Yperokeanio: One of the most famous fish taverns in Piraeus
Traditional appetizers, fresh seafood and decor that will make you feel like you are starring in a 50s’ Greek film. Yperokeanio is the fish tavern in Piraeus that all Athenians love.
- 04/08/2022
The decor looks as if it sprung from another decade, but Yperokeanio is a tavern in the neighborhood of Piraeus in 2022. It takes its name from the history of the place, as a few steps away from this part of the port of Piraeus the first ocean liners (“υπερωκεάνεια” in Greek) used to depart, loaded with Greek immigrants, about 120 years ago.
This unique decor is the result of a collection of vintage objects that the owner, Andreas Kantsos, a former sailor who has traveled nearly all around the world, has built through the decades. “I have a warehouse full of such things. I could even build a museum. I want this place to be authentic, to capture Greece’s history in its own way,” he explains.
Andreas Kantsos was born and raised in Piraeus, but his family comes from Kimolos, an island in the Cyclades. His parents and grandparents were fishermen, so, since his childhood, he has lived by -and from- the sea, one way or another.
The fish tavern was established in 2010. Since then, it has become famous all over Piraeus and beyond. Athenians flock to Yperokeaneio for carefree moments accompanied by ouzo, seafood and other tasty appetizers, as well as fresh fish.
The menu is strongly influenced by the Greek islands traditionalcuisine. You will find the classic starters that accompany ouzo or tsipouro in a “kafeneion”: sardines, marinated anchovies, fava beans, eggplant salad, fried zucchini, dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice) and many more. Apart from these though, Yperokeanio also offers more “restaurant-style” dishes based on seafood and fresh ingredients that come to the kitchen directly from the fish market, such as Greek seafood orzo, grilled tuna fillet, cuttlefish inkrisotto, shrimp spaghetti and of course open sea fish (fried or grilled), such as sea bass.
During wintertime, they servetheir trademark fish soup, while in the summer you will have the opportunity to taste the traditional Ladenia from Kimolos, a baked flatbread with tomato, onion, garlic and oregano, which looks a little like a pizza.
