BOTRINI'S: ATHENS

Botrini’s Athens: A New Chapter for a Culinary Institution

In the heart of Athens, tucked away in the quiet neighborhood of Halandri, Botrini’s continues to stand as one of Greece’s most distinguished culinary institutions - a restaurant where tradition and modernity meet on every plate.

Founded by celebrated chef Ettore Botrini, the restaurant quickly rose to critical acclaim, holding a Michelin star since 2014. Known for his deep respect for Greek terroir and his avant-garde storytelling through food, Botrini established more than just a dining destination - he created a culinary philosophy rooted in memory, emotion, and a distinctly Mediterranean soul.

Now, a new chapter begins.

At the helm of the kitchen is Ilias Ntoukas, a name that might be familiar to those who follow the evolution of fine dining in Greece. With a background shaped by discipline and a rare sensitivity for ingredients, Chef Ntoukas brings a quiet confidence to Botrini’s - one that neither seeks to overshadow its legacy nor imitate it, but to interpret it with a voice of his own.

His dishes are precise and layered, with a clarity that speaks of someone who respects both the ingredient and the diner. On the plate, you find unexpected restraint - flavors are not there to impress, but to reveal. This is not culinary performance; it’s expression.

The current tasting menu feels like an ode to the Greek landscape, filtered through the lens of someone who has spent years listening before speaking. From delicate seafood compositions to bold reimaginings of classic textures, Ntoukas creates a dialogue between nostalgia and innovation. And yet, he does so without theatrics: the luxury lies in the detail, the restraint, the confidence to be quiet.

The dining room remains understated and intimate, as it has always been - a subtle stage where conversation flows and the food takes center stage without needing to announce itself. The service remains one of the finest in the city: intuitive, discreet, and deeply informed.

Botrini’s, under the guidance of Chef Ntoukas, doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t need to. It stands where it has always stood - at the intersection of memory and mastery, of Greek identity and European elegance.

In a city where trends come and go, Botrini’s continues to evolve with grace - and its newest chapter is perhaps its most compelling yet.