If there’s one thing I did NOT expect to eat during our trip to Greece, it was some of my favorite Italian food. But here we are! In this Ovio Athens review, I’m sharing everything we ordered, what I’d recommend, and what I’d do differently next time.
Ovio is a contemporary Italian restaurant in central Athens, serving creative Italian dishes with Greek ingredients and Mediterranean influences. If you’re looking for handmade pasta, interesting appetizers, or a nicer dinner, it’s a great option.
We ordered several dishes to share, including three different pastas, but my favorite dish wasn’t pasta at all.
It was a cold tomato soup. I know. Stay with me.
Ovio caught my attention while I was researching restaurants in Athens because it was included in the Michelin Guide. But honestly, the menu is what really sold me.
I love restaurants where we can order several dishes and try completely different flavors, and Ovio had everything from handmade pasta and risotto to pizza, meat dishes, and creative appetizers.
The menu combines traditional Italian cooking with modern presentations and Mediterranean ingredients, so there were quite a few dishes I wanted to try.
We ate at several excellent restaurants during our trip, and I’ve included our other favorites in Where to Eat in Athens Greece: Restaurants We Actually Tried.
Ovio has a modern, stylish atmosphere that feels upscale without being too formal. The contemporary décor, warm lighting, and open pizza oven give it a more relaxed feel than you might expect from a Michelin Guide restaurant.
It’s somewhere you could go for a casual lunch or dress up a little for dinner. You certainly don’t need to get dressed up, though.
There’s also outdoor seating if you prefer the lively Athens street atmosphere. My only issue with sitting outside is that smoking is allowed, so keep that in mind.
The restaurant can get fairly lively during busy dinner hours, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it if you’re hoping for a super quiet, intimate evening.
We ordered six dishes to share…bread, soup, pasta, pasta, and yes, another pasta. Ha! We topped it all off with pie. Basically, we committed to the carbs. No regrets.
We started with Ovio’s focaccia, which came with thick slices of golden, toasted bread and a delicious chunky tomato spread topped with green herb oil.
The bread was airy on the inside with a lightly crisp, golden exterior. What I especially liked was that it wasn’t simply served with olive oil or butter. The tomato spread made it feel like a proper little appetizer rather than just bread for the table.
It’s a great starter to share, especially if you’re planning to order several pasta dishes.
If you’re organizing your sightseeing around restaurant reservations, my The Perfect 3 Days in Athens Greece: A First-Time Itinerary can help you plan your days without spending too much time going back and forth across the city.
OH MY GOSH. This was hands down my favorite thing I ate in Athens.
I really didn’t know what to expect when we ordered the Panzanella Cold Soup, but the presentation alone was incredible.
The dish arrived with pieces of fresh, homemade bread, colorful tomatoes, basil oil, and a beautiful scoop of tomato sorbet right in the center. Then our waiter poured the chilled tomato soup around everything right at the table.
The combination was SO creative. You had the fresh tomatoes, the bread soaking up all those flavors, the fragrant basil oil, and then that cold tomato sorbet adding something completely unexpected.
I don’t think I’ve ever had anything quite like it. Out of all the incredible food we tried in Athens, this is the dish I would go back for in a heartbeat.
We ordered three pasta dishes, and they were all completely different. If you’re trying to decide between them, here’s how I’d compare what we tried.
This was my favorite pasta dish. The soft, delicate gnocchi came in a velvety Gorgonzola sauce with pieces of sweet pear and walnuts. The Gorgonzola was prepared in two different textures, creating a combination of creamy, sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
It sounds rich because it IS rich, but the pear adds enough sweetness to balance the stronger cheese flavor. If I could only order one pasta again, this would be it.
Ovio puts a creative twist on traditional cacio e pepe by adding truffle.
The spaghetti chitarra is a thicker, square-edged pasta coated in a rich cheese and black pepper sauce. The truffle adds an earthy flavor that makes it especially indulgent.
If you love a more traditional rich cheesy pasta this is probably the one I’d point you toward.
The Calamarata with Lemon Pesto & Artichokes was completely different from the other two dishes.
Calamarata is a thick, ring-shaped pasta, and Ovio serves it with lemon pesto and artichokes. The result is a much brighter, fresher flavor than the creamy Gorgonzola gnocchi or truffle pasta.
Brad LOVED this one, but it was a little too much lemon for me. I was much happier guarding the gnocchi while he claimed the calamarata. 😆
If I could redo our meal, I would make one change. I’d order one pasta and one pizza instead of three pastas.
Ovio is also known for its contemporary Neapolitan-style pizzas, which have a soft center and a fluffy, airy outer crust rather than a thin, crunchy base. The dough goes through a slow fermentation process, helping create that lighter texture.
Our waitress told us that one of the most highly recommended pizzas was the Prosciutto e Tartufo, topped with Parma prosciutto, pecorino cream, fresh truffle, and confit cherry tomatoes.
That is 100% the pizza I would try next time.
Two other options that sounded good were the Carbonara Zafferano, with pancetta, egg yolk, saffron, and Parmesan, and the Funghi e Caprino, with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, and smoked pork.
We enjoyed our pastas, but with that many interesting pizzas on the menu, I wish we’d tried at least one.
For dessert, we ordered Ovio’s Lemon Pie, although this wasn’t a traditional slice of pie.
Instead, Ovio serves it deconstructed, with the different components presented separately. Our dessert included smooth lemon cream, airy lemon mousse, crunchy pastry or biscuit pieces, and a fruity sorbet.
What made it interesting was the contrast between the creamy, tangy lemon flavors, crunchy elements, and cold sorbet. It was a creative presentation that fit perfectly with the rest of Ovio’s menu.
And unlike the lemon pasta? I was fully on board with the lemon here.
The service was great. Our waitress did a really good job helping us choose dishes, which I appreciated because there were a LOT of things on the menu that sounded good.
I always appreciate when a server will actually make a recommendation instead of just saying everything is good. Tell me what YOU would order. That’s how I make decisions.
I’d consider Ovio an upscale casual restaurant. Prices were a little higher than your typical neighborhood Italian restaurant, but nowhere near what you’d expect to spend on a traditional fine-dining experience.
During our visit, the menu prices were approximately:
| Menu Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Pizza | €13–€19 |
| Pasta | €15–€28 |
| Desserts | €12–€13 |
For an appetizer, main course, and dessert, I’d budget approximately €35–€55 per person, depending on what you order and whether you’re sharing dishes.
Drinks and premium meat entrées would increase that total, and menu prices may have changed since our visit.
Considering the quality of the ingredients, creative presentations, excellent service, and atmosphere, I thought the pricing was pretty reasonable.
If you’re interested in trying another Michelin-recognized restaurant during your trip, you can also read my Akra Athens Review: What to Expect at This Michelin-Recognized Restaurant.
Obvi. Ha. But seriously, yes.
If I walked back into Ovio tomorrow, I already know exactly what I’d order: the Panzanella Cold Soup, the Gnocchi with Gorgonzola, Pear & Walnut, and the Prosciutto e Tartufo pizza.
And this time, I’m correcting my biggest mistake. I’m ordering the pizza.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
If I could go back to one of the beaches in Hydra, Greece, it would be Avlaki. 🇬🇷
Of the two swimming spots I visited, this one was my favorite because it felt quieter, more private, and had the perfect spot for cliff jumping. It was a little rockier getting into the water, so water shoes are worth bringing, but it was such a fun way to spend part of the day.
If you’re visiting Hydra, add Avlaki Beach to your list!
I don’t even like seafood but @sunsethydra surprised me!
The panko-crusted feta with prickly pear chutney and pistachios was one of my favorites, and the Sunset Salad with fresh oranges and homemade orange-ginger dressing was so good. Even the bread and olive oil stood out!
Brad ordered the fresh catch of the day, sea bass, and loved it. And yes, even I enjoyed a bite!
Comment whether or not you’re a big seafood fan! 👇
Taking a day trip from Athens to Hydra? Here are 3 things to know before you book!
Book a high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Our ride took just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, giving us almost 7 hours to explore.
Check your ferry options. We took Alpha Lines to Hydra and Magic Sea Ferries back. I personally preferred Alpha Lines for its open outdoor deck!
Plan to explore on foot. Hydra is car-free, and the ferry drops you right at the heart of town, making it easy to explore the harbor, shops, and waterfront restaurants as soon as you arrive.
Hydra ended up being one of my favorite days in Greece! Head to the blog for my full ferry guide, booking tips, and everything I wish I’d known before going.
I had less than 7 hours to spend in Hydra, Greece, and here is how I made the most of it.
From waterfront lunch to swimming at two beautiful beaches, this day trip was one of my favorite parts of Greece.
Read my full Hydra itinerary on the blog and save this for your trip!
This is what I mean by lunch with a view. 🇬🇷
Sunset Restaurant on one side, the Aegean Sea on the other.
And even as someone who doesn’t usually go for seafood, this spot in Hydra surprised me. Between the fresh sea bass, panko-crusted feta, and waterfront setting, it was a meal worth remembering.
Save this for your next trip to Greece!
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
