Tucked away in the cool of the Zappeion Gardens, which are part of the National Gardens, there's a handsomely restored open-air cinema dating back to 1903, the Aegli café and bar, and the Cibus restaurant. All three offer excellent opportunities to watch Athenian families, many with their children (often toting balloons), on their days off in the gardens. The Aegli bar and café often has a reasonably priced, frequently changing tasting menu for €25 and entrees on the set menu include that popular Greek favorite, keftedes, as well as more adventurous dishes such as grilled fish with a vegetable fricassee. The Cibus restaurant is considerably more upmarket, as is to be expected in a place that offers foie gras, oysters, tenderloin with ginger-and-coffee sauce, profiteroles, fresh sorbets, strawberry soup, and delicious yogurt crème brûlée. Some English and American friends have told me that they felt that the locals got better service than they did here, which is hardly surprising, if unwelcome nonetheless. On the other hand, I can nurse a coffee and some profiteroles at the Aiegli café over a long afternoon without any attempt by the staff to get me to pay up and free the table.
Athens
Travel Guide
Athens› Restaurant
Aegli/ Cibus
Zappeion Gardens (adjacent to the National Gardens fronting Vas. Amalias Boulevard). From the metro, walk toward the National Gardens, visible on the other side of Vas. Amalias Boulevard; cross at one of the traffic lights into the National Gardens, which blend into the Zappeion Gardens.
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Zappeion Gardens
Hours
Official hours for Aegli daily 10am–midnight; Cibus daily 8pm–1am (actual hours may vary slightly). Sometimes closed in Aug
Transportation
Metro: Syntagma
Phone
210/336-9363
Prices
Main courses at Aegli café/restaurant €8–€18. Main courses at Cibus restaurant €35–€55
Cuisine Type
International
Web site
Aegli/ Cibus
Map
Zappeion Gardens AthensNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.