Athens Cafe

The best Greek pastries ever. This place has good dessert and drink choices. I sat outside with friends and had an amazing time. This was sometime in October. more

I think that this place has the best desserts around, especially cheesecake. Their haloumi burger is unrivaled (although, the quality of it seems slightly random -- during the evening it seems you have a better chance of a good one). Their souvlaki is great as well. I tried a very Greek sounding dish which included loukaniko ham and haloumi, and it ended up being the only one I didn't even finish (rare for me). I go here on occasion and have never been disappointed. One of the reviews below did make me worried -- it's not at all the Athens Cafe I know. Pros: Most of the food I've had here is delicious. Cons: I haven't encountered any more

The waitstaff seems to care more about checking out the other young customers and chit-chatting than waiting tables. The food itself wasn't bad, but my god, I was there for over an hour and a half and I really just wanted to grab a ""quick bite"". I ultimately ended up way over-tipping and leaving cash on the table, because I couldn't wait ANY longer. It wasn't even busy - there were only 2 other tables with customers and I counted 5 staff standing around. What on earth??? I'm sorry ... but I can only make my way back on the weekends when time is not of concern. Otherwise, the coffee was good and the atmosphere/people watching on 30th avenue is priceless. more

I went there a month or so ago and had the smoked salmon salad that comes with arugula, avocado, cherry tomatoes and orange with mayo dressing. That time the arugula was not washed properly and I could feel the dirt on my teeth. I have a restaurant and I understand that sometimes things like that might happen especially if someone is training. The second time I went there I got the same thing and it was they way it should. The third time we found a hair.The forth time I got the salad only this time the salad looked more like a soup because of the amount of dressing. Now yesterday I went there again: ""May I have the arugula salad with the smoked salmon please? and a wine spritzer"" The guy comes back and he brings me a different salad made of arugula, goat cheese, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes and the salmon on top. I explained that this is not what I wanted and I showed him in the menu but I said it ok I just won't eat the goat cheese. Who on earth would combine goat cheese with smoked salmon?. Anyway when I ask for the check they give me this: They charge me for an arugula salad $13 and then under it they add: grilled salmon $4 !!!!! So I had to pay 17 dollars for a salad that costs 13 because the waiter does not know the menu. And then for the first time they charge me each spritzer the full price of a glass of wine which is $8.50. I complain to the waiter and he says he can only fix the price of the spritzers and when I went tho a guy behind the counter he says that he can only fix the price of the salad!!!! Anyway I left them $40 and left and never going back. I guess after the first incident I should not have gone back but I live in the hood and thought I should support local cafes... I went 5 times there within a month and they have nerve to tell me that it was my mistake and that I ordered the wrong things and that mistake happened the fifth time and not the first. If you want to go there go and have a frape or a beer. No one seems to know the menu. more

I use to work in Athens cafe for about 2 years and i feel obligated to tell people what really goes on in there. Shall i start with the Mexicans down in the kitchen that after visiting the restroom several times a day they NEVER wash their hands? Or perhaps the massive amounts of s... you swallow each time you have a coffee at busy hours just because the guys working behind the counter got upset at you?Or the dozens of m...(those fury little guys) that have parties on the chicken and bread YOU are gonna eat the next day. I remember Nikos (the owner) spending tons of money just to pay the guys from the h.d. so that they would close their eyes. Anyway, if you really want to go there, at least don't take any kids! For their own sake! more

The two previous posters, respectfully, miss the point. At The Athens, it must be written in a rulebook somewhere that a man reading a newspaper can be disturbed with the check only on pain of death. This is not the East Village, people, it's Europe. And thank God. They do not bother you, but the staff is everywhere. Grab someone. The tips are pooled. You don't have a waiter, you have 5. The deserts aren't good? Bunk. They're fine. Very good, but the coffee is really great. Yes, it's a little expensive. So, make it at home! You're paying for the ambience. You can sit outside forever! In fall, they put out lamps. In winter, they put up an outside enclosure. So smoke! Find me a place like this in Manhattan and I'll go there, too, but it doesn't exist. This place is an institution. In the past 3 years they have expanded the menu. Stick with the originals. The pizza is good. The salads are amazing. The nachos and chicken wings are awful. Bring back the pistachios with beer! Peanuts are ok, but pistachios are better. I understand it's a hassle, but you can afford it! Long live The Athens! Pros: Good deserts, great salads, good service (FOR A EUROPEAN CAFE! It's a cafe!) Cons: Smoke outside, if you don't like it. I like it. more

Two brewed coffees over ice, and a lemonde, commands $14 from this place? Not including the tip for our server, who we saw twice in an hour? No thanks. The atmosphere would be enjoyable if the service didn't suck so bad. The desserts are lackluster but large, if you're going to bother, pay the same amount for something that will fill you up a little and skip the grossly overpriced beverages. I personally won't be visiting this place again. Ridiculous. Pros: Outdoor seating, "Pretty" Cons: Expensive, Service is awful more

You should really plan your evening around a trip to this place. The desserts were certainly good, albeit not spectacular, and large servings came with relatively low price tags. The coffee wasn't bad, though i'm not a coffee drinker, and they'll sweeten it based on your direction. The sandwiches are nothing special, but honestly, you weren't going here for the sandwiches anyway. The problem is that if you want anything to continue the meal, if you need an extra minute to go over the menu, or if, horrors, you want the check, you might be in for a lengthy wait. They expect you to stretch your chill session to the wee hours of the evening, like a good greek would, practically becoming a part of their popular-looking visage. I once waited ten minutes for change. [review cut for citysearch space constraints] Pros: coffee selection, good desserts, reasonable prices Cons: oblivious waitstaff more