A 20-minute ride north from Athens city center with metro (take the blue line), we find Chalandri, a fairly new-built suburb of Athens with more than 75,000 residents which is bursting with life every hour of the day. In ancient Greece this area was called “Flya” and it was actually the famous greek tragedy-writer Evripide’s hometown.
If you are not good at parallel parking then Chalandri is not a good option to get to by car. Here you will find good shopping and bars and cafes who suit every taste and budget. That is probably why Chalandri is one of the most popular areas for the Athenians to go to. Every street is bursting with shops and cafes. All the small pedestrian streets and crossings make it easy for one to feel a little bit confused. A good benchmark to have with you in your mind is the big church of Agios Georgios. It is centrally located on a large square with terraces and a small park. The metro is just a short walk away.
In Chalandri there is also a large green area called “Rematia Chalandriou” where you can walk among the many pine trees. It also holds a festival each year with theater and music performances.
-The Local Pub:
For beer lovers, and for those who want to test a pub with character Untraveled recommend “The Local Pub”. “The Local Pub” has a wide range of beers from many countries and corners of the world and everything else that belongs to a genuine pub. Add to that a great atmosphere that makes you feel that you are in a pub on the British Isles for a while. Here you can also watch football on the telly as you should be able to do at a real pub. If you are lucky you will also meet “The Local Pub´s” mascot Emma: A bulldog who wanders around and greets the guests or even keeps you company during your stay.
-Cafes/Bars:
9Beta: Cafe/bar in an industrial style known for its delicious drinks and their odd juices and teas. In the evening, this hidden but always well attended place, transforms to a bar with all that implies. It also serves “finger foods” and snacks.
Spiti Cocktail Bar: A very famous cocktail bar. This place offers some of Athens best drinks and also hosts various events such as “street food nights”, live gigs and DJ nights. You can come to Spiti Cocktail Bar for a just a drink and snack or to dance away at the small “dance floor” that often is very crowded during the weekends.
Theory bar: In a small gallery in the center of Chalandri’s shopping district there is this completely hidden cafe/bar that is always full of people. It is easy to understand why as the interior is magical and half the place consists of a cozy little garden where you can sit and enjoy your coffee or drink in the spring time and into late autumn.
Melouk: Here they are specialists at the greek traditional sweet called “Loukoumades”. Basically it is small fried donut-balls served with honey or with other goodies. Melouk is open from morning until late in the evening and they serve everything from coffee to cocktails. The funny thing is that in the evening you do not get chips or nuts with your drink. Instead you get a wonderfully tasty little bowl of “mini-Loukoumades”. It´s worth a visit!
-Food:
Penny Lane: Across the mentioned above cafe 9Beta you will find “Penny Lane”. A diner especially for the brunch lover. Here you can enjoy tasty pizzas and burgers but also fish and chips.
Koi: The best sushi in town! Koi has many restaurants around Athens and you can find one of them in Chalandri. Good prices and fresh ingredients.
”Tavera tou Manoli”: A traditional greek tavern on the outskirts of Chalandri. Very homely environment where you get served plenty of meats grilled on charcoal and many other snacks. Believe it or not but both Depeche Mode and Sex Pistols have eaten at this place after their conserts in Athen.
