Sweet Escapes: 10 Must-Try Greek Desserts in Athens You Can't Miss

Athens is a dream destination for those with a passion for food, especially when it comes to dessert. Greek sweets blend rich flavors, time-honored recipes, and fresh, local ingredients to create irresistible treats. Here are some of the most popular Greek desserts you should try during your visit to the Greek capital, along with the best spots to enjoy them at their finest.

Baklava

• What It Is: A classic dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, crushed nuts (usually walnuts, pistachios, or almonds), and a syrup flavored with honey and cinnamon. Whether originally comes from Greece either Turkey, Baklava is for sure a dessert you should try. especially if you find some local  who prepares it at home.
• Why Try It: Its delicate, flaky texture and sweet, nutty flavor are iconic in Greek cuisine.
• Where to Find: Traditional bakeries in Plaka or Monastiraki offer some of the best baklava in Athens. Pavlidis (Katehaki 59 Athens), Maxim (Tsakiroglou 23 Nea Smyrni), Metropolitikon (Voulis 39 Syntagma), Baklavas  (Nikis 10 Syntagma), Anatolia  Sweets (Grypari 128  Kallithea), Pavlou  (Papadiamantopoulou 74 Ilisia, Athens)

Loukoumades

• What It Is: Golden, deep-fried dough balls soaked in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon or crushed walnuts.
• Why Try It: Often described as Greek donuts, they’re light, crispy, and incredibly satisfying.
• Where to Find: Apart from the local festivals where you can usually enjoy them, some popular shops in Athens are Krinos (Eolou 87 Athens), Ktistakis (Socratous 59, Omonia), Stani (M.Kotopouli 10 Omonia), Loukoumania (Dimitrakopoulou 102,  Koukaki, Athens), Keenkies (Themistokleous 56  Athens), Lukumades (Eolou  21 Monastiraki), Mpalatsoura (Gr. Kydonion 1 Egaleo), Siameti (Panos 8 Vari), Myrtia (Aidiniou 55 Nea Smyrni)

Galaktoboureko

• What It Is: A creamy semolina custard encased in layers of phyllo pastry and soaked in a lemon or orange-infused syrup.
• Why Try It: It’s a perfect balance of crispiness and velvety creaminess, with a citrusy twist.
• Where to Find: If you ask any local you meet during your trip, you will get the answer that Kosmikon has the best galaktoboureko in town. We agreed. But, of course there are some other options too. Asimakopoulos (Charilaou Trikoupi 82 Exarchia, Athens), Stani (M. Kotopouli 10 Omonia), Triantafyllou (Eftichidou 2 Pangrati), Papaspyrou (Panormou 19 Ampelokipoi), Mastronikolas (Karaoli & Dimitriou 68, Piraeus)”, To Proto Galaktoboureko  (Gounari 4 Elliniko), Varsos (Kassaveti 5 Kifisia)

Karydopita (Walnut Cake)

• What It Is: A spiced walnut cake soaked in a syrup made with cinnamon and cloves.
• Why Try It: Its moist, rich texture and warm spices make it a comforting dessert.
• Where to Find: You will find it in various dessert shops, but probably the most specialized is Apostolou in Ano Patisia area (close metro).

Bougatsa

• What It Is: A flaky pastry filled with custard, cheese, or minced meat, but the sweet custard version topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon is a must-try.
• Why Try It: Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, bougatsa is a quintessential Greek pastry.
• Where to Find: Sharai (Gounari 9 Piraeus), Sante (El. Venizelou 74, Kallithea), Makedonikon (Solonos 73 & Ippokratous, Athens), Pavlidis (Petrou Ralli 168  Nikea), Bougatsa  Bay (Veikou  75  Koukaki, Athens), Vosporos (Papagou 32 Zografou), Mam (Pesmatzoglou 3 Athens), Mpougatsa Afou (Aggelou Pyrri, Athens, near Ippokratio hospital)

Kataifi

• What It Is: Similar to baklava, but made with shredded phyllo dough and filled with nuts, then drizzled with syrup.
• Why Try It: The shredded phyllo gives it a unique texture that’s both crispy and chewy.
• Where to Find: Mikra Asia  (Moschonision 20 Athens),
• Stani (M. Kotopouli 10 Omonia), Maxim (Tsakiroglou 23 Nea Smyrni), Baklavas  (Nikis 10 Syntagma)

Pasteli

• What It Is: A simple yet delicious sesame seed and honey bar, sometimes with nuts or dried fruits added.
• Why Try It: This ancient Greek energy snack is both healthy and flavorful.
• Where to Find: You will find it in most of the shops and kiosks with local and traditional products, as well in supermarkets.

Ravani

• What It Is: A semolina cake soaked in orange or lemon syrup, often topped with a sprinkle of coconut or almonds.
• Why Try It: Its light yet syrupy texture makes it a refreshing dessert option.
• Where to Find: If you are not in Veria, the home city of ravani or in some tavern in Plaka that usually offer it in the end of your meal/dinner as a treat, there are various pastry shops that you could taste it: Grouis (Dimitrakopoulou 5 Koukaki,  Athens), Lido (Chremonidou 35  Pangrati), Ravani (Xenokratous 50 Peristeri), Koskeri (Frantzi 53 Neos Kosmos)

Halva

• What It Is: A semolina-based dessert cooked with olive oil, sugar, and water, flavored with cinnamon and raisins, and topped with nuts.
• Why Try It: A simple, dairy-free dessert with a soft, crumbly texture and a comforting taste.
• Where to Find: Found in most of the bakeries and delicatessen shops in Athens, as well as a treat in most of the Greek taverns.

Glyka tou Koutaliou (Spoon Sweets)

• What It Is: Preserved fruits or nuts in a thick sugar syrup, often served with Greek yogurt or as a standalone treat.
• Why Try It: These elegant, syrupy sweets are an essential part of Greek hospitality.
• Where to Find: Try them at local homes, traditional cafes  in Greek villages, or shops specializing in traditional products.

Ekmek Kataifi

• What It Is: A dessert made with a base of shredded phyllo dough, layered with custard, whipped cream, and topped with nuts.
• Why Try It: Its luxurious layers make it a decadent and irresistible choice.
• Where to Find: Specialty dessert shops in Athens, like: Aslanoglou (Proussis 22 Nikea), Hara (Patision 339, Athens), Melizymo (Georgiou Kafantari 14 Athens), Eklekti (Astydamantos 15 Pangrati), Riviera  (Tritonos 119 Paleo  Faliro), Varsos (Kassaveti 5 Kifisia).

Melomakarona (if visiting during Christmas)

• What It Is: Spiced cookies soaked in honey syrup and topped with crushed walnuts.
• Why Try It: A festive favorite that’s deeply aromatic and utterly delicious.
• Where to Find: Bakeries throughout Athens, especially during the holiday season.

The Oldest and Most Popular Pastries in Athens

As you may have noticed, many of the pastry shops mentioned earlier are famous for their classic desserts. These long-standing bakeries are some of the oldest and most beloved in Athens, making them a must-visit for any sweet lover. Here’s a list of the top spots you won’t want to miss:

1. Asimakopouloi (Charilaou Trikoupi 82 Exarchia)
2. Serbetia tou Psirri (Aisxilou  3, Αthens)
3. Varsos (Kassaveti 5 Kifisia)
4. Stani (Marikas Kotopouli 10, Athens)
5.  Mike (Soutsou 9, Mavili square)
6. Aristokratikon (Voulis 7 Syntagma)
7. Mitropolitikon (Voulis 39, Syntagma)
8. Krinos (Aiolou 87  Monastiraki)
9. Desire (Dimokritou 6  Kolonaki)
10. Kosmikon (Leoforos  Ionias 104 Agios  Nikolaos)
11. Ta  Gioulia (Alekou Panagouli 74 Nea Ionia)
12. Pastry Family  (Rizari 19 Pangrati)
13. Rio (Proteos 4 &  Mouson, Paleo  Faliro)
14. Melissa (Ethnarchou  Makariou 43, Peristeri)
15. Andrias (92 Kapodistriou avenue, Filothei)

If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to add these fun spots to your list: Little Kook in Monastiraki, Fairytale in Nea Filadelfia, and Cap Cap in Egaleo and Elliniko. With their whimsical, themed décor, these places are sure to captivate and delight children of all ages!

Athens: A Sweet Lover’s Paradise

From syrup-soaked pastries to spiced cakes and honey-drizzled delights, Athens offers an incredible variety of Greek desserts that cater to every palate. Make sure to explore local bakeries, markets, and tavernas to indulge in these traditional sweets during your visit.