In this article, we provide a review of an affordable Michelin-rated restaurant in Athens, Greece, Cerdo Negro.
Cerdo Negro 1985
The Neighborhood:
Nestled in Kerameikos neighborhood of Athens, Greece, Cerdo Negro 1985 has a minimal and rustic feel. The ambiance of this small taverna nestled in an urban area is casual and relaxed. The Kerameikos neighborhood is a cool mix of bars, restaurants, and local residential housing. The energy in Kerameikos really picks up after dark, when young locals flood the cafes, bars, and restaurants. You won’t come across many tourists in this neighborhood, and it is a great opportunity to connect with locals.
The Space and Service:
We were greeted by a friendly gentleman who helped us navigate the wine list and food menu. We were seated at a nice table in a small internal courtyard with lush shrubs. It was a hot evening in Athens, and they had several fans keeping air moving in the space. I definitely regretted wearing long pants. This is not a pretentious expensive Michelin rated restaurant. The vibe is casual and relaxed fitting the mold for an affordable Michelin rated restaurant.
The Food:
One could describe the cuisine as Mediterranean fusion with local offerings from land and nearby sea. Cerdo Negro 1985 prepares most of their dishes in the wood-fired hearth similar to a pizza oven that you would see in an Italian pizzeria. This style of cooking is gaining in popularity and did not fail to impress. All dishes were shareable family style and were creative, and flavorful. The list of the menu items we had are listed below.
Appetizer: Homemade Bread, Olives, and Tarama
Appetizer: Figs, Stracciatella Cheese, Cashews, and Oxymeli
Appetizer: Senor Canibal – Beef Tartare, Bone Marrow, Jalapeno, and Potato Chips
Appetizer: Fig, Stratsiatella, Cashews Oximeli
Main: Lamb, Carrot, Goat Cheese, Olives, and Kumquat
Main: Iberico pork, Sobrasada, Corn, and Wild Garlic
The Wine:
Cerdo Negro 1985 offered a well curated wine list of Greek wines. We were quite impressed with the expressions of the following Greek wines.
Douloufakis 2022 Aspros Lagos Vidiano
We enjoyed a bottle of Douloufakis 2022 Aspros Lagos Vidiano. Vidiano is a Cretan grape variety sometimes referred to Avidiano. Vidiano provides wines with rich, fruity aromas, full body, and balanced acidity.
Domaine Karydas Xinomavro 2019
We corked a bottle of Domaine Karydas Xinomavro 2019 to pair with the main courses. This wine was from the famous Greek wine growing region of Naoussa.This was a nicely balanced medium bodied red with smooth tannins and good acid. This bottle paired nicely with the lamb and Iberico pork dishes.
The Price:
- $$ – A Moderate Spend. Approximately 50 Euros per person ($50 USD) including gratuity.
Physical Address:
- 5 Vitonos Street, Athens, 11854, Greece
Cuisine Description:
- Mediterranean Cuisine/Fusion
Website:
Cerdonegro1985.com – You can email them to book your reservation at this affordably priced Michelin-rate restaurant in Athens, Greece.
Conclusion
Cerdo Negro 1985, situated in the vibrant Kerameikos neighborhood, stands out as a gem offering an authentic and relaxed dining experience in Athens. Highlighting Mediterranean fusion cuisine, the restaurant impressively prepares its dishes using a wood-fired hearth, delivering tantalizing, shareable meals. We reveled in a delightful range of dishes, from the innovative beef tartare appetizer to the flavorful lamb and Iberico pork mains. The carefully selected Greek wine list further enriched our experience, with standouts like the Douloufakis 2022 Aspros Lagos Vidiano. For those seeking a Michelin-rated meal without the exorbitant price tag, Cerdo Negro 1985 offers both excellence and affordability.
Beyond this restaurant discovery, explore more of what Athens has to offer in wines by delving into our article Best Wines in Athens Greece for additional information on the great wines of the area.
