Il Giardino Segreto at Hotel Grande Bretagne offers one of the most elegant al fresco dining experiences in Athens. Are you ready to discover this hidden Italian gem in the heart of the city?

Tucked away on the first floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the Atrium of Alexander’s Lounge reveals a hidden, green garden in the heart of the city! Surrounded by olive trees, laurel, cypress and blooming flowers, this elegant setting offers a tranquil escape just steps from the vibrant rhythm of central Athens.

As the sun begins to set, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and his team bring to life the Il Giardino Segreto menu in the open-air kitchen, celebrating the authentic flavours and aromas of Italy with exceptional ingredients and deep respect for seasonality. This year, a single ingredient stands at the core of the renewed menu: the tomato – the “queen” of the kitchen – marking not only the start of a culinary journey, but also the hotel’s continued commitment to sustainability.

Following his culinary instinct, Chef Koustoudis sought a way to cultivate his own tomatoes. He succeeded by sourcing rare varieties such as Datterini, Nelly’s Grape, Marmande and Fiorentino Costoluto, all grown manually using natural methods by a small-scale farmer on the slopes of Mount Pateras. From these, he created a vibrant sauce, cooked with fleur de sel and extra virgin olive oil, preserved in glass jars and opened fresh in front of guests. Fresh pasta is cooked to order tableside in this signature sauce and finished with San Michali cheese.

The menu also features handmade pizza with slow-fermented sourdough, crisp on the outside and airy within, available in four variations: classic with tomato, mozzarella and basil; Mediterranean-style with feta, peppers, olives, onion and capers; indulgent with mortadella, buffalo stracciatella, basil pesto and Aegina pistachios; and a standout cacio e pepe-inspired version with pecorino, ricotta, parmesan and freshly cracked pepper.