The Athens coffee culture-- A sacred pleasure
Lesson one in the schooling of Athenian culture is that of the sacred cup of coffee. Coffee is not just another option in the abundant varieties of drink, it is a way of life, a cultural trademark, the rock on which any relationship is built. Simply walk the streets of Athens and you will see countless tables filled with cups of coffee (accompanied by a mobile phone & pack of cigarettes). These range from stubby little demi-cups filled with espresso or traditional Greek coffee, plump foam-filled cappuccino cups, strong sturdy mugs of frothed Nescafe, and most likely in the summer you just can't live without the ever present promise of refreshing pleasure in the frappe (shaken or whipped Nescafe over ice) or fredo (iced espresso usually served with milky foam). My favorite pleasure as I walk the city is the aroma of freshly ground coffee wandering out the doors of the "coffee cutters' shop".
And now I present to you the latest in recommended coffee experiences in downtown Athens. An old-world rendezvous on the newly renovated cobblestone arcade located at City Link. In the corner there is a fabulous cafe called "Caffe Clemente VIII". There are a few seats inside the cafe, but I highly recommend you cozy up to a heater on the patio and sip your coffee, nibble on your pastry and watch the business elite & shopping chic as they pass you by with their heir of hollywood stardom. After all, Hermes, Faragamo, Dolce & Cabana, Van Cleef & Arpel and all their good friends are just around the corner. So, at some point today, be Athenian! My favorite cappuccino in town will not disapoint you. Rendezvous with a friend (because we don't do coffee alone in Athens) and embrace the coffee culture. Oh, and for those of you who find yourselves passing by too late in the day for a coffee, never fear. Sit yourself down for a smashing flute of champagne and nibble on a salmon or duck baguette. I ventured post-theater last week and found "Clemente" to be amongst my new best friends. Tell him I said hello.
Caffe Clemente VIII
City Link
Voukourestiou 3, Athens
210.321.9340
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