Just a few kilometers from central Athens, tucked discreetly behind the Athenian Riviera, Lake Vouliagmeni has long captivated locals with its serene charm. Over time, it has revealed its many facets: a tranquil thermal spa, a cinematic landscape, even an unexpected playground. Within this ever-changing setting, Abra Ovata mirrors the lake’s layered allure.

Here, you’ll find the relaxed ambience of a poolside escape, the energy of a “lunch-is-the-new-dinner” hotspot, cocktails kissed by golden-hour light, or an intimate dinner beneath a canopy of stars. It’s easy to imagine an ideal summer day in Athens beginning – and ending – at Abra Ovata.

Start your day with a swim in the lake’s perfectly tempered waters, where tiny fish offer a natural (and surprisingly delightful) spa treatment. From there, settle into the restaurant’s Main Deck, a space that changes depending on your vantage point: it may evoke the iconic poolside glamour of the Beverly Hills Hotel – a place to see and be seen – or the quiet magic of a secluded Greek island beach. The cabana beds, shady umbrellas, plush chaises longues, and cozy sofas are all styled by Zeus+Dione, the celebrated fashion house spearheading the modern Greek elegance movement. Recline and indulge in refreshing drinks, summer plates, and playful, shareable finger food. Cocktails are infused with fresh, native herbs, such as the famous local wild thyme.

Abra Ovata’s most compelling asset, however, isn’t the view – it’s the cuisine.

At the heart of the kitchen is Chef John Skotidas, whose culinary voice blends global influences with deep Greek roots. Raised between Greece and Panama, Skotidas honed his skills in the multicultural kitchens of London, bringing a worldly, intuitive approach to flavor. But this isn’t fusion for fusion’s sake. Every dish – whether it’s bottarga with crispy rice, or goat cheese with fermented chili – tells a story of heritage, migration, terroir, and innovation.

The menu is grounded in the finest Greek ingredients – fresh seafood, seasonal produce, wild herbs – elevated with global accents that enhance, never overpower. It’s bold yet balanced, refined yet approachable.

Dishes arrive artfully plated, but the experience is never stuffy. Abra Ovata serves fine dining without pretense; a celebration of Greek generosity, simplicity, and joy.

For those wanting to experience the restaurant’s signature creations, highlights include the tuna in jalapeño broth with yuzu and the exceptional King Crab paella, richly layered with red shrimp, braised mussels, and octopus slow cooked in fragrant mastic. Even the humble tyrokafteri (spicy feta dip) is reinvented with a dash of gochujang, Korea’s beloved fermented chili paste.

End your meal with one of Pastry Chef Kalliope Marou’s standout desserts, such as the banoffee or her creative twist on the classic Paris-Brest, filled with silky peanut paste instead of cream.

As evening falls and the surface of the lake takes on deep hues of indigo, dinner at Abra Ovata becomes almost dreamlike. Candlelight flickers across linen-clad tables, and the surrounding cliffs cast a soft glow. The evening menu leans into deeper, richer flavors: grilled meats with umami-rich sauces, fresh-caught fish in citrus oils, and slow-cooked vegetables with velvety textures.

Paired with bottles from a thoughtful wine list highlighting Greek terroir alongside old-world classics, dinner here is never rushed. It’s a slow, sensory ritual, meant for long conversations, sharing and savoring – enhanced by the quiet majesty of nature.