GB Roof Garden: the Acropolis opposite, above Syntagma Square
The roof of the Hotel Grande Bretagne
On Syntagma Square, opposite the Parliament, the Hotel Grande Bretagne is one of the great historic hotels of Athens. Its top level, on the 8th floor, is home to GB Roof Garden: a dining room with marble columns, wide open to the outside and extended by a terrace lined with greenery.
From the tables, the view runs straight to the Acropolis: the rock, its ramparts, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion seem to sit just above the hedge. The eye also reaches Lycabettus Hill and the Parliament below. In the evening, when the ancient site is lit up, the scene changes completely.
Mediterranean cuisine and lounge bar
The restaurant, led by the hotel's executive chef, Asterios Koustoudis, offers a short Mediterranean menu prepared with contemporary techniques: sea bass tartare, lemon risotto with grilled scallops, spaghetti alla chitarra with prawns, and fish and meat from the grill. Expect around €25 to €40 for a starter or pasta and €45 to €65 for a main course. The wine cellar, overseen by the hotel's head sommelier, is one of the house's strong points.
Next to the dining room, a bar and lounge area welcomes those who come just for a cocktail, a glass of champagne or a glass of wine facing the panorama. The place also lends itself to romantic dinners for two and celebrations.
Practical information
GB Roof Garden serves lunch from 1pm to 5pm and dinner from 5pm to 2am, last orders at 11.45pm; breakfast is reserved for hotel guests. Booking is recommended, especially for dinner and at sunset (online or on +30 210 333 0766). After 5pm, smart or smart casual attire is required: no beachwear, sportswear or flip-flops. Syntagma metro (lines 2 and 3) is on the other side of the square.
