This is one of my favorite restaurants. The minute you walk in you feel like family and you are treated like family with the owners actually helping serve and greet people. The restaurant is clean and the atmosphere is inviting. The service is excellent and every time I go here and make sure to leave a large tip. Don't forget to try the baklava.
(4)
James D.
A wonderful little family destination in SW Aurora with Greek food. Really generous portions on the entrees. Delicious house made Greek vinaigrette salad. Flaming Cheese for an OPA! Angie's deserts are killer... Baklava of course but usually other offerings as well. I love their lamb ribs, lamb roast and of course their Gyros... They also have a brunch menu that includes a breakfast burrito to die for. Chicken fried steak and eggs. So... Great brunch with lots of delicious choices. Great dinner Greek style! Try an app... Try the flaming cheese ...OPA!
(5)
David S.
Good food and reasonable. Fresh air patio for outdoor eating. Salad was good with traditional dressing. Didn't have much spare time. Food was quick to be served.
(4)
Denise R.
So I went out of the box and tried something new my son found this restaurant on Yelp it's definitely was a nice place all the staff amazing they explain the menu so we started off with fried cheese n PITA bread then we got to choose what kind of salad we wanted I chose for my main course a chicken kebab plate which came with some potatoes and tzatziki sauce the chicken had a very good flavor I will definitely be back
(4)
Jennifer M.
This is my favorite restaurant to go for Greek food. It's a sit in restaurant, not a fast food place so the prices are a little more expensive. They are owned by a Greek family, and they make their food taste authentic. For example, some restaurants "Americanize" their food and change the taste to fit a general palate and this restaurant does not do that. They are also very warm and welcoming when you walk into their restaurant. Every time I come, I like to order some sort of combination plate so I could eat a little bit of everything such as the Athenian Feast, Grecian Delight, etc. Everything I have ordered here has tasted amazing and that includes their tzatziki sauce. The entrees come with the choice of a soup or salad and I always opt for their salad because their Greek salad is amazing as well. I love eating here and I am a repeat customer. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an authentic Greek restaurant.
I've eaten at numerous Greek restaurants but this one is the worst, well at least for the meal I chose. I had the Greek Combo, gyro, chicken kabobs, slouvaki, potato wedges and tzatziki sauce and soup. The soup was okay, the potatoes were burnt, dry, and even a butter knife couldn't cut through them. The gyro, chicken, and slouvaki were dry, thank god for the water. I will never return. If you go there, try a different meal, mine was truly a challenge.
(1)
Jonathan B.
I went here with my GF for some Greek food. The place has been decorated in a very Greek style, a little bit over the top, but that is also (in my experience) typically Greek. The food was okay and as a sit in restaurant if you are looking for a place to sit down and enjoy some lunch, it is a nice place. The menu has trivia questions on it which I found to make waiting for the food fly by unnoticed. If you are looking for great food a great value, I'd recommend Jerusalem over this place. But what they lack in the area of a "sit down restaurant" this place has.
(3)
Aide M.
My husband and I were in the mood for greek food. We got a table right away, the food was good. They have the same dishes you would expect at a greek restaurant. The waitress was nice and helpful. We would go back.
(4)
Amanda S.
This restaurant is so delicious! We have shared the Chef's Special both times that we have visited and it is so good! I recommend trying their greek potatoes and the saganaki! It's a great place to take out of towners. The service was excellent as well!
(5)
Anh S.
I spend about $80 and I have to say that was the worst gyro I've ever had. I've never had a gyro that had a meat of a hamburger patty. It tasted like I was eating a hamburger patty wrapped in pita bread. We also order calamari and calamari was really chewy and the sauce was gross!
(2)
kellyann s.
Seriously this place was awesome!!!!!! Great food and service. I can't wait to go back here
I may have found my new favorite Greek salad in Denver. . The portion was huge and had leftovers although it did not hold up like I hoped. The chicken was moist, the veggies were fresh and the dressing was pretty yummy. Ther service was friendly and the restaurant is over the top in Greek decorations. I actually liked that part. Kinda took me back to Greece. Ok only in my dreams. They do serve Mexican food. I always think that is kinda funny but I know other Greek restaurants serving Mexican. It is kinda hard to see from the main road but it is there and has been for a long time. I will go back and have more of the same please.
(4)
Alex C M.
Came here right before close, and we were still welcome to come and eat. Friendly staff, great food, definitely coming back for more.
(4)
John T.
My family and I were in town for a softball tournament and stopped in here after a long day of play. It was a half hour before closing, and we were the only ones in the dining room. I was worried that the employees would be annoyed at a bunch of out-of-towners coming in so late but I couldn't have been more wrong. The hostess walked us through the menu front to back and gave us recommendations. We settled on the trio dip of hummus, spicy feta, and tzatziki with pita (Amazing!) as a starter. For our entree we had the chef's special platter. The menu said it fed 2-3, our group of 4 was hard pressed to finish it. The hostess was very gracious and chatted us up when she found out we were from out of town. She even brought us an extra plate of Greek potatos on the house. This was one of the best meals I've ever had.
Aurora is mostly known for its overrated crime rate, not its food scene, so its no compliment to The Athenian that it is far and away the best restaurant in the entire haphazard suburban sprawled municipality. Try not to hold that against The Athenian, as it is a delightfully eclectic establishment run by a very friendly staff with excellent food. From the giant decorative liquor bottles on the fireplace...in the center of the dining room to the likenesses of Greek statues adorning the walls, to the Greek radio playing in the mornings, its clear The Athenian is truly one of a kind. My favorites are the gyros (on s salad, in a pita, or with eggs for breakfast) the dolmades (amazing) and the custard, which unfortunately (for me) always seems to have sold out. If you find yourself in this unremarkable, played out, used napkin of a city, treat yourself with a trip to The Athenian, you deserve it!
(3)
Alice B.
Very good food, great service, and a nice atmosphere. The servers recommended the "better items". The prices are fair. All in all a very nice restaurant.
(5)
Max C.
Pretty average i would say... and a bit pricy for what you get.
(3)
Amy F.
I stopped in here because I am from out of town and was looking for dinner and this was the first place that showed up on yelp. I LOVED IT. It is small and inviting, a beautiful Greek woman served me dinner, and I couldn't be more happy. As a matter of fact, I just had the BEST Tztsiki (can't spell it!!!) of my life - like I would eat it with a spoon good. I got the Athenian Feast, which was a sampler with several of the Greek classics. All were delightful. I am so glad that I stopped by today. The only draw back was that my dinner salad only had one olive and it was really good so I wish there had been more. Otherwise, I will come back again the next time I am in town and if you have a chance, you should try it out too. Entrees are around $20 so not the cheapest place on the block - but absolutely worth it.
(5)
Michael H.
We had lunch here today. We showed up with a 3 year old and 5 month old. Judging from the atmosphere, we were not the desired clientele in this dark wood semi-romantic setting. But we were welcomed and treated very well. The gyros sandwich and plate were all good with generous helpings. The saganaki flaming cheese was a hit with our 3 yr old granddaughter, as well as the rest of us. One complaint from the mother of the young kids: no changing table in the bathroom. My guess is that most of the patrons are not wearing diapers, so can't blame management on that issue. Prices are on the high side, but food quality, atmosphere, service all seem to merit the cost.
I met a long time friend here for breakfast and I was a bit taken back when I walked through the doors. I am not sure why I had never visited this place before. It's so close to my house and now after going once I will return. The atmosphere is quite unique. The decorations that adorn the walls are something you would think to see if you were watching the next installment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It seems to over the top but that's also what give the place its initial charm . The food I can only mildly comment on. I joined a friend for breakfast but really didn't eat that much. The Biscuits and Gravy were ok. I am used to it being sausage gravy but it was just a white country gravy. It was good, but a bit less then I was expecting. I will return for a different meal as I am not able to partake in all the wonderful looking omelet selections I saw walk by our table. The menu looked interesting so I look forward to my next visit.
(3)
Elizabeth M.
I really want to love this place since it is close to my house and the staff is so friendly, but I can't get past the A-Ok mark. Their Saganaki is definitely a treat as well as I do love their gyro meat, however some of the other items mousakka and their greek salads I just couldn't get excited about. The lettuce wasn't that great in the Greek side salads, the mousakka tasted like it needed more of spices for an authentic Greek touch...Taziki was okay but not my favorite. The spanakopita was good but a very small portion. Oh yeah and the dolmades were good as well. I always steal a potato off my husbands plates since it has a great lemony taste. I am not saying their food is bad, it just didn't wow me. I guess if I could find another main meal other than the gyro there I would give it more stars. I am part Greek, have been to Greece (wish my Aunt could drop it all and open a restaurant here since her cooking rocks off the charts of any place I have tried in Denver. There is a place that I still love that has my favorite dish of vegetarian Mousakka which is spiced perfectly and has my favorite Taziki and another location which has some great app type stuff which isn't on typical Greek restaurant menus. I do love their little outside Taverna set up, which would be great in the Summer. It reminds me of the Greek Taverna's of Limni where the locals would watch the soccer matches....obviously a better view then a parking lot, but still nice. Again the great points are there friendly staff and perhaps the best gyro in the Denver Metro Area. A 3 star isn't awful, right?
(3)
Amie H.
I have driven by this place many times and had no idea how fantastic it is. the service was old school hospitality, you feel like you're in their home! the manager went out of her way to make sure we had champagne for our mimosas. the owner introduced himself and walked the tables to make sure everyone was ok. just a great place. the trio plate with pita is a great starter! can't wait to return!
(5)
Stacy D.
Hubby said best dinner ever. Flaming cheese appetizer was sooo good. Service was excellent. We had a meat entree with gyro and pork slovaki. Great seasoning on everything. Loved the soup! Nothing disappointed. Prices were fair. $8 glass of red wine. Good Greek beer. And, leftovers for this weekend. Casual atmosphere. Fried custard desert was super too. Opa!!!!'
(5)
Veronica L.
Food was delicious as always, my favorite Greek place. I'm sad I don't live nearby anymore. Tonight I was slightly disappointed, the reason for the missing star. I was rushed through my dinner which was extremely annoying since there was other patrons that came in after me. I'd only had a couple bites of both my appetizer (the wonderful saganki) and salad before my dinner was dropped off. Then I hadn't even made it half way through my dinner before the check was dropped, with no mention of dessert. After running my card was when dessert was finally offered to me. I usually love the atmosphere here and would still tell anyone who wants to try something out of their norm and delicious to go here.
(4)
Susan R.
Great friendly service and consistently good food. It was New Years Eve, and my husband and I shared a special platter for two that included a very nice bottle of Greek wine and baklava for dessert. Our friends had a souvlaki platter and the very delicious and large lamb chops. The home made pita bread is always so good here. We stop here every time we are up this way.
(4)
Jake P.
Love these guys. Genuine family owned feel the moment you walk in. Cool atmosphere and even cooler staff. Appetizers and entrees are all great. It's pricy but so worth it. Great place for a date night or a large party. Definitely a stand out gem for the area.
(4)
Tanja S.
The food is amazing and the portions are a good size. The only issue is our waitress spent a lot of time talking with other customers. We had to wait for drinks refills and another waitress passed our table several times and didn't offer a refill. This waitress also spent a lot of time at the table right next to us talking. If you're interested in good food and not concerned about great service I recommend this place.
(4)
Riza H. C.
Its Greek Lunch this time around... Thankfully we managed to run some errands in this part of neighborhood and to Athenian Restaurant we went. Wednesday October 10th 2012. Time was at about 12:10hrs. When we first arrived at this establishment, there were several other patrons dining in. We opt to be seated at one of the booth. Our server is inviting and welcoming. Thru the Menu, we opt for these following items : * Calamari ($9.50) * Crispy Hashbrowns, Eggs, Gyro and Feta Cheese ($9.00) * Gyro Sandwich with Fries ($8.95) Hubs had coffee ($2.25). When my order of Calamari arrived at our table, I like it alot since the Calamari its NOT cut into rings, but as whole to begin with, and with the light batter and all the trimmings, it was indeed satisfying and DeLiCious on its own. The Calamari as part of the Appetizer comes with its own salad with cubes of tomatoes, raw white onions and crumbles of feta cheese. It comes with "sour cream" or was it Tzatziki and its own "salsa". I am indeed intrigued by the "salsa" sauce, its slightly spicy but yet wonder if its home-made from scratch. As for Hubs, he opt for the Crispy Hashbrowns, 2 Eggs and Gyro with several cubes of Feta Cheese. Hubs order also comes with cubes of Green Bell Pepper in it. The Gyro was seasoned perfectly and Hubs like his order very much since he rate it as 3.5 stars. I opt for the Gyro Sandwich. Portion is reasonable and the Gyro meat aka Sliced of Seasoned Lamb meat was D.E.L.I.C.IO.U.S... Mouth-Watering Delicious. Even while I am typing this review, cant help drooling or Salivate To The Max! The Gyro was sandwiched in a Pita Bread, with cubes of Tomatoes and Raw White Onions. My order comes with Tzatziki and Fries. I wish I could have more... With tips and tax our lunch cost $40. The service was prompt and Hubs had his coffee free flowing during our lunch hour. With a full lunch in our belly and a satisfying experience, we dont mind returning when needed. OPA! @152/2012
(4)
Sabrina D.
The Greek pizza was amazing, the gyro sandwich was moist and delicious, even the soup was full of flavor. Service was amazingly friendly. My friend and I will soon be planning a small gathering to utilize their nice size party room. The platters are great for groups of 3 or more and give everyone a taste of a good amount of food. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and wonderful service make this place a true Greek gem.
(5)
Kristie R.
What else can I say besides AMAZING?? The best baklava I have ever had in my life! My boyfriend has been to Greece and he thought the baklava was the best as well. Gyros are incredible! As well as every other dish we've had. The customer service couldn't be better either! Definitely regular customers! Wow!
(5)
Josh B.
So on a whim we decided to try the Athenian. The food was awesome. The service was awesome and you can count that we will be back. We took our three boys with us and they had no problem eating what was offered. Although they don't have a kid menu the boys were happy to try something other than nuggets and fries. We had the chef special and I was pleasantly surprised. Tons of food and it was fantastic!!!
(5)
Nicole K.
Good food, I had the gyro. Friendly staff, good service.
(4)
Td H.
Wow! This place was the highlight of our weekend. The food is outstanding. The service is just as fabulous. The atmosphere is perfect with so much art and replicas of Greece. They also have a gorgeous patio which is covered and has Greek art and a beautiful fountain. I need to come back on a warmer day and enjoy it for sure. We were greeted by the owner and she was delightful. She explained the menu to us and gave us some recommendations. We started with the Trio appetizer which we devoured. The spicy feta was amazing and the hummus delicious. It also came with plenty of warm pita bread, dolmas and stuffed peppers. I knew I would eat a lot with the appetizer, so I went with the Greek salad thinking it was more of a "side" serving but to my surprise it was a very large salad. Needless to say, I devoured every last bite. The salad dressing is the best. It's not too "oily" and its more of a tang/herb-perfection. I know I'm not doing it justice by writing about it, but I would highly recommend the Greek salad and the Trio. There is also an option to add meat to the salad. My always-hungy-teenage-son had the combo plate with included gyro meat, chicken, potatoes and lettuce/tomato and soup. There was so much food, that he wasn't even able to finish it but was able to box it up and enjoy the remaining for breakfast the next morning. Athenian is definitely on my list of favorite places. I'm going to start craving that salad and the Trio so I'm gonna have to return very soon!
(5)
Nokkie L.
Hubby and i were very excited to try some greek food. Based off of yelp review we decided to give this place a shot only to be disappointed. Service was terrible to begin with especially considering they were pretty slow when we arrived. We asked our server for some recommendations, she named one thing of the menu off a pretty large menu. We ordered a few apps and an entree to share. Everything came out within seconds of each dish leaving us feeling rushed. Every morsel of food was bland! Some of our food even came out cold! But with no waitresses to be found we just stopped eating flagged the closest staff member to grab our check. No one cared that our food was untouched and my husband and i weren't happy. So we paid (no tip) and left hungry and disappointed. So so sad....
(2)
Michael W.
Good food and extremely friendly service. All the staff want to chat and serve up your free shot of ouzo.
First time here and will be back! Tried the Chefs Platter - good variety of Greek food. Loved the Greek wine! Ambiance is very nice.
(5)
Steven S.
Oh my God, amazing Greek food! Owners are phenomenal. Everything we ordered showed up in less than 10 min. Highly recommend gyro sandwich and a light Greek beer called Fix. Spread the word!
(5)
Robin S.
Got the Zorba sampler plate. More than enough food for the three of us, with a little bit left over. Our waitress was fantastic about explaining all the different items to us and checking on us. The food was really good. Had the baklava for dessert - really good & sampled my friends fried custard - it was amazing. Complementary shot of ouzo at end of meal. Would go again!
(4)
Arthur Z.
Just had the best food that I have had in a long time! This little Greek treasure is fashioned out of an old Pizza Hut building, and to be honest it is the best thing to happen to this building. First if you are lucky enough, you will be served by Angie. She is beautiful, charming, one of the owners, and makes you feel like family. A word to the wise, she makes great suggestions. Follow those suggestions, and you will be thankful you did. The food is as top notch as the service. The lamb is tender, and flavorful. The potatoes make you wish you could make them this way every day. For the appetizer you need to try the flaming cheese with pita bread. The desert we had was the baklava with custard (all deserts made by Angie herself) which were rich, and delicious! That and the fact we started, and ended with ouzo... Well we yelled out with vigor UPA!
(5)
Lindy S.
The food is good, but the friendly staff make this place a real treat; I felt like I was dining with a family member, not being waited on by someone I had only just met. We started with Saganaki (the 'flaming cheese' dish) per other Yelper recommendations. It is something worth ordering; unique and delicious flavor, but also with a great show. It is presented and explodes in flames. My other half had gyros and I had the chicken kabob entrees. Everything tasted like what I imagine 'home-made' Greek meals would like. I have never had Pitas that were as good as theirs (I assume they make them). Their fries are crispy and fantastic. I do not have a lot of experience with truly Greek food, but I thought this was a good representation and if nothing else, food that tasted fresh and was made with pride. That is enough to get me to go back.
(4)
Kristy K.
I know, the 2 stars in harsh... I just wasn't blown away. After the rave reviews, I was pretty pumped for a sensational meal. Unfortunately, I left disappointed. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Saganaki (flaming cheese) that everyone raves about, but everything else we ordered just fell short. First, I must give props to Athenian's Saganaki. It was wonderful and served with fresh, warm pitas. I wish more Greek restaurants served this delicious appetizer. We also ordered Spanakopita. While this was good, I thought it was a tidbit underdone. For entrees, we ordered the Greek Salad and the Chicken Kabobs. The Greek Salad was delightful. I enjoyed their house dressing a lot. However, I thought there could have been a lot more feta cheese on my salad. My husband had the kabobs and found the chicken flavorless. He ended up adding some of my Greek dressing to the chicken to give it some flavor. He wasn't impressed. We ended the meal with some Baklava which was good. I thought it was somewhat dry but my husband enjoyed it. For the price of this meal, I would expect much better. I don't feel like the quality lived up to the price. I was torn between 2 and 3 stars and the price sent me down to the 2. Overall, a fine meal but I have experienced a lot better.
(2)
Beverly M.
Went with a large group of friends just to try new things. So, admittedly, I have not had Greek food before, and the odds are that I won't again, but this was just bad food, of any sort. I had the chicken kabob and my daughter had the Greek steak. Both were DRY, DRY, DRY. Is this the way Greek food is supposed to be? Our salads were also tasteless and bland. The Greek soup was actually tasty, but I only sampled some from a friend. Everything was overly sour tasting (maybe that's the Greek thing) but I can't get over how dry the meat was. Blech. Our server was friendly and welcoming, but there was another young lady who would take our plates who snarled and grumbled. When we said "Thank you" to her, we were met with silence. Surly attitude, not appreciated. Won't be going back. I have no idea where others have eaten who said this food was good.
(2)
April S.
Above and beyond the food, I love how the whole family runs this place. It's clearly a labor of love for them, and the food reflects that!! I like their breakfasts, and although I think they are a bit overpriced, you would be hard pressed to find better gyros and eggs elsewhere. The restaurant itself is an old Pizza hut, I think, that has been tinkered with to give it some charm. It still remains a bit dark inside, though. But that certainly doesn't stop me from frequenting the place. I would recommend the gyro omelet with a great cup of coffee on any morning!
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Went here for the first time tonight w my best friend & WOW we had such a GREAT time! We were greeted like we were family & sat immediately. We decided to get the flaming cheese to start then share the Zorba platter. First of all, the flaming cheese experience is something EVERYONE needs in their life! The presentation was AMAZING as was the taste! Next our salads arrived, mmm mmm mmm! The lettuce was crisp, the feta was plentiful & the dressing was perfect! Then the platter arrived! OMG! It was SO much food! The menu says feeds two to three people, but we agreed it could feed four perfectly fine! As you can imagine we didn't have room for dessert. I live right up the street though & look forward to going back!!
(5)
Don D.
Wow I had a great lunch, I have driven past this place a hundred times hard to tell it's open sometimes. I was really surprised I walked in and expected there to be 4 or 5 people in there but it was pretty full. Really clean and quaint I had the Gyro plate it was excellent, I will return!
(4)
My Linh T.
Food and service have always been great at the Athenian. It is family owned and you are treated like family as soon as you walk in the door. The saganaki (flaming cheese) is absolutely a must have! We've had the gyros, Greek salad, cheesesteak, and some others. The food is flavorful and meat is tender. Only gripe is the soup that comes with the meal (lemon chicken and rice?). It tastes ok, just doesn't taste fresh to me...almost seems like canned soup.
(4)
Brittney H.
Love the Anthenian!! I was so happy to find this place. And everyone needs to stop being so hard on Aurora- we're not ALL bad people who live here. :-) but this place has become a regular date location for us, excellent Greek food!
(5)
Stephen C.
Awesome gyros and Greek food! I've also had the breakfast burrito...tons of food so make sure you're hungry. Definitely worth the trip and highly recommend. Great staff and service.
(5)
Laura H.
This restaurant is one of my favorites! The flavors are spot on and the staff is exceptionally friendly. Good portion sizes for the price. I enjoy taking people here for the first time just to see the looks on their faces! In the mood for some delicious Greek--the Athenian comes highly recommended. Oompa!
(5)
Jason O.
Unique place with a friendly atmosphere. The stuffed grape leaves are good, the gyros are great, and the custard (when they have it) is fantastic! And the ouzo is... well, it's ouzo. Either you like it or you dont. Sadly, the rest of the food is only ok. I still recommend this place if you're looking for something to eat in Aurora, but it's not a menu that you'll want to explore too much. Stick to the obvious good choices and you'll be glad you came.
(3)
D K.
I really enjoy the food here and have become a regular customer. The downside is they close early on sunday's @ 2pm so I can't bring my whole family for dinner BUT even the to-go portions are enormous. I've tried a few dishes here without any knowledge prior of greek/athenian food and I gotta admit love it all. My favorite is the gyro plate or gyro sandwich you can either choose from their baked potato or french fries with greek seasoning both of them are good. I think they have the best gyro all of colorado period.
(4)
Lisa C.
This place was spectacular, first time trying greek food for us.. we got the chef specialty, which was enough for all three of us and it allowed us to try everything, we even had leftovers. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Marjo M.
I have been here several times for lunch and a few times for dinner needless to say this is as authentic as you're going to get specially in Colorado.... They have a wide variety and the staff is amazing! Definitely a must go to place if you're in the area or dont mind the drive.
(5)
Eugene M.
Always Great service and DELICIOUS food. Make sure to have the Greek coffee before leaving and the delicious homemade custard. Thanks for the ouzo :)
(5)
Emily M.
I was so disappointed in the food taste and quality based upon the four star rating on Yelp. Worst Greek food Ive ever had but staff was friendly and on top of things.
(2)
James S.
First time eating here and I've lived here for 23 years. The food and service was fantastic. Had the flaming cheese , a combo plate and a Greek beer. All of the food was amazingly good. The complimentary shot after dinner topped off a great meal. Thank you. Will be back soon! Oooopah
(5)
Robert K.
Food was good (generous portions....each plate is enough for two). Was impressed with their steak. For gyro faire, gyro king is as good and way cheaper. This place is uber pricey. Atmosphere is nice, but place is slightly on the dingy side. For the price I would expect it to be cleaner. Staff seems super nice, but owner is not (and always checking on you, but too much). Bottom line: worth trying *Note: I happened to be disabled at the time of the visit (needing a walker due to a leg injury). The owners park their mercedes in the handicap spot. While parking is never full I did have to travel 100 ft instead of 10 ft. Might be more whining than anything....
(3)
Vicky L.
The flaming cheese and kabobs were great along with the gyros! Yum! Service was great as well and very friendly and polite. Good atmosphere at this place, and i believe it to be one of the better greek restaurants in Denver. I recommend athenian.
(4)
Nisarg S.
Denver Culinary World Trip : Stop #4 (Greece) Greece was our next stop. We went into the restaurant and it was raining like crazy. I have two words for this place "Flaming Cheese" (Saganaki). Probably the best appetizer ever! I got the veggie pita sandwich and it was really good and authentic. The garlic dip was really good too. My other colleagues got chicken sandwich, meat dish (I can't remember the name) and they liked the food as well. I would go back just for the flaming cheese.
(5)
Dennis S.
Good food good people nice decor recently done tile. owners are greek. so pretty authentic good service.
(4)
Natalie K.
This place is absolutely fantastic. I don't think I have ever had such a delicious meal from start to finish. The saganaka flaming cheese is an absolute must. The gyro meat is absolutely fantastic, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The tazkiti sauce is utterly fantastic. You cannot go wrong with anything on this menu. I suggest the Chef Special or Zobra platter to get the true authentic dining experience. While this was a little expensive for my fiance and myself, we considered it money well spent. The food was that delicious. I can't wait to go back again!!!
(5)
Brian S.
Super super friendly staff and crazy quick take-out service. The food was very good - I had the gyro sandwich to go. The pita was toasted to just the right point and the gyro meat was fresh and juicy. I'll be back to enjoy a sit-in meal for sure.
(4)
Nika G.
Hands down the best Greek food I have had in Denver! Everything tastes and looks fresh, prepared with love, and beautiful! Decor is intricate and very thematic, and service is so friendly and quick. If you are looking for a delicious Greek food place in the Aurora/Denver area, Athenian restaurant is your spot!
(5)
Kim K.
I was in town on business and was looking for something different. I am glad I found this gem of a place. It is family run and you can tell they really care about their business. I tried their house red and it was pretty good. I was with a friend and we shared the sampler for two. It had a variety of meat, cheese and olives. Their pita was good and everything was very authentic.
(4)
Sarah H.
Mom and I stopped by here for a late lunch. She had the gyros salad, I had the gyros platter. Both were tasty and large portions, but kind of expensive for lunch - our check was just under $40 for two entrees and two sodas.
(3)
Joey H.
If you find yourself hungry for gyros or any Greek dish, you will definitely find what you're looking for by coming to Athenian. Our food was some of the best I've ever enjoyed and I will be back again. The saganaki (flaming cheese) was recommended and definitely something new and different. The woman who greeted us and was our host was very friendly and came off as an owner who wants business. Our server was wonderful and took great care of us also. The parking was a little tricky. We ended up parking in the big o tires parking lot, but once you find it, you're good.
(5)
Michael R.
Go. And go hungry. I've been here a few times and I get a kick out of the staff. They treat you like family and always seem to be having a good time. The saganaki and dolmades are great. If you have a group of about 4, any of the platters will feed you and you'll probably still have leftovers. The gyro meat is spot on. The other cool thing about this place is they have all of the major Greek beers to choose from. When I was in Greece you couldn't even get that selection (even though it's only 5 or 6). The Greek wine is great as well. Maybe a little pricey but hey, you'll get lunch for the next day!
(4)
Tiara Q.
I've wanted to try this Athenian restaurant for a long time. First impression: the decor needs updating. We stopped in for lunch around 1230 and there were 2 other couples there and 3 men from the kitchen sitting in the atrium smoking. The waitress was telling another table about specials and recommendations but when she came to us, she wanted our order. We ordered gyros, one with salad and one with soup. The soup was good, lemon chicken I think. The salad was Greek and very tiny. The gyros were delicious but over priced. Glad I tried it but will only return if I have an unquenchable desire for a gyro and can't one anywhere else.
(3)
Crawford, S.
Loved the food and the service. Truly, these people really cared about how much we were enjoying our meal and time there. We will go back!
(5)
Lisa V.
Best authentic Greek food I've found in the Denver area. Top notch service, delicious vegetarian options, and tasty meat based dishes. And as other reviewers have stated, you MUST try the flaming cheese!! Wow. This place is a hidden gem. Truly amazing! Can't wait to return!
(5)
Mare M.
Went here for my birthday dinner, and it had been over a year since I had last been here, but the owner (Angie?) remembered me, again. Needless to say, we were warmly greeted and Angie gave me hug, too (used to go here a lot with the ex-husband, some with an ex-BF, and a few times with some friends). It was my daughter and her husband's first time at this restaurant Our waitress was a tenant at the apartment complex my daughter used to work at, and they recognized each other. The waitress gets major kudos for thinking I was my daughter's sister and being shocked that I was her mother instead. She was very friendly, courteous and professional. We all had a Greek beer (yum) and ordered the flaming cheese appetizer (can't remember what it is called). All three of us did an epic fail in saying Opa at the right time post flame. While I wanted the Zorba the Greek, we went with the other Greek platter, since my son-in-law wasn't too keen on the lack of meat on the Zorba the Greek platter. The menu says it serves 2-3 people, but as usual, it feeds 4-5, since we all ate from the platter and I had enough leftover to take to work for lunch and snack the next day. The complimentary ouzo they offer at the end of the meal is a nice way to end a wonderful dining experience. Unfortunately my daughter and son-in-law did not agree, so next time I'll drink their ouzo for them!
(4)
a g.
We have been going here for years and the food has always been pretty good. We went for dinner recently and were very disappointed. The prices are ridiculous for what you get and the service was mediocre. We will not be back.
(1)
Emilee D.
Athenian's has the best Greek food I've had in Denver so far! The salad was a little on the vinegary side, but everything else I tried was fantastic. The saganaki was superb, souvlaki well-seasoned, and they had an awesome tzatziki sauce that accompanied your dish. You also get a complimentary shot of Ouzo at the end of your meal. For dessert, we had an interesting cheese-stuffed, filo dough concoction that was totally awesome. All the meals were generously portioned. I'm not sure how I didn't need a wheelchair to roll myself out of there. Along with the awesome food here is the awesome service. Our server always made sure our water glasses were refilled and that our experience was going well. Angie, one of the owners, served us our flaming saganaki and was very energetic and jolly. This is definitely the place to go for your Greek food cravings!
(5)
Elvis M.
Great flaming cheese, ambiance and service. Food is excellent!
(5)
Andrew S.
Really good food a real Greek feel. If you don't know what to try there all good but go for the gyro sandwich but most of all you have to try the flaming cheese mind blowing!
(4)
John N.
Very friendly staff. Suggested drink/appetizer while waiting for take out. I ordered the gyros sandwich. $9 is a little pricey but it does come with choice of salad/mashed potato/soup. So for this entire meal, I think it a fair value. About the gyros, very flavorful. The meat, onions, and tomatoes are cut smaller than at other places. I imaging this is to help the flavors meld more evenly. Not necessarily a good or bad- it just is. The tzatziki sauce is excellent- creamy with chunks of cucumbers and just the right amount of garlic and acidity.
(4)
Michael K.
I'd forgotten how much I like Ouzo. And free Ouzo to boot! Stin iyia mas! =] I have eaten here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. As a few people have pointed out the menu does indeed say "Greek-American-Mexican". Let me clarify as was highlighted by the very efficient, assertive Hostess - "Mexican is only served at lunch time". The evening menu does not have any Mexican items on it. and as for American food, I didn't see any non-greek American items on the menu either come to think of it. My latest visit, I went for dinner with my lovely wife for our 21st anniversary. We didn't announce the fact that it was our anniversary because we really didn't want a whole lot of unsolicited attention, we just wanted to have a nice quiet dinner to celebrate. And that we did. First off, I have to plug the Sausage and Peppers. Simply amazing! They offer them as an appetizer but it's really an entree as it is a meal in itself. I could literally live on this dish for the rest of my life! Nostimos! My wife and I both had the Greek salad and the Gyros plate for our main course. The meat was delicious and the tzatziki superb! I'm not sure why some of the other reviewers didn't like the tzatziki, I thought it was fresh and full of flavor. Very traditional IMO. Yum! My wife also had the Baklava for dessert, she absolutely loved it. I had a taste, it was delicious, but to tell the truth, I was so full from dinner that I couldn't fully appreciate it for what it was. The atmosphere is wonderfully quaint and appropriately decorated. A wonderful place to spend our anniversary. The service was wonderful from all parties involved. Our Server was amazing, the Hostess was gracious and truly concerned about making our experience memorable. Even the bus person was friendly and accommodating. We will enjoy coming back to the Athenian. Don't forget, order the Sausage and Peppers! Have I steered you wrong yet? =] -MK
(4)
Michelle N.
I came here during the Spring last year and absolutely loved it! As a daughter of a Greek immigrant man and having visited Greece this is the epitome of what I've been looking for as far as food and atmosphere are concerned. Private parking which can fill up quick if it's busy. Since we came during the week we had our choice of spots.. woo hoo! Thank goodness we got a close one since I barely walked out after eating such deliciousness. Decent eating area.. very homey feeling. They also have a private room for parties or banquets which I plan to use one day. Our server was pleasant and full of knowledge. I'm trying to get involved in the Greek community here and he gave me a lot of pointers. He kept us up on our drinks as we waited for lunch. The gyro platter wad delish, and so was just the gyro itself. I want to say we got dessert and ended up loving it! I can be picky on my tzatziki sauce and theirs was the perfect combination of creamy, cucumbery, garlicy goodness. The complimentary shot of ouzo was delightful and brought a sense of camaraderie between us and the restaurant. It was memorable and I'll definitely be back when I don't feel like cooking my own feast.
(5)
Hans O.
Best gyro sandwich in town! Where most Greek, Middle Eastern restaurants pack their sandwiches with mostly lettuce, tomatoes, onions, the whole side salad and a few slices of gyro meat, the Athenian really stands out from all of them! Their gyro sandwich is literally loaded with gyro meat, then topped with freshly chopped onions and tomatoes, comes with a side choice of garlic mashed potatoes or French fries, which comes with a generous serving. Plus their tzatziki sauce is made with real Greek yogurt filled with garlic, chunks of cucumber and the right amount of acidity. These mega meal comes with a great smile when you enter the restaurant, oh, and it's only $8.95! Opa!
(5)
Kristi Z.
Having worked for a Greek family in their restaurant all through college finding a good Greek restaurant is like comparing a meal with your mother's cooking. Rarely can a place meet those expectations. Athenian does live up to the food my Greek mama used to make! Having just started working from home I have one requirement for lunch on these beautiful afternoons- an outdoor patio. I pulled up half starving and mouth watering for Greek only to find that the patio, which is nearly totally enclosed, is smoking! There was only one table of people out there all of whom were smoking like crazy. Granted, they have the right to if allowed but with only one wall "open" the smoke was thick on the "patio". I write this review sadly from the patio of another restaurant. Looks like Athenian will not become a regular lunch spot for me after all.
(4)
Laurie W.
Another great night at the Athenian! Mr. Mixer and I threw the mutt in the car, let the cat out and ran to the Athenian on Wednesday because we came home the smell of natural gas in our home. While waiting for the technician from Xcel to come out, we decided to go get some munchies. When the owner heard what was happening, she was so sympathetic. When Mr. Mixer had to run before the meal came, she asked me what I wanted to do and quickly boxed things up. They asked me to sit at the bar and chat with them while I waited for Mr. Mixer to call me and let me know what was going on, as I was very nervous! That is the kind of service I expect from a 5 star restaurant. That's also why I will go back to the Athenian again and again. Oh, and the food rocks, too! Everything turned out ok at home that night. Whew!
(5)
Jimmy C.
We've been here a few times, the food is decent, but not stellar. Gyros are tender, though could be a little more flavorful, pitas are fresh and light, and the hummus is good. The chicken souvlaki is very good, and dolmades are OK. One of the main reasons we probably won't return for a good while, is that the restaurant feels a little desperate. We keep having to sit through sales pitches, one in which we were told that really the only way to go was to order the big combo dinner that feeds 2-3 people, and is one of the most expensive items on the menu. Then there was the sales pitch to order the saganaki, or to order from the "full bar." The server also pushed dessert. It's not the nicest of atmospheres, and not the reason that people go out to dinner. Otherwise, the service was decent as was the food.
(2)
Rachel S.
This is the BEST Greek food in the Denver metro area. I work only a five minute drive from this place, and we often order pick-up lunches from here. Their Gyro Salad is to die for, in my opinion... I've also been told their gyro sandwich and fries are amazing. The employees here are honestly some of the nicest I've ever met in the restaurant business. I've never had an order messed up in anyway (and they're always happy to accomodate special ones), they always remember me and my coworkers when we come in, and I've never found a group of people who are more genuinely appreciative of my business. If my reviews don't give it away, I will say I am a sucker for a good restaurant or a great store... and I can easily say their customer appreciation here is the best.
(5)
Ryan K.
Got to try this out finally...WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG? The food was excellent! With one exception....we got the Santorini platter was fantastic but the Calamari does not stay warm long we found....other than that, five star food in Aurora...who knew?
(4)
Heather D.
My husband and I have been here maybe a dozen times or so, over the last several years. Every time we go, the food is delicious, the servers are friendly and professional, and the owner of the restaurant is always there with a warm welcome for you, as though you have been friends of her's for years. LOVE The Athenian!
(5)
Jason L.
I was really pumped to try this place after reading the great reviews. I have been on a big Greek kick lately and decided to check this place out. It was fine. Nothing special. I asked if I could substitute my rice for something else...hummus perhaps? NOPE. I really didn't think that I was asking for much. Oh well... The gyros were pretty tasty, however I found the chicken kabobs were dry and over seasoned. I was disappointed in the value. I have had better meals at Renzio's and paid about 1/3 the price of my meal.
(2)
Vince R.
What a nice Restaurant! The people were so nice. Food wise it was just okay. Liver & Onions were so overcooked.. Chicken Parm was the same way. Dry chicken with pasta that was not very good. Loved the salad though!
(3)
Andrea P.
I would have loved to love this place, big Greek food eater but this one just didn't cut the hummus. The service was good, if not great. The waitress was nice and attentive but not too push when we were trying to talk business. However, I found the hummus to be so-so and most of the food to be just okay. Large portions at reasonable prices but not my favorite Greek place in town.
(3)
Rachel C.
I returned for lunch a second time. I am still crazy about this place. New observations: 1) Caution - Not everything on the menu is Greek. 2) Nice banquet room for parties. 3) Tag Line - "Where the Ouzo flows and the food flames." 4) Owners - Stathopoulos' - that has got to be a good Greek name! 5) I was greeted as if I was an old friend who dropped in daily. Definitely a place to bookmark.
(5)
Craig B.
Opah! Some of the best Greek I've ever had with a family atmosphere. The staff is wonderful and helps the uninitiated make great choices. Beware the lager portions. I hope you like leftovers. Oh and please leave room for amazing deserts.
(4)
Sushi T.
Great food, great service! Average plate is about $13 and cheapest appetizer is $7.50. Well worth the price as portions are sufficient and delicious! Very hospitable, I felt that the staff was happy to see us; compared to other places that see you as a burden.
(5)
Stephen A.
First time in, had a drink while checking out the menu for dinner later in the week. Very friendly staff, good drinks and atmosphere, interesting menu. I'll be back.
(4)
Tiffany S.
So happy I've finally found a GOOD Greek restaurant in the area. I'm not Greek but I ate at some fantastic Greek restaurants in Conneticut a few years ago when I lived there. Just was not finding that in Denver until now. This place is about a 15min drive from me and in Aurora. It was well worth the drive. Every aspect of dining out was well above average, from the service to the wine selections to the food. Um! the flaming cheese was delish! Mousaka is my favorite Greek dish ever. Very affordable. Service was personable and friendly. Even the greek salad was fresh and crisp. So thankful to my Greek patient for recommending this place. This guy was so Greek I needed a interpreter half the time to understand him. What better person to trust than a real Greek person himself. Cant wait to go back.
(4)
Charles H.
Only ever eaten from their lunch menu. The food is excellent and the service is great. Will have to try their dinner menu sometime.
(4)
Paul R.
Excellent prices for very authentic food. Angie (one of the owners) is wonderful and I've watched her greets guests at the door everytime I've been in. The service is great and very personal. Angie makes the desserts herself- so save some room- they are well worth it!
(5)
Katie L.
D-d-dang! $13.50 for a veggie platter that included: sauteed veggies, a piece of pita, spanakotyropitas (flaky, oily, scrumness). Also came with 1/2 a cup of soup which I was not a fan of so the dude ate. I didn't eat at the restaurant as it was retrieved for me, but the lady I talked to on the tele was very nice. The food was pretty flavorsome but I was expecting more for that price tag. I would like to pop in and eat in house some time, maybe something cheaper & more satisfying....& some ouzo.
(3)
Brandi M.
This place is crazy good. The service and the food could not have been any better. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Annie B.
I just had a very lovely lunch at The Athenian with my family. I just got home a few minutes ago and had to Yelp about it because sharing is caring :) I am currently on crutches, a lame portion of life, but something some of us will endure at one time or another. I hobbled my way inside and one of the women that was working didn't hesitate to seat me immediately and offered me the table closest to the door. Right off the bat, the employees here are so welcoming and friendly! We ordered spinakopita for an appetizer. Decent, but not the best dish I've ever eaten. After they brought the appetizer, we were told about two specials that were not on the menu. Both very large portions, we were told enough for 2-3 people each. One was the chef's special which came with fried calamari, dolmades, feta cheese, olives, chicken, gyros, souvlaki, french fries and tzatziki. The Zorba came with dolmades, feta, olives, gyros, spinakopita and a version of spinakopita with no spinnach, greek lasagna (there was another name for it, I don't remember but it was made with ground meat and eggplant) and tzatziki sauce. My dad ordered BOTH dishes! Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? IT WAS! Check out the pictures I posted and see for yourself. The meats were all fantastic! In fact, most of it was fantastic! We all got Greek salads as well and a big plate of pita bread. The only thing I really didn't like was the Greek lasagna. It just seamed bland and heavy. There was so much food between the five of us, it was too much! We left with three boxes of leftovers! As if all of that food wasn't enough, we got desserts too. We got a piece of chocolate cake, baklava and I forget what the last one was called, but it was the best one! It tasted like gourmet funnel cake with caramel and vanilla ice cream. That's the best description I can give. All of the desserts tasted great. As our waitress said about pretty much everything, "it's the best!" I like The Athenian a lot. I'd be glad to come back here for a meal at anytime! The service was fantastic, the atmosphere was warm, quiet and comfortable and we did not feel like we were rushed to eat or get out for the next table. The menu also included some American, Italian and Mexican dishes as well as breakfast. There is so much variety to be had at this place, I can't wait to go back and sample more. A very strong four stars for The Athenian!
(4)
Jodi A.
I have enjoyed quite a few breakfasts here recently...and they have been delish ! The pancakes are wonderful, the service is almost TOO friendly...and the coffee is constantly being replenished. Portions are generous...so when I return in this new year, I will need to NOT clean my plate.
(4)
Amy H.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. Best hummus I have ever had. Great service and adorably decorated. Only reason for not getting 5 stars...the gyro meat was a little dry. Will be back!
(4)
Erin L.
I love this place. Food is authentic and delicious, cozy, nice ambience, and the service is excellent! Try everything, especially their amazing feta dip. Wow.
(5)
Cass D.
What do you do when you can decide on an entree? You order the $40 plate of everything. The atmosphere here is nice, and the staff is very friendly and pleasant. They seem to genuinely care when they ask you at the end of your meal how everything was. So we got the plate with pork, chicken, gyro, feta, pita wedges, calamari and olives. The tzatziki wasn't the best I've had, it wasn't incredibly flavorful or anything. Our Greek salads prior to our entree were good; they must make their own dressing. I could taste all the herbs in it... not like something you get out of a bottle. Of all the things I tried I think I liked the gyro the best. If I went back, that would be what I personally would order. The chicken and pork weren't very memorable or stand out. Love the decor!
(4)
Lori P.
I've had this place on my radar for awhile and never got around to trying it until now ! I can't believe I waited so long and will probably become a place I go often when I'm in the mood for authentic greek food. The employees and owner were amazing during our visit. Friendly, courteous and full of helpful explanations about the expansive menu ! Everything we ordered was fantastic and the portions were HUGE ! If you'd like a modern, casual atmosphere, with the ability to either eat traditional fare or be a little adventurous, Athenian is a great choice !
(4)
Greta F.
I had a bad experience there with a waitress and ultimately, the restaurant. The whole experience left a very bad taste in my mouth, I won't be back and I'll be telling all my friends about the experience. I went there today for lunch and had a pasta dish that was dry and when the waitress asked me how it was, I told her that it was dry and she quickly became very rude and said that no one ever complains about the food and just because I don't know about Greek food doesn't give me the right to judge. Well, this is not my first time eating Greek food and if I am paying $14.95 for a lunch dish, I am not expecting to eat dry pasta. The restaurant is small and I overheard her complaining about me in the kitchen and it really made a terrible and highly uncomfortable experience. I thought since this was a family business that the owner, who was at the bar, would come over to talk to me and see if I was okay but he ignored me and the waitress grabbed the plates and slammed the bill on the table and made very snide remarks that was so unflatteringly for a restaurant that usually gets 5 stars. It was unexpected and shocking. If I could give a zero, I would but this experience equals a BIG "Eek, Methinks not!"
(1)
Scott B.
Flaming cheese is perfect. I love getting this appetizer and the platters easily feed a few people. Breakfast is passable but I don't go here to eat eggs anyway.
(5)
Curt K.
This place seems to be evolving- at one time it would also serve mexican and a hamburger.... This visit the food was good-although i thought it might be kinda priced higher than it should. they keep trying to sell me a flaming cheese dish- I thought the Hummus was pretty good. It is a nice place to eat- the interior might be a tad overdone for what is a old pizza hut building. The owner lady always talks to me like I am hard of hearing. It used to be a place I would feel comfortable going to wearing clean sweats for lunch. now they seem to be heading toward that finer dining element on both price and dress.
(4)
Rachel M.
A staff member and his wife are moving to another state, and for their going-away celebration they indicated a preference for The Athenian. I contacted them by phone and requested to use their party room for our event, which would be a come-and-go type of thing over the space of several hours. The exterior can fool you - it looks very small and even a bit on the shoddy side. This would be because they have put more effort into the interior, which is very nice and has an authentic and elegant feel to it. From the moment I arrived to the moment I departed, the staff treated me like an absolute queen - we had a waitress dedicated to our room, and the owner's wife also assisted in making sure our needs were met. They gave me great advice for what to order to get the most out of their menu for people who were either just stopping by or were going to stay for dinner. The waitress was prompt, attentive, and entertained our sassy staff with her own New-York attitude. :) The food? It was GREAT, and believe me I got to sample a little of everything. The prices are rather high, but in my opinion you get the full treatment in exchange for every dollar you spend. It's not on my side of town, but the owner's brother runs Undici in my neck of the woods, and with that being Italian... well, let's just say they'll be getting a visit from me in short order. ETA: Even MORE props... I had to call back and try to get an itemized receipt for our dinner party, and by the time I went to pick it up, a waitress who hadn't even been there that night had copied it all out for me! My finance department will love her with me!
(4)
Carl S.
Decent Greek food. We ate there for lunch two weeks ago and overall i can't complain. At first glance it's pretty dumpy outside and the 'porch' area is basically the smoking area. I guess that's great if you smoke, but I don't. The waitress was friendly, and served us decently. Their menu has a bit to much on it in my opinion. If you have a Greek restaurant serve Greek food not a mixture, but I guess unadventurous people need to eat too. The Gyro meat was excellent though and my wife said the chicken was good too. I would eat there again, but wouldn't go out of my way go there if I was in the mood for Greek.
(3)
Rebecca M.
I've been craving greek food so I searched here in yelp and found this place not too far from home. The staff was very attentive and nice. The food (I ordered the Acropolis entree - Pastitsio, dolmades, spanikopita and gyro meat) was okay, not great but decent. For the price, I had higher expectations. The portions were on the small side and the meal was overpriced. It wasn't terrible by any means, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit the Athenian again.
(3)
Barry W.
Food and service were excellent. I took the advice of many reviewers and tried the Fire Cheese. Awesome! The hummus here is fantastic also.
(5)
William H.
This place is where you want to go for food that's been sitting around for a week and they warm it up just for you! Some food they even take right out of a can heat it up and serve it to you. So my meal was dry chicken, soggy rice and even under cooked pita bread. All the good reviews are them trying to cover up the bad reviews. I hope the owner sells now and cuts his loses so some can take over and run a real greek restaurant. Garbonzos is 10 times better they should go there once for lunch and just copy them.
(1)
Rose A.
This is a wonderful restaurant, I ate a very late lunch (linner) on my first day in Denver. I had one of the platters and every single item was delicious. The platter had Moussaka, spanikopita, greek salad, and another dish (not sure of the name). The platter was $17 and was too much for this big appetite. Even the tatziki and pita bread were notable, tatziki was richer and more flavorful than I've had elsewhere. And the baklava, oh my. Super friendly service, nice decor and ambiance, a unique restaurant that exceeded my expectations. As I walked out of the restaurant I was already looking forward to my next meal there. I'm so glad I have the yelp app on my iphone to make it easy to find great places like this while out of town and starving!
(5)
rhonda f.
Delicious!!!! Every single thing on the menu is amazing. Definitely start with the Calamari and end with baklava and Turkish coffee..
(5)
Suzanne P.
We started eating here years ago and it was decent. It then went downhill for a few years. It is now back up there. Sure half the menu is Mexican or non greek, the chicken lemon soup could use a lot more citrus...
(4)
Amber C.
I thought the food at this restaurant was ok, but the prices were just too high for what we got. I also thought it was a little ridiculous that the price for a child's drink was nearly $3 since just about everywhere else we've been, they are usually free or at least extremely cheap.
(3)
Patrick C.
This place has a nice atmosphere and the food is decent I have had better, the service is good but the prices are to high for the portions you get. Kids food is expensive plus they charge 2.50 for a kids drink. I guess if I am going to spend what I did eating here on dinner for gyro and chicken I would rather go get a good steak at a steak house. I do have to admit the pita bread and tzatziki sauce is great just to expensive just remember if you bring a child it will cost you atleast an extra 10 bucks on your bill to feed them.
(3)
Bobbi Jean H.
I'm only giving this place 2 stars instead of 1 star because of the ambiance. You know right when you walk in it is a Greek restaurant due to the beautiful Greek decor. Right before you go into the bathrooms there is this really cool wall fountain that I would love to have in my house. The food was not good. I think I could do a better job making the sampler platter even though I have never made any Greek food. Tzatziki was the worst I have ever had. It was really thick and had no flavor, I'm not even sure what it was made out of. The waitress was very snotty. She even tossed our bill on the table. The items on the menu were so over priced we only ordered the sampler appetizer and no dinner. Glad we did. If the appetizer was that bad I can't imagine how the entrees would taste.
(2)
Marie C.
I have driven by this restaurant for years, but it never particularly appealed to me. After all, was it really possible to have a decent restaurant in this part of Aurora? I didn't think so. Tonight my husband insisted that we try it out. I begrudgingly went along mostly because I couldn't think of a good reason to say no. I am so glad I listened to my husband and tried this little gem out! After being seated, the owner immediately came over and introduced herself. The waitstaff was friendly and cheerful and service was excellent. Even with great service, the important part of a dining experience is of course the food. I'm happy to say that the food and wine exceeded my expectations. We tried everything that the owner recommended, including a flaming cheese appetizer (can't remember the name) and a platter for two. We were pleasantly surprised and will definitely be back!
(5)
Andrea A.
I have lived close to this restaurant and avoided eating there for over two years until my boyfriend's mother took me there. We had four people in our party and it was my boyfriend's birthday, there was no wait on a Friday at 7pm, the restaurant was clean, and the staff was friendly. I was a little put off on the prices, but the portions are HUGE! I ordered a combination plate with three types of meat and will say that I preferred the Greek chicken the best. Our deserts came with free shots of Ouzo which was awesome. Since that visit in January, I haven't been back to eat in the restaurant but we have ordered take-out multiple times. I have to suggest their Greek Pizza, it is listed as an appetizer but it is a large dish and I often get it for dinner and I have dinner for a few nights. I do recommend this restaurant, all of the food we have had there has been delicious and their Greek potatoes are to die for!
(5)
Jenniferoxanne H.
The food here was (very good)! I LOVE greek food and this place has everything from american to greek at affordable priceses. YAY Athenian!
(5)
Pb N L L.
if you're new to Greek food, i'd suggest you getting the Zorba platter. It has a sample of everything on the menu. You get stuffed pretty fast. so relax while you're at it :)
(4)
Blythe K.
This place was utterly confusing. The outside looks like a complete dump, and the inside is littered with delightfully tacky "Greek" paraphenalia. It's actually kinda cute and kitschy. Would be a great place for an informal party or get-together. The food itself was pretty good, if slightly overpriced. I had the mousaka: great texture, nice sides, flavorful. My husband had something that claimed to be on angel hair pasta but was on thick spaghetti. The desserts, though. Oh my god the desserts. Pyramids of chocolate or cake or ice cream or cheese cake, or something! Not entirely sure what all was in there, but I could have tried every dessert on that menu. AMAZING.
(3)
John W.
Good place for lunch n dinner so so for breakfast. They open late for breakfast (8:00). The steak and eggs is a REAL steak...you know thick!. Its hard to cook a thick steak so expect it to be underdone. I found a better, and cheaper, place to get S&E so that's where I go now.
(3)
Allison P.
I have been wanting to try the Athenian since I moved to Aurora and finally made it down there for lunch last week. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The staff was so friendly, since we were first timers our waitress helped explain some of the more complicated dishes and was happy to offer her suggestions. For a starter we tried the daily special which was a trio of hummus, tzatziki, and spicy feta served with pita bread. It was a huge starter and so good, you good tell that everything was freshly made and the pita bread was so warm and soft - absolutely wonderful! For our lunch we tried a Greek lemon, chicken soup, it was great comfort food. We each got a Greek Delight for our main dish but could have easily shared one, the amount of food was incredible between the starter, soup and entree! The Greek Delight came with a sampling of spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, gyro meat, and phyllo triangles stuffed with cheese. All of the food was great but we were so stuffed we had to take most of our lunch to go! The owner brought around a homemade chocolate raspberry cake for dessert but we had to pass it up even though it looked great! As we were checking out the chef leaned out of the kitchen and asked us how we liked our food. Everyone was so friendly and the food was absolutely amazing - I will be heading back to try some of the other dishes at the Athenian soon!
(5)
Pat T.
Overall pretty good. I kind of worried when I opened the menu and saw Greek, American, Pastas and Mexican food, but the Greek food was decent. Don't think the dolmades are house made and we shared the Greek Combo of sovlaki, gyros and chicken kabobs which were ok, the meats were slightly dry, but decent. I still think Petes is much better, but I'll go back.
(3)
Emily R.
Better than Pete's Greek Cafe! Their hummus is lovely and their food is very fresh. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff was exceptionally nice. The second time I went there, their pita bread was not quite as fresh as the first time, but I can easily look past that!
(4)
Lux V.
Awesome place!! The staff is very helpful and super nice. All of the food is well prepared and tastes fresh. Nothing is too salty or heavy. From the outside, it looks mega creepy, but once inside, you feel like you're in a fancy place. I really can't think of anything more to say other than, "Go eat there now".
(5)
L S A.
Having grown up on Greek food, I was looking forward to introducing my husband to this well-received restaurant. It food quality was all over the board. The saganaki was excellent as was the pita. The avgolemono soup seemed canned and the dolmades on my platter had not had the brine rinsed out well. The moussaka and pastitsio were good. On first bite, my husband found the pork souvlaki very dry. The waitress offered to bring us an au jus and the owner explained this was the technique they used. Honestly, I have never heard of dry meat being the standard way of cooking this dish, or any other dish. Needless to say, we won't be recommending this for anyone.
(1)
Mean Guy I.
was a loyal customer for nine years, this place is going down the tube. recently my wife and I went, we left a 18% tip on a 23.00 dollar meal. apparently that was not enough, our bank statement shows up and we discovered that the waitress had OVER WRITTEN THE BILL TO SHOW THAT WE HAD LEFT A 28% TIP, we confronted the owner and asked to see the bill. they changed the end total! this is not the first bad experience we have had with this restaurant, we have experienced nasty wait staff, filthy restrooms, dirty tables and silverware as well as finding body hair presumably from the owner who does most of the cooking with his shirt half buttoned, also good luck if you want fresh cracked pepper on your salad, this was another one of our other experiences. the waitress got real indigent when asked "can I get some fresh cracked pepper" she looked at me and said "we'er not a 5 star restaurant do you see me wearing white gloves"
(1)
Ann W.
My husband and I have been eating here for the past couple of years since we moved to Aurora. The Athenian is authentic and the staff are very friendly (the owners are often working at the register/seating customers). We love to get the hummus as an appetizer and gyro sandwiches for our entree. We typically don't stray from the usual. The hummus and pita are very good. Their hummus is a little thicker than some other places, but very tasty. The gyros are stuffed with a lot of meat. You also get a side of tzatziki sauce to put on it. Yum-o. Damascus Grill in Littleton is still our favorite for hummus and gyros in the Denver area, but when we are in the mood during the week, we'll drop by Athenian since it's closeby.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Actually the restaurant should get a 2.5...The food was good, from the saganaki (flaming cheese), to gyros, it was consistent. The calamari appetizer was excellent, very lightly fried and the marinara sauce that accompanied it was excellent as well. The tazjiki sauce could have been tarter, I like my yogurt more lemony...In the dessert area, the baklava was excellent and while they were out of their flaky custard dessert pastry, we had been told it was terrific. I would go back. Better than most of the Pete's restaurants in Denver.
(3)
Tatyana G.
M-m-m-m-m Good! We really love it! Been coming here for a few years now and never get disappointed. They have a main room and a banquet room. When we were there somebody had a surprise party in the banquet room and we could see that it was decorated very nicely. Restaurant also has a very nice, inviting patio. When the evening rain season will be over we will sure sit there. Angela, the owner, always makes sure to stop by every table and chat with people. She remembers you forever. The food was great. Saganaki just hit the spot. I didn't eat dessert but the rest of our company just raved about it. My husband appreciated a complimentary shot of ouzo. We had the best waitress. She has an accent but we had hard time placing it. It helps that she is also cute and very good at what she does. The atmosphere is very relaxing and the food is great. What else would I want?
(5)
A F.
This place has the best Greek food I've ever had. The gyro's are excellent as well as many other dishes. The customer service is excellent and the owner is so personable and friendly you will want to come back. Great place for business group lunches too!
(5)
Laura O.
I agree with the poster that said 2.5 stars. 2 seemed like too few because of the quality of the food. 3 seemed like too much because of the price of the food. I had a soda, the appetizer combo platter ($10.95) and a baklava to go. My bill came to $20, which seems pretty high for lunch and for what I had. The camamari on my combo platter was a bit rubbery.
(3)
Alan B.
Sorry lamb chop but that song ended! This place is great, we were greeted as soon as we walked in the door from one of the nicest hostess' I've ever encountered. She asked us if this was our first time eating there and proceeded to shake our hands and introduce herself. The waitress came by with waters and introduced herself as the hostess did, and continued to refer us on a first name basis the rest of the evening. She spent a good portion of time explaining the menu and drink selection. Although they are not as cheap as some, we were assured we would get our moneys worth with any dishes selected. We decided on the chefs special assured it would be more than enough food, mostly meats (beef, pork, chicken, gyro and calamari) it came with this amazing lemon chicken soup that what creamy, warm and left us feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I dove right into the gyro eating it straight, making sandwhichs with the pita, I almost forgot there was other food on the plate which was a good 20x20 dish. The hospitality was amazing as was the food.
(5)
Melissa A.
I really love this place. I have been here several times and whenever I come in they remember me. The staff is great! My father is Greek and whenever my family comes to town we stop by. The dolmades are prepared just right. Most places soak them in olive oil until they are too greasy to eat. But not this place. Their Greek wines pair very well with their food. And they even have some special ones that have a great spicy kick to them. I recommend this place to everyone I meet. I don't know why it's gotten such bad reviews. But if you ask the staff for their recommendations on their best foods they are very willing to tell all. The pastitsio is very authentic, the owner is very warm and open which is also authentic. And every meal ends with a complimentary ouzo shot!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Melissa C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. The minute you walk in you feel like family and you are treated like family with the owners actually helping serve and greet people. The restaurant is clean and the atmosphere is inviting. The service is excellent and every time I go here and make sure to leave a large tip. Don't forget to try the baklava.
(4)James D.
A wonderful little family destination in SW Aurora with Greek food. Really generous portions on the entrees. Delicious house made Greek vinaigrette salad. Flaming Cheese for an OPA! Angie's deserts are killer... Baklava of course but usually other offerings as well. I love their lamb ribs, lamb roast and of course their Gyros... They also have a brunch menu that includes a breakfast burrito to die for. Chicken fried steak and eggs. So... Great brunch with lots of delicious choices. Great dinner Greek style! Try an app... Try the flaming cheese ...OPA!
(5)David S.
Good food and reasonable. Fresh air patio for outdoor eating. Salad was good with traditional dressing. Didn't have much spare time. Food was quick to be served.
(4)Denise R.
So I went out of the box and tried something new my son found this restaurant on Yelp it's definitely was a nice place all the staff amazing they explain the menu so we started off with fried cheese n PITA bread then we got to choose what kind of salad we wanted I chose for my main course a chicken kebab plate which came with some potatoes and tzatziki sauce the chicken had a very good flavor I will definitely be back
(4)Jennifer M.
This is my favorite restaurant to go for Greek food. It's a sit in restaurant, not a fast food place so the prices are a little more expensive. They are owned by a Greek family, and they make their food taste authentic. For example, some restaurants "Americanize" their food and change the taste to fit a general palate and this restaurant does not do that. They are also very warm and welcoming when you walk into their restaurant. Every time I come, I like to order some sort of combination plate so I could eat a little bit of everything such as the Athenian Feast, Grecian Delight, etc. Everything I have ordered here has tasted amazing and that includes their tzatziki sauce. The entrees come with the choice of a soup or salad and I always opt for their salad because their Greek salad is amazing as well. I love eating here and I am a repeat customer. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an authentic Greek restaurant.
(5)Mark T.
Opaaaaaaaaaaa! OK, I know that was a bit clichéd, but bear with me. I think once you taste the Dionysian delights on offer at Aurora's Greek gathering place, The Athenian, you'll see why I get so excited by the mere notion of stopping by. If we truly are what we eat, you might be forgiven for thinking that my favorite appetizer is dip. And on that note, The Athenian has several stellar spreads for you to sample. As it turns out, one handy-dandy platter contains not only the cool cucumber yogurt known as Tzatziki and the pan-Mediterranean chickpea smash called Hummus, but also Chtipiti (feta cheese mixed with spicy red chili and roasted bell peppers). That last one's a bit of a tongue-twister, isn't it? Not to worry - some plump rice-stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades) possess a certain appeal - or what about a nice spinach-stuffed filo pie (Spanakopita)? If you're seeking something a bit, um, moister, they often have the tangy, lemon/egg/rice soup Avgolemeno - just the thing, in fact, to prepare the palate for the momentous main courses which await you! Even on the warmest days of the year, I often find myself craving a nice hot casserole. I'm just weird that way, I guess. But y'know, I'm in good company at The Athenian - both the Pastitsio (baked beef and noodles slathered with a Béchamel-like white sauce) and the Moussaka (chopped eggplant and potatoes with that same tasty sauce on top) are simply delicious (or if you'd rather, "nostimos"). Another possibility for you is pita bread stuffed to bursting with tasty marinated pork (Souvlaki) in addition to tomatoes and onions to keep things healthy. If you just can't decide, there are even a number of combination plates featuring ample portions of quite a few of the things I've already mentioned. And I know you can stuff a bit more in, so don't forget to end with a bit of custard pastry (Bougatsa). Yasou!
(4)Dan B.
I've eaten at numerous Greek restaurants but this one is the worst, well at least for the meal I chose. I had the Greek Combo, gyro, chicken kabobs, slouvaki, potato wedges and tzatziki sauce and soup. The soup was okay, the potatoes were burnt, dry, and even a butter knife couldn't cut through them. The gyro, chicken, and slouvaki were dry, thank god for the water. I will never return. If you go there, try a different meal, mine was truly a challenge.
(1)Jonathan B.
I went here with my GF for some Greek food. The place has been decorated in a very Greek style, a little bit over the top, but that is also (in my experience) typically Greek. The food was okay and as a sit in restaurant if you are looking for a place to sit down and enjoy some lunch, it is a nice place. The menu has trivia questions on it which I found to make waiting for the food fly by unnoticed. If you are looking for great food a great value, I'd recommend Jerusalem over this place. But what they lack in the area of a "sit down restaurant" this place has.
(3)Aide M.
My husband and I were in the mood for greek food. We got a table right away, the food was good. They have the same dishes you would expect at a greek restaurant. The waitress was nice and helpful. We would go back.
(4)Amanda S.
This restaurant is so delicious! We have shared the Chef's Special both times that we have visited and it is so good! I recommend trying their greek potatoes and the saganaki! It's a great place to take out of towners. The service was excellent as well!
(5)Anh S.
I spend about $80 and I have to say that was the worst gyro I've ever had. I've never had a gyro that had a meat of a hamburger patty. It tasted like I was eating a hamburger patty wrapped in pita bread. We also order calamari and calamari was really chewy and the sauce was gross!
(2)kellyann s.
Seriously this place was awesome!!!!!! Great food and service. I can't wait to go back here
(5)Heather T.
Coming to the Denver area for work has its perks mainly to try out new restaurants. I was in a bit of a time crunch but had heard great reviews of the Athenian. When I walked in it felt homey and kitchsy all at the same time. I was welcomed by the friendly staff and was seated immediately. My waitress was very nice and accommodating for my speedy lunch. When I looked over the menu I was a bit thrown by the addition of "South of the Border" options. That always makes me a little nervous as I am a fan of doing one cuisine and doing it well. I ordered from the Greek menu and got the vegetarian plate. Nothing to fear as it was delicious!! I had three wedges of spanikopita, three wedges of feta cheese in phyllo dough, dolmas, sautéed veggies and a side of pita bread. The plain feta were my favorite as they were not too salty but perfectly crispy and cheesy. So good!! The only thing I could not finish was the salad that came out before the main. The dressing was too heavy and the ice berg lettuce just didn't do it for me. To go I took a gyro for the hubs. Even re heated for his dinner, this was tasty.
(4)Michelle A.
I may have found my new favorite Greek salad in Denver. . The portion was huge and had leftovers although it did not hold up like I hoped. The chicken was moist, the veggies were fresh and the dressing was pretty yummy. Ther service was friendly and the restaurant is over the top in Greek decorations. I actually liked that part. Kinda took me back to Greece. Ok only in my dreams. They do serve Mexican food. I always think that is kinda funny but I know other Greek restaurants serving Mexican. It is kinda hard to see from the main road but it is there and has been for a long time. I will go back and have more of the same please.
(4)Alex C M.
Came here right before close, and we were still welcome to come and eat. Friendly staff, great food, definitely coming back for more.
(4)John T.
My family and I were in town for a softball tournament and stopped in here after a long day of play. It was a half hour before closing, and we were the only ones in the dining room. I was worried that the employees would be annoyed at a bunch of out-of-towners coming in so late but I couldn't have been more wrong. The hostess walked us through the menu front to back and gave us recommendations. We settled on the trio dip of hummus, spicy feta, and tzatziki with pita (Amazing!) as a starter. For our entree we had the chef's special platter. The menu said it fed 2-3, our group of 4 was hard pressed to finish it. The hostess was very gracious and chatted us up when she found out we were from out of town. She even brought us an extra plate of Greek potatos on the house. This was one of the best meals I've ever had.
(5)Jesse R.
My wife and I had a craving for Greek food and this hit the spot. The food was great and the service was excellent. The waitress went out of her way to talk to and have a few laughs with my four year old. The place has breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is decorated from floor to ceiling with Greek "stuff". I do wish the menu had more Greek items and not so much American and Mexican choices. Expect to pay $12-14 for an entrée, but the portions are huge, so you get what you pay for.
(5)Inayah V.
Aurora is mostly known for its overrated crime rate, not its food scene, so its no compliment to The Athenian that it is far and away the best restaurant in the entire haphazard suburban sprawled municipality. Try not to hold that against The Athenian, as it is a delightfully eclectic establishment run by a very friendly staff with excellent food. From the giant decorative liquor bottles on the fireplace...in the center of the dining room to the likenesses of Greek statues adorning the walls, to the Greek radio playing in the mornings, its clear The Athenian is truly one of a kind. My favorites are the gyros (on s salad, in a pita, or with eggs for breakfast) the dolmades (amazing) and the custard, which unfortunately (for me) always seems to have sold out. If you find yourself in this unremarkable, played out, used napkin of a city, treat yourself with a trip to The Athenian, you deserve it!
(3)Alice B.
Very good food, great service, and a nice atmosphere. The servers recommended the "better items". The prices are fair. All in all a very nice restaurant.
(5)Max C.
Pretty average i would say... and a bit pricy for what you get.
(3)Amy F.
I stopped in here because I am from out of town and was looking for dinner and this was the first place that showed up on yelp. I LOVED IT. It is small and inviting, a beautiful Greek woman served me dinner, and I couldn't be more happy. As a matter of fact, I just had the BEST Tztsiki (can't spell it!!!) of my life - like I would eat it with a spoon good. I got the Athenian Feast, which was a sampler with several of the Greek classics. All were delightful. I am so glad that I stopped by today. The only draw back was that my dinner salad only had one olive and it was really good so I wish there had been more. Otherwise, I will come back again the next time I am in town and if you have a chance, you should try it out too. Entrees are around $20 so not the cheapest place on the block - but absolutely worth it.
(5)Michael H.
We had lunch here today. We showed up with a 3 year old and 5 month old. Judging from the atmosphere, we were not the desired clientele in this dark wood semi-romantic setting. But we were welcomed and treated very well. The gyros sandwich and plate were all good with generous helpings. The saganaki flaming cheese was a hit with our 3 yr old granddaughter, as well as the rest of us. One complaint from the mother of the young kids: no changing table in the bathroom. My guess is that most of the patrons are not wearing diapers, so can't blame management on that issue. Prices are on the high side, but food quality, atmosphere, service all seem to merit the cost.
(4)Benjamin F.
Not even close to worth the hype. I went into this restaurant with my friends on a Sunday in the early afternoon. It was early enough for us still go to nearby restaurant for breakfast,French Something I believe it's called, I wish went there instead. When we walked in they set us down at the bar initially because we were still waiting for others. Naturally, since I am setting at bar and it is Sunday Funday, I ask if they have any drink specials. This prompts a 'hostess' ('trophy wife who walks around restaurant' may be a more accurate description) to immediately fetch the proprietor of the restaurant. She brings him over and then says, "He justed ask if this place has Greek food." She points to the section of menu that says Greek and then goes to explain how the man literally in front of me is greek . My friends come to my aide and tell the woman that I said drink specials. She then exclaims, "I thought he said Greek specials." All of this would have turned into a funny anecdote later had asking the question again not lead to more negative results. The second response I got to my Sunday Funday question was from a surly waitress who said," The drink special is whatever I make at the time." She did NOT offer to make me anything or offer suggestions on what drinks I could purchase. Believe me I tried to probe further. The walls were adorned with alcohol but they were not prepared for questions regarding the alcohol. In the end she finally offered me a greek beer which I accepted since it appeared to be the only drink I would get. I would later reget this choice. The rest of our group arrived. We finally got a table. We had the trio dip and spanakopita for appetizers. The spicy tsatziki dip is incredible so I recommend the trio dip for appetizers. The rest if the food was so so and not worth mentioning. With 2 appetizers, 4 beers, 4 entrées the total bill was a little over $120 before tip. The service was unremarkable and at times horrendous. The best example of this horrendous service happened because of the greek beer. When I asked the waitress for a second beer after my ordeal to get a single drink from this place she told me NO. That's right instead of instantly offering another beverage, I had ask for it be replaced. And then when I asked I was told NO and that I would have to wait for an undisclosed period of time before I had another. I want reemphasize that had one beer. Just ONE! I have never had this problem before and never had to experience wait staff this illorganized. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone on a Sunday. Literally any place you go will be better.
(1)Jese S.
I met a long time friend here for breakfast and I was a bit taken back when I walked through the doors. I am not sure why I had never visited this place before. It's so close to my house and now after going once I will return. The atmosphere is quite unique. The decorations that adorn the walls are something you would think to see if you were watching the next installment of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It seems to over the top but that's also what give the place its initial charm . The food I can only mildly comment on. I joined a friend for breakfast but really didn't eat that much. The Biscuits and Gravy were ok. I am used to it being sausage gravy but it was just a white country gravy. It was good, but a bit less then I was expecting. I will return for a different meal as I am not able to partake in all the wonderful looking omelet selections I saw walk by our table. The menu looked interesting so I look forward to my next visit.
(3)Elizabeth M.
I really want to love this place since it is close to my house and the staff is so friendly, but I can't get past the A-Ok mark. Their Saganaki is definitely a treat as well as I do love their gyro meat, however some of the other items mousakka and their greek salads I just couldn't get excited about. The lettuce wasn't that great in the Greek side salads, the mousakka tasted like it needed more of spices for an authentic Greek touch...Taziki was okay but not my favorite. The spanakopita was good but a very small portion. Oh yeah and the dolmades were good as well. I always steal a potato off my husbands plates since it has a great lemony taste. I am not saying their food is bad, it just didn't wow me. I guess if I could find another main meal other than the gyro there I would give it more stars. I am part Greek, have been to Greece (wish my Aunt could drop it all and open a restaurant here since her cooking rocks off the charts of any place I have tried in Denver. There is a place that I still love that has my favorite dish of vegetarian Mousakka which is spiced perfectly and has my favorite Taziki and another location which has some great app type stuff which isn't on typical Greek restaurant menus. I do love their little outside Taverna set up, which would be great in the Summer. It reminds me of the Greek Taverna's of Limni where the locals would watch the soccer matches....obviously a better view then a parking lot, but still nice. Again the great points are there friendly staff and perhaps the best gyro in the Denver Metro Area. A 3 star isn't awful, right?
(3)Amie H.
I have driven by this place many times and had no idea how fantastic it is. the service was old school hospitality, you feel like you're in their home! the manager went out of her way to make sure we had champagne for our mimosas. the owner introduced himself and walked the tables to make sure everyone was ok. just a great place. the trio plate with pita is a great starter! can't wait to return!
(5)Stacy D.
Hubby said best dinner ever. Flaming cheese appetizer was sooo good. Service was excellent. We had a meat entree with gyro and pork slovaki. Great seasoning on everything. Loved the soup! Nothing disappointed. Prices were fair. $8 glass of red wine. Good Greek beer. And, leftovers for this weekend. Casual atmosphere. Fried custard desert was super too. Opa!!!!'
(5)Veronica L.
Food was delicious as always, my favorite Greek place. I'm sad I don't live nearby anymore. Tonight I was slightly disappointed, the reason for the missing star. I was rushed through my dinner which was extremely annoying since there was other patrons that came in after me. I'd only had a couple bites of both my appetizer (the wonderful saganki) and salad before my dinner was dropped off. Then I hadn't even made it half way through my dinner before the check was dropped, with no mention of dessert. After running my card was when dessert was finally offered to me. I usually love the atmosphere here and would still tell anyone who wants to try something out of their norm and delicious to go here.
(4)Susan R.
Great friendly service and consistently good food. It was New Years Eve, and my husband and I shared a special platter for two that included a very nice bottle of Greek wine and baklava for dessert. Our friends had a souvlaki platter and the very delicious and large lamb chops. The home made pita bread is always so good here. We stop here every time we are up this way.
(4)Jake P.
Love these guys. Genuine family owned feel the moment you walk in. Cool atmosphere and even cooler staff. Appetizers and entrees are all great. It's pricy but so worth it. Great place for a date night or a large party. Definitely a stand out gem for the area.
(4)Tanja S.
The food is amazing and the portions are a good size. The only issue is our waitress spent a lot of time talking with other customers. We had to wait for drinks refills and another waitress passed our table several times and didn't offer a refill. This waitress also spent a lot of time at the table right next to us talking. If you're interested in good food and not concerned about great service I recommend this place.
(4)Riza H. C.
Its Greek Lunch this time around... Thankfully we managed to run some errands in this part of neighborhood and to Athenian Restaurant we went. Wednesday October 10th 2012. Time was at about 12:10hrs. When we first arrived at this establishment, there were several other patrons dining in. We opt to be seated at one of the booth. Our server is inviting and welcoming. Thru the Menu, we opt for these following items : * Calamari ($9.50) * Crispy Hashbrowns, Eggs, Gyro and Feta Cheese ($9.00) * Gyro Sandwich with Fries ($8.95) Hubs had coffee ($2.25). When my order of Calamari arrived at our table, I like it alot since the Calamari its NOT cut into rings, but as whole to begin with, and with the light batter and all the trimmings, it was indeed satisfying and DeLiCious on its own. The Calamari as part of the Appetizer comes with its own salad with cubes of tomatoes, raw white onions and crumbles of feta cheese. It comes with "sour cream" or was it Tzatziki and its own "salsa". I am indeed intrigued by the "salsa" sauce, its slightly spicy but yet wonder if its home-made from scratch. As for Hubs, he opt for the Crispy Hashbrowns, 2 Eggs and Gyro with several cubes of Feta Cheese. Hubs order also comes with cubes of Green Bell Pepper in it. The Gyro was seasoned perfectly and Hubs like his order very much since he rate it as 3.5 stars. I opt for the Gyro Sandwich. Portion is reasonable and the Gyro meat aka Sliced of Seasoned Lamb meat was D.E.L.I.C.IO.U.S... Mouth-Watering Delicious. Even while I am typing this review, cant help drooling or Salivate To The Max! The Gyro was sandwiched in a Pita Bread, with cubes of Tomatoes and Raw White Onions. My order comes with Tzatziki and Fries. I wish I could have more... With tips and tax our lunch cost $40. The service was prompt and Hubs had his coffee free flowing during our lunch hour. With a full lunch in our belly and a satisfying experience, we dont mind returning when needed. OPA! @152/2012
(4)Sabrina D.
The Greek pizza was amazing, the gyro sandwich was moist and delicious, even the soup was full of flavor. Service was amazingly friendly. My friend and I will soon be planning a small gathering to utilize their nice size party room. The platters are great for groups of 3 or more and give everyone a taste of a good amount of food. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and wonderful service make this place a true Greek gem.
(5)Kristie R.
What else can I say besides AMAZING?? The best baklava I have ever had in my life! My boyfriend has been to Greece and he thought the baklava was the best as well. Gyros are incredible! As well as every other dish we've had. The customer service couldn't be better either! Definitely regular customers! Wow!
(5)Josh B.
So on a whim we decided to try the Athenian. The food was awesome. The service was awesome and you can count that we will be back. We took our three boys with us and they had no problem eating what was offered. Although they don't have a kid menu the boys were happy to try something other than nuggets and fries. We had the chef special and I was pleasantly surprised. Tons of food and it was fantastic!!!
(5)Nicole K.
Good food, I had the gyro. Friendly staff, good service.
(4)Td H.
Wow! This place was the highlight of our weekend. The food is outstanding. The service is just as fabulous. The atmosphere is perfect with so much art and replicas of Greece. They also have a gorgeous patio which is covered and has Greek art and a beautiful fountain. I need to come back on a warmer day and enjoy it for sure. We were greeted by the owner and she was delightful. She explained the menu to us and gave us some recommendations. We started with the Trio appetizer which we devoured. The spicy feta was amazing and the hummus delicious. It also came with plenty of warm pita bread, dolmas and stuffed peppers. I knew I would eat a lot with the appetizer, so I went with the Greek salad thinking it was more of a "side" serving but to my surprise it was a very large salad. Needless to say, I devoured every last bite. The salad dressing is the best. It's not too "oily" and its more of a tang/herb-perfection. I know I'm not doing it justice by writing about it, but I would highly recommend the Greek salad and the Trio. There is also an option to add meat to the salad. My always-hungy-teenage-son had the combo plate with included gyro meat, chicken, potatoes and lettuce/tomato and soup. There was so much food, that he wasn't even able to finish it but was able to box it up and enjoy the remaining for breakfast the next morning. Athenian is definitely on my list of favorite places. I'm going to start craving that salad and the Trio so I'm gonna have to return very soon!
(5)Nokkie L.
Hubby and i were very excited to try some greek food. Based off of yelp review we decided to give this place a shot only to be disappointed. Service was terrible to begin with especially considering they were pretty slow when we arrived. We asked our server for some recommendations, she named one thing of the menu off a pretty large menu. We ordered a few apps and an entree to share. Everything came out within seconds of each dish leaving us feeling rushed. Every morsel of food was bland! Some of our food even came out cold! But with no waitresses to be found we just stopped eating flagged the closest staff member to grab our check. No one cared that our food was untouched and my husband and i weren't happy. So we paid (no tip) and left hungry and disappointed. So so sad....
(2)Michael W.
Good food and extremely friendly service. All the staff want to chat and serve up your free shot of ouzo.
(4)Russ D.
The Athenian Restaurant in Aurora, Colorado is delicious. The service is great, the owners are very nice and always talkative. The gyro plate was superb. There is a very "Greek" vibe in the place, from the décor to the television playing international television news. It was not very busy or loud so the service was extra good. I usually enjoy freshly brewed iced tea, instead of the fountain stuff, but other than that, I really liked my experience there. I will come back. Want some delicious Greek food in Aurora? Check out the Athenian. You'll be glad you did.
(4)Jan E.
First time here and will be back! Tried the Chefs Platter - good variety of Greek food. Loved the Greek wine! Ambiance is very nice.
(5)Steven S.
Oh my God, amazing Greek food! Owners are phenomenal. Everything we ordered showed up in less than 10 min. Highly recommend gyro sandwich and a light Greek beer called Fix. Spread the word!
(5)Robin S.
Got the Zorba sampler plate. More than enough food for the three of us, with a little bit left over. Our waitress was fantastic about explaining all the different items to us and checking on us. The food was really good. Had the baklava for dessert - really good & sampled my friends fried custard - it was amazing. Complementary shot of ouzo at end of meal. Would go again!
(4)Arthur Z.
Just had the best food that I have had in a long time! This little Greek treasure is fashioned out of an old Pizza Hut building, and to be honest it is the best thing to happen to this building. First if you are lucky enough, you will be served by Angie. She is beautiful, charming, one of the owners, and makes you feel like family. A word to the wise, she makes great suggestions. Follow those suggestions, and you will be thankful you did. The food is as top notch as the service. The lamb is tender, and flavorful. The potatoes make you wish you could make them this way every day. For the appetizer you need to try the flaming cheese with pita bread. The desert we had was the baklava with custard (all deserts made by Angie herself) which were rich, and delicious! That and the fact we started, and ended with ouzo... Well we yelled out with vigor UPA!
(5)Lindy S.
The food is good, but the friendly staff make this place a real treat; I felt like I was dining with a family member, not being waited on by someone I had only just met. We started with Saganaki (the 'flaming cheese' dish) per other Yelper recommendations. It is something worth ordering; unique and delicious flavor, but also with a great show. It is presented and explodes in flames. My other half had gyros and I had the chicken kabob entrees. Everything tasted like what I imagine 'home-made' Greek meals would like. I have never had Pitas that were as good as theirs (I assume they make them). Their fries are crispy and fantastic. I do not have a lot of experience with truly Greek food, but I thought this was a good representation and if nothing else, food that tasted fresh and was made with pride. That is enough to get me to go back.
(4)Kristy K.
I know, the 2 stars in harsh... I just wasn't blown away. After the rave reviews, I was pretty pumped for a sensational meal. Unfortunately, I left disappointed. The highlight of the meal was definitely the Saganaki (flaming cheese) that everyone raves about, but everything else we ordered just fell short. First, I must give props to Athenian's Saganaki. It was wonderful and served with fresh, warm pitas. I wish more Greek restaurants served this delicious appetizer. We also ordered Spanakopita. While this was good, I thought it was a tidbit underdone. For entrees, we ordered the Greek Salad and the Chicken Kabobs. The Greek Salad was delightful. I enjoyed their house dressing a lot. However, I thought there could have been a lot more feta cheese on my salad. My husband had the kabobs and found the chicken flavorless. He ended up adding some of my Greek dressing to the chicken to give it some flavor. He wasn't impressed. We ended the meal with some Baklava which was good. I thought it was somewhat dry but my husband enjoyed it. For the price of this meal, I would expect much better. I don't feel like the quality lived up to the price. I was torn between 2 and 3 stars and the price sent me down to the 2. Overall, a fine meal but I have experienced a lot better.
(2)Beverly M.
Went with a large group of friends just to try new things. So, admittedly, I have not had Greek food before, and the odds are that I won't again, but this was just bad food, of any sort. I had the chicken kabob and my daughter had the Greek steak. Both were DRY, DRY, DRY. Is this the way Greek food is supposed to be? Our salads were also tasteless and bland. The Greek soup was actually tasty, but I only sampled some from a friend. Everything was overly sour tasting (maybe that's the Greek thing) but I can't get over how dry the meat was. Blech. Our server was friendly and welcoming, but there was another young lady who would take our plates who snarled and grumbled. When we said "Thank you" to her, we were met with silence. Surly attitude, not appreciated. Won't be going back. I have no idea where others have eaten who said this food was good.
(2)April S.
Above and beyond the food, I love how the whole family runs this place. It's clearly a labor of love for them, and the food reflects that!! I like their breakfasts, and although I think they are a bit overpriced, you would be hard pressed to find better gyros and eggs elsewhere. The restaurant itself is an old Pizza hut, I think, that has been tinkered with to give it some charm. It still remains a bit dark inside, though. But that certainly doesn't stop me from frequenting the place. I would recommend the gyro omelet with a great cup of coffee on any morning!
(4)Elizabeth S.
Went here for the first time tonight w my best friend & WOW we had such a GREAT time! We were greeted like we were family & sat immediately. We decided to get the flaming cheese to start then share the Zorba platter. First of all, the flaming cheese experience is something EVERYONE needs in their life! The presentation was AMAZING as was the taste! Next our salads arrived, mmm mmm mmm! The lettuce was crisp, the feta was plentiful & the dressing was perfect! Then the platter arrived! OMG! It was SO much food! The menu says feeds two to three people, but we agreed it could feed four perfectly fine! As you can imagine we didn't have room for dessert. I live right up the street though & look forward to going back!!
(5)Don D.
Wow I had a great lunch, I have driven past this place a hundred times hard to tell it's open sometimes. I was really surprised I walked in and expected there to be 4 or 5 people in there but it was pretty full. Really clean and quaint I had the Gyro plate it was excellent, I will return!
(4)My Linh T.
Food and service have always been great at the Athenian. It is family owned and you are treated like family as soon as you walk in the door. The saganaki (flaming cheese) is absolutely a must have! We've had the gyros, Greek salad, cheesesteak, and some others. The food is flavorful and meat is tender. Only gripe is the soup that comes with the meal (lemon chicken and rice?). It tastes ok, just doesn't taste fresh to me...almost seems like canned soup.
(4)Brittney H.
Love the Anthenian!! I was so happy to find this place. And everyone needs to stop being so hard on Aurora- we're not ALL bad people who live here. :-) but this place has become a regular date location for us, excellent Greek food!
(5)Stephen C.
Awesome gyros and Greek food! I've also had the breakfast burrito...tons of food so make sure you're hungry. Definitely worth the trip and highly recommend. Great staff and service.
(5)Laura H.
This restaurant is one of my favorites! The flavors are spot on and the staff is exceptionally friendly. Good portion sizes for the price. I enjoy taking people here for the first time just to see the looks on their faces! In the mood for some delicious Greek--the Athenian comes highly recommended. Oompa!
(5)Jason O.
Unique place with a friendly atmosphere. The stuffed grape leaves are good, the gyros are great, and the custard (when they have it) is fantastic! And the ouzo is... well, it's ouzo. Either you like it or you dont. Sadly, the rest of the food is only ok. I still recommend this place if you're looking for something to eat in Aurora, but it's not a menu that you'll want to explore too much. Stick to the obvious good choices and you'll be glad you came.
(3)D K.
I really enjoy the food here and have become a regular customer. The downside is they close early on sunday's @ 2pm so I can't bring my whole family for dinner BUT even the to-go portions are enormous. I've tried a few dishes here without any knowledge prior of greek/athenian food and I gotta admit love it all. My favorite is the gyro plate or gyro sandwich you can either choose from their baked potato or french fries with greek seasoning both of them are good. I think they have the best gyro all of colorado period.
(4)Lisa C.
This place was spectacular, first time trying greek food for us.. we got the chef specialty, which was enough for all three of us and it allowed us to try everything, we even had leftovers. We will definitely be back.
(5)Marjo M.
I have been here several times for lunch and a few times for dinner needless to say this is as authentic as you're going to get specially in Colorado.... They have a wide variety and the staff is amazing! Definitely a must go to place if you're in the area or dont mind the drive.
(5)Eugene M.
Always Great service and DELICIOUS food. Make sure to have the Greek coffee before leaving and the delicious homemade custard. Thanks for the ouzo :)
(5)Emily M.
I was so disappointed in the food taste and quality based upon the four star rating on Yelp. Worst Greek food Ive ever had but staff was friendly and on top of things.
(2)James S.
First time eating here and I've lived here for 23 years. The food and service was fantastic. Had the flaming cheese , a combo plate and a Greek beer. All of the food was amazingly good. The complimentary shot after dinner topped off a great meal. Thank you. Will be back soon! Oooopah
(5)Robert K.
Food was good (generous portions....each plate is enough for two). Was impressed with their steak. For gyro faire, gyro king is as good and way cheaper. This place is uber pricey. Atmosphere is nice, but place is slightly on the dingy side. For the price I would expect it to be cleaner. Staff seems super nice, but owner is not (and always checking on you, but too much). Bottom line: worth trying *Note: I happened to be disabled at the time of the visit (needing a walker due to a leg injury). The owners park their mercedes in the handicap spot. While parking is never full I did have to travel 100 ft instead of 10 ft. Might be more whining than anything....
(3)Vicky L.
The flaming cheese and kabobs were great along with the gyros! Yum! Service was great as well and very friendly and polite. Good atmosphere at this place, and i believe it to be one of the better greek restaurants in Denver. I recommend athenian.
(4)Nisarg S.
Denver Culinary World Trip : Stop #4 (Greece) Greece was our next stop. We went into the restaurant and it was raining like crazy. I have two words for this place "Flaming Cheese" (Saganaki). Probably the best appetizer ever! I got the veggie pita sandwich and it was really good and authentic. The garlic dip was really good too. My other colleagues got chicken sandwich, meat dish (I can't remember the name) and they liked the food as well. I would go back just for the flaming cheese.
(5)Dennis S.
Good food good people nice decor recently done tile. owners are greek. so pretty authentic good service.
(4)Natalie K.
This place is absolutely fantastic. I don't think I have ever had such a delicious meal from start to finish. The saganaka flaming cheese is an absolute must. The gyro meat is absolutely fantastic, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The tazkiti sauce is utterly fantastic. You cannot go wrong with anything on this menu. I suggest the Chef Special or Zobra platter to get the true authentic dining experience. While this was a little expensive for my fiance and myself, we considered it money well spent. The food was that delicious. I can't wait to go back again!!!
(5)Brian S.
Super super friendly staff and crazy quick take-out service. The food was very good - I had the gyro sandwich to go. The pita was toasted to just the right point and the gyro meat was fresh and juicy. I'll be back to enjoy a sit-in meal for sure.
(4)Nika G.
Hands down the best Greek food I have had in Denver! Everything tastes and looks fresh, prepared with love, and beautiful! Decor is intricate and very thematic, and service is so friendly and quick. If you are looking for a delicious Greek food place in the Aurora/Denver area, Athenian restaurant is your spot!
(5)Kim K.
I was in town on business and was looking for something different. I am glad I found this gem of a place. It is family run and you can tell they really care about their business. I tried their house red and it was pretty good. I was with a friend and we shared the sampler for two. It had a variety of meat, cheese and olives. Their pita was good and everything was very authentic.
(4)Sarah H.
Mom and I stopped by here for a late lunch. She had the gyros salad, I had the gyros platter. Both were tasty and large portions, but kind of expensive for lunch - our check was just under $40 for two entrees and two sodas.
(3)Joey H.
If you find yourself hungry for gyros or any Greek dish, you will definitely find what you're looking for by coming to Athenian. Our food was some of the best I've ever enjoyed and I will be back again. The saganaki (flaming cheese) was recommended and definitely something new and different. The woman who greeted us and was our host was very friendly and came off as an owner who wants business. Our server was wonderful and took great care of us also. The parking was a little tricky. We ended up parking in the big o tires parking lot, but once you find it, you're good.
(5)Michael R.
Go. And go hungry. I've been here a few times and I get a kick out of the staff. They treat you like family and always seem to be having a good time. The saganaki and dolmades are great. If you have a group of about 4, any of the platters will feed you and you'll probably still have leftovers. The gyro meat is spot on. The other cool thing about this place is they have all of the major Greek beers to choose from. When I was in Greece you couldn't even get that selection (even though it's only 5 or 6). The Greek wine is great as well. Maybe a little pricey but hey, you'll get lunch for the next day!
(4)Tiara Q.
I've wanted to try this Athenian restaurant for a long time. First impression: the decor needs updating. We stopped in for lunch around 1230 and there were 2 other couples there and 3 men from the kitchen sitting in the atrium smoking. The waitress was telling another table about specials and recommendations but when she came to us, she wanted our order. We ordered gyros, one with salad and one with soup. The soup was good, lemon chicken I think. The salad was Greek and very tiny. The gyros were delicious but over priced. Glad I tried it but will only return if I have an unquenchable desire for a gyro and can't one anywhere else.
(3)Crawford, S.
Loved the food and the service. Truly, these people really cared about how much we were enjoying our meal and time there. We will go back!
(5)Lisa V.
Best authentic Greek food I've found in the Denver area. Top notch service, delicious vegetarian options, and tasty meat based dishes. And as other reviewers have stated, you MUST try the flaming cheese!! Wow. This place is a hidden gem. Truly amazing! Can't wait to return!
(5)Mare M.
Went here for my birthday dinner, and it had been over a year since I had last been here, but the owner (Angie?) remembered me, again. Needless to say, we were warmly greeted and Angie gave me hug, too (used to go here a lot with the ex-husband, some with an ex-BF, and a few times with some friends). It was my daughter and her husband's first time at this restaurant Our waitress was a tenant at the apartment complex my daughter used to work at, and they recognized each other. The waitress gets major kudos for thinking I was my daughter's sister and being shocked that I was her mother instead. She was very friendly, courteous and professional. We all had a Greek beer (yum) and ordered the flaming cheese appetizer (can't remember what it is called). All three of us did an epic fail in saying Opa at the right time post flame. While I wanted the Zorba the Greek, we went with the other Greek platter, since my son-in-law wasn't too keen on the lack of meat on the Zorba the Greek platter. The menu says it serves 2-3 people, but as usual, it feeds 4-5, since we all ate from the platter and I had enough leftover to take to work for lunch and snack the next day. The complimentary ouzo they offer at the end of the meal is a nice way to end a wonderful dining experience. Unfortunately my daughter and son-in-law did not agree, so next time I'll drink their ouzo for them!
(4)a g.
We have been going here for years and the food has always been pretty good. We went for dinner recently and were very disappointed. The prices are ridiculous for what you get and the service was mediocre. We will not be back.
(1)Emilee D.
Athenian's has the best Greek food I've had in Denver so far! The salad was a little on the vinegary side, but everything else I tried was fantastic. The saganaki was superb, souvlaki well-seasoned, and they had an awesome tzatziki sauce that accompanied your dish. You also get a complimentary shot of Ouzo at the end of your meal. For dessert, we had an interesting cheese-stuffed, filo dough concoction that was totally awesome. All the meals were generously portioned. I'm not sure how I didn't need a wheelchair to roll myself out of there. Along with the awesome food here is the awesome service. Our server always made sure our water glasses were refilled and that our experience was going well. Angie, one of the owners, served us our flaming saganaki and was very energetic and jolly. This is definitely the place to go for your Greek food cravings!
(5)Elvis M.
Great flaming cheese, ambiance and service. Food is excellent!
(5)Andrew S.
Really good food a real Greek feel. If you don't know what to try there all good but go for the gyro sandwich but most of all you have to try the flaming cheese mind blowing!
(4)John N.
Very friendly staff. Suggested drink/appetizer while waiting for take out. I ordered the gyros sandwich. $9 is a little pricey but it does come with choice of salad/mashed potato/soup. So for this entire meal, I think it a fair value. About the gyros, very flavorful. The meat, onions, and tomatoes are cut smaller than at other places. I imaging this is to help the flavors meld more evenly. Not necessarily a good or bad- it just is. The tzatziki sauce is excellent- creamy with chunks of cucumbers and just the right amount of garlic and acidity.
(4)Michael K.
I'd forgotten how much I like Ouzo. And free Ouzo to boot! Stin iyia mas! =] I have eaten here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. As a few people have pointed out the menu does indeed say "Greek-American-Mexican". Let me clarify as was highlighted by the very efficient, assertive Hostess - "Mexican is only served at lunch time". The evening menu does not have any Mexican items on it. and as for American food, I didn't see any non-greek American items on the menu either come to think of it. My latest visit, I went for dinner with my lovely wife for our 21st anniversary. We didn't announce the fact that it was our anniversary because we really didn't want a whole lot of unsolicited attention, we just wanted to have a nice quiet dinner to celebrate. And that we did. First off, I have to plug the Sausage and Peppers. Simply amazing! They offer them as an appetizer but it's really an entree as it is a meal in itself. I could literally live on this dish for the rest of my life! Nostimos! My wife and I both had the Greek salad and the Gyros plate for our main course. The meat was delicious and the tzatziki superb! I'm not sure why some of the other reviewers didn't like the tzatziki, I thought it was fresh and full of flavor. Very traditional IMO. Yum! My wife also had the Baklava for dessert, she absolutely loved it. I had a taste, it was delicious, but to tell the truth, I was so full from dinner that I couldn't fully appreciate it for what it was. The atmosphere is wonderfully quaint and appropriately decorated. A wonderful place to spend our anniversary. The service was wonderful from all parties involved. Our Server was amazing, the Hostess was gracious and truly concerned about making our experience memorable. Even the bus person was friendly and accommodating. We will enjoy coming back to the Athenian. Don't forget, order the Sausage and Peppers! Have I steered you wrong yet? =] -MK
(4)Michelle N.
I came here during the Spring last year and absolutely loved it! As a daughter of a Greek immigrant man and having visited Greece this is the epitome of what I've been looking for as far as food and atmosphere are concerned. Private parking which can fill up quick if it's busy. Since we came during the week we had our choice of spots.. woo hoo! Thank goodness we got a close one since I barely walked out after eating such deliciousness. Decent eating area.. very homey feeling. They also have a private room for parties or banquets which I plan to use one day. Our server was pleasant and full of knowledge. I'm trying to get involved in the Greek community here and he gave me a lot of pointers. He kept us up on our drinks as we waited for lunch. The gyro platter wad delish, and so was just the gyro itself. I want to say we got dessert and ended up loving it! I can be picky on my tzatziki sauce and theirs was the perfect combination of creamy, cucumbery, garlicy goodness. The complimentary shot of ouzo was delightful and brought a sense of camaraderie between us and the restaurant. It was memorable and I'll definitely be back when I don't feel like cooking my own feast.
(5)Hans O.
Best gyro sandwich in town! Where most Greek, Middle Eastern restaurants pack their sandwiches with mostly lettuce, tomatoes, onions, the whole side salad and a few slices of gyro meat, the Athenian really stands out from all of them! Their gyro sandwich is literally loaded with gyro meat, then topped with freshly chopped onions and tomatoes, comes with a side choice of garlic mashed potatoes or French fries, which comes with a generous serving. Plus their tzatziki sauce is made with real Greek yogurt filled with garlic, chunks of cucumber and the right amount of acidity. These mega meal comes with a great smile when you enter the restaurant, oh, and it's only $8.95! Opa!
(5)Kristi Z.
Having worked for a Greek family in their restaurant all through college finding a good Greek restaurant is like comparing a meal with your mother's cooking. Rarely can a place meet those expectations. Athenian does live up to the food my Greek mama used to make! Having just started working from home I have one requirement for lunch on these beautiful afternoons- an outdoor patio. I pulled up half starving and mouth watering for Greek only to find that the patio, which is nearly totally enclosed, is smoking! There was only one table of people out there all of whom were smoking like crazy. Granted, they have the right to if allowed but with only one wall "open" the smoke was thick on the "patio". I write this review sadly from the patio of another restaurant. Looks like Athenian will not become a regular lunch spot for me after all.
(4)Laurie W.
Another great night at the Athenian! Mr. Mixer and I threw the mutt in the car, let the cat out and ran to the Athenian on Wednesday because we came home the smell of natural gas in our home. While waiting for the technician from Xcel to come out, we decided to go get some munchies. When the owner heard what was happening, she was so sympathetic. When Mr. Mixer had to run before the meal came, she asked me what I wanted to do and quickly boxed things up. They asked me to sit at the bar and chat with them while I waited for Mr. Mixer to call me and let me know what was going on, as I was very nervous! That is the kind of service I expect from a 5 star restaurant. That's also why I will go back to the Athenian again and again. Oh, and the food rocks, too! Everything turned out ok at home that night. Whew!
(5)Jimmy C.
We've been here a few times, the food is decent, but not stellar. Gyros are tender, though could be a little more flavorful, pitas are fresh and light, and the hummus is good. The chicken souvlaki is very good, and dolmades are OK. One of the main reasons we probably won't return for a good while, is that the restaurant feels a little desperate. We keep having to sit through sales pitches, one in which we were told that really the only way to go was to order the big combo dinner that feeds 2-3 people, and is one of the most expensive items on the menu. Then there was the sales pitch to order the saganaki, or to order from the "full bar." The server also pushed dessert. It's not the nicest of atmospheres, and not the reason that people go out to dinner. Otherwise, the service was decent as was the food.
(2)Rachel S.
This is the BEST Greek food in the Denver metro area. I work only a five minute drive from this place, and we often order pick-up lunches from here. Their Gyro Salad is to die for, in my opinion... I've also been told their gyro sandwich and fries are amazing. The employees here are honestly some of the nicest I've ever met in the restaurant business. I've never had an order messed up in anyway (and they're always happy to accomodate special ones), they always remember me and my coworkers when we come in, and I've never found a group of people who are more genuinely appreciative of my business. If my reviews don't give it away, I will say I am a sucker for a good restaurant or a great store... and I can easily say their customer appreciation here is the best.
(5)Ryan K.
Got to try this out finally...WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG? The food was excellent! With one exception....we got the Santorini platter was fantastic but the Calamari does not stay warm long we found....other than that, five star food in Aurora...who knew?
(4)Heather D.
My husband and I have been here maybe a dozen times or so, over the last several years. Every time we go, the food is delicious, the servers are friendly and professional, and the owner of the restaurant is always there with a warm welcome for you, as though you have been friends of her's for years. LOVE The Athenian!
(5)Jason L.
I was really pumped to try this place after reading the great reviews. I have been on a big Greek kick lately and decided to check this place out. It was fine. Nothing special. I asked if I could substitute my rice for something else...hummus perhaps? NOPE. I really didn't think that I was asking for much. Oh well... The gyros were pretty tasty, however I found the chicken kabobs were dry and over seasoned. I was disappointed in the value. I have had better meals at Renzio's and paid about 1/3 the price of my meal.
(2)Vince R.
What a nice Restaurant! The people were so nice. Food wise it was just okay. Liver & Onions were so overcooked.. Chicken Parm was the same way. Dry chicken with pasta that was not very good. Loved the salad though!
(3)Andrea P.
I would have loved to love this place, big Greek food eater but this one just didn't cut the hummus. The service was good, if not great. The waitress was nice and attentive but not too push when we were trying to talk business. However, I found the hummus to be so-so and most of the food to be just okay. Large portions at reasonable prices but not my favorite Greek place in town.
(3)Rachel C.
I returned for lunch a second time. I am still crazy about this place. New observations: 1) Caution - Not everything on the menu is Greek. 2) Nice banquet room for parties. 3) Tag Line - "Where the Ouzo flows and the food flames." 4) Owners - Stathopoulos' - that has got to be a good Greek name! 5) I was greeted as if I was an old friend who dropped in daily. Definitely a place to bookmark.
(5)Craig B.
Opah! Some of the best Greek I've ever had with a family atmosphere. The staff is wonderful and helps the uninitiated make great choices. Beware the lager portions. I hope you like leftovers. Oh and please leave room for amazing deserts.
(4)Sushi T.
Great food, great service! Average plate is about $13 and cheapest appetizer is $7.50. Well worth the price as portions are sufficient and delicious! Very hospitable, I felt that the staff was happy to see us; compared to other places that see you as a burden.
(5)Stephen A.
First time in, had a drink while checking out the menu for dinner later in the week. Very friendly staff, good drinks and atmosphere, interesting menu. I'll be back.
(4)Tiffany S.
So happy I've finally found a GOOD Greek restaurant in the area. I'm not Greek but I ate at some fantastic Greek restaurants in Conneticut a few years ago when I lived there. Just was not finding that in Denver until now. This place is about a 15min drive from me and in Aurora. It was well worth the drive. Every aspect of dining out was well above average, from the service to the wine selections to the food. Um! the flaming cheese was delish! Mousaka is my favorite Greek dish ever. Very affordable. Service was personable and friendly. Even the greek salad was fresh and crisp. So thankful to my Greek patient for recommending this place. This guy was so Greek I needed a interpreter half the time to understand him. What better person to trust than a real Greek person himself. Cant wait to go back.
(4)Charles H.
Only ever eaten from their lunch menu. The food is excellent and the service is great. Will have to try their dinner menu sometime.
(4)Paul R.
Excellent prices for very authentic food. Angie (one of the owners) is wonderful and I've watched her greets guests at the door everytime I've been in. The service is great and very personal. Angie makes the desserts herself- so save some room- they are well worth it!
(5)Katie L.
D-d-dang! $13.50 for a veggie platter that included: sauteed veggies, a piece of pita, spanakotyropitas (flaky, oily, scrumness). Also came with 1/2 a cup of soup which I was not a fan of so the dude ate. I didn't eat at the restaurant as it was retrieved for me, but the lady I talked to on the tele was very nice. The food was pretty flavorsome but I was expecting more for that price tag. I would like to pop in and eat in house some time, maybe something cheaper & more satisfying....& some ouzo.
(3)Brandi M.
This place is crazy good. The service and the food could not have been any better. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Annie B.
I just had a very lovely lunch at The Athenian with my family. I just got home a few minutes ago and had to Yelp about it because sharing is caring :) I am currently on crutches, a lame portion of life, but something some of us will endure at one time or another. I hobbled my way inside and one of the women that was working didn't hesitate to seat me immediately and offered me the table closest to the door. Right off the bat, the employees here are so welcoming and friendly! We ordered spinakopita for an appetizer. Decent, but not the best dish I've ever eaten. After they brought the appetizer, we were told about two specials that were not on the menu. Both very large portions, we were told enough for 2-3 people each. One was the chef's special which came with fried calamari, dolmades, feta cheese, olives, chicken, gyros, souvlaki, french fries and tzatziki. The Zorba came with dolmades, feta, olives, gyros, spinakopita and a version of spinakopita with no spinnach, greek lasagna (there was another name for it, I don't remember but it was made with ground meat and eggplant) and tzatziki sauce. My dad ordered BOTH dishes! Sounds like a lot, doesn't it? IT WAS! Check out the pictures I posted and see for yourself. The meats were all fantastic! In fact, most of it was fantastic! We all got Greek salads as well and a big plate of pita bread. The only thing I really didn't like was the Greek lasagna. It just seamed bland and heavy. There was so much food between the five of us, it was too much! We left with three boxes of leftovers! As if all of that food wasn't enough, we got desserts too. We got a piece of chocolate cake, baklava and I forget what the last one was called, but it was the best one! It tasted like gourmet funnel cake with caramel and vanilla ice cream. That's the best description I can give. All of the desserts tasted great. As our waitress said about pretty much everything, "it's the best!" I like The Athenian a lot. I'd be glad to come back here for a meal at anytime! The service was fantastic, the atmosphere was warm, quiet and comfortable and we did not feel like we were rushed to eat or get out for the next table. The menu also included some American, Italian and Mexican dishes as well as breakfast. There is so much variety to be had at this place, I can't wait to go back and sample more. A very strong four stars for The Athenian!
(4)Jodi A.
I have enjoyed quite a few breakfasts here recently...and they have been delish ! The pancakes are wonderful, the service is almost TOO friendly...and the coffee is constantly being replenished. Portions are generous...so when I return in this new year, I will need to NOT clean my plate.
(4)Amy H.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. Best hummus I have ever had. Great service and adorably decorated. Only reason for not getting 5 stars...the gyro meat was a little dry. Will be back!
(4)Erin L.
I love this place. Food is authentic and delicious, cozy, nice ambience, and the service is excellent! Try everything, especially their amazing feta dip. Wow.
(5)Cass D.
What do you do when you can decide on an entree? You order the $40 plate of everything. The atmosphere here is nice, and the staff is very friendly and pleasant. They seem to genuinely care when they ask you at the end of your meal how everything was. So we got the plate with pork, chicken, gyro, feta, pita wedges, calamari and olives. The tzatziki wasn't the best I've had, it wasn't incredibly flavorful or anything. Our Greek salads prior to our entree were good; they must make their own dressing. I could taste all the herbs in it... not like something you get out of a bottle. Of all the things I tried I think I liked the gyro the best. If I went back, that would be what I personally would order. The chicken and pork weren't very memorable or stand out. Love the decor!
(4)Lori P.
I've had this place on my radar for awhile and never got around to trying it until now ! I can't believe I waited so long and will probably become a place I go often when I'm in the mood for authentic greek food. The employees and owner were amazing during our visit. Friendly, courteous and full of helpful explanations about the expansive menu ! Everything we ordered was fantastic and the portions were HUGE ! If you'd like a modern, casual atmosphere, with the ability to either eat traditional fare or be a little adventurous, Athenian is a great choice !
(4)Greta F.
I had a bad experience there with a waitress and ultimately, the restaurant. The whole experience left a very bad taste in my mouth, I won't be back and I'll be telling all my friends about the experience. I went there today for lunch and had a pasta dish that was dry and when the waitress asked me how it was, I told her that it was dry and she quickly became very rude and said that no one ever complains about the food and just because I don't know about Greek food doesn't give me the right to judge. Well, this is not my first time eating Greek food and if I am paying $14.95 for a lunch dish, I am not expecting to eat dry pasta. The restaurant is small and I overheard her complaining about me in the kitchen and it really made a terrible and highly uncomfortable experience. I thought since this was a family business that the owner, who was at the bar, would come over to talk to me and see if I was okay but he ignored me and the waitress grabbed the plates and slammed the bill on the table and made very snide remarks that was so unflatteringly for a restaurant that usually gets 5 stars. It was unexpected and shocking. If I could give a zero, I would but this experience equals a BIG "Eek, Methinks not!"
(1)Scott B.
Flaming cheese is perfect. I love getting this appetizer and the platters easily feed a few people. Breakfast is passable but I don't go here to eat eggs anyway.
(5)Curt K.
This place seems to be evolving- at one time it would also serve mexican and a hamburger.... This visit the food was good-although i thought it might be kinda priced higher than it should. they keep trying to sell me a flaming cheese dish- I thought the Hummus was pretty good. It is a nice place to eat- the interior might be a tad overdone for what is a old pizza hut building. The owner lady always talks to me like I am hard of hearing. It used to be a place I would feel comfortable going to wearing clean sweats for lunch. now they seem to be heading toward that finer dining element on both price and dress.
(4)Rachel M.
A staff member and his wife are moving to another state, and for their going-away celebration they indicated a preference for The Athenian. I contacted them by phone and requested to use their party room for our event, which would be a come-and-go type of thing over the space of several hours. The exterior can fool you - it looks very small and even a bit on the shoddy side. This would be because they have put more effort into the interior, which is very nice and has an authentic and elegant feel to it. From the moment I arrived to the moment I departed, the staff treated me like an absolute queen - we had a waitress dedicated to our room, and the owner's wife also assisted in making sure our needs were met. They gave me great advice for what to order to get the most out of their menu for people who were either just stopping by or were going to stay for dinner. The waitress was prompt, attentive, and entertained our sassy staff with her own New-York attitude. :) The food? It was GREAT, and believe me I got to sample a little of everything. The prices are rather high, but in my opinion you get the full treatment in exchange for every dollar you spend. It's not on my side of town, but the owner's brother runs Undici in my neck of the woods, and with that being Italian... well, let's just say they'll be getting a visit from me in short order. ETA: Even MORE props... I had to call back and try to get an itemized receipt for our dinner party, and by the time I went to pick it up, a waitress who hadn't even been there that night had copied it all out for me! My finance department will love her with me!
(4)Carl S.
Decent Greek food. We ate there for lunch two weeks ago and overall i can't complain. At first glance it's pretty dumpy outside and the 'porch' area is basically the smoking area. I guess that's great if you smoke, but I don't. The waitress was friendly, and served us decently. Their menu has a bit to much on it in my opinion. If you have a Greek restaurant serve Greek food not a mixture, but I guess unadventurous people need to eat too. The Gyro meat was excellent though and my wife said the chicken was good too. I would eat there again, but wouldn't go out of my way go there if I was in the mood for Greek.
(3)Rebecca M.
I've been craving greek food so I searched here in yelp and found this place not too far from home. The staff was very attentive and nice. The food (I ordered the Acropolis entree - Pastitsio, dolmades, spanikopita and gyro meat) was okay, not great but decent. For the price, I had higher expectations. The portions were on the small side and the meal was overpriced. It wasn't terrible by any means, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit the Athenian again.
(3)Barry W.
Food and service were excellent. I took the advice of many reviewers and tried the Fire Cheese. Awesome! The hummus here is fantastic also.
(5)William H.
This place is where you want to go for food that's been sitting around for a week and they warm it up just for you! Some food they even take right out of a can heat it up and serve it to you. So my meal was dry chicken, soggy rice and even under cooked pita bread. All the good reviews are them trying to cover up the bad reviews. I hope the owner sells now and cuts his loses so some can take over and run a real greek restaurant. Garbonzos is 10 times better they should go there once for lunch and just copy them.
(1)Rose A.
This is a wonderful restaurant, I ate a very late lunch (linner) on my first day in Denver. I had one of the platters and every single item was delicious. The platter had Moussaka, spanikopita, greek salad, and another dish (not sure of the name). The platter was $17 and was too much for this big appetite. Even the tatziki and pita bread were notable, tatziki was richer and more flavorful than I've had elsewhere. And the baklava, oh my. Super friendly service, nice decor and ambiance, a unique restaurant that exceeded my expectations. As I walked out of the restaurant I was already looking forward to my next meal there. I'm so glad I have the yelp app on my iphone to make it easy to find great places like this while out of town and starving!
(5)rhonda f.
Delicious!!!! Every single thing on the menu is amazing. Definitely start with the Calamari and end with baklava and Turkish coffee..
(5)Suzanne P.
We started eating here years ago and it was decent. It then went downhill for a few years. It is now back up there. Sure half the menu is Mexican or non greek, the chicken lemon soup could use a lot more citrus...
(4)Amber C.
I thought the food at this restaurant was ok, but the prices were just too high for what we got. I also thought it was a little ridiculous that the price for a child's drink was nearly $3 since just about everywhere else we've been, they are usually free or at least extremely cheap.
(3)Patrick C.
This place has a nice atmosphere and the food is decent I have had better, the service is good but the prices are to high for the portions you get. Kids food is expensive plus they charge 2.50 for a kids drink. I guess if I am going to spend what I did eating here on dinner for gyro and chicken I would rather go get a good steak at a steak house. I do have to admit the pita bread and tzatziki sauce is great just to expensive just remember if you bring a child it will cost you atleast an extra 10 bucks on your bill to feed them.
(3)Bobbi Jean H.
I'm only giving this place 2 stars instead of 1 star because of the ambiance. You know right when you walk in it is a Greek restaurant due to the beautiful Greek decor. Right before you go into the bathrooms there is this really cool wall fountain that I would love to have in my house. The food was not good. I think I could do a better job making the sampler platter even though I have never made any Greek food. Tzatziki was the worst I have ever had. It was really thick and had no flavor, I'm not even sure what it was made out of. The waitress was very snotty. She even tossed our bill on the table. The items on the menu were so over priced we only ordered the sampler appetizer and no dinner. Glad we did. If the appetizer was that bad I can't imagine how the entrees would taste.
(2)Marie C.
I have driven by this restaurant for years, but it never particularly appealed to me. After all, was it really possible to have a decent restaurant in this part of Aurora? I didn't think so. Tonight my husband insisted that we try it out. I begrudgingly went along mostly because I couldn't think of a good reason to say no. I am so glad I listened to my husband and tried this little gem out! After being seated, the owner immediately came over and introduced herself. The waitstaff was friendly and cheerful and service was excellent. Even with great service, the important part of a dining experience is of course the food. I'm happy to say that the food and wine exceeded my expectations. We tried everything that the owner recommended, including a flaming cheese appetizer (can't remember the name) and a platter for two. We were pleasantly surprised and will definitely be back!
(5)Andrea A.
I have lived close to this restaurant and avoided eating there for over two years until my boyfriend's mother took me there. We had four people in our party and it was my boyfriend's birthday, there was no wait on a Friday at 7pm, the restaurant was clean, and the staff was friendly. I was a little put off on the prices, but the portions are HUGE! I ordered a combination plate with three types of meat and will say that I preferred the Greek chicken the best. Our deserts came with free shots of Ouzo which was awesome. Since that visit in January, I haven't been back to eat in the restaurant but we have ordered take-out multiple times. I have to suggest their Greek Pizza, it is listed as an appetizer but it is a large dish and I often get it for dinner and I have dinner for a few nights. I do recommend this restaurant, all of the food we have had there has been delicious and their Greek potatoes are to die for!
(5)Jenniferoxanne H.
The food here was (very good)! I LOVE greek food and this place has everything from american to greek at affordable priceses. YAY Athenian!
(5)Pb N L L.
if you're new to Greek food, i'd suggest you getting the Zorba platter. It has a sample of everything on the menu. You get stuffed pretty fast. so relax while you're at it :)
(4)Blythe K.
This place was utterly confusing. The outside looks like a complete dump, and the inside is littered with delightfully tacky "Greek" paraphenalia. It's actually kinda cute and kitschy. Would be a great place for an informal party or get-together. The food itself was pretty good, if slightly overpriced. I had the mousaka: great texture, nice sides, flavorful. My husband had something that claimed to be on angel hair pasta but was on thick spaghetti. The desserts, though. Oh my god the desserts. Pyramids of chocolate or cake or ice cream or cheese cake, or something! Not entirely sure what all was in there, but I could have tried every dessert on that menu. AMAZING.
(3)John W.
Good place for lunch n dinner so so for breakfast. They open late for breakfast (8:00). The steak and eggs is a REAL steak...you know thick!. Its hard to cook a thick steak so expect it to be underdone. I found a better, and cheaper, place to get S&E so that's where I go now.
(3)Allison P.
I have been wanting to try the Athenian since I moved to Aurora and finally made it down there for lunch last week. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The staff was so friendly, since we were first timers our waitress helped explain some of the more complicated dishes and was happy to offer her suggestions. For a starter we tried the daily special which was a trio of hummus, tzatziki, and spicy feta served with pita bread. It was a huge starter and so good, you good tell that everything was freshly made and the pita bread was so warm and soft - absolutely wonderful! For our lunch we tried a Greek lemon, chicken soup, it was great comfort food. We each got a Greek Delight for our main dish but could have easily shared one, the amount of food was incredible between the starter, soup and entree! The Greek Delight came with a sampling of spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, gyro meat, and phyllo triangles stuffed with cheese. All of the food was great but we were so stuffed we had to take most of our lunch to go! The owner brought around a homemade chocolate raspberry cake for dessert but we had to pass it up even though it looked great! As we were checking out the chef leaned out of the kitchen and asked us how we liked our food. Everyone was so friendly and the food was absolutely amazing - I will be heading back to try some of the other dishes at the Athenian soon!
(5)Pat T.
Overall pretty good. I kind of worried when I opened the menu and saw Greek, American, Pastas and Mexican food, but the Greek food was decent. Don't think the dolmades are house made and we shared the Greek Combo of sovlaki, gyros and chicken kabobs which were ok, the meats were slightly dry, but decent. I still think Petes is much better, but I'll go back.
(3)Emily R.
Better than Pete's Greek Cafe! Their hummus is lovely and their food is very fresh. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff was exceptionally nice. The second time I went there, their pita bread was not quite as fresh as the first time, but I can easily look past that!
(4)Lux V.
Awesome place!! The staff is very helpful and super nice. All of the food is well prepared and tastes fresh. Nothing is too salty or heavy. From the outside, it looks mega creepy, but once inside, you feel like you're in a fancy place. I really can't think of anything more to say other than, "Go eat there now".
(5)L S A.
Having grown up on Greek food, I was looking forward to introducing my husband to this well-received restaurant. It food quality was all over the board. The saganaki was excellent as was the pita. The avgolemono soup seemed canned and the dolmades on my platter had not had the brine rinsed out well. The moussaka and pastitsio were good. On first bite, my husband found the pork souvlaki very dry. The waitress offered to bring us an au jus and the owner explained this was the technique they used. Honestly, I have never heard of dry meat being the standard way of cooking this dish, or any other dish. Needless to say, we won't be recommending this for anyone.
(1)Mean Guy I.
was a loyal customer for nine years, this place is going down the tube. recently my wife and I went, we left a 18% tip on a 23.00 dollar meal. apparently that was not enough, our bank statement shows up and we discovered that the waitress had OVER WRITTEN THE BILL TO SHOW THAT WE HAD LEFT A 28% TIP, we confronted the owner and asked to see the bill. they changed the end total! this is not the first bad experience we have had with this restaurant, we have experienced nasty wait staff, filthy restrooms, dirty tables and silverware as well as finding body hair presumably from the owner who does most of the cooking with his shirt half buttoned, also good luck if you want fresh cracked pepper on your salad, this was another one of our other experiences. the waitress got real indigent when asked "can I get some fresh cracked pepper" she looked at me and said "we'er not a 5 star restaurant do you see me wearing white gloves"
(1)Ann W.
My husband and I have been eating here for the past couple of years since we moved to Aurora. The Athenian is authentic and the staff are very friendly (the owners are often working at the register/seating customers). We love to get the hummus as an appetizer and gyro sandwiches for our entree. We typically don't stray from the usual. The hummus and pita are very good. Their hummus is a little thicker than some other places, but very tasty. The gyros are stuffed with a lot of meat. You also get a side of tzatziki sauce to put on it. Yum-o. Damascus Grill in Littleton is still our favorite for hummus and gyros in the Denver area, but when we are in the mood during the week, we'll drop by Athenian since it's closeby.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Actually the restaurant should get a 2.5...The food was good, from the saganaki (flaming cheese), to gyros, it was consistent. The calamari appetizer was excellent, very lightly fried and the marinara sauce that accompanied it was excellent as well. The tazjiki sauce could have been tarter, I like my yogurt more lemony...In the dessert area, the baklava was excellent and while they were out of their flaky custard dessert pastry, we had been told it was terrific. I would go back. Better than most of the Pete's restaurants in Denver.
(3)Tatyana G.
M-m-m-m-m Good! We really love it! Been coming here for a few years now and never get disappointed. They have a main room and a banquet room. When we were there somebody had a surprise party in the banquet room and we could see that it was decorated very nicely. Restaurant also has a very nice, inviting patio. When the evening rain season will be over we will sure sit there. Angela, the owner, always makes sure to stop by every table and chat with people. She remembers you forever. The food was great. Saganaki just hit the spot. I didn't eat dessert but the rest of our company just raved about it. My husband appreciated a complimentary shot of ouzo. We had the best waitress. She has an accent but we had hard time placing it. It helps that she is also cute and very good at what she does. The atmosphere is very relaxing and the food is great. What else would I want?
(5)A F.
This place has the best Greek food I've ever had. The gyro's are excellent as well as many other dishes. The customer service is excellent and the owner is so personable and friendly you will want to come back. Great place for business group lunches too!
(5)Laura O.
I agree with the poster that said 2.5 stars. 2 seemed like too few because of the quality of the food. 3 seemed like too much because of the price of the food. I had a soda, the appetizer combo platter ($10.95) and a baklava to go. My bill came to $20, which seems pretty high for lunch and for what I had. The camamari on my combo platter was a bit rubbery.
(3)Alan B.
Sorry lamb chop but that song ended! This place is great, we were greeted as soon as we walked in the door from one of the nicest hostess' I've ever encountered. She asked us if this was our first time eating there and proceeded to shake our hands and introduce herself. The waitress came by with waters and introduced herself as the hostess did, and continued to refer us on a first name basis the rest of the evening. She spent a good portion of time explaining the menu and drink selection. Although they are not as cheap as some, we were assured we would get our moneys worth with any dishes selected. We decided on the chefs special assured it would be more than enough food, mostly meats (beef, pork, chicken, gyro and calamari) it came with this amazing lemon chicken soup that what creamy, warm and left us feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I dove right into the gyro eating it straight, making sandwhichs with the pita, I almost forgot there was other food on the plate which was a good 20x20 dish. The hospitality was amazing as was the food.
(5)Melissa A.
I really love this place. I have been here several times and whenever I come in they remember me. The staff is great! My father is Greek and whenever my family comes to town we stop by. The dolmades are prepared just right. Most places soak them in olive oil until they are too greasy to eat. But not this place. Their Greek wines pair very well with their food. And they even have some special ones that have a great spicy kick to them. I recommend this place to everyone I meet. I don't know why it's gotten such bad reviews. But if you ask the staff for their recommendations on their best foods they are very willing to tell all. The pastitsio is very authentic, the owner is very warm and open which is also authentic. And every meal ends with a complimentary ouzo shot!
(5)