Α go-to spot for aperitivo in the heart of Athens and a destination for handmade pasta and characterful pizza, Ami earns its place on your after-work shortlist—and works just as well for casual daytime meet-ups.
On the corner of Voulis & Apollonos, where the city still hums after office hours and people stream down from the Zappeion to their evening plans, Ami spreads its small tables across the wide sidewalk and quietly signals it’s time for a drink and a bite. Inside, a compact room with a marble-topped bar, dark wood and black-and-white tiling, plus low lighting, sets the tone for an urban living-room feel, while the glass frontage creates a discreetly private vibe without cutting you off from the street’s energy. Service walks the line between warm and lightly formal—just right for an Italian bistrot with city chic.
Opened in late 2022 by Giorgos Melissaris, Giorgos Kanellopoulos and Dimitris Babouris, Ami began life with a French accent as Ami Gastrothèque. In 2024 it pivoted decisively to Italy. Today, under the signature of award-winning Chef Dimos Samourakis, the kitchen presents a well-considered menu that champions simplicity, seasonality and clean flavors, executed with modern sensibility and technique that shows without shouting. The focus is clear: hand-rolled pasta, distinctive pizzas, and a handful of well-judged secondi.
What to order
- Bruschetta Tartare with artichoke and lardo di Colonnata—an all-time classic given a modern twist and deep umami.
- Carpaccio with tuna mayo and crispy capers—A nod to vitello tonnato; we’d love a livelier green base, as the baby lettuce ran a touch heavy/bitter.
- Potato Gnocchi with braised oxtail & Arseniko Naxou—handmade, pleasantly chewy, richly sauced: pure comfort.
- Pan-fried Potatoes with egg cream, crisp onion, guanciale and truffle—bistro soul in a “home-style” plate.
- Paccheri with salsiccia—Sicilian spirit, proper bite, well-seasoned.
- Fregola mare—fregola cooked in mussel broth with dusky grouper (myelokopi) and courgette purée; lovely iodine-to-sweetness balance and harmony of textures.
- Pizza—thin, well-baked base and pristine toppings; the Margherita shows the house’s clarity, while the signature gorgonzola–fig–rocket plays sweet-savory in a refined register.
- Cacio e pepe with truffle & pecorino—generous and enjoyable; a half-notch lighter on salt/cook time would let the minimalism shine even more.
Portions are generous, and the menu lets you roam—from a quick aperitivo with antipasti and pizza to a full dinner with fish or a cutlet. In the glass, expect classic Campari-based cocktails from late afternoon and a refreshed wine list that backs the “clean-flavor” philosophy with smart picks from Italy and the wider Mediterranean.
Address: Voulis & Apollonos, Athens 105 57
Reservations: +30 213 030 2290
