Authentic Greek dining since 1980
Step inside Restaurant Athene and leave the bustle of Ghent behind for a while. Since 1980 we have welcomed you with open arms and a full table – just as it should be in a real Greek home. You will find us in the heart of the city, a stone's throw from St Bavo's Cathedral, but as soon as you cross the threshold you could be in a lively little street in Athens.
Everything here revolves around warmth: in our welcome, in the atmosphere and, of course, on your plate. Whether you come for a quick lunch break, a cosy dinner with friends or a big celebration with the whole family, you can sit back without a care and leave with a smile (and perhaps a little ouzo in your heart).
Let our Greek hospitality, our love of good food and the scent of our fresh kitchen that greets you the moment you arrive take you by surprise. Come to taste, come to relax, come home. You are very welcome – today, tomorrow and, we hope, many more times after that.
A team like a Greek family – literally and figuratively
Restaurant Athene runs not just on experience, but on heart and togetherness. For more than forty years our restaurant has been carried by two generations of family members and good friends who work together the way only true Greeks can: with passion, humour and a pat on the back at the right moment.
Our guests are not numbers – we know them by name, we know who likes an extra portion of feta, and we put an ouzo on ice for our regulars before they even order. Children are not a nuisance here but very welcome guests, and groups are received as if a wedding party were on its way.
Whether you sit inside in the cosy main dining room, on the balcony or outside on our sunny terrace: the atmosphere is always warm, a little chaotic in the Greek way, but always genuine and heartfelt.
About us
Traditional dishes cooked with love and soul
The heart of Greece beats in our kitchen. Here the pots are not just filled – they tell stories, from grandmother's recipes to family traditions handed down from generation to generation. Think fragrant moussaka, perfectly grilled souvlaki, creamy tzatziki and crispy dolmadakia. Every dish is made with fresh ingredients, a lot of care and even more love.
We cook with what the market and the season bring, and you can taste it – in our classics and in our daily specials, which surprise anew every lunchtime. All at honest prices, because enjoying Greek food should not be a luxury. At Athene you eat the way it should be: warm, generous and full of flavour.