Ionos Mediterranean Greek Cuisine — Restaurant in Athens

I was already looking forward to having lunch here, and the smiling waiter who initially invited me in made my decision even easier. But after he seated me, that same waiter unfortunately turned sour very quickly. For my entire meal, the smile was never to reappear again, eye contact was avoided almost entirely, and every time I was provided with something (food, drink, the check), my "thank you" was answered with complete silence and a quick exit. It left me feeling disconnected and disrespected - and it was all so easily avoidable. I'm always pleasant to wait staff, especially as an American travelling in other countries; I try to consistently extend appreciation to everyone I encounter. And as a woman travelling alone for my first time in Greece, it's always extra comforting to be treated with kindness. It costs nothing, requires little effort, and can make a big impact on someone - especially when they're a solo traveler - a small moment of friendliness can make a casual lunch extra special and welcoming while in a foreign land. I hope that this review somehow finds its way to that waiter, Alexi, and encourages him to treat customers with more kindness in the future. And if the negative attitude I encountered was related to a dislike of tourists, then perhaps he might find a different profession that's more aligned with his preferences and let someone else who enjoys connecting with and extending kindness to new people take his...

Review of Ionos Mediterranean Greek Cuisine – 3/5

I recently dined at Ionos Mediterranean Greek Cuisine in Athens and found the experience to be a mix of positives and areas needing improvement.

Ambiance: The restaurant boasts a decor that blends modern elegance with traditional touches, creating a cozy yet sophisticated dining environment. The atmosphere is inviting, making it suitable for various occasions. 

Food: The menu offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. While some dishes, like the moussaka and souvlaki, were flavorful, others lacked the depth and authenticity I anticipated. The baklava dessert was a highlight and is highly recommended. 

Service: The staff was friendly and eager to share their knowledge of the dishes. However, there were moments when the service felt inattentive, leading to longer wait times than expected. 

Value: With its moderate price level, the restaurant provides decent value. However, considering the inconsistencies in food quality and service, it felt slightly overpriced for the overall experience. 

Conclusion: Ionos Mediterranean Greek Cuisine has potential, especially with its inviting ambiance and certain standout dishes. However, improvements in consistency and service are needed to elevate the dining experience....

Funny story, actually. My husband and I were looking for another restaurant, when a friendly man approached us and asked if we needed directions. He introduced himself as a local from the neighborhood.

When we told him what restaurant we were looking for, he told us it was not very good and then he recommended Ionos to us. He walked us over to the restaurant and even pointed out his apartment along the way. Extremely appreciative, we thanked him and decided to eat here.

Long story short, we saw this gentleman later refer other people here and we also came across a handful of reviews where reviewers were also referred here in the same manner that we were - by a local man from the neighborhood who offered to help them.

Food tasted sub par. The lettuce that came with the dishes was wilted. House white wine was also sub par. We waited a long time for food. Unfortunately, this was our most expensive, yet least favorable meal in Athens. The waiter was okay and the atmosphere was actually pretty decent.

So, if you’re referred here by a random man masquerading as a friendly local from the neighborhood, then please tell him we said, “Hello,” but don’t fall victim to his scam...