We’re heading into November, and for our American friends one holiday springs to mind—Thanksgiving! While Turkey Day has spread to other countries in recent years, it still has only a tiny reputation in Greece. But fear not—below are our culinary picks for having an unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner in Athens.
A classic Athenian pick for Thanksgiving dinner is the GB Roof Garden at the Hotel Grande Bretagne (1 Vasileos Georgiou A; 2103330000). Menus from previous years have included hip updates to the classic Turkey Day dishes, including roast turkey with citrus and maple syrup, salad with duck smoked duck breast and mushrooms, and pumpkin tart with peanut praline Chantilly and roasted pumpkin compote.
For a family-friendly Thanksgiving combined with a trip to downtown Athens, visit the Hard Rock Café (Adrianou 52; 210324 5170). Their Thanksgiving menu has the classic turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, with an included espresso martini. The restaurant even has a gluten-free menu. Be sure to visit their website and book a Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time, as this popular feast day fills up fast.
If you’re looking to add a bit more Greek to your Thanksgiving this year, however, head Bebeka (Dionisou 16; 2106854880) in Halandri. This sweet taverna rolls out the best in Greek comfort cooking at wallet-friendly prices. For a Thanksgiving-worthy dinner, start with the French fries topped with fried eggs and the Cycladic tomato fritters, then indulge in the rooster cooked in red sauce or the baked pork with honey, orange zest, and raisins.
Bonus: Several establishments are known to host Thanksgiving dinners but don’t release their menus until later in November. Keep your eyes peeled for Thanksgiving menus from the Hilton Athens (Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias 46; 2107281000), St. George Lycabettus Hotel (Kleomenous 2, Kolonaki, 2107416000), Nice n Easy (Papadiamanti 7, Kifissia, 2108082014; Omirou 60, Athens, 2103617201), and Chefi (Perikleous 31, Halandri, 2106815774).
Here’s to a beautiful November ahead for all of us—may we be grateful for all the fun, health, and happiness we find along the way! Stay tuned for the next installment of The Holiday Chomp this Christmas!
The Athenian Site 