Athens: Greek Cooking Class & Rooftop Dinner Acropolis View

Summary

Make moussaka spanakopita and more then eat with acropolis views

You’ll join a small group in Athens’ lively Psirri neighborhood for a hands-on Greek cooking class led by a local chef. Prepare spanakopita, moussaka, salads and more before heading upstairs for a long dinner on a rooftop terrace facing the Acropolis at sunset. Expect laughter in the kitchen and food that tastes even better because you made it yourself.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you walk into a place and instantly feel like you’ve stumbled into someone’s kitchen instead of a “class”? That’s how it started for me in Psirri, just off Monastiraki Square. The street was buzzing — scooters weaving past, a guy selling sesame bread rings. I found the Artist Hotel (Melanthiou 4) and there was Eleni already waving from the stairs. She’s our chef, though she said to call her “just Eleni.” Warm hands, flour on her apron, and she laughed when I tried to say “spanakopita” the right way.

We got right into it — no awkward icebreakers, just chopping spinach and crumbling feta. I didn’t expect to open phyllo dough by hand (it’s harder than it looks), but Eleni made it seem possible even for clumsy fingers like mine. The air smelled like olive oil and fresh herbs; someone behind me kept sneaking bites of cheese. We talked about why Greeks love their pies so much — apparently every island has its own version. The kitchen felt crowded but not in a bad way, more like family holidays where everyone talks over each other.

After layering eggplant for the moussaka (my hands still smelled of garlic), we carried everything up to the rooftop terrace. And wow — Athens at dusk is something else. The Acropolis glowed gold above us while the dome of Aghios Dimitrios caught the last bit of sun. Plates everywhere: warm spanakopita, creamy tzatziki, this salad with cherry tomatoes and vinegar that tasted sharper than what I’m used to back home. Someone asked Eleni if she ever gets tired of cooking here; she just smiled and said, “Not with this view.”

I still think about that first bite of galatopita — sweet milk pie, soft as clouds after all those savory dishes. We lingered longer than planned, swapping stories with people from Sweden and Brazil (the Swede was obsessed with feta). There was no rush to leave; honestly, I wished dinner could stretch on forever up there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Greek cooking class and rooftop dinner

• Meet at Artist hotel, Melanthiou street 4
• Walk to rooftop terrace in Psirri
• Introduction and chat about Greek cuisine
• Review ingredients for cooking
• Prepare spinach pie and milk pie
• Make Greek island salad and tzatziki sauce
• Cook classic Greek dishes including moussaka
• Enjoy 3-course dinner on rooftop
• Admire Acropolis and city views at night

Top questions

Where does the Greek cooking class in Athens take place?

The class is held near Monastiraki Square in Psirri at Melanthiou 4 inside the Artist Hotel.

What dishes do you make during this Athens cooking class?

You’ll prepare spanakopita (spinach pie), moussaka, galatopita (milk pie), Aegean salad, and tzatziki sauce.

Is dinner included after the cooking class?

Yes, after cooking you’ll enjoy all your dishes together on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Acropolis.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, vegetarians are welcome as several dishes are meat-free.

Is there a gluten-free option for this class?

No, gluten-free options are not available for this experience.

How many people join each Athens cooking class?

The group is limited to 12 participants for an intimate experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet directly at the Artist Hotel in Psirri.

Can children participate in this Greek cooking class?

No, children under 12 years old cannot participate in this activity.

What’s included

This evening includes all ingredients and instruction from a professional chef in central Athens, use of equipment during your hands-on Greek cooking class, plus plenty of food — from pies to salads to dessert — served as dinner on the rooftop terrace with views of the Acropolis lit up at night.