A Michelin Starred Chef’s Favorite Spots in Athens
& Athens Packing List from TIME LESS Writer Joyce Lee
Welcome to The Relisher’s Athens edition! This week, I met with celebrated Greek Chef Alex Tsiotinis of Michelin-starred CTC restaurant in Athens.
Inspired by his passion for French and Greek cuisines, Chef Alex honed his skills in some of the most prestigious kitchens in France and the world, including those of culinary giants Alain Passard and Hélène Darroze. Today, Chef Alex is one of the leading culinary figures in Greece, having pioneered a fusion of Greek gastronomy with French techniques.
Athens is a major up-and-coming food scene. Greek chefs, having worked in global culinary capitals like Copenhagen and Paris, are returning with advanced techniques and experience. They combine this knowledge with Greece's incredible produce, creating a unique cuisine you can't find elsewhere. In my opinion, Athens also offers the best value for money among European cities.
Favorite Restaurants in Athens
The best taverna that I always recommend to international chefs visiting Athens is called Seychelles. It’s a collaboration of three local Greek chefs whose focus is creating a beautiful expression of what Greek food should taste like.
Beyond the incredibly delicious traditional Greek cuisine, what makes them stand out is that they truly source the best products from Greece. For example, you can sample a variety of cured fish, such as smoked swordfish and tuna from Kalymnos Island, along with exceptional traditional cheeses and Greek beers from across the country.
……to discover all of Chef Alex's cherished places in Athens, CLICK HERE.
Athens Packing List
, who writes one of my favorite fashion-focused Substacks, , has had an incredible 20-year career in fashion. She has designed footwear and handbags for brands like Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and Madewell, where she was head of design. Below, Joyce shares her packing recommendations for Athens. 
“I love the anticipation of getting ready for a trip, planning outfits for different activities like strolling through city, or having a dinner date at one of the incredible restaurants on my list.
I like to start by packing versatile pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, along with fun jewelry and accessories to elevate or complete an outfit. My goal is always to wear everything I pack at least twice. Below are the key pieces I’d pack to a destination like Athens.”
“I like to keep the color palette tight (usually a rotation of neutrals) and bringing in a touch of color through accessories or a layering piece.
An effortless dress that can be worn day or night, layered under or over (I love how this one looks with the black tank layered over it to create a second outfit).
Also nice to have other separates that can be mixed in. I love this simple slip skirt in a subtle dot that brings in a little bit of a pattern in an otherwise solid wardrobe.
An oversized black button-down is a great layering piece - I take it on the plane, tie it around my waist in case it gets chilly, and it works as a third layer in the evenings.”
“For daytime adventures, I like to keep the fabrics light and airy, and the pieces feeling modular and easy to mix up across a fairly neutral color palette. This super stretchy bikini is so comfortable - it's great layered under a blouse of a tank.
A classic white cotton tee is a great foundation and I find is a go-to on holiday. Relaxed striped poplin shorts feel classic but add a touch of sportiness. A good sneaker is important when you're walking over 10K steps a day.
The open knit tank is a great piece that brings in some interesting texture and can be paired with the cream shorts or the slouchy barrel jeans.
Lastly, I love a crinkled sheer shirt on a vacation - it feels effortless but still refined enough to dress up.
I hope the restaurant recommendations and the packing list can get you inspired to plan your next trip to Athens.”
Thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed this then please kindly hit the ❤️ button — it helps with visibility.
 | A guest post by
|
We went to Seychelles on Chef Alex's recommendation and it was fabulous! We sat at the bar so we had a full view of the kitchen — very fun — and the food was amazing! An absolute highlight of our time in Athens.