Five places to eat in Athens

Cherchez La Femme

Despite a French name and Instagrammable interiors, this modern taverna is all about satisfying Greek classics such as stuffed vine leaves, Greek salad and meatballs. These are all served as meze-style small plates, meaning you can try a good chunk of the menu in one visit. Dishes from £2.70. cherchezlafemme.gr

Feedel

Set in a quiet, palm-shaded courtyard off Ermou, Athens’ main shopping street, Feedel really is a welcome escape from the crowds. Run by Leonidas Koutsopoulos, who was also a judge on the Greek version of Masterchef, Feedel is typical of Athens’ ‘neo-tavernas’ offering modern interpretations of classics such as the twisted cheese pie with seasonal vegetables and an excellent list of Greek wines. Dishes from £9. facebook.com/feedelurbangastronomy

Ergon House

Ergon bills itself as the ‘first foodie hotel in Athens’. Several floors of sleek modern bedrooms sit above a huge public marketplace where shelves are stocked with thousands of products from small artisanal Greek producers. It is Athens’ answer to Eataly, and its deli and café is the perfect lunchtime pit-stop to refuel on classics such as Greek salad, spicy ‘lakerda’ (pickled fish), and zucchini fritti. Dishes from £9. house. ergonfoods.com

Hytra

One of the city’s standout fine-dining restaurants, Hytra has held a Michelin star since 2010. Chef Tasos Mantis took the reins in 2014 and creates beautiful modern Greek dishes largely focused around fish, plus herbs, flowers and vegetables grown in his countryside garden. Highlights from the 14-course tasting menu include oysters with nasturtium, elderberry capers, chives, and clams with pickled elderflower and fennel. Tasting menu £55. hytra.gr

Cookoovaya

Opened in 2014, this is already an Athens institution serving modern Greek food to a well-heeled crowd. A long open kitchen houses a wood oven from which the best dishes appear – flaky pies stuffed with feta, and charred roasted octopus with fava beans and vinegar glaze. Dishes from £13.50. cookoovaya.gr/en

Cherchez La Femme sounds French but the food is traditional Greek

Ergon House offers rooms above an artisan food hall

Octopus served at Feedel