NATIONAL GARDENS. This chic bistro, located in beautiful Zappion Gardens, is popular with well-heeled Athenian families. In the mornings they stop for pastries, juice, and coffee. After a few hours playing in the gardens, they bring their children for refreshing ice creams. In the evenings, before visiting the nearby open-air cinema, they stop for appetizers of oysters, foie gras, or Chinese ravioli. Reservations accepted. Casual to smart-casual attire.

GAZI. This spot, located in industrial Gazi, has attracted hipper-than-thou young Athenians since opening in 1999. A partitioned dining room gives the restaurant its name ­ "aristera-dexia" means "left-right" ­ and diners enter via a glass catwalk that looks down on one of Athens' most extensive wine cellars. The cuisine is incredible. The Santorini-born chef favors seafood and imparts traditional recipes with Japanese, Thai, and Italian flavors. Especially good are pheasant sausage with parsnips and madeira sauce, cheese croquettes in melon-mirin-chili sauce, squid in egg-lemon sauce, and crayfish with lavender and sweet wine. Desserts include champagne mousse with strawberries and green peppers and the "chocolate island." Stylish attire. Reservations essential.

GLYFADA. If you get hungry for a taste of home, head to Buffalo Bill's for dinner. When you step through the front door, Athens is left behind, and you're transported to the American West of old. Thick-cut T-bone steaks, hearty burgers, and the zestiest chili this side of the Bar-T await hungry diners. During the summer, there's dining on the outdoor patio. Casual attire.

KOLONAKI. This hip spot is popular with the Kolonaki fashion crowd, Athens' young professionals, and homesick American tourists. Barber chairs, cigar store Indians, and other western memorabilia decorate the premises. Stop in early for fresh-squeezed juice or a specialty coffee. Popular lunches include the caesar salad and house special club sandwich. At night, the venue morphs into the hottest bar in town. Bottled European and American beers and a bar stocked with booze from every nation on earth is the big draw. Smart-casual to trendy attire.

OMONIA SQUARE. This is the original restaurant in a chain of cafeterias that has spread across Athens. (There are also Neons in Kolonaki, at Syntagma Square, and in Zea Marina.) Each one offers serve-yourself salad bars, buffet-style meat dishes, and a variety of sandwiches and desserts. Casual dress.