WoW! I so love everything about this lovely restaurant. It is above and beyond expectations for Pacific Beach. Yes, food and ambiance but customer service is absolutely the finest. I have been going there for many years. It keeps getting better! Joe is now doing much of the management for his father. (the owners : ). I've watched him grow the business with the intelligence and passion of a young Bishops to USC business grad. Example: Tonight he was superb in handling a minor situation about my purse being on a chair next to me. The restaurant, (my neighborhood "Go To") was quite busy, and yet Joe took the time to ask me for input about where he should place hooks for women's purses. Simple problem, simple solution. Just a matter of good communication. Lovely Happy Hour food, wonderful clientele to chat with and exceptional service. Our community needs you!!!
John B.
Beware. My wife just got home from trying to eat at here. I say "try" because the staff refused to ask a woman to move her handbag off of a bar seat so she could sit down. She asked both the bartender and hostess if there was someone sitting there, and they both said no, but both also refused to ask the woman to relocate her bag. So it seems that Athena has a new policy to turn away a paying customer (who was going to both eat and drink) to accommodate a purse. It's almost too absurd to believe but it is true. We are neighborhood locals who used to regularly enjoy Athena's casual food and friendly service, but after this unbelievably rude treatment we will not be back. What a tremendous disappointment. I hope for their sake the purse was a big tipper, as they'll never get another dime from us. I suggest you stay away as well, as they clearly don't need the business.
Sarah Loy
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joaquin Ramirez
What a great surprise ! Outside doesn’t shows what the nice restaurant this is.
Very overpriced. $14 for this Greek salad and waited over 20 mins for them to make it. Never seen a Greek salad this small with this little cheese. Most places give you at least a big slab of feta. Had asked for dressing on the side and they put it on so it spilled all over. The girl who took the order was friendly.
Food: 1
Service: 2
Matt Wyatt
Wow, the best greek food I have had in San Diego, if not ever. Everything in the entrees was full of flavor, and there are so many unique dishes. Absolutely destroys greek mom & pop shops but at the same price.The food and large portion size would be enough to make it 5/5, but on top of that the decor and seating was very tasteful and clean beyond what I expected. The service was also very friendly and capable, despite it being peak lunch hour on a Sunday.I will be coming here many times in the future, and will be forcing others to come with me.Vegetarian options: SOOOO manyParking: Parking is actually pretty good for San Diego standardsWheelchair accessibility: No stairs or large gaps, flat, ground level, sidewalk has numerous curb-cuts for access
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spanakopita, Moussaka
Care Messer
Some of the best Greek food around. You have to try their fried cheese! Roasted rosemary potatoes on the side of any dish are amazing. Dine in or take to the bay for a sunset.. well worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary A.
Great food with fresh & delicious flavors. We are from out of town & so glad we tried this restaurant. Kid friendly too!
charlotte 2.
Delicious food, and beautiful ambiance. Staff is friendly, wish prices were a little better but I will still come back again and again because of the amazing food and gorgeous interior. Also love that parking is easy to get!
Manager he doesn't know the food or desserts from week to week, he is not Greek and that is his excuse!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Nina F.
Incredible! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a hearty delicious Greek meal or a light vegetarian lunch. This restaurant has both! Every dish was tastier than the next and service was great!
Amanda G.
Cafe Athena has great service and great food. Their happy hour is awesome too! Highly recommend
An absolute delight! This Greek restaurant never disappoints - fabulous service and consistently on-point food. The pita is truly to die for; I could happily make a meal of it alone. A must-visit for those craving delicious Greek cuisine served with top-notch hospitality.
WoW! I so love everything about this lovely restaurant. It is above and beyond expectations for Pacific Beach. Yes, food and ambiance but customer service is absolutely the finest. I have been going there for many years. It keeps getting better! Joe is now doing much of the management for his father. (the owners : ). I've watched him grow the business with the intelligence and passion of a young Bishops to USC business grad. Example: Tonight he was superb in handling a minor situation about my purse being on a chair next to me. The restaurant, (my neighborhood "Go To") was quite busy, and yet Joe took the time to ask me for input about where he should place hooks for women's purses. Simple problem, simple solution. Just a matter of good communication. Lovely Happy Hour food, wonderful clientele to chat with and exceptional service. Our community needs you!!!
Beware. My wife just got home from trying to eat at here. I say "try" because the staff refused to ask a woman to move her handbag off of a bar seat so she could sit down. She asked both the bartender and hostess if there was someone sitting there, and they both said no, but both also refused to ask the woman to relocate her bag. So it seems that Athena has a new policy to turn away a paying customer (who was going to both eat and drink) to accommodate a purse. It's almost too absurd to believe but it is true. We are neighborhood locals who used to regularly enjoy Athena's casual food and friendly service, but after this unbelievably rude treatment we will not be back. What a tremendous disappointment. I hope for their sake the purse was a big tipper, as they'll never get another dime from us. I suggest you stay away as well, as they clearly don't need the business.
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great surprise ! Outside doesn’t shows what the nice restaurant this is.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spanakopita, Mediterranean, Greek, Hummus
Very overpriced. $14 for this Greek salad and waited over 20 mins for them to make it. Never seen a Greek salad this small with this little cheese. Most places give you at least a big slab of feta. Had asked for dressing on the side and they put it on so it spilled all over. The girl who took the order was friendly.
Food: 1
Service: 2
Wow, the best greek food I have had in San Diego, if not ever. Everything in the entrees was full of flavor, and there are so many unique dishes. Absolutely destroys greek mom & pop shops but at the same price.The food and large portion size would be enough to make it 5/5, but on top of that the decor and seating was very tasteful and clean beyond what I expected. The service was also very friendly and capable, despite it being peak lunch hour on a Sunday.I will be coming here many times in the future, and will be forcing others to come with me.Vegetarian options: SOOOO manyParking: Parking is actually pretty good for San Diego standardsWheelchair accessibility: No stairs or large gaps, flat, ground level, sidewalk has numerous curb-cuts for access
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spanakopita, Moussaka
Some of the best Greek food around. You have to try their fried cheese! Roasted rosemary potatoes on the side of any dish are amazing. Dine in or take to the bay for a sunset.. well worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food with fresh & delicious flavors. We are from out of town & so glad we tried this restaurant. Kid friendly too!
Delicious food, and beautiful ambiance. Staff is friendly, wish prices were a little better but I will still come back again and again because of the amazing food and gorgeous interior. Also love that parking is easy to get!
Great local place with delicious tomato sup ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Manager he doesn't know the food or desserts from week to week, he is not Greek and that is his excuse!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Incredible! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a hearty delicious Greek meal or a light vegetarian lunch. This restaurant has both! Every dish was tastier than the next and service was great!
Cafe Athena has great service and great food. Their happy hour is awesome too! Highly recommend
Wonderful as always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mediterranean, Athena, Greek, Hummus
An absolute delight! This Greek restaurant never disappoints - fabulous service and consistently on-point food. The pita is truly to die for; I could happily make a meal of it alone. A must-visit for those craving delicious Greek cuisine served with top-notch hospitality.