Athenolia Winebar Restaurant

Kyparissia is a lively, small town that consists approximately of 5,000 people, and rests, on the one hand, on the turquoise waters of the Ionian and on the other, on the slopes of Mount Aigaleo - which the locals call Psichro.

If they ask you what Kyparissia is, you’ll probably have to answer that it’s picturesque port with colorful fishing boats and nice taverns that serve fresh fish and seafood by the sea.

You should also note that Kyparissia has a wonderful old town, which seems to hang over the sea, with its castle, the traditional stone mansions and the stone-built alleys.

Among them, the abandoned train station seems an ideal landscape to take charming photos – it was the last station of the Peloponnese line and that in itself gives it an irresistible sense of closure.

Over the last few years, Kyparissia has been “climbing” higher on the list of potential holiday destinations for many travellers that visit Peloponnese and especially, Messinia.

You see, apart from Kyparissia’s natural beauty, this acclaimed town offers you excellent options both in terms of accommodation and food.

However, our new favorite spot for a high-level culinary evening accompanied by excellent wines from all over the world is the Athinolia wine-bar Restaurant which is located at the Roof Garden of the famous Apollon Hotel.

The Christodoulou family (to which Apollon belongs) has created   a jewel in the hotel's roof garden. The name “Athinolia” comes from the second oldest variety of olive in the world and the sacred tree of the goddess Athena, whose temple is located in Kyparissia.

As soon as you go up to the roof garden, you are greeted by a specially designed space of high aesthetics, with flower beds overgrown with athenolias and a floor carved with the Linear B (based on the symbolism of the olive fruit, oil and the olive tree).

The first impression always makes the difference and in Athinolia visitors are dazzled by the beauty of the space that will host their evening.

The kind and especially friendly staff will guide you to the table of your choice, accompanied by wonderful relaxing music that blends uniquely with the space, stimulating the senses of its guests. Now, let's start with wine, as usual.

For some people wine serves the sole purpose of accompanying a mouth-watering steak or stew at a canteen or tavern. On the contrary for some wine-lovers, tannins are a strictly...personal matter and wine connoisseurship/consumption is a sacred process. For those people, wine bars are the ultimate wine destination and Athinolia has what it takes to attract the sophisticated visitors of Kyparissia and the Peloponnese, in general.

The wine list is more than special as it covers all the customers’ preferences. There are labels from all over Greece, a fact that will satisfy even the most demanding sommelier, who will visit Athinolia.

In addition to the local selections, the wine choices extend to Europe and the rest of the world, inviting you to try famous titles (in white, rosé, red, etc.) both by the bottle and by the glass, for the more hesitant. The service is very helpful and all the wines are served at the right temperatures, taking off the vinification.

The necessary taste accompaniment is made with careful choices on the food menu, both regarding the appetizers and the main courses.

The menu does not rely on easy options, on the contrary it almost masterfully combines refined gastronomy with the rich Peloponnesian tradition.