Think of it as Italy’s answer to the British afternoon tea — only lighter, livelier, and infinitely more social. In Northern Italy, the aperitivo is a beloved ritual: a moment between work and dinner when friends gather to unwind over a spritz and a few small bites, known as cicchetti.

Traditionally made with Prosecco, a dash of bitter liqueur such as Aperol or Campari, and soda, the spritz has become an international symbol of la dolce vita. In Athens, the ritual has found a natural home. Across the city — from the historic center to the southern coast and up to the port of Piraeus — spritzerias and Italian-inspired delis now serve refreshing cocktails and light dishes that marry Italian flavors with Greek produce.

Here are some of the best spots in Athens and Piraeus to raise a glass to the aperitivo way of life.

LOUZA Spritz & Deli — Syntagma

Louza Spritz & Deli reimagines the Italian aperitivo through a Greek lens — casual, flavorful, and perfectly paired with Prosecco.

At Louza, the Mykonian delicacy that gives the bar its name — a cured pork specialty — takes center stage. The menu celebrates Greece’s finest products while embracing Italy’s aperitivo tradition.

Enjoy a variety of spritzes, both classic and creative, alongside Greek-Italian dishes such as Kimolos-style ladenia with Mykonos louza, tomato carpaccio with feta, cheese and charcuterie platters, and pinsa — Rome’s lighter, airier version of pizza — made with local ingredients.

📍 Address: 4 Chrysospiliotissis St., Syntagma

Felicità — Rouf

Felicità transforms a historic bakery into a lively spot for creative cocktails and Italian-inspired bites.

Housed in a beautifully restored former bakery, Felicità brings Italian warmth and inventive cocktails to the industrial-chic neighborhood of Rouf. The founders — Konstantinos Bolas, Alexandros Kamperis, and Giorgos Mathioudakis — have created a cozy setting where handmade dishes and imaginative drinks make every evening feel like a celebration.

📍 Address: 40 Megalou Vasileiou St., Rouf

Villa Grigio — Palaio Faliro

A touch of Venetian elegance by the sea — Villa Grigio turns aperitivo into an evening ritual.

What could be more Italian than sipping a spritz in the courtyard of a 1930s villa? Villa Grigio, named after its elegant grey façade, offers just that. From 6 p.m., the buffet fills with Italian finger foods that pair beautifully with a classic Aperol Spritz, a peachy Bellini, or a crisp glass of wine from the curated Greek-Italian list.

📍 Address: 46 Agiou Alexandrou St., Palaio Faliro

Odori Vermuteria di Atene — City Center

Odori pairs fine vermouth and Italian gastronomy in a stylish setting that redefined Athens’ aperitivo scene.

Greece’s first vermuteria, Odori celebrates the art of vermouth in all its aromatic glory. Michelin-starred chef Pavlos Kyriakis has crafted a food menu that perfectly complements the bar’s refined cocktail list — think slow-fermented pizza doughs, handmade pastas, arancini, vitello tonnato, and irresistible Italian desserts.

📍 Address: 2 Skouleniou St., Center

Drupes & Drips — Koukaki

Ten years in, Drupes & Drips remains one of Athens’ most beloved spritzerias. What started as a juice and coffee stop across from the family bakery evolved into a vibrant all-day bar bridging the gap between morning espresso and evening Aperol.

Drupes & Drips blends Greek flavors with Italian flair — a neighborhood favorite for a reason.

Here, Mykonos louza, Cretan graviera, Mykonian xinotyro, Parmigiano Reggiano, and truffle-infused hams are sliced fresh to order and served on wooden boards with olive oil-drenched bread.

📍 Address: 20 Zitrou St., Koukaki

Brunello — Kolonaki

Brunello brings Italian elegance to Kolonaki with refined cocktails, wines, and gourmet bites.

Tucked into a corner of Loukianou Street, Brunello feels straight out of Tuscany. Its carefully curated wine list, heavy on Italian vineyards, pairs beautifully with an equally elegant aperitivo selection — from white Negronis to signature spritzes. The menu, designed by chef Michalis Nourloglou, offers refined small plates and main dishes that turn an evening drink into a culinary experience.

📍 Address: 12B Loukianou St., Kolonaki

Cicchetti — Glyfada

Venice meets the Athenian Riviera — Cicchetti serves up Italy’s finest flavors in sunny Glyfada.

Down south in Glyfada, Cicchetti channels Venice through its open kitchen and handpicked ingredients imported directly from Modena, Parma, Bologna, Naples, and Tuscany. The philosophy here is simple: “less is more” — quality over quantity. Expect an authentic Italian dining and drinking experience with an Athenian twist.

📍 Address: 11 Foivis St., Glyfada

Zyme Spritzeria — Piraeus

Piraeus is fast becoming a culinary hotspot, and Zyme Spritzeria is leading the charge. Guided by a zero waste philosophy, this atmospheric venue transforms from an artisanal bakery by day into an Italian-inspired bar by night.

From bakery to bar — Zyme Spritzeria combines sustainability, creativity, and Italian charm.

After 6 p.m., freshly made focaccia and doughs give way to creative cicchetti crafted from the day’s ingredients, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Pair them with a classic spritz or one of the team’s inventive seasonal cocktails.

📍 Address: 10 Dragatsi St., Piraeus

Θαmai Spritzeria — Center

Thamai Spritzeria brings Italian finesse to central Athens — a must for spritz lovers.

Elegant yet relaxed, Θαmai (Thamai) Spritzeria blends the charm of Florence with the rhythm of Rome right in the heart of Athens. The bar shines with its variety of spritzes and expertly mixed cocktails, complemented by fine wines and small plates — from pizzas and pizzetti to bruschette, carpaccio, tartare, and premium cheeses and charcuterie.

📍 Address: 19 Lekka St., Center