Athens Cafe — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Me and my wife went midday, just before the dinner crowd started coming in. We were the only guests at the time, and the owner seated us at a nice clean table with clean utensils. He kept a face mask on the entire time, so did our waiter.

He asked if we were familiar with Greek food, and we said yes, because we eat it often. He asked what places we were familiar with, and I dropped a few names. He knew them all of course (most of the Greek places in Jacksonville have been in place for years). He let us look over the menu and he brought me a Greek coffee that I requested, and an Unsweet tea for my wife (her request).

The Greek coffee was served in a doppio-style mug with saucer, and it was very good. It is strong like Turkish, Arabic coffee or Espresso, and I ordered it black. You can get them with cream, sugar, etc. But I like to really taste things, so I ordered it black, and I enjoyed it. He brought it out with a glass of water, which I really only needed as a palate cleanser for the main course.

For the first course, we ordered Greek salad (her) a cup of the bean soup (me) and we split a Spanikopita. My wife liked the salad, I enjoyed the soup, and the Spanikopita was unique. I enjoyed it, so did she, and it was very well baked, flaky, and had just enough filling to keep it soft on the inside. It was very good.

The main courses we got were, for her, the roast lamb, which is Boneless and served with Greek grilled vegetables. I ordered the "famous baked chicken" which was served with excellent Roasted potatoes, and my choice of a side, which was sautéed Spinach.

I tried a small bite of the lamb, it was great. As for the baked chicken...holy Hell. It was excellent. It was a huge chicken dark quarter served on a bed of cubed potatoes, and there were soft bits of Roasted Garlic, just a few pieces, served with it. I spread the soft garlic on the chicken skin and let it settle in. I ate the sides first. The potatoes were as I said already, great. Perfectly cooked. The Spinach was a knockout as well. Just flawless.

The chicken...I started by carefully peeling away the skin and setting it aside. I used my knife and fork on the bird and it came away clean from the bone, and every bite was amazing. Once I had killed the chicken for the second time in its life, I went after the skin that had been smothered in that garlic. I could have cried. I have never had a quarter chicken that good, ever. I enjoy chicken. We have raised them, I have had them from the yard to the table. This was just another level of food that I was not prepared for, and man...famous baked chicken, indeed. I want to use words they will just bleep, and it deserves every version of those words in the best possible sense. Phenomenal does not do it justice. The food was stellar.

We spent $55 on the meal and I tipped $15. The waiter left us alone much of the time, which is how I like it. He earned it. On our way out the door, I spotted items in the dessert case that I have to drop back in for, soon. Baklava Cheesecake, people. BAKLAVA CHEESECAKE.

Go to this place and...

It is said, you have to open many oysters before finding a Pearl. Tucked away from my own Awareness, die to the side of town I’ve always lived on, Athens Cafe the long standing Pearl of Jacksonville. It doesn’t scream for your attention, advertise with big budgets, nor try to sell some image of being more than what it is. Athens Café is authentic in its totality, from people, food, service, and environment.

It is a humble,enchanting jewel, who commits to its art, its craft- making authentic Greek food with passion and love. Do what you do with love, all goodness will flow forward, right? That’s Athens cafe .

The owner’s presence, greeting you at the door, was the same mirrored warmth felt throughout the entire evening by all staff.

This is the second time in 8 years, I’ve given a restaurant in Jacksonville 5🌟s. My perception of dining comes from a background working high end restaurants growing up in Atlanta. If Athens Cafe was in Atlanta, you would need reservation a day in advance for lunch and dinner.

The professionalism and overall hospitality made you feel like you were visiting a place where you were once remembered and missed. The Environment was nostalgic and enchanting, capturing all my senses. When I thought it could not get better, the food was absolutely amazing! From the presentation, portion, and the flavor. I almost forgot to capture a photo before my plate was wiped clean. Every moment of our experience at Athens Café was more splendid than the next. I wish I new social media, I would spread...

We FINALLY found our favorite restaurant in Jax! This is truly authentic Greek cuisine with belly dancing and plate smashing festivities every Friday! (We’ve got plans to go back on a Friday to enjoy that. And to try much more off the menu.)

We started with the saganaki flambé (traditional Greek cheese flambéed in brandy) & fresh baked bread. SOOOOO good!! OOMPAH🔥 Then grilled octopus (my personal favorite!) And, the Three the choice Meze spreads. We chose hummus, kalamata spread & skordalia (garlic with walnuts and seasonings beautifully puréed to smooth creamy bliss.) Then we dined on the Chef’s recommendations: kokinisto (delicious slow cook beef with carrots, parsley, tomatoes & onions over orzo😋) and psari scharas (whole flame cooked fish). Our fish was dorado brought live from Greece! It was cooked to perfection. Moist white flakey fish with a tasty grilled sear on it to dip in a delicious lemon olive oil drench. Amazingly we found room for dessert! I got the house made creme brûlée and LOVED it! Nat got the humongous slice of baklava cheesecake (yes, that exists☺️). It was too rich/sweet for me, but that’s what cheesecake is supposed to be, right?? So, I’d still totally recommend it if you like cheesecake and you like baklava. Overall, we TOTALLY recommend this restaurant!!! We can’t wait to...