LiFO: Athens just got a modern restaurant devoted to Balkan cuisines

A modern Athens restaurant devoted to the Balkans

Esthiō opened in Koukáki, a few steps from the Acropolis Museum, as chef Elvi-Dimitris Zyba’s tribute to the home cooking of the Balkans. The name comes from the ancient Greek “esthío,” meaning to eat, and the room carries that warmth — intimate, welcoming and built to feel like a friend’s table.

The kitchen reworks everyday recipes from Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania and Greece, often leaning on fish and seafood in lighter, summer-friendly versions. The signature giaourtotavás — creamy rice bound with yogurt and eggs, finished in the oven and served with glazed lamb sweetbreads — anchors a menu that changes with the season.

Beyond the plate, Esthiō works almost like a small cooperative with its Koukáki neighbours, sourcing bread ingredients, cocktails, beer and ice cream locally, and pairing the food with a calm instrumental soundtrack and a list built around Greek wines.

As featured in LiFO, written by Zoí Parasídi. Read the original article in full using the link below.