This is more than just a menu – it’s a Loco street food adventure, blending tradition and creativity, just like the café itself.

📅 Festival Hours:

Friday: 17:00 – 00:00
Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 00:00

Hello ladies!

I’m Angeliki, the content creator for Xpat Athens. I’ve been serving the local community for many years, and I’ve decided to blend this with my studies. I’m a psychology graduate and postgraduate, specializing in children’s mental health, but my university program also included extensive language lessons. I am highly proficient in both Greek and Ancient Greek, with a full understanding of the language.

For the past 7 years, I’ve been teaching both Modern and Ancient Greek, helping students of all backgrounds connect with the language on a deeper level.

My passion is seeing people learn to speak and understand my mother tongue, the language I hold so dear. That’s why I’m excited to offer Greek lessons for foreigners with a twist! Think of it as a more relaxed, community-focused way of learning. We’ll get together, chat, practice, and learn in a laid-back environment—where the focus is not just on speaking but truly understanding the language.

I’m strict but fair because I want you to actually learn and progress, not just say a few phrases.

📅 First Meetup – Coffee and Conversation

Our first meetup is set for Tuesday, May 20th, at 6:00 PM in the center of Athens (exact location to be announced soon). This casual coffee gathering is a great opportunity to get to know each other, discuss all the details about the lessons, and answer any questions you might have.

I’ll also allocate a short questionnaire to help divide the groups nicely based on level, availability, and personal preferences, making sure everyone finds the right fit.

This introductory meeting is, of course, free of charge (each participant will only cover the cost of their coffee/drink), so come meet me, the teacher, and connect with other like-minded participants. 

The regular sessions will be €20 for a 2-hour lesson. I will share everything at our meet-up in writing so you have an exact idea of how things will work.

📧 If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, send an email to angie.vourliotaki@gmail.com to RSVP no later than Friday, May 16th. 

Looking forward to helping you master Greek in a fun and engaging way!

From Wednesday, May 21 to Sunday, May 25, the courtyard of TIF Helexpo will transform into a vibrant open-air market bursting with flavors from around the world — and This is Loco is making its festival debut in true Latin street food style!

Straight from the heart of Athens to the heart of Thessaloniki, This is Loco is bringing the heat with mouthwatering tacos and burritos served up in bold, irresistible variations.

Get ready to turn up the flavor and make some noise for the Latin street food corner of TSFF25!

Must-try: The Signature Tacos Pibil — slow-cooked pork, sweet pineapple, smoky guajillo pepper, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro. A flavor explosion you won’t want to miss!

An Official Tango Competition will take place in Athens from May 22 to 25, as part of the prestigious International Tango Acropolis 2025 festival.

In the heart of culture and art, Athens becomes a vibrant meeting point where the universal language of Tangoconnects dancers from around the world. Participants are invited to experience the magic, energy, and warm hospitality of the city.

The competition is open to both Professional and Amateur dancers in two exciting categories:

• Tango de Pista

• Tango Escenario

Cash prizes of up to €2,000 will be awarded to the winning couples in each category.

The Athens Singers and orchestra reprise a very well-received performance of Misa a Buenos Aires, by Martín Palmeri.

Mr. Palmeri has created this tango mass by using both his experience as a choir director and his work arranging Argentinian tango music. Starting with the form of a classical Roman Catholic mass, including lyrics in Latin, he adds the rhythms and attributes of tango. The end result is a piece that is both spiritual and exciting. Don't be surprised if you find your foot tapping to the rhythm!

The concert will be held on Friday, 23rd of May at 8:30PM at The War Museum Amphitheatre, conveniently located across from the Evangelismos Metro station.

📅 May 23, at 17:30
📍 Outside the Thision subway

 

⁉️ Get up, get out, get clarity and find inspiration and new direction in this wonderful and often (let's face it) disorienting world.

 

❤️ ​Join Elpida Trizi for a 2 hour in-person Street Wisdom Walkshop. Elpida can accommodate both Greek and English participants. For anyone who loves wandering and not only!

What is Street Wisdom?

Street Wisdom is a simple, yet powerful practice that combines mindfulness, neuroscience, and creativity to unlock your imagination and bring clarity.

By turning every street into a source of inspiration, this walkshop takes participants on a journey to calm the mind, spark new ideas, and discover fresh answers to personal questions—all while enjoying the health benefits of walking outdoors.

What happens during the Walkshop?

• Tune Up: Warm-up micro-walks guided by Elpida to heighten awareness.
• The Quest: A longer, solo walk where participants "ask the streets" a question and uncover insights.
• Share: Return as a group to reflect on and discuss discoveries. It’s an easy, enjoyable, and potentially transformative experience! 

Why join?

Tap into creativity and clarity. Reconnect with yourself and your surroundings. It’s completely free!

Sign up and commit to showing up. These walkshops are volunteer-led, and hosts dedicate time and energy to create these unique experiences. Your presence ensures the effort is honored.

While Street Wisdom is designed to elevate awareness and inspire, remember to stay mindful of your surroundings as you explore.

Take this opportunity to experience mindfulness on the move.
REGISTER TODAY and let the streets surprise you! 

On Saturday, May 24, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, This is Loco transforms once again into a lush green haven! 🌱 In collaboration with Sanopwleio, this special pop-up event brings over 200 small indoor plants and 100 unique pots, perfect for finding the ideal green companion for your space.

Come by to meet us, chat about plants, and discover your next leafy roommate over a coffee!

Sanopwleio is a family-run business based in Anixi, Attica, active since 1985. Originally focused on selling animal feed (hence the name “Sanopwleio” from sanos, meaning hay), the business has grown over the years to include seasonal garden plants, small pet supplies, and, most recently, a curated selection of indoor plants and pots. Their latest focus aims to help people bring calm and joy into their everyday lives—especially during challenging times—through the presence of nature at home.

Whether you're a seasoned plant lover or just getting started, this event is the perfect place to get inspired and green up your space. See you there! 🌿✨

Whether you are starting, elevating into or mastering your art of abundance, join us for an experience filled with inspiration, empowerment, and high-vibe feminine energy!

 

This workshop has been mindfully designed to support women. Together, we’ll explore powerful mindset techniques that shape our relationship with abundance, uncovering how our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions influence personal success (#herstory). Through reflection and connection, we’ll cultivate a mindset that invites prosperity in all its forms.

Expect practical takeaways, deep insights, and a supportive space to elevate your mindset and fuel your journey.

---

Innerbloom is about supporting women on their entrepreneurial journeys. We create a nurturing, open and transformative space where we empower women to grow their ideas into thriving, sustainable ventures. We’re all about realizing your individual freedom—of thought, creativity, productivity, and abundance! Innerbloom is a sister brand to XpatAthens.

 

Wellness Retreats Greece is a newly launched initiative, born from the vision of two women passionate about well-being and mindful living. More than just a platform, it is a growing community that curates and facilitates transformative experiences—retreats, workshops, and wellness gatherings designed to inspire, heal, and connect.

 

 

> Online Payment: By credit or debit card using our secure digital payments option via VIVA Wallet here.

 

> Bank Transfer: Alpha Bank: GR4701402920292002002014139.

 

> Email us for additional information: innerbloomgreece@gmail.com.

Mona’s Supper Club series returns this May with a special two-night culinary pop-up event that brings the soulful rhythm of Istanbul to the heart of Monastiraki.

On May 27 and 28 at 20:00, the downtown concept hotel — which has pioneered cross-cultural pop-up events in its award-winning spaces — will host Cenk Debensason and Debora Ipekel, the powerhouse duo behind Arkestra, Istanbul’s Michelin-starred restaurant and listening bar.

Renowned for their imaginative approach to dining and sonic curation, Cenk and Debora, life and business partners, are the heart and soul of Arkestra — a dynamic space that merges food, music, and exciting design. For two evenings only, Mona transforms into an extension of their world: refined, playful, and rooted in creative synergy. 

As one of the first restaurants in Turkey to receive a Michelin star, Arkestra has become Istanbul’s most exciting nights out — offering exceptional food and refined ambiance, all wrapped in a sense of laid-back fun. This spirit mirrors the journey of head chef Cenk Debensason: Turkish-born, French-trained, and U.S.-seasoned. Shaped by culinary legends like Alain Senderens and Gary Danko, Cenk’s path spans fine dining in San Francisco to a sold-out supper club in Los Angeles. His dishes blend classical technique with global flair, telling a story of tradition, travel, and personal expression.

At Mona, assisted by the team from Minu Athens, Cenk will present a bespoke menu that captures Arkestra’s genre-defying spirit and deep respect for local produce. As he puts it: “I’ll bring Arkestra’s playful yet refined approach to cooking, inspired by the sheer simplicity of Greek ingredients.” Debora, co-founder and acclaimed music curator, will complement the evening with an all-vinyl DJ set, channeling the eclectic grooves of Arkestra’s legendary Listening Room. 

With only 50 seats available per evening, guests will experience a family style tasting menu, fine natural wines, and immersive sonic journeys. Set in Mona’s atmospheric Living Room, the event is a sensorial immersion that fuses Athens and Istanbul — kitchens, cultures, and turntables — where the local scene gathers to connect and break bread. 

As one of the city’s most anticipated supper clubs, Mona is powered by creative studio House of Shila’s mission to foster cultural dialogue and cross-disciplinary exchange, spotlighting talent from the local to the global. In doing so, Mona continues to shape Athens’ evolving culinary landscape as a true celebration of creative expression.

ABOUT ARKESTRA

Opened in 2022, Arkestra is a Michelin-starred restaurant, listening room, and cocktail bar based in a 1960s villa in Istanbul. The brainchild of chef Cenk Debensason and music curator Debora Ipekel, Arkestra is an ever-evolving sensory destination where seasonal produce meets French technique, and sound is as central as flavor. From small plates at the bistro Ritmo to legendary DJ sets upstairs, Arkestra is a place to eat, meet, and move.

ABOUT CENK DEBENSASON

Cenk Debensason, born in Turkey is the co-founder and Head Chef at Arkestra. His career started in France training in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from the Institute Paul Bocuse in Lyon before touring the world to nurture his skills. He learned from some of the best restaurants such as Alain Senderens, Château de Bagnols, Maison Clovis, and Gary Danko. Cenk launched a pop-up dinner series in Los Angeles in 2013: ‘The Cartoonist’ before returning to his hometown of Istanbul in 2016. Before opening Arkestra, Cenk was head chef of cult favourite Petra and a culinary consultant for two years, whilst hosting a summer pop-up restaurant in Bodrum with partner Debora Ipekel. In 2022, Debensason and Ipekel opened Arkestra.

ABOUT DEBORA IPEKEL

Prior to moving to Istanbul and opening Arkestra, Debora was fully immersed in London’s vibrant music industry, working as an events programmer for Boiler Room and planning parties which spanned the globe. Opening a place of her own that merged food, music, drink and culture was always an overriding ambition, after a youth spent working in a London record store and DJing at bars, restaurants and clubs around Europe. Today sees her host a monthly show on NTS Radio, playing her genre defying picks, as well as running her record label Zel Zele.

ABOUT HOUSE OF SHILA & MONA SUPPER CLUBS

House of Shila (HOS) is a creative studio in pursuit of aesthetic pleasures. HOS creates distinctively designed spaces that act as laboratories of experiential storytelling — from boutique hotels like Mona and Shila to curated pop-up events, art residencies, publishing, and concept experiences. With locations in Athens, New York, and Skopelos Island, HOS connects a global community of artists, designers, chefs, and entrepreneurs, championing sensual beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.

Mona Supper Club is an ongoing dining series founded and curated by House of Shila, spotlighting global chefs paired with local culinary talent and in dialogue with Athens’ creative scene, Each gathering invites a chef to take over Mona’s Living Room to create their own gastronomic. Mona’s Supper Clubs have emerged as highly sought-after social events offering a taste of ephemeral brilliance, where old and new friends come together to connect.

---

Visit Mona's Webiste HERE or Book Tickets HERE

---

Jerome Kaluta, the Afrogreco performer, together with 6 musicians are coming for the first time in Thessaloniki for an unforgettable Open Air Live on Friday 30 May, at the terrace of the spot in town, Soul Skg!

If you love a pure disco and funk vibes, you will exprerience an evening full of rhythm, energy and groove, where all time classics embraces the ukulele and Jerome's original pieces, in a unique party!

Through the sound of Brass and Percussion we will dance to songs from the 80's 90's RNB-DISCO, James Brown, Ray Charles, Salt n Pepa and many more legendary artists with all time classic hits, always with the inexhaustible energy that Jerome brings to the stage!

Jerome is accompanied by:

Ioanna Kallitsantsi : Voice 
Note: The ticket is for entry to the venue (bar) only. For seating reservations, call: 6942 635296