Okupa Kitchen & Listening Bar welcomes the new autumn season with a refreshed menu and Nikos Drantakis as its new head chef.
Simplicity meets experimentation, Greece meets the Middle East—and everything comes together seamlessly. The collaboration between cosmopolitan co-founder and F&B Director Hrag Darakjian and acclaimed chef Nikos Drantakis (Fuga, Spit Jack, Artisanal, Colonial) gives birth to a culinary approach that balances cultures and tells stories through flavors.
The new menu is based on simple ingredients, Mediterranean tradition, and seasonality, blending Greek cuisine with Levantine influences. Milk-fed lamb and free-range chicken from local producers, kagianas with chorizo, tsalafouti and halloumi, bottarga and shrimp, pomegranate molasses and harissa, za’atar and sumac—these are some of the elements of an authentic, flavorful, and characterful offering.
Each dish is built around a central ingredient with up to three accompaniments, allowing flavors to shine with balance and personality. Inspired by the modern sharing philosophy and the culture of small plates, the menu invites guests to enjoy a truly social dining experience. Classic favorites such as the soft-shell crab burger and the crispy pork belly remain on the menu this season, with an emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients and a more mindful approach. For dessert, the Miso Brownie with white chocolate montée, the Cheese Cream, and the strawberry-thyme sorbet add a fresh, inventive finish to the meal.
The setting is both familiar and unexpected: vintage aesthetics, mid-century furniture by 20th-century designers, and contemporary design items create an urban meeting point in the heart of Athens. One of the city’s most vibrant spots, Okupa continues to unite locals and travelers in a place where everything happens naturally—over cocktails, wine, and carefully curated music selections.
Located on the ground floor and lush courtyard of its namesake hotel at 9 Psaromiligkou Street, Psyrri, Okupa is a space that lives all day long—from relaxed brunch to dinner and late-night drinks, with music that lifts the atmosphere as the night unfolds.
More at okupa.com
