The Athenian UK Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, The Athenian UK cooks with: rapeseed/sunflower vegetable oil in the fryers (oregano fries, halloumi fries, courgette fritters, tomato croquettes, nuggets); olive oil on salads and marinades; gyros and souvlaki are grilled, not fried. Chain publishes calories and fat but no oil statement, so the UK rapeseed/sunflower fryer default is assumed. Across the 39 menu items we analyzed, it averages 13.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of F (Extreme Risk).
Safest Orders at The Athenian UK
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Chicken Gyros Wrap + Coke, 12.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Small Greek Salad without Feta | 1.0g |
| Ion Chocofreta | 1.0g |
| Small Greek Salad with Feta | 2.0g |
| Caprice Wafer Rolls | 4.0g |
| Chocolate Baklava | 7.0g |
What to Avoid at The Athenian UK
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| The Beast Vegan Gyros Box | 30.0g |
| The Beast Pork Gyros Box | 28.0g |
| The Beast Chicken Gyros Box | 27.0g |
| This Isn't Chicken Nuggets Box | 26.0g |
| Vegan Gyros Box | 25.0g |
Frequently asked
Does The Athenian UK use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, The Athenian UK cooks with: rapeseed/sunflower vegetable oil in the fryers (oregano fries, halloumi fries, courgette fritters, tomato croquettes, nuggets); olive oil on salads and marinades; gyros and souvlaki are grilled, not fried. Chain publishes calories and fat but no oil statement, so the UK rapeseed/sunflower fryer default is assumed. Across the 39 menu items we analyzed, it averages 13.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of F (Extreme Risk).
What oil does The Athenian UK cook with?
Our research indicates: rapeseed/sunflower vegetable oil in the fryers (oregano fries, halloumi fries, courgette fritters, tomato croquettes, nuggets); olive oil on salads and marinades; gyros and souvlaki are grilled, not fried. Chain publishes calories and fat but no oil statement, so the UK rapeseed/sunflower fryer default is assumed. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does The Athenian UK use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates The Athenian UK cooks with rapeseed/sunflower vegetable oil in the fryers (oregano fries, halloumi fries, courgette fritters, tomato croquettes, nuggets); olive oil on salads and marinades; gyros and souvlaki are grilled, not fried. Chain publishes calories and fat but no oil statement, so the UK rapeseed/sunflower fryer default is assumed, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is The Athenian UK seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates The Athenian UK cooks with rapeseed/sunflower vegetable oil in the fryers (oregano fries, halloumi fries, courgette fritters, tomato croquettes, nuggets); olive oil on salads and marinades; gyros and souvlaki are grilled, not fried. Chain publishes calories and fat but no oil statement, so the UK rapeseed/sunflower fryer default is assumed, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at The Athenian UK?
Small Greek Salad without Feta is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at The Athenian UK, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at The Athenian UK?
The Beast Vegan Gyros Box is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at The Athenian UK, at an estimated 30.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where The Athenian UK lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.