Cafe Athena

While the rest of Garnet Avenue pivots between fish tacos and birria specialists, Cafe Athena sets out tablecloths and takes reservations — a rare move in a neighborhood where most meals happen standing at a counter or perched on a barstool. This is Greek food built for lingering: three light-filled dining rooms inside a shopping center, a menu that spans moussaka to margaritas, and a service pace that assumes you're here for more than a post-surf refuel.

The **eggplant stuffed with lamb** is the signature — a whole eggplant hollowed out and filled with spiced ground lamb, served over rice with enough richness to justify the sit-down commitment. The **roasted potatoes** show up in nearly every positive review, which makes sense once you taste them: crispy, lemony, and substantial enough to anchor a meal. Happy hour brings discounted appetizers and drinks, turning the place into a reliable midweek option for groups who want something beyond the standard PB bar circuit.

Parking is easier here than most Garnet Avenue spots — the shopping center lot usually has space, even on weekends. The staff handles large groups without flinching (bachelor parties and families with newborns both get mentioned in reviews), and they keep an allergy list on hand, which is rare for independent restaurants at this price point. Outdoor seating exists but isn't the draw; most people come for the full dining room experience, not the sidewalk hustle.

Downsides: hours aren't posted consistently, so call ahead if you're planning dinner on an off night. The vibe skews business-casual rather than flip-flops-to-dinner, which might feel formal depending on where you're coming from. But if you're tired of eating over a paper basket or waiting in line at a taco window, Athena offers a different rhythm — one where the meal takes an hour and nobody's rushing you out.