Electra Roof Garden — Restaurant in Athens

Not safe for people of color.

As my partner and I entered the building we were approached by the concierge (Nikos). We informed him that we were looking for Electra Roof Grden Restaurant. He asked if we had reservations and we told him no. Nikos then picked up the phone offering to call the restaurant for us to see if they had availability. After what appeared to be a short conversation, Nikos informed us that Electra had no reservations available for tonight.

Since I've had multiple discriminating / racist experiences in Greece I decided to double check. My partner and I stepped outside, and while she was vetting other restaurants, I called Electra Roof Garden Restaurant. After someone from the hotel transferred the call to the restaurant, I spoke with a nice lady whom informed me they were NOT busy and could create a reservation for me and my partner at anytime we wanted, including right then. I asked for a reservation for now and the lady confirmed she'll see me in a few minutes.

After confirming we were being discriminated against, we decided to take our business to Bluefish where we were welcome with open minds and great service.

Posting in Greek using Google Translate to ensure it's easy for management to read and resolve:

Δεν είναι ασφαλές για άτομα με χρώμα.

Καθώς ο σύντροφός μου και εγώ μπήκαμε στο κτίριο μας πλησίασε ο θυρωρός (Νίκος). Τον πληροφορήσαμε ότι ψάχναμε για το εστιατόριο Electra Roof Grden. Ρώτησε αν είχαμε επιφυλάξεις και του είπαμε όχι. Ο Νίκος πήρε στη συνέχεια το τηλέφωνο προσφέροντας να καλέσει το εστιατόριο για να δούμε αν είχαν διαθεσιμότητα. Μετά από μια σύντομη συνομιλία, ο Νίκος μας ενημέρωσε ότι η Electra δεν είχε διαθέσιμες επιφυλάξεις για το απόγευμα.

Επειδή είχα πολλαπλές διακρίσεις / ρατσιστικές εμπειρίες στην Ελλάδα, αποφάσισα να ελέγξω διπλά. Ο σύντροφός μου και εγώ βγήκαμε έξω, ενώ κατά την εξέταση άλλων εστιατορίων, κάλεσα το Electra Roof Garden Restaurant. Αφού κάποιος από το ξενοδοχείο μεταβίβασε την κλήση στο εστιατόριο, μίλησα με μια ωραία κυρία που με πληροφόρησε ότι δεν ήταν απασχολημένος και θα μπορούσε να δημιουργήσει μια κράτηση για εμένα και τον σύντροφό μου οποτεδήποτε θέλαμε, συμπεριλαμβανομένου και τότε. Ζήτησα μια κράτηση για τώρα και η κυρία επιβεβαίωσε ότι θα με δει μέσα σε λίγα λεπτά.

Αφού επιβεβαίωσαν ότι υπήρξαν διακρίσεις, αποφασίσαμε να πάρουμε την επιχείρησή μας στο Bluefish, όπου ήμασταν ευπρόσδεκτοι με ανοιχτό μυαλό και εξαιρετική...

Electra Palace Roof Garden is an absolute gem in the heart of Athens, offering a dining experience that perfectly blends gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, and breathtaking views. Located on the rooftop of the luxurious Electra Palace Athens hotel, this restaurant provides an unparalleled setting with stunning, panoramic views of the Acropolis, especially enchanting when illuminated at night.

The ambiance is both elegant and romantic, making it an ideal spot for a special dinner, whether you're celebrating an occasion or simply looking to enjoy an unforgettable evening. The soft lighting, stylish décor, and relaxing atmosphere create a sense of sophistication without being overly formal.

The menu is a refined mix of Mediterranean and Greek flavors, featuring high-quality ingredients and innovative presentations. Dishes like the fresh seafood, tender lamb, and perfectly cooked risottos are all prepared with great attention to detail. The wine list is extensive, featuring a superb selection of Greek and international wines that perfectly complement the flavors of the dishes. The desserts, especially the homemade baklava and chocolate creations, provide the perfect sweet ending to an exquisite meal.

Service at Electra Palace Roof Garden is impeccable—attentive yet unobtrusive, with knowledgeable staff eager to provide recommendations and ensure a memorable experience. The professionalism and warmth of the team add to the restaurant’s charm, making every guest feel truly valued.

Beyond the exceptional food and service, the view alone is worth the visit. Overlooking the historic city with the Acropolis as the backdrop, this rooftop restaurant offers one of the most magical dining experiences in Athens. Whether you're a visitor or a local, Electra Palace Roof Garden is a must-visit for anyone seeking fine dining with a view. Highly...

I ate here on my own; dinner in February. There's no doubt that the scenic views are the real show stoppers here. Wherever you look, you get the most amazing panoramic views, with the Acropolis in pole position.

I was lucky to be seated close to the window, so for a while I had uninterrupted views. On the other side of the restaurant was a large group; mostly men, and probably there as part of a business meeting.

Service was charming and, on the whole very efficient. George looked after my table.

I chose the Greek Salad (€15) followed by Lamb with seasonal greens and mushrooms (€34). I was also encouraged to try their bread which came with a lovely small bottle of virgin olive oil. The salad was extraordinarily generous and delicious; wonderful small tomatoes. But that's where the compliments end, sadly.

Knowing how long it would take the kitchen to serve the large party, I asked George to tell the kitchen to hold off cooking my lamb main course until after the party had been served theirs. Mistake!! When my lamb was served, it was grossly overcooked and the accompanying sauce (with goats cheese) lacked any quality. For €34 I was expecting something much, much better. Whether my request was mis-interpreted, I don't know, but it left me feeling very disappointed.

The wine list is not extensive, and is rightly focused on Greek wines, with a good selection by the glass. The T'As Compris (Cab Sauvignon) €14 was disappointing; probably been open too long in the bottle. So, I tried the Chateau Pegasus Markovitis (Pinot Noir - like). This was significantly better at €10.

Would I go back? Definitely yes for the view, but not necessarily for the food, especially when there are so many other places to...