Tsiftis gastrokoutouki + — Restaurant in Athens

We had a truly shocking and unacceptable experience at this restaurant.

We phoned ahead to inform them that one of our party has coeliac disease, and were reassured that they could safely accommodate this. On arrival, we reminded them again and were told they had gluten-free bread available. The waitress then brought bread to the table, stating explicitly that it was gluten-free. After a slice had been eaten, another waiter came over to inform us that there had been a mistake – the bread was not gluten-free after all.

By this point, the damage was done: a coeliac had been exposed to gluten. This is not a minor dietary preference – it is a serious autoimmune condition, and mistakes like this can cause severe illness. The restaurant was not even busy, so there is no excuse for such a careless and dangerous error. Handling allergens responsibly is a basic and essential part of running a safe food establishment, and they failed in the most fundamental way.

To make matters worse, despite the gravity of the mistake, they did not reduce the bill by even a small percentage. When we explained that we expected at least some acknowledgement of the harm caused, they ignored us and presented the full bill as if nothing had happened.

This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable. Restaurants must take allergens seriously, and when they fail, the very least they can do is show accountability. Here, we experienced neither safety...

We visited the place on Wednesday July 23rd, a party of 3 people. We ordered:

1. Taramosalata: fish roe greek style which was tasty
2. Fish preserved in salt: also quite nice
3. Cured fish with fermented vanilla fruit and citrus sauce: this was an unbalanced dish. The various sour elements of the dish overpowered the fish
4. Cowpeas with grapes and mizithra cheese: A nice idea
5. Monkfish tails tempura: This was a major fail in my opinion. Fish was dry, tempura was hard and we found bones in the fish. Very poorly executed dish
6. Mussels in wine and chorizo: A warm dish with nice aromas and taste
7. Mahi mahi fish with mushrooms, botarga and zuchinis: Also very tasty and well executed
8. Desserts were nice as well

Overall, I have mixed feelings about the place. Although most of the dishes were ok, nothing really excited me. Additionally one of the dishes was unbalanced and one was outright bad. There were only 3-4 tables with people (including us) so it makes me wonder: if there is a full house how much will the quality drop? Also I found out that they change the menu quite often so it makes me wonder if this allows the team to perfect the dishes.

Staff was very attentive, professional and knowledgeable.

So, for now 3 stars. I will visit again on a busy night and would either add or remove stars based on the...

Tsiftis Gastrokoutouki is a real gem in Athens, combining warm service with a cozy, inviting ambiance that sets the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The staff were attentive and friendly, making the entire experience feel welcoming and comfortable.

We started with a dish featuring vlita cheese foam, fresh bread, and a tomato paste — a unique combination that was both flavorful and beautifully presented. The fried potatoes with feta cheese sauce were another highlight — crispy, creamy, and indulgent in the best way. The stuffed Florina pepper with rice came with a rich, aromatic sauce that complemented the dish perfectly.

Among the mains, we tried the pork tomahawk chop which was hearty and well-seasoned, but the standout for me was the pasta with beef cheeks. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the beef was so tender it fell apart with just a fork — absolutely delicious and the clear favorite of the evening.

Overall, Tsiftis is a fantastic choice if you’re in the area and looking for something a bit more creative and upscale in terms of Greek cuisine. The only downside is that the prices are on the higher side, which might not make it an everyday option — but it’s definitely worth trying at least once for a...