Osteria Athena — Restaurant in Athens-Clarke County Unified Government

I visited hopeful to experience an elevated Italian dining experience. Dined alone, ready to pay $70 - $100 for a meal that warmed my soul, but walked out wishing I had stopped for a slice of pizza up the street instead. Overpriced Italian food, which is what you expect to pay for elevated Italian dining, but if you're looking for a good dining experience, I would steer you away from this place. The staff and servers are nice enough...but not anywhere near professionally trained for what the owner appears to be striving to accomplish. Walked up a set of stairs to the host and was seated at a table and chairs that leaned on a floor that was unleveled. Host tried to sell me that it's an old building and it was part of the ambiance. Ok, well the food must be good right? After consulting with the menu, the waiter approached me with specials and talked me into a Boglonese pasta due to my choice of red wine, but lacked any confidence in any of his recommendations. After a bit of a wait, the salad arrived. Not fresh nor flavorful. Waiter told me bread table was on the way (never came...even after asking for it after 1/2 way thru my main course). Entree, was the fraternal twin of the salad. Very uninspired meat sauce with bland pasta. No salt or pepper offered or on the table (which was much needed!!!). I was ready for dessert when I arrived, but didn't want to risk it so I called it a night and paid the check. Want some decent Italian food? Go watch Chef John on Youtube and make it at home yourself. This place is not worth the money, and even if priced lower I would not eat here again. Give your business to a restauranteur who earns your patronage. Go elsewhere. This place is...

I went here for my birthday dinner back in May. I had 3 guests, and every single one had a problem with the food. My boyfriend's lasagna was frozen in the middle, and he had to request a new dish that he didn't like very much. My mom had a pasta dish that had absolutely zero flavor. Given how expensive the food is here, I was extremely disappointed. Chef Ramsey would be distraught knowing how much they charge for a FROZEN lasagna. Finally, I had a caprese salad (the only remotely decent thing we ate) and the filet. The filet was horrible. It tasted only like charcoal, was overcooked, and dry. I was so upset when I took my first bite. My boyfriend was paying for my food, and this filet was RIDICULOUSLY expensive. I forced myself to finish that filet so I wouldn't hurt my boyfriend's feelings. To top it all off, the waitress really fumbled. The table was divided into 3 different tabs, with my mom covering herself, my friend covering herself, and my boyfriend taking care of himself and me. The waitress stapled everyone's bill together on one piece of paper which made us uncomfortable because we were forced to look at everyone else's bill. She also mixed up a lot of items and charged my mom for several items she did not order. I will NEVER be returning. Actually the WORST "fine-dining" experience...

First off, I have never given a bad review. Osteria Athena was so horrible all around! The entire table's food was bad, bland & off tasting!! The salads were practically wilted. You get one tiny piece of a baggett for everyone to try to share. I have no idea how this place has such good reviews. We came in on April 2nd 2025 around 7:40 pm with 6 people for my son's birthday. I made reservations ahead of time. There was nobody else there other than the employees. We were polite & excited to try the place. The "chef" gave us dirty, evil looks the ENTIRE time!! It was so creepy & I definitely think that he was pissed off that we were there. 4 of us ordered lasagna off the menu. The waitress came back about 15 to 20 minutes later & said that we couldn't have the lasagna. Apparently the chef told her that he made the lasagna but it would not settle & be ready to eat until the next day....? So we ordered other different items off the menu. All of them tasted horrible & were very small portions. The owner never acknowledged us even though he was only a few steps away from our table. Save your money & skip this place. Worst Italian that...