Old Ithaki — Restaurant in Athens

Dining at Old Ithaki was truly one of the finest culinary experiences we've had in Athens. Tucked away in a charming corner of the city, the ambiance perfectly blends a cozy, elegant vibe with traditional Greek hospitality. From the moment we stepped in, the service was warm, attentive, and welcoming — setting the tone for a memorable evening.

We began our meal with their Smoked Eggplant Dip, served with fresh, warm bread. The dip had a beautiful balance of smokiness and creaminess, elevated with subtle spices and olive oil. It was the perfect start to awaken our appetites.

Next, we tried the Zucchini Fritters, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly tender inside. They had just the right seasoning, and each bite was packed with fresh flavor — light, yet indulgent.

The Fried Shrimp came next and were cooked to perfection — crispy, juicy, and not at all greasy. The freshness of the seafood really stood out.

For mains, we shared two dishes: the Seafood Risotto and the Grilled Squid. The risotto was rich, creamy, and brimming with the essence of the sea — each spoonful revealed generous chunks of shrimp, mussels, and calamari, cooked just right. The Grilled Squid was another highlight — tender, smoky, and beautifully seasoned, served with a drizzle of olive oil and a wedge of lemon that brought everything together.

Every dish was a hit — fresh ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and authentic flavors that celebrated Greek cuisine with finesse.

If you're in Athens and looking for a restaurant that offers not just great food but a complete dining experience, Old Ithaki is a must-visit. We left full, happy, and already planning...

Editing my original review to respond to the owner and straighten things out,. Then I will leave it there. I have no intent to 'defame' this business as I never even heard of it before, and I am from a different country. I just would help preventing this from happening to other patrons -- and scrolling down the reviews, as has, unfortunately.happened before. It is incorrect to say we finished our food. We stopped eating our crab after noticing the foul smell. Our waitress, who was actually nice, can testify that we had 4 untouched crab legs. I never said there wad actual ammonia, but only that it smelled like it. And if you do some further research, you will find that chemical smelling shellfish can be an indication of toxins resulting for waiting too log before cooking it. So I am glad you are doing a thorough review, and that hopefully you will consider that last piece of information. Thank you.

Original review: My wife got extremely sick from eating spoiled crab at that place, and I did too but to a lesser degree. And after she posted her the account of her experience, there was a cluster of 4 5-star reviews, all within a 3 minutes window. Seems more than suspicious to me, but that would also explain how that place manages to have a 4.5...

A message to those who actually understand what hospitality means:

We came in hungry, a little skeptical, a little worn down — the kind of tourists who’ve read one too many multilingual menus and eaten one too many overpriced appetizers.

But here? This was different. This was real.

Let’s start with the location: You sit down and you feel the weight of history. It’s like the pavement still echoes with the footsteps of philosophers. You can practically sense a melancholy Plato pacing nearby, grieving Socrates’ sentence and quietly regretting not grabbing a table himself.

The service? Warm, human, and without pretense. Not mechanical politeness — actual care. They see you. They mean it.

The food? Yes to everything. Tzatziki. Souvlaki. Stuff we couldn’t pronounce but still loved. Hot. Flavorful. Generous. Honest. Not trying to impress — just trying to feed you well. And they do. Beautifully.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you: hospitality isn’t a performance — it’s a feeling.

P.S. We originally left a negative review meant for another place nearby — wrong location, wrong people. We’ve corrected it, because this place got it right. And they...