As much as we all love a good cup of joe from one of the world's largest coffee chains, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Tim Horton's, patronizing these businesses when we're traveling can sometimes feel, well... wrong. It feels even more wrong in Greece where the coffee culture is so vibrant that the country basically runs on coffee. While I'm not criticizing anyone who likes to visit Starbucks while abroad (those 'You Are Here' mugs they've designed are awesome), on your next trip to Greece I would urge you to consider, at least once, giving a Greek coffee chain a try.
Though some would prefer to support a smaller, local business, it's not always possible to plan ahead of time and find such places. Plus, it's usually more fun to stumble across those unique spots while you're out exploring and adventuring - sometimes those special encounters can't be planned. When you're visiting Greece and start to crave your daily hit of caffeine, before you start typing "Starbucks near me" into your maps application, consider the following places instead:
1. Mikel Coffee Company
This unique, colorful coffee chain with its artistic design and bright atmosphere is not one you'll soon forget. The name Mikel is a synonym for the phrase“Maybe it’s knowledge entering life.” The face you see on the iconic logo is that of the founder's father. The first shop opened in 2008 in Larissa, Greece. Since then, they've expanded all around the globe to locations such as London, England and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, you can find Mikel's delicious coffee and speciality products on five continents! My favorite order is the "Mikelo."
2. Gregory's
Known for its bright green logo, this shop offers coffees, other drinks, and food (think sandwiches and pites) as well. Although Gregory's (pronounced Gri-gory's in Greek) also has other locations in Cyprus, Germany, and Romania, it is the largest coffee and "fast food" chain in Greece. You might see the name of the shop written in English or in Greek as seen in the photographs. If you're flying into Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, you're sure to come across this shop - it's located in the Central Terminal, making it the perfect opportunity to have your first taste of Greece upon arrival into the country!
3. Coffee Island
With origins in Patras, Greece, this coffee spot has since grown into a large, international franchise with a portfolio of more than 400 shops that span across Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Southeast Europe, and the UAE. It has been awarded European Coffee Awards such as '10 best coffee chains in Southern Europe' (2014) and offers a wide variety of artisan coffees sourced through Direct Trade with coffee producers in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Brazil, and El Salvador. Light food options are also available here.
4. Flocafé Espresso Room
Having first opened its doors in 1994, this coffee chain now has locations in more than four different countries! Kosta and I have visited the one on S Molton Street - just around the corner from London's iconic Bond Street - countless times for a shot of espresso. With its specialty signature drinks as well as food options, it's a 'flotastic' place to stop for your fix of caffeine.
5. Coffee Berry
A coffee lover's paradise, enjoying your coffee here is a full-on sensory experience. The equipment, from high tech grinders to elaborate droppers, helps ensure that your coffee is made as freshly as possible. Currently, the company has invested millions of euros into plans to operate a processing plant in Koropi, Athens in order to support their coffee operations. The shops have light food options available as well as nuts and dried fruit available by the kilo. With plenty of stores throughout Greece, their artisan coffee can also be found in Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
If you plan to visit one of these coffee spots, you should be aware that it's common practice for coffee shops to charge different prices depending on whether you plan to eat in or take away. Prices will be listed in euros, the national currency of Greece, and you can pay with credit or debit card at all of these places. Most of them will also more than likely offer wifi and customer toilets (depending on the location). You'll probably see delivery drivers buzzing in and out taking coffee to go and deliver throughout the local area.
Not sure what to order when you get there? Future blog posts discussing coffee culture in Greece, types of coffee, and how to order will be linked below once released. Stay tuned!
Coffee is a huge part of Greek culture. You will often find groups of people sitting together and enjoying their coffees for hours at a time, savoring each sip. When you visit, I hope you'll have experiences like this at some of these coffee chains and that you will enjoy taking part in a part of the local culture in your own special way.
What are your thoughts on these coffee chains? Did I leave any out that you think should have been included? Do you have a favorite order or item on one of the menus? Let me know in the comments below!
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