If you're craving something sweet while in Athens, we have good news; the desserts in this city are plentiful, exotic, and familiar all at the same time. Neighborhoods around Athens are rife with bakeries and candy shops that sell traditional goodies like baklava,cream pastries and cakes, but when you're on a mission for a sugar high, we recommend these ten places over all for their excellence in quality and memorable atmospheres.
Our indisputable champion in delicious desserts is the small cafe in Psirri called Serbetia. It's worth a trip to this grungy chic neighborhood just to sit in their painted green cafe chairs and take a bite of one of their traditional sweets like walnut cake covered with a mound of mastica ice cream. Speaking of ice cream, nearby Pagotomania is the ice cream lover's HQ; the options are as plentiful as the servings and it's not uncommon to see groups of six or more crowded around one giant bowl. If cake is your poison, better wander over to Kolonaki's branch of the small chain called simply "Cake." One look at the glittering display case and you'll understand why. The store feels like a classic diner inviting you to buy a slice of your favorite and dig in on site.
Chatzis in Syntagma is a cafe that inspires you to sip your coffee cup with an upraised pinkie; they're famous for their kunefe with buffalo milk, made fresh and served hot. Raise that pinkie just a little higher if you round the corner to Zonar's where waiters in bow ties balance trays of specialty coffees and luscious tarts or
macarons. The Melina Mercouri Cafe is warm and romantic after dark with taper candles on marble-topped tables. It makes having your first taste of the Greek custard pie called
galaktoboureko all the more special.
If you're choosing your restaurant based on their dessert menu, our first pick is Edodi, near the Acropolis, for its offbeat location, intimate atmosphere, and personal presentation of the mouthwatering dessert cart featuring exotic marinated fruits and . Tzitzikas and Mermingas in Syntagma is also known as being a place where you should save room for treats like chocolate covered profiteroles.
Finally we have to mention that some of the city's best baklava is being doled out by Istanbul's favorite purveyor of sweets, Karakoy Gulluoglu. The family-owned franchise shop is in a little street just behind Syntagma Square; while there's not much space to sit, the cafe has a few tables and stools to try a staggering variety of baklava.
3 Aischilou Street
The Ultimate Dessert...
80 Veikou Street
A most enjoyable dinner...
22 Lysiou Street
Charming Cafe Dedicated to Greece's Golden Girl...
21 Taki Street
Mountains of Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato...
Panepistimiou & Voukourestiou st
Classic Athenian Chic Cafe...
Mitropoleos 5
Patisserie and coffee salon in the city center...
10 Nikis
Istanbul's best baklava in Athens...
Zappion Gardens
Aigli Zappeion
Green Entertainment...
Irodotou 15
Pretty pies, cakes, and cupcakes from scratch in Kolonaki...