Looking for the Best Fish Tavern by the Sea Near Athens? Xypolitos in Artemida is Where the Locals Go
If you’ve been following our recommendations for a while, you know we’re all about places with character - sometimes well-known, sometimes totally off the radar. But no matter where, we’re always chasing what feels real: great food, local soul, and that something you can’t fake.
And then, once in a while, we come across a place so true to itself, so effortlessly good, that it doesn’t even need promoting.
Xypolitos is exactly that.
So, if you’re in Athens and dreaming of a quick seaside escape - somewhere to taste fresh fish, feel the ocean breeze, and soak up the kind of tavern vibe you thought only existed in movies - this is your place.
It’s not made for tourists. It was never meant to be. Xypolitos is a family-run seaside spot that’s been doing things the same way for decades - simple, honest, and purely Greek. Just 40 minutes from downtown Athens, in the coastal town of Artemida, it’s close enough for a spontaneous lunch… and special enough to never forget.
Over 60 Years of Flavor and Family
The name Xypolitos means "barefoot" in Greek - and that’s pretty much the spirit here. The tavern opened back in 1960, right on Agios Nikolaos Beach, one of the most authentic, unspoiled stretches of coast near Athens. It’s been run by the Arapakis family since day one - and it still feels like that kind of place.
Fotis Arapakis, the original owner, didn’t just open a tavern - he built a local landmark. A place for neighbors, friends, and anyone who believes that good food doesn’t need to be dressed up to matter.
Tables on the Sand
At Xypolitos, there’s no need to request a “seaside table” - every single one of them is just steps from the water. Literally on the beach, under the shade of tamarisk trees, with fishing boats bobbing on the horizon and a breeze that never stops.
Inside, it’s humble and full of character: wood-paneled walls, old black-and-white photos, nautical odds and ends. It feels like stepping into a 1970s Greek movie - and honestly, the vibe hasn’t changed much since.
In summer, it’s not just locals who show up. Surfers come straight off the waves for grilled fish and cold beer. So do big Greek families - three generations at once - with barefoot kids darting between tables, giggling and sandy. It’s casual, it’s warm, it’s real. The kind of atmosphere you don’t find on TripAdvisor.
And the backdrop? If the wind is right, bright sails from windsurfers paint the horizon like a postcard in motion.
No Gimmicks. Just Good Food.
The menu’s short - and that’s a good sign. Here, it’s all about fresh fish and seafood, usually caught that same morning. You’ll find sea bream, sea bass, red snapper, mullet - all grilled simply, with olive oil and lemon. Nothing fancy. Nothing extra.
There’s also tender, slow-cooked octopus, sardines, crispy calamari… and if you like bolder flavors, try the spicy marinated anchovies. Seriously, they’re addictive.
Even better? You can walk back to the kitchen with your waiter and pick your fish yourself. No pretense, no printed photos - just “this one looks good”, and into the grill it goes.
One thing you won’t find here: meat. No steaks, no burgers, no kid-friendly nuggets. Just what this place was always meant to serve - homemade starters, Greek classics, and whatever the sea brought in that day. And once you try it, you'll get why everyone keeps coming back.
Order a few extras while you're at it - a proper Greek salad, spicy tirokafteri cheese dip, maybe some fried bites for the table. Add a glass of ouzo or a carafe of cold house white, and you’ve got the kind of lunch that turns into an afternoon.
Oh, and do not skip the tzatziki. It’s cold, creamy, garlicky perfection. Possibly the best we've ever had. You’ll be mopping up the last bite with bread.
So… Why Go?
Still not convinced? Then let us say this one more time - Xypolitos isn’t “a cute place for a photo.” It’s the kind of spot where you eat well, relax even better, and forget what time it is.
You sit at a sun-warmed table, the sea whispering just meters away, a salty breeze brushing past you. You stare at the water, and suddenly, there’s silence - not just around you, but in your head.
And the best part?
You don’t need a ferry or a weekend plan to get here. It’s just 40 minutes from Athens. No tickets, no island crowds - just you, the sea, and a meal you’ll think about for days.
Cheers. And enjoy every bite.
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