Astakos — Restaurant in Municipality of Glyfada

We were greeted by a really rude man in a sky blue shirt and bald head who wouldn’t let us sit at the table of our choice closest to the sea . He said it was reserved yet no reserved sign. We had the option of only four 2 person tables hidden behind the greenery despite only 2 tables being occupied at 1330hrs. All other tourists were offered the same 4 tables which is ridiculous and unlike the Greeks who are generally hospitable.

Having both travelled extensively in Greece and also lived and worked in Greece it was the first time we have ever been charged for bread. €5 for 2 slices of white and 2 slices of brown sourdough is a rip off and even more so that they were all stale and couldn’t use them for our starters. Even the French provide good bread for the cover charge!!The starters were Tstaziki that was puréed and tasteless, the Melitzanosalata was overcome by a vinegar taste and not as our usual experience in traditional tavernas.

The special green salad at €12 was described as green salad, artichoke and fennel. There was no fennel and the artichoke was 3 slender slices that were hard and inedible. There was NO fennel. So the salad was all 99.9% Horta - and that was HORRID. It wasn’t described otherwise we would never order it as it’s an acquired taste😡.

The Blender Rose was 11.5% and not described on the menu and would never have chosen this and it was sweet. There are many good bottle rose wines in Greece that are 12-13% and have a nice dry taste. Even barrel wine tastes better at €2-3/litre !!!

The waiter with apron that took our order was pleasant and the mains that we had: grilled octopus and sardines in tomato sauce were very tasty. It is so disappointing about our starters and wine and the rudeness of staff and inflexibility.

On asking for the bill and the bald ‘waiter’ asked how it was he wasn’t interested in our complaints despite having said so after being served. When we left an hour later the table that was ‘reserved’ was still vacant. That says it all as he just shrugged his shoulders and lifted the Greek eye!

Avoid this restaurant at all costs as ambience , good service and consistent food quality is paramount. Who would come to a restaurant and suffer rudeness verging on abuse.

Ironically, we were recommended the restaurant between this one and Ark called Nicolas Schinoussa.

So be aware at all costs and maybe try the one that we were recommended you may have a better dining experience and it’s...

The WORST gastronomical experience I've ever had. One thing is for sure, if you have low blood pressure this is the place to go. Everything was packed with too much SALT.!! I'm definitely NOT a certified food critic. Nor a recognized chef, but if food is too salty its not eatable. Greek salad (so called) was brought to us immediately. But it looked and tasted as if it was made hours before. It was soggy, the onions seemed as though they were pickled. Too much green peppers, only 2 slices of cucumber and some drizzle of Feta cheese. Taramosalata too salty! Mussels too salty! Fried gauro too salty ! Fried potatoes too salty ! Fried zucchini too salty, the breading was stiff like a brick and the vegetable undercooked ,may I say raw.! The Bakaliaro was eatable but the skordalia was like mayonnaise, with a hint of garlic The Galatopita had a sour syrup on top like lemon.

Makes someone wonder if the chef actually checks the plates before the go out to the customers.

It's a shame. It's a new restaurant. And when my friend and I stated our complaints to 2 waiters, we were expecting the manager, the chef, or even the owner to come speak to us.

Our complaints were to give notice of the issues, so they can better themselves. And NOT to not charge us for two items on our bill.! THAT WAS IN INSULT TO US.

I hope they get on track, because If they continue in this way, they will be losing customers.

The service was good. Pleasant...

They were not fair to us!!

From the very moment we walked into the restaurant, they greeted us with a dismissive attitude and little respect, as if we were a nuisance just for being new customers. The food was good, and as is customary in Greece, they brought us water and bread, as well as a small tray with four olives and some tomato sauce (I should point out that we did not request any of this, nor did they ask if they could bring it). After sharing a starter and ordering two main dishes, we asked for the bill. After waiting an extremely long time to pay, we were met with an unpleasant surprise: the bill was €17 more than what we had actually ordered (not including the tip). We figured out from the receipt that they had charged us twice for the bottle of water, the bread, and the "appetizer" none of which we had asked for.

I can understand a charge for bread and water, even though every other restaurant we visited included them for free as a standard part of the meal. Of course, every place has its own policy. However, what left a bad taste was the fact that they charged us for the appetizer they had “offered” at the beginning, as if we had ordered it ourselves.

It’s a shame, because the place itself is lovely, with a nice view overlooking the port of Glyfada, but the way we were treated really took away a lot of its appeal.

It’s not about the money—it’s a matter of principle. We felt scammed and deceived, and we definitely won’t...