Creative Corners: Exploring Athens’ New Hotspots and the Minds Behind Them

By Nena Dimitriou, Georgia Papastamou & Panagiotis Koustas | July 26th, 2023

We meet with the creative people behind cool new spots bringing novelty and excitement to the city scene.

Polyamorous

Eleni Nikoloulia & Alexandros Gkikopoulos

This young couple, passionate about fine drinking, came up with an eccentric business idea: to create a store dedicated to three of the things that bring people momentary happiness. Flowers and plants, premium alcohol, and erotic accessories and toys form the unique inventory of Polyamorous, which opened in Exarchia a few months ago. “We love the center of Athens, especially the neighborhood where we live and work because it is eclectic, inclusive, and authentically cool,” says Alexandros. Both have previous experience in the beverage industry: Eleni as the co-editor of Difford’s Guide, and Alexandros as a bartender and liquor salesperson.

This expertise is evident in the selection of drinks available in their store. Their travels around the world introduced them to various exceptional spirits, influencing their curated collection. Their passion for flowers and plants has also found expression in the shop’s inventory; you can find dozens of cacti, exotic and endemic plants. The addition of erotic toys has added to the uniqueness of the business. So, how do Athenians react? “We have a very diverse clientele, from couples who come to grab a bottle of premium rum, a pot for the balcony, and something for fun, to elderly people asking for beautiful flower bouquets into which they sneak a sex toy.”

Info

72 Mavromichali, Exarchia

@polyamorous.athens

Astérisque

Astero Strataki

The spinach pie with handmade, crispy fyllo is a must-try snack before leaving Greece. Thanks to Asteri Strataki, it is now possible even for those who have eliminated gluten from their diets to enjoy it. The founder of Athens’ first exclusively gluten-free bakery decided to change her career, leaving positions in banking and marketing, to provide the city’s residents with versions of the delicious treats she had been missing for the last decade due to her celiac disease.

Today, she delights in watching the customers of Astérisque sit on the bench outside her store in the beautiful neighborhood of Mets, enjoying her lemon tarts, donuts, bread with dried figs, and bagel sandwiches. A tip: Ask her about the gluten-free beers on offer.

Info

2 Charvouri, Mets

@asterisquethebakery

Ēre Athens

Dora Kalogirou & Georgia Romanou

The lively urban contradictions of Athens have provided inspiration to the creators of Ēre, a concept store just a short distance from the Acropolis Museum, that sells art objects from Greek artisans and serves specialty coffee and sweets made in-house. Dora Kalogirou and Georgia Romanou both lived and worked abroad but in different countries – the former in large corporations in the Netherlands, the latter as a pâtissier in England and Germany. They happened to return to Greece at the same time, each with her own professional plans. However, a spacious semi-basement, which was too large to accommodate only one of them, led them to join forces.

At one end of the store, where the scent of butter fills the air, you’ll find Georgia placing freshly made tarts (which pair perfectly with the specialty coffee they serve) in the display case. At the other end, Dora stocks the shelves with the artisanal products and design objects she discovers around Greece and beyond: from the hand-harvested Daphnis and Chloe herbs, Melicera honey and beeswax candles to works from Greek ceramists, and colorful pearl necklaces with semi-precious stones.

Info

30 Erechtheiou, Koukaki

ere_athens

Wine is Fine

Rafael Wallon-Brownstone, Τhomas Brengou & Stavros Chrysafidis

As soon as this bistro opened, it became the talk of the town, as it doesn᾽t resemble any other place in Athens. A Greek chef and his two French partners selected a relatively low-profile spot in the city᾽s historic center for Wine is Fine, tucked away behind Athens’ central fish and meat market, on pedestrianized Vissis Street, once renowned for shops selling doorknobs and other home goods. Now, it’s a hotspot for Airbnb development. “We laid out a map of Europe and agreed that Athens had something very attractive about it,” says Thomas. “We all had some connection with the city – through our roots, friendships, or simple interest. Once we arrived, we realized how many similarities Parisians and Athenians share.” The food at Wine is Fine is simple, classic, honest, and needs no translation, whether it’s French, like the boeuf bourguignon, or Italian like the cacio e pepe pasta, it’s decidedly not fusion.

They serve organic wines produced by conscientious winemakers, who care both for the vineyard and vinification. They appreciate natural wines but aren’t dogmatic about them. So, what do they enjoy about the city now that they live in it? “The sea is so close, you can sense it in the humidity on your skin, in the saltiness of the air,” says Thomas. “Here, there are details that Athenians might overlook but, through fresh eyes, one can appreciate the charm of its industrial buildings, markets, the scent of oleanders that pervades the air every night, and the warm orange light from the small street lamps. It’s as if we’re in a movie or looking at a sepia photograph.”

Info

6 Vissis, Monastiraki

@wineisfine.athens

Anthologist

Andria Mitsakos

“I’m not a predictable person, and neither if my brand, so I couldn’t open my shop where everyone expected me to,” says Greek-American Andria Mitsakos, explaining why she chose to open the showroom of Anthologist, which operates by appointment only, in Vathis Square far from trendy neighborhoods such as Kolonaki. Andria began collecting beautiful items, some rare or even unique, during the first lockdown – bronze objets d’art, ceramics, textiles, as well as bags, jewelry, and belts – for personal use or to decorate her country house in Paros.

Her selections made such an impression on her friends and her associates from her previous career in tourism and hospitality public relations that the brand emerged naturally. She considers Athens an inexhaustible source of inspiration. She enjoys Filopappos Hill, which is close to her home, cherishes living in a cradle of civilization, and believes it’s crucial for visitors to comprehend the magnitude of Athens’ significance to the rest of the world.

Info

7A Vathis Square

anthologist.com

Mouki Mou

Maria Laimou

“The 1970s building that houses Mouki Mou, located next to some of the oldest houses in Plaka, was irresistible to me. On one side, it faces the bustle of Adrianou Street, a thoroughfare most visitors to Athens pass by, while on the other, it overlooks serene Diogenous Street. For me, this contrast epitomizes Athens,” says Maria Laimou, founder of a concept store that originated in London and recently opened a branch in Athens as well.

Here, you can find carefully selected clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home goods, primarily made by international artisans. Athens, the city where she grew up, left at seventeen and to which she now returns repeatedly, continues to inspire her. “Both the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, inspire me. Most of all, its people do, especially the younger generation, who, having been molded by difficulties, are changing everything and creating a new Athens.”