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BEST OF THE REST
Cine Thisio In summer , Athenians love nothing more than a night at the pictures — and outdoor theater Cine Thisio is a true taste of tradition . Most movies are in English with Greek subtitles , but with views of the Parthenon to the left and a retro Hollywood bar to the right , it can be difficult to stay focused . images : awl images ; stockfood ; Lukumades
From left : Street art in the Monastiraki district ; souvlaki ( skewers of grilled meat served with pita and salad ); the popular neighborhood of Plaka
residential Neos Kosmos , meanwhile , is run by a husband-and-wife team who invite guests into the kitchen to select their dinner from giant pots .
The food scene in Athens is always evolving , and fusion food is very on trend right now . Nolan , an eclectic dining room spearheaded by Greek-Japanese chef Sotiris Contizas , combines Asian and Mediterranean cooking techniques to create something special — the miso-glazed Greek aubergine is melt-in-the-mouth glorious .
You ’ re spoiled for choice for dessert , as almost every street in Athens has a pastry shop with ornately piped cream cakes and cookies you can buy by the pound . Caffeine fixes can be found at the omnipresent coffee houses , where tables of older gentlemen playing backgammon spill out onto the street and Greek coffee is served in tiny cups with a glass of water and a spoon sweet . Yiasemi , in picturesque Plaka , even has tables laid out on a set of steps leading up to the Acropolis .
NIGHTLIFE
After dark , Monastiraki is one of the best places to find your scene . It has a spot to suit every sort of mood — from chilledout cocktails in Acropolis-facing rooftop bars to neon underground nightclubs . Lantern-lit local favorite Six Dogs is a blend of the two , combining an extensive all-day drinks menu and al fresco terrace with regular DJ sessions .
Monastiraki is also home to two award-winning cocktail bars . Baba au Rum and The Clumsies , both fixtures on the ‘ World ’ s 50 Best Bars ’ list , are located within 820 feet of each other and pride themselves on truly original mixology . So , patrons can sip on a tangy basil-blended bloody baba , then sample a peppery clumsy negroni .
National Garden Although it covers just 59 acres , Athens ’ National Garden packs a big botanical punch , with 519 plant species represented . Office workers come at lunchtime to break bread under the eucalyptus and jacarandas . It ’ s also childfriendly , with playgrounds and hide-and-seek spots galore .
Technopolis Since being repurposed as a cultural venue in 1999 , this former gasworks has become the best place to learn something new . Besides art and science exhibitions , classes on everything from entrepreneurial skills to lindy hop take place in the former industrial halls .
Lukumades If in need of a sweet treat , Greekstyle doughnuts at Lukumades are topped with traditional Greek sauces — thyme honey and cinnamon is the classic — or melted Belgian chocolate .
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