This text is part of the article “And the Living is A-Z”, published in Greece-Is Athens, Summer 2018 Edition. By Paulina Björk Kapsalis, Maria Coveou, Nena Dimitriou, Alex King, Maria Korachai, Pagona Lipsati & Alexandra Tzavella.

In the garden of the Byzantine and Christian Museum, you can enjoy the songs of the birds in the fruit trees while savoring a slice of lemon pie – the specialty at the Ilissia café-restaurant – in the shade.

Understated décor, weeping fig trees and plenty of light make the café of The Museum of Cycladic Art feel like a garden, too, even though it’s an air-conditioned atrium. Sit on the marble benches and enjoy something from the clever menu – perhaps a cold soup if the day is particularly warm.

The café on the top floor of the Museum of Islamic Art is a pleasant surprise for those discovering it – and surprisingly few people do. The view from here is incredible but it can get quite hot, even with the café’s three large umbrellas, so plan to visit early in the day or on an evening when they’re open late. Top summer menu picks include the ice-cold lemonade and the sour cherry juice, as well as the different flavors of homemade ice cream.