The Underdog sits on Iraklidon in Thissio, just west of the Acropolis-side tourist spine and close enough to the archaeological walks that it can rescue a sightseeing day without feeling like a compromise. The room is larger and more social than Athens' tiny espresso bars: a coffee counter, retail bags, brunch plates, and a courtyard rhythm where people settle rather than hover.
The house roastery supplies the espresso and filter coffee. The team’s World Coffee in Good Spirits titles and World Barista Championship placements help explain its reputation, but the practical draw is a cafe where coffee, brunch and a longer stay fit together.
Coffee style
Order espresso first if you want the clearest read on the roastery. The Underdog is built around its own coffee programme, with espresso, filter, cold brew, retail beans, and capsules all treated as part of the same operation rather than separate cafe add-ons. The best visit is not only about chasing a rare lot; it is about seeing how a competition-heavy Athens name turns that training into daily service.
Ask which espresso and filter coffees are available that day, then browse the retail bags if you want to take the roastery’s work home.
What people go for
Brunch makes this a more substantial stop than a small espresso bar. Eggs, pancakes and pastries suit a late morning before or after the nearby archaeological walks. The kitchen serves brunch from 08:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and until 19:00 on weekends and public holidays; coffee service continues until 19:00 throughout the week. Allow time at busy brunch periods.
The feel
The flagship is not a hidden counter. It is a known Athens address, and the pace reflects that: groups, travelers, locals, and coffee people moving through the same space. The upside is energy and range; the tradeoff is that a quick espresso can become a wait if the room is full.
Why The Underdog is shortlisted by Filter Notes
Cross town for house-roasted coffee, a competition-trained team, and a Thissio room that can handle a proper brunch. It is a popular address rather than a quiet secret, so allow time when the room is full.