ATHENS | When travel and food journalist Fotis Vallatos, top chef Manolis Papoutsakis, opera singer Dimitris Platanias, and wine aficionado Perry Panagiotakopoulos join forces to open a venue, expectations are high. Pharaoh, which opened in Athens in late 2022 was of the hottest restaurants in the city in 2023. Today, Pharoah continues to deliver substance that lives up to the hype.
The bar and restaurant is located in Athens’ edgy Exarchia neighbourhood – relatively close to the centre of town, but tucked away enough that you won’t just stumble across it. Walk inside, and you’ll find a modern, airy, and vibrant space. The long bar, the rear of which extends to the roof, serves not just as a place to hold bottles, but to display Pharoah’s extensive and eclectic vinyl collection, which is spun live by DJs.
The menu showcases the best seasonal produce sourced from independent Greek farmers and purveyors. Traditional dishes and classic flavours inform the menu, ranging from options that don’t stray too much from their origins, to exciting contemporary takes. Everything is cooked exclusively on wood-fired stoves, charcoal grills, and wood-fired ovens.
A salad of monk’s bear, rock samphire, avocado, and citrus is a light, summer delight. So too, a zesty ceviche of fresh caught fish with strawberries, radish, and basil. Seafood continues to impress with a mackerel, cucumber, dill, and chilli medley. A simple plate of runny egg with asparagus, shaved truffles, and salt and pepper is wonderful. Meanwhile, traditionally presented, umami-rich gemitsa is up there with the best.
To drink, there’s over 400 Greek and foreign wines, with a focus on natural varieties. There’s also Greek craft beers and a great cocktail list, including plenty of non-alc options.
Pharaoh
Solomou 54
Athina 106 82
Greece
Telephone: 021 0380 8412
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Thu: 6:00pm to 2:00am
Fri – Sat: 1:00pm to 2:00am