Travel 1 minute 12 September 2023

Athens : five dishes that particularly impressed our inspectors !

Following their latest assignments in the Greek capital, we asked our inspectors to highlight the original, flavoursome dishes that will live long in their memory. The list below is a selection that showcases the best of Athenian cuisine in 2022.

Delta

An early spring insect of lobster with fresh herbs, served with this and last year’s strawberries and pickled rose sour cream.

One of Delta’s most striking and distinctive dishes that toys with guests’ senses thanks to its hallmark culinary skill. This spectacular bee has taken on different appearances since its initial inception, and the current version is slightly larger than previous incarnations, with the inside filled with a lobster tartare and wings made from honey. The oyster leaf beneath adds an interesting maritime-inspired flavour. The dish also includes fermented strawberries (some from this year, others from last year), all of which are cut into delicate slivers that are served on top of a base of nasturtium leaves along with camomile-infused sauces and oils. A particularly striking and delicious dish that showcases plenty of culinary endeavour and top-quality ingredients.

© myeden.art/Delta
© myeden.art/Delta

Hervé

The Cod

If you are on the hunt for dishes that will automatically live long in the memory, this is definitely one to add to the list ! The perfectly cooked cod, which is roasted on top and smooth in consistency underneath, sits on a foam-like broth that is a combination of lemon caviar and Greek butter, which adds a balanced hint of citrus to provide extra punch. Thin strips of boletus mushroom are added on top, with a croissant-texture brioche as a side accompaniment. This is a stylish dish that showcases French culinary detail and clearly evident technical skill.

© Restaurant Hervé
© Restaurant Hervé

Le Pavillon

Chocolate and mushroom textures

A stunning dish that came as a complete surprise and provided the finishing touch to our dining experience at Le Pavillon! It features a chocolate mushroom created with different earthy and powdery textures, ganache and a side accompaniment of ice cream. This shiny and spectacular mushroom dessert sits on a bed of mushroom powder and is topped with delicate and edible gold leaf. The result is a dessert that showcases great attention to detail, originality, strong technique and plenty of flavour !

© Bill Stamatopoulos/Le Pavillon
© Bill Stamatopoulos/Le Pavillon

Vezené

Bougatsa

From time to time, Vezené conjures up an dessert that doesn’t feature on its à la carte, such as its original take on Bougatsa, a typical Greek pastry that is usually prepared with several sheets of filo pastry and a patisserie cream, cheese or minced meat filling. In this incarnation, the chef has deconstructed the dessert in order to create a completely different version, featuring a type of profiterole filled with patisserie cream and a red berry chutney. This is topped with a dash of cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon, with crispy and crumbly sheets of filo pastry (to create a millefeuille effect) and a dusting of icing sugar providing the finishing touch. A traditional dessert that has been given a thoroughly modern makeover !

© Michelin
© Michelin

Pelagos

Yellowtail

The tasting experience with this dish starts even before the first mouthful, such is its visual impact. Its fresh, highly colourful and summer-like composition features two slices of yellowfin tuna mixed with different varieties of tomato and slivers of cherry which add sweetness and an interesting contrast when combined with the milky burrata. The combination is delicate and very pleasing on the palate thanks to the successful contrasts in texture. The perfect dish to enjoy with a sea view !

© Katerina Avgerinou/Pelagos
© Katerina Avgerinou/Pelagos

Hero Image : Bougatsa, © Michelin

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