Taverna

"Souvlaki. And baklava. And that round bread with sesame seeds. Koulouri! These are a few things I definitely want to try while I'm in Athens," Grace says as we head from Syntagma Square toward Monastiraki early in the morning, trying with little success to avoid the heat.

With a chic and diverse dining scene, Kolonaki, one of Athens’ upscale neighborhoods, offers gourmet restaurants, trendy bistros, and casual eateries for a cosmopolitan culinary experience. Here’s a guide to some of its standout dining spots.

Coffee & Brunch

Opened a year ago on the side street of Michalakopoulou in Ilisia, Taverna Aoritis initially served café-style Cretan cuisine, complemented by appropriate decor and music. I still recall the taste of the sizzling snails with their tangy vinegar hint, the fried rabbit, and, of course, the antikristo.

With its mushrooms, olives, vegetables and organic meats, as well as, of course, its fresh seafood from the rich Evian Gulf and the Aegean Sea, the island of Evia continues to produce excellent ingredients for the outstanding dishes it serves in elegant restaurants and cozy tavernas alike. Here are the top dining choices for the northern part of the island.

The seafood meze, ouzo, tsipouro, and good company are always welcome, especially on weekends when we want to relax from the week’s hustle. If home cooking isn’t your strong suit and you feel like going out with friends in the city center, by the sea, or even to the northern parts of town, we suggest some value-for-money spots.

The Greek taverna “Lakis Greek Kitchen” in England has become a favorite spot for many locals and tourists. It was opened by 44-year-old Greek Cypriot Panicos Panayiotou, who lives in Walsall, in the Black Country. As he explains, he did it to honor his father, Lakis, who passed away without fulfilling his dream, while also raising money for local charities.

Kick off your summer at the Rizes Fest, celebrating the traditional Greek panigyri in downtown Athens. Enjoy local music group Santa Bella's summer taverna vibes, Aegean rhythms from Fystiki Saloni and performances by Kideria and Laska. Catch early bird tickets for this lively celebration at Technopolis (100 Pireos) from rizesmas.gr.

When you hear the word "taverna," what images spring to mind? Perhaps it's a tight space, a basement, tables covered with parchment paper or checkered tablecloths. Wine barrels are at the rear, the walls are covered in vintage photos and notices regarding  the policies of the establishment, often informing customers that food and drink are not served on credit.

A Greek crooner is showered in red and pink carnations by customers in an Athens taverna as they sway to his songs of love and passion.

But suddenly the flower-throwing of fans in high heels and sparkly lame outfits gives way to a wild crescendo of plate smashing.

The Andronis Arcadia hotel on Santorini is one of the units that has been added to the portfolio of Preferred Hotels & Resorts members, ahead of what it calls an anticipated increase in holiday planning.