At a glance
Shops
Eight on the website. Three in the centre: Heyden 8, Skoufa 53, Kolokotroni 33.
Prices
Meals start from €8.50, according to the website.
Menu
Salads, bowls, grain plates, wraps, yogurts, bars and drinks.
Ordering
In the shop or through Wolt.
What is Protein Garden
Protein Garden serves meals with an emphasis on protein. Its website talks about «every lifestyle» and mentions vegan and high-protein options. It does not say it is aimed at athletes, but the menu suits people who train, because it shows the nutritional values of each dish.
The shops are dominated by green tiles and wooden frames around the doors. You can spot the corner shop from far away. On the glass it says «Ξεκίνα εδώ» («Start here»).
The space and how they build the plates
In the shops the food is assembled in front of the customer. The photos from Heyden and Kolonaki show the counter with the pans and ingredients, the green tiles and the menu screens. The frames from the shop's video show how a plate is built.
The ingredients sit in pans and containers on the counter, behind a glass guard, and staff assemble the plate in front of the customer. Stacked plates next to the counter and the glowing proteingarden sign on the green wall.
A counter with green tiles and, behind it, the menu screens, the drinks machine and the pg logo. On the left you can see the wooden arch and the screens showing dishes.
The ingredients go into the hexagonal bowl by hand: leaves, cherry tomatoes, pickled cabbage, chicken and tortilla chips.
The guacamole goes onto the plate with a scoop like an ice-cream scoop.
The finished bowl with rice, corn, pickled cabbage, beetroot, chicken and sauce.
Photos of the space and frames from the video: Protein Garden (proteingarden.gr).
How to choose your plate
You can order from the ready-made menu or build your own plate. «Build your own» has five steps.
- Base: green leaves for a salad, grains with greens for a bowl, or grains only for a protein plate.
- Spreads: spreads made by the shop.
- Protein: lemon chicken, lamb with spicy seasoning, falafel, roasted or fresh vegetables. As premium options: grilled steak and teriyaki salmon.
- Toppings: extras for flavour and texture.
- Dressing: ranch, caramel balsamic, cucumber, dill, lemon–olive oil, yogurt–tahini and cashew power.
The ready-made menu is divided into «Protein Meals», «Double Protein Meals» and «Triple Protein Meals». In the first you will find the Mango Salmon Bowl, the Mediterranean Steak Salad and the Falafel Crunch. The doubles include the Chicken Power Salad and The Go-to Bowl. In the triples the portions grow: the All-Star Bowl reaches 1,113 calories.
Lemon chicken with brown rice and chickpea rice with slivered almonds. Served with protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), guacamole, feta, broccoli, corn, tortilla chips and a cucumber dressing.
Grilled steak (medium-rare) with brown rice and beluga lentils, with jalapeño, feta, beetroot spread, crispy onion, fresh herbs, pickled cabbage, caramel balsamic and ranch.
Harissa honey chicken with brown rice and harvest mix salad, with roasted red pepper hummus, jalapeño feta spread, broccoli, avocado, olives and a cucumber dressing.
Teriyaki salmon (medium) with basmati rice and power greens mix, with guacamole, beetroot spread, pickled cabbage, corn, cucumber, dill dressing and mango breeze.
Grilled beef steak (medium-rare) with harvest mix salad, protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), hummus, beetroot spread, corn, cherry tomatoes, pickled cabbage and dill dressing.
Falafel with brown rice and basmati rice, with roasted red pepper hummus, protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), beetroot spread, broccoli, tortilla chips, cherry tomatoes, yogurt–tahini dressing and dill dressing.
Honey harissa and lemon chicken with baby spinach and harvest mix salad, with jalapeño feta, beetroot spread, crispy onion, pickled cabbage and cucumber and dill dressing.
Honey harissa chicken and lamb meatballs with brown rice and evergreen mix salad, with guacamole, beetroot spread, protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), crispy onion, tortilla chips, corn, ranch and cucumber dressing.
Lemon chicken, lamb meatballs and grilled steak with chickpea rice with slivered almonds and harvest mix salad, with roasted red pepper hummus, protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), crispy onion and cherry tomatoes.
Harissa and lemon chicken with lamb meatballs, beluga lentils and spinach-pie green mix, with protein kefir tzatziki (garlic-free), guacamole, broccoli, parmesan flakes, pickled cabbage and caramel balsamic.
Teriyaki salmon with roasted sweet potatoes, basmati rice and power greens mix, with beetroot spread, hummus, cherry tomatoes, corn, dill dressing and lemon–olive oil dressing.
Photos of dishes: Protein Garden (proteingarden.gr).
Salads and bowls
Mediterranean Steak Salad (485 calories), Chicken Power Salad (702), Mango Salmon Bowl (879).
Wraps
Fresh Falafel Wrap, Harissa Honey Wrap and Mediterranean Lamb Wrap.
Yogurts and sweets
Mango Chia Pudding, Protein Peanut Butter, nut and fruit bars and the Protein Cookie.
Drinks
Matcha, cold brew, hibiscus, pink lemonade and orange–ginger juice.
Falafel, avocado spread, red pepper hummus, cucumber, cabbage slaw, spicy broccoli and tahini yogurt.
Harissa honey chicken, crazy feta, hummus, spicy corn, cherry tomatoes, pickled cabbage and ranch.
Spicy lamb meatballs, protein kefir tzatziki, beetroot spread, feta, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and dill dressing.
Yogurt pudding with chia and oats, with mango purée, vanilla crumble, passion fruit and coconut flakes. Contains collagen.
Yogurt with vegan protein, peanut butter, banana and caramelised peanuts.
Cookie with vegan protein, dark chocolate pieces, peanut butter drops and banana.
Photos: Protein Garden (proteingarden.gr).
The nutritional values are on the menu
Next to each dish on the website's menu there are the calories and three values in grams, shown with icons. The icons appear to show protein, carbohydrates and fat. The Protein Co-Op, for example, shows 981 calories and 60 grams next to the protein icon. If you follow a specific diet plan, read the values before you order.
And the vegan options?
On the menu only the Vegan Coconut Date Bar is explicitly marked vegan. There are falafel, roasted vegetables and plates with lentils, but the items without animal products are not marked everywhere. If you eat vegan, ask at the counter about the dressing and the spreads you choose. For more options, see the guide to vegan and vegetarian food in Athens.
The three shops in the centre
Heyden 8 (ASOEE)
Monday–Friday 12:00–20:00. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. It is in the area of the Athens University of Economics and Business.
In other areas
Panormou 117, Koukaki (Drakou and Faliron), Nea Smyrni (Omirou 40), Glyfada (Dousmani 24) and Piraeus (Tsamadou 2).
Heyden 8 is the only one of the three that closes at weekends and opens at 12:00, because it serves the university area. Skoufa 53 is also open on Sundays. Kolokotroni 33 closes earlier at the weekend. Opening hours change often, so check them on the official page before you go, especially on a public holiday.
How to get from Ioulianou 50 to Heyden 8
Heyden 8 is the Protein Garden shop closest to the apartment. It is about 1.1 km from Ioulianou 50, which is a 14-minute walk, and you do not need the metro.
- Ioulianou: leave the apartment and follow Ioulianou for about 70 metres, as far as Acharnon.
- Acharnon: continue for about 380 metres.
- Derigny: turn onto Derigny and follow it for about 425 metres.
- Patission: you reach Patission and continue for about 200 metres, towards the Athens University of Economics and Business.
- Heyden: turn into Heyden and after about 50 metres you are at number 8.
🥗 From Ioulianou 50 to Protein Garden, Heyden 8
The walking route, about 1.1 km. Tap the shop to open the route in Google Maps.
Heyden 8 is open Monday to Friday, 12:00–20:00. It is closed at the weekend, so for a Saturday in the centre see the other two shops.
Ordering with Wolt
On the Protein Garden website the «Order now» button leads to Wolt. In the app you will find, among others, the Kolonaki and Kolokotroni shops. If you have never ordered in Athens before, the guide to efood, Wolt and BOX explains how the apps work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meal at Protein Garden cost?
Meals start from €8.50, according to the website. The price depends on the dish and the protein you choose. See current prices on Wolt.
Is it suitable for people who train?
The menu is built around protein and shows calories and nutritional values for each dish. It is not a dedicated athletes' menu, but the values help you choose within your plan.
Which shop is closest to Ioulianou 50?
Heyden 8, about 1.1 km on foot. It is open only on weekdays, from 12:00 to 20:00.
Are they open on Sundays?
Skoufa 53 (11:00–20:00) and Kolokotroni 33 (10:00–20:30). Heyden 8 is closed.
Are there vegan options?
There is falafel, roasted vegetables and lentils. On the menu only one bar is explicitly marked vegan, so ask about the ingredients.
— Kathy
