If you’ve been to Greece, you know that coffee culture is sacred here. But at most cafes, you won’t find people sitting alone, quietly typing away at their keyboard; meeting for coffee is generally an hours-long, intensely social activity in Greece. However, some spots in Athens are more welcoming to digital nomads and other remote workers who just need a nice atmosphere – and caffeine boost – to get them through their day.
Here are some local favorites:
Okupa
Psaromiligou 9, Athens
You might have spotted Okupa’s retro layout on social media, as it’s gone a bit viral on TikTok. The record collections lining the walls, along with the vintage-looking tables and chairs laid out all over the café, have made this combination lounge-coworking space a popular spot for remote workers in Athens.
It’s an ideal place to frequent with a couple of fellow digital nomads. Work together, chat together, and take breaks to order one of the many delicious brunch items Okupa’s restaurant offers, or simply refuel with coffee. And if you’re done for the day, you can grab a cocktail and hang out at the Listening Bar, which turns into a unique and laid-back gathering spot in the evenings.
You can see the full menu here.
Bios
Pireos 84, Athens
Bios is a multi-purpose space with a few locations throughout Athens. What Bios is, exactly, is harder to define. On the organization’s calendar, you will find concerts, plays, DJ/club nights, screenings and educational seminars. Attending some events is a great way to get introduced to Athens’ artistic, more underground scene. But at the original location on Pireos Avenue, you will find a great café and bar decorated with a vintage Aeroflot logo that welcomes both groups of friends and digital workers all day.
At the end of the day, pack up your work and head to the rooftop to gaze at the Acropolis with a well-made craft cocktail in hand.
Bookbar by Kaktos
Aiolou 39, Athens
Book nerds will absolutely love this spot in the heart of the city, just a couple of minutes’ walk from Monastiraki Square. Even though Bookbar by Kaktos is in one of the busiest areas of Athens, the book-lined space is full of wooden accents and natural light that make it feel cozy and inviting, allowing you to focus on your work.
The café itself is run by Kaktos Publications, a well-known Greek publishing house. If all the literature around you doesn’t inspire you to type away at your novel, script, or even just your daily emails, the coffee and food options available definitely will.
Kick
Sporadon 26, Athens
This spot is in Kypseli, one of Athens’ most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods; close enough to the historic core to make it easily accessible, yet far enough to still maintain a “neighborhood” vibe. At Kick, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing. Sunshine pours in through the large windows surrounding the café, and occasionally, you’ll find local art hung up on the walls.
The coffee is expertly brewed, and plenty of vegan options are available on the menu. For American and other expats who miss grabbing a good old-fashioned bagel in the morning, Kick also offers their own take on this breakfast classic. Pull up a chair at one of the many counter spaces and small tables facing the window, open up your laptop, and enjoy the almost year-round Athenian sunshine while typing away.
Motiv Pangrati
Formionos 42, Athens
Though the original Motiv location is in central Athens on Emmanouil Benaki, Motiv Pangrati is generally preferred by remote workers as it offers more space and tables for you to set up your laptop and spend the day. Not to mention, the neighborhood of Pangrati has become incredibly popular among young professionals and working artists in Athens, making it a great place to spend the day and chat with interesting locals. Choose among the available coffees on the menu to sip on, and if you like it, you can even buy a bag of beans to take home and brew yourself.
Madania Café & Bar
Agiou Dimitriou 17 & Irodotou, Agios Dimitrios
Modern, minimalist cafes offer open spaces and a lack of distractions. But sometimes, you want to work and drink coffee in a place that feels a little more authentic to the local city and culture.
Enter Madania Café & Bar, located in Agios Dimitrios.
The exterior is composed of doors and walls, and the vintage interior décor evokes a bygone era of Athens when it was just starting to expand, in the 1950s and 60s. If you need to plug in, you’ll be confined to the café’s interior, but feel free to take a break in the sunny courtyard – one of the
greatest hidden courtyards in Athens – or hang out after work for music and drinks, as Madania turns into a fun bar and hangout at night.
Plegma Coffee & Living
Eufranoros 10, Athens
Plegma Coffee & Living is unique because not only does it combine a café space with a boutique store; it’s one of the few cafes in Athens that not only allows laptops, but is specifically designed for remote workers. The minimalist, airy space has small, wooden tables everywhere that seem geared towards workers with their laptops.
Choose among the excellent coffee selections and menu of baked goods, then sit down and start your day. The only downside is that there aren’t that many wall outlets available, so make sure you’re charged up before heading here.
Behold theman
Stournari 6, Exarcheia
A favorite haunt of local university students in the alternative neighborhood of Exarcheia, Behold theman definitely caters to a younger crowd. Scrawled quotes and stickers line the walls, and the handmade décor and furniture create a very unique vibe.
If you’re not a huge coffee fan, or can’t have more than one without getting jittery, Behold theman’s menu offers a whole range of teas and juices as well. Paired with the delicious sandwiches and snacks offered here, they will provide all the fuel and energy boost you need to get you through your workday.
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Read more about Athens here in Dispatches’ archives.
Joanna Kalafatis
Joanna Kalafatis is a Greek-American travel writer and actress who has lived in Greece, the U.S., and the UK, and currently resides in Athens, Greece. She wrote "Best of Greece" for Moon Travel Guides and has a travel blog at LosetheMap.com; her work has also appeared in Time Out New York, Business Insider, and Matador Network. Joanna has traveled to over 50 countries and plans to visit every destination in the world.
