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Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant Greektown, Athena Greek Restaurant invites you on an authentic culinary journey through the flavors of Greece. From the moment you step inside, the warm, inviting atmosphere paired with tasteful Greek décor and lively music transports you to a Mediterranean oasis. Whether you choose to dine inside the cozy, charming rooms or savor the breeze on the scenic outdoor terrace, Athena creates the perfect setting for any occasion.
The kitchen shines with classic Greek favorites that are expertly prepared to excite your palate. Start with the tantalizing Flaming Saganaki, a dramatic, cheese-drenched dish bursting with smoky, savory richness. Dive into plates like the Gyros Plate, offering juicy, tender meat wrapped in soft pita with traditional tzatziki — a comfort food that feels both hearty and fresh. For seafood lovers, the Souvlaki Thalassinon delivers perfectly grilled skewers with succulent flavors drawn from the sea.
The Leg of Lamb and Paidakia (lamb chops) stand out as highlights, marinated in fragrant herbs that bring depth and authenticity to each bite, as confirmed by enthusiastic diners praising their juicy tenderness. If you crave dishes rich in texture and warming spices, the layered Mousakas offers a luscious blend of eggplant, ground meat, and creamy béchamel, delivering a true taste of Greek comfort cuisine.
Vegetarian options shine too, with colorful Veggie Kebobs featuring marinated zucchini, eggplant, peppers, and onions—each skewer grilled to perfection and served alongside savory rice and roasted potatoes. Accompanying every meal, freshly baked, soft Pita Bread paired with creamy Hummus, cool Tzatziki, and robust Skordalia elevate the shared dining experience, inviting you to dip and savor.
The atmosphere at Athena is both elegant and approachable. It strikes a balance between fine dining and relaxed comfort, making it an excellent choice for those seeking genuine Greek flavors without the formality of a suit and tie. Accessibility and location near transit options add to its convenience, while friendly, attentive service ensures guests feel truly welcome, echoing reviews that praise the team’s warmth and genuine hospitality.
End your meal on a sweet note with their signature Baklava Cheesecake, an indulgent fusion of flaky pastry and creamy dessert that perfectly encapsulates the richness of Greek traditions. Pair your meal with refreshing beverages such as Mythos Beer or thoughtfully curated wines, enhancing the Mediterranean dining experience.
Whether you’re a local or visiting Chicago’s Greektown for the first time, Athena Greek Restaurant promises a memorable feast packed with authentic tastes, heartfelt service, and a charming atmosphere that has guests returning time and again.
Went during Greek Fest so it was really busy, but we were seated quickly and the service was honestly impressive. The terrace is beautiful and I definitely recommend sitting outside if you can. Bread was disappointing, but the meat was juicy (though not quite cooked to medium well as ordered). My friend had the lamb and really enjoyed it. We skipped drinks and dessert since we were so full, but our bill still came close to $100.
Beautiful welcoming Greek Restaurant. Clean, wheel chair accessible, visible from street, street parking or valet. Near train and bus station . When you walk in you’ll be greeted with a smile and make you feel at home to a Greek oasis in Chicago. Beautiful Decor and bar with people ready to give you the Greek tour on gastronomy and culture aid by good Greek music. Cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Excellence on presentation, freshness, seasoning, flavor. Excellent Chef ….Is November 2025 we visited Athens, Corfu and Crete just last April so we had high expectations when comparing of course and we were very pleased with service, food, ambiance also met Nick and Nissa managers of the place and see the high standards of service on this must visit place to seat and have a wonderful experience. Loved food, strong coffee, Baklava cheese cake (they have orange cake also besides other options)and of course proper finish of nice meal with Tsipouro or after dinner drinks from bar. Must try and perhaps be the highlight of your day. I know we are coming back when visiting Chicago again
First of all: Within price point, if you are coming to downtown Chicago and want fine-dining traditional Greek cuisine, and you don't necessarily feel like being in suit and tie? You will not go wrong in this location. Athena Greek Restaurant is outstanding for its price point. Second of all: Be aware of the price point. I have noticed comments that hint people weren't ready. You should expect for a two person table a $100+ range meal, and closer to $150 if you are enjoying some of their fine selection of wine. Be aware of this price before coming in. With that said? Is it worth the price? Oh yes... yes it is. Now, I am a lover of many traditional dishes like Dolmades, Gyros, Pastisio and the like, and so a country-style traditional staple like Exohiko sings to my pallet. My spouse tried the Arni Fournou after a selection of their spreads. The lamb was melt in your mouth perfection, precisely and wonderfully seasoned. I had just a taste of their dish and was a little jealous until I took a good bite of mine. Creamy, with the pastry being a buttery that made you feel warm inside. The feta and spinach merge all together in a way that makes you remember a 'spinach pie,' and yet... it is something entirely different and wonderful. I had just the briefest of "Anton Ego" moments at that first bite. It did not quite bring me to tears, but the love and skill with which it was made was exquisite. I will almost certainly try the Braised Lamb or perhaps their Dolmades next time I have the chance to come here (not often. I'd love to rate restaurants like this until I pass out in a food coma, but we all live on a budget. Today was special.). It is not often that I enjoy a table wine with my meal, but I will say that they have an excellent selection of lighter, just slightly fruitier wines that pair well with the meal, and their cocktail selection is equally robust. The ambiance is just the right level of rustic. You can be seated indoors if it is "Chicago weather," but if the sun is bright, the patio is well apportioned, the seating is comfortable and the umbrellas give the right quality of shade to shield the eyes of all diners. The decor pulls you just far enough off of the busy streets to briefly transport you away, looking up into the sky above and feeling for a moment like you're not really in Chicago. No... you're not in Corinth, sadly, but enjoy a moment to pretend. The staff is attentive, and the music is just light enough not to be oeverwhelming. Staff is knowledgeable of the food and can offer good suggestions. The selection is just broad enough for a good sampling for all who like Greek. For the price? Excellent. You will pay, but you will be fed like a king, and you will walk away full and hopefully very happy.
My 1st visit to Greektown we ate from out of town. Beautiful decor. Many rooms to choose from. Outdoor seating as well. Food was very good except for the tarama it had an off taste. The lamb was really good. We got the mousaka, the gyro plate, but the lamb with potatoes was the best. Athena should be on everyone list for greektown eateries.
Great experience for authentic Greek food in Chicago. I’ve been here a couple times now, and it’s better each time (partly because I’m learning what to order). Two of us started with the saganaki and octopadi and then shared the braised lamb and gyro plate. All these were wonderful!! Nice selection of cocktails and wine. Highly recommended…enjoy!!
A very nice upscale-like experience, with tasty Greek food. Saganaki, avgolemono, and lamb were all very good!
The food was amazing, and the portions were generous. I had the best veggie moussaka I've ever tasted. It was creamy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious! The dessert options had a nice variety, and the ice cream was light and not overly sweet. The ambiance made it feel like being transported to the Greek Islands, with a lovely atmosphere and a beautiful fountain that really added to the experience. The server was very nice, and the staff overall were just as welcoming. I can't wait to return and bring family or friends along to enjoy it too.
I really enjoyed my time eating at Athena. The experience started off strong with two hosts opening the doors for me and my partner upon arrival. After checking in with the hosts with our reservation, we were promptly seated and greeted by our server. The bathrooms at this restaurant were very nice and I enjoyed the spectacular lighting and mirrors, as well as cleanliness. For starters, we had the hot cheese and spanakopita. Then entrees we enjoyed the baked lamb and chicken skewer. The lamb was my absolute favorite and cooked to perfection. We finished dinner with the baklava cheesecake and decaf coffee. Happy to say this was a 5 star experience and will be coming back again once the weather is warmer.