Epta Martyres
Part tapas bar, part wine bar, this little joint is the epitome of neo-Athenian cool. Owned by a group of six friends, “Epta Martyres” translates to “Seven Martyrs”—the name of probably the most photographed church on the island of Sifnos, where two of the six are from. Three more are from Volos, reflected in the way the bar serves food and drink. Aside from the long, intriguing Greco-Gallic wine list, well-priced little dishes come with every round of drinks and steal the show—a tradition borrowed from the “tsipouradika” of Volos, where every carafe of ouzo or tsipouro comes with a complimentary meze. Here, the surprise dishes might be oysters or gravlax. With classic Thonet chairs and round marble tables, the packed, candlelit interior positively radiates warmth. Reservations require forward planning, but it’s walk-ins only at the bar, and it is also open for a laid-back lunch.
Line
Fermentation takes center stage at Line, an industrial-chic bar set within a former art gallery. As lovely as the bar space is, it’s the food and drink that comes first and everything served is made on-site. Stainless-steel vats produce the wine they serve, but you won’t find any grape-based bottles, instead they ferment seasonal fruits, vegetables, and botanicals—which might include pomegranate, fig, peach, strawberry, carrot, or beetroot—sourced from small producers across Greece. “Our goal is not to imitate grape wines but to express terroir and creativity through alternative raw materials,” Giannis Vavadakis, head of R&D tells us, adding that “circularity is core to Line’s identity,” and that “in the wine-making process we create valuable byproducts—vinegars, syrups, lees, and clarified fruit waters—which feed into our bar program and complete a circular, zero-waste model.” Sourdough bread is baked daily too—it’s made from leftover ingredients and long-fermented starters and is best ordered alongside the Greek cheese plate. Since opening in 2022, Line has repeatedly found itself named in world’s best bar lists, ensuring Athens’s innovative approach to drinking and dining is recognized on the global stage. —K.S.
