Warehouse CO2.

Warehouse CO2 opened in 2017 as the younger, smaller sibling of Warehouse in Exarchia — the same owners, a different format. Where Warehouse is a full all-day wine bar with a substantial food menu and 300 labels, CO2 made a deliberate choice to specialise: sparkling wine, from Greece and everywhere else, as an everyday pleasure rather than a celebration trigger.

The location is strong — one street off the corner of Plaka and Syntagma, in a small building with tables spilling onto the pavement under sycamore trees. The address puts it on the path between the Acropolis and the centre, which explains the mix of visitors and regulars that fills the outdoor tables by mid-morning. It runs as a café from early morning — Greek coffee, carrot cake, quiche — then transitions into a full drinks operation by early afternoon, the sparkling list becoming the focus.

The wine list covers Greek sparkling — the local production is more serious than most visitors expect, particularly from producers in Macedonia and Crete — alongside Champagne, Cava, Franciacorta, Pétillant Naturel, and Crémant. The staff know the list and explain it to people who haven’t navigated Greek bubbles before, which is most people. The small plates — oysters, gourmet bruschetta, premium cheeses and charcuterie — are chosen specifically to complement effervescence. Open from 08:30 daily.