Museum cafés in Athens: Hidden gems for coffee, brunch and a cultural break
- 03/07/2025 09:38
Museum cafés in Athens are more than just places to grab a coffee -they're charming “pit stops,” unique meeting points that offer something different from the usual.
Athens is a city where history and culture coexist at every turn. They come together on strolls through the city center, in apartment building basements, and of course, in the cafés of its museums.
These days, museums are no longer just places to visit or learn something new—they’ve also become destinations for enjoying coffee or food in lush gardens, open courtyards, or spaces with stunning views. Now that the weather is getting warmer, they offer a relaxing escape from the ordinary.
Acropolis Museum
On the second floor of the Acropolis Museum, there’s a restaurant with a 700 sq.m. terrace. The view of the Acropolis through the large windows is truly breathtaking. Every Friday and Saturday, the restaurant stays open until midnight, offering a menu based on classic and traditional recipes, with a focus on local PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) ingredients.
There’s also a café on the ground floor, where you can look out over the museum’s archaeological excavation site. Besides coffee and beverages, it also serves hot dishes inspired by traditional recipes that change with the seasons.
Restaurant hours: Monday 09:00–17:00, Friday & Saturday 09:00–00:00, Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday 09:00–20:00
Café hours: Monday 08:00–16:00, Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00
Acropolis Museum: 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou St., Athens
Athens City Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation)
In a small green oasis in the garden of the Athens City Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation) sits Black Duck Garden. It’s a space of unique charm, as if it’s cut off from the city noise -despite being right in its heart.
Here, you can enjoy everything from Greek coffee and traditional spoon sweets, to herbal teas with homemade cake, or wine accompanied by finger food and warm dishes.
Athens City Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation): 5–7 Ioannou Paparrigopoulou St., Athens
Benaki Toy Museum
In the courtyard of the imposing building that houses the Benaki Toy Museum, there’s a cheerful yellow food truck ready to serve you a refreshing break. After browsing through toys, books, publications, clothing, and childhood memorabilia from around the world, you can relax in the leafy garden. Fragrant coffee, juices, and snacks are available from the truck to round out your museum visit.
Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00
Benaki Toy Museum: 14 Poseidonos Ave. & 1 Tritonos St.
Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art
Between the ground floor and the first floor of the Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art, there’s a serene urban garden where art meets gastronomy.
The café-restaurant menu is curated by the team behind Dipnosofistirion, with executive chef Dimitris Skarmoutsos at the helm. The wine list is curated by sommelier Aris Sklavenitis. Vegan options are also available, created by Holy Llama.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 10:00–18:00, Friday 10:00–20:00, Tuesday closed
Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art: 13 Eratosthenous St., Athens
Goulandris Natural History Museum
In the enchanting garden of the Goulandris Natural History Museum, next to a lily-covered pond and surrounded by myrtle, lavender, and other aromatic plants, the Natu restaurant offers a peaceful retreat from daily life. Amid this natural beauty, you can enjoy dishes crafted by Dimitris Skarmoutsos. In the morning, as sunlight dances through the tree leaves, you can savor brunch; later in the day, Mediterranean flavors take over the menu.
Opening hours: 10:00–02:00
Goulandris Natural History Museum: 13 Levidou St., Kifisia
Numismatic Museum of Athens
At the Numismatic Museum in the center of Athens, you’ll find Nummus. The café is nestled in one of the city’s most beautiful courtyards—an 800 sq.m. garden filled with various plant species and adorned with replicas of ancient Greek statues.
It’s a green oasis where you can stop by in the morning for coffee or a fresh juice, or return in the evening for a glass of wine or a spritz. The menu is simple, featuring options like a sandwich with turkey pastrami, provolone, tomato, and truffle mayo.
Iliou Melathron, 12 Panepistimiou (El. Venizelou) St., Athens