Ari Vezene’s insatiable appetite for the good things in life has powered some of the most influential restaurants in Athens over the last fifteen years – starting right here at this modern Greek restaurant that deserves a Michelin star. This smoothly-run establishment was the pioneer of the Greek bistronomy movement that has since become so fashionable. Ethically reared meat, sustainable seafood, and prime seasonal greens form the basis of gutsy yet delicate dishes designed to be shared.

A modern and atmospheric bistro in Athens, in the Hilton Hotel district, Vezené hardly needs an introduction to Athenians. But to an outsider, this little gem of a place serves delicious food with a strong emphasis on sourcing top quality ingredients and raw materials. The meat is simply divine while the side dishes shine with originality and flavours (did we mention the truffle potato chips?).

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Creating a distinctive combination of high-quality yet unpretentious dishes, chef-owner Aris Vezenes takes great care in sourcing the freshest, mainly local ingredients to produce creations that are exuberant and full of deep flavors and tempting aromas. The lively feel-good atmosphere is positively romantic at this restaurant, where you can try a broad selection of top-quality meat dishes, a variety of marinated and tartare dishes, and several great seafood options, as well as authentic-style pizzas and pastas. The desserts, such as the chocolate dessert with fig and tahini, are delicious, as is the weekly Sunday roast.

Here, chef Aris Vezenés serves pasture-raised meats and local, sustainably sourced, seafood that is cooked on wood-fired grills. Almost a decade later, this award-winning Michelin Plate restaurant still manages to impress with its delicious comfort food and rustic bistronomy. The wine list consists of 120 different labels, with 15-20 by-the-glass options, with a strong Greek presence but without lacking a nice selection of international wines.

This venture, headed by celebrated chef and leading restauranteur Aris Vezenes, was launched in 2010, introducing comfort-fine-dining cuisine with American influences. Over the years, the restaurant has become a major attraction, deservedly receiving a Michelin Plate distinction in 2018 for quality food. This stylish restaurant offers superb dishes covering both the meat and seafood categories.

Tap this Greek-inspired bistro owned by Greek-American chef Ari Vezene to experience his unique touch on traditional cuisine. Equipped with a wood-fired kitchen, it serves sustainable meat, local seafood, and several other creative dishes made with the freshest natural ingredients and old-school techniques that have a raw, minimalist edge. It is all about culinary honesty and intimacy.

His restaurant, Vezenéwas an instant success when he opened the bistro’s doors in 2011. In fact, it’s even earned a spot in the Michelin guide. The menu is split into three categories: a sea section with fresh fish, lobster, and urchin; a land section with delicious choices of meat; and the soil section, which includes dishes made of mushrooms, potatoes, and other vegetables.

Greek/American chef Ari Vezené’s eponymous restaurant has become a classic in the Athens restaurant scene. It feels like the Spago of Athens, a timeless bistro serving elevated pasta dishes, fresh seafood, and modern twists on Greek classics. The beef tartare pastitsio, a play on the traditional pasta dish, was one of the best things we ate in Greece.

Serving regional dishes motivated from personal views on local traditions. Ari continues to define local frontiers with exciting menus while helping make Athens one of the new upcoming food meccas in Europe. Vezene has become a destination for forward thinking simple, Greek inspired food, and an altogether original dining experience.

And everyone should try Vezené for traditional cooking with a twist. The chef, Ari Vezenée, also opened Birdman, a Japanese yakitori-grill restaurant and pub, which has become a massive success. Finally, I always make sure I visit Labros, a seafood joint that’s a little further away but worth the trip.

Book a garden table at Vezené restaurant, an Athenian fine dining institution with exceptional steaks and seafood grilled on olive wood embers. The smoky flavours and local ingredients make this worthy of a place on ‘the best restaurants in Athens’ list.

Τις Κυριακές στο Vezene και σε ένα διαφορετικό brunch για την πόλη βρίσκουμε ένα τηγανητό κοτόπουλο (ελευθέρας βοσκής από την Κρήτη) με flakes από φουαγκρά.