled Koukaki snack bar in a converted car workshop
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Koukaki

Bel Ray Bar.

Corner snack bar in Koukaki

Bel Ray is an all-day neighbourhood snack bar on the corner of Falirou in Koukaki — open from the first coffee to the last drink. A quiet fixture in the local scene with a loyal crowd and the kind of ease that can't be manufactured.

Falirou corner, Koukaki — open from the first coffee to the last drink.

A quiet fixture in the local scene with a loyal crowd and the kind of ease that can't be manufactured. The short menu does what it needs to. Regulars own it by habit; newcomers find it immediately comfortable. Show up at any hour and fit.

The kind of ease that can't be manufactured.

€

Price

More in Drinks.

Materia Prima

Koukaki

Materia Prima

Materia Prima is one of Athens’ defining destinations for natural and low-intervention wine, with two distinct outposts in Pagrati and Koukaki that together have helped shape the city’s contemporary wine culture. Founded by a team of passionate sommeliers and importers, the project is built around a deep commitment to artisanal producers, indigenous grape varieties, and wines that express a true sense of place. Its ever-evolving cellars feature carefully sourced Greek and international labels, championing small-scale winemakers who work with integrity, minimal intervention and respect for terroir. In Pagrati, the focus turns to grape varieties and vibrant street-food-inspired dishes, while Koukaki explores wine regions through a menu of refined comfort food and seasonal Mediterranean plates. Across both addresses, Materia Prima combines serious wine expertise with warm hospitality, creating an atmosphere where discovery, conversation and exceptional bottles take centre stage.

Wreck of Angels Athens — stone-vaulted interior of the historic kafeneion

Exarchia

Wreck of Angels

A basement rebetika bar on Stournari Street in Exarcheia. Live bouzouki most evenings. The music came from Anatolia with the displaced Greeks of 1922 and settled in basements like this one.

The Bar in Front of the Bar Athens — the street-side setup on Petraki Street

Monastiraki

The Bar in front of the Bar

A pavement cocktail bar on Petraki, opened 2021 as a pop-up that refused to leave. Eight zero-waste cocktails, changing daily, slogans on the wall, and a speakeasy called Rumble in the Jungle through the unmarked door behind. World's 50 Best, No. 47.