If souvlaki reigns as the king of Greek street food, the tyropita is undoubtedly its graceful queen. We vote for it with both hands and indulge in its warm, comforting embrace every morning, often before our first sip of coffee. When it comes to cheese pies, no preference is too small: we adore them all. Whether it’s the light kourou, the one wrapped in rustic dough, or the buttery, flaky delight -each variation has a place in our hearts.
The legendary cheese pie of Ariston
In the heart of Athens, where tradition lingers in every corner, Ariston has been crafting its renowned “kourou” cheese pie since 1906. Warm, fragrant, and golden, this beloved Ariston Lompotesis delicacy has nourished generations of Athenians and continues to enchant. Today, travelers and trendsetters alike flock to this historic bakery, drawn by its timeless flavors, with the city’s finest leek pies among its greatest delights.
10, Voulis str. Syntagma +30 210 3227626
The most delightful kaseropita melts at Starata
At Starata, the pies aren’t just served -they come to life before your eyes. Vana rolls out the dough right before you, delicate and precise, crafting each sheet with the grace of tradition. When the tray slides into the oven, the scent of freshly baked perfection drifts down Charilaou Trikoupi Street, a silent promise of what’s to come. By afternoon, the pies are gone. Though Starata offers many pies wrapped in rustic, handmade pastry, two stand above the rest: the dreamy galatopita -a milk pie so divine it demands mention despite our cheese theme- and the heavenly kaseropita. Always served piping hot, its generous filling of melted kasseri cheese stretches and oozes with every bite. I love breaking off small pieces with my fingers -and, yes, licking them clean afterward.
26, Charilaou Trikoupi str., Exarchia, +30 210 3644650
A “grand” cheese pie from the tiny Harry’s Kitchen
Who would expect so much deliciousness could fit into a single square meter? Mr. Haris Satyridis, hailing from Antalya, and his wife, Mrs. Giouli, craft and bake their unmatched pies using only the finest ingredients. With almost reverent care, they place them in a tiny glass display -so tempting, you’ll wish you could take the whole case with you. Here lies their famed cheese pie: a masterpiece made with barrel-aged feta, fresh anthotyro, rich Cretan graviera, and just a hint of mint “for a touch of freshness”. It’s nothing short of majestic.
2, Axarlian str., Syntagma, +30 211 1152864
A haven of cheese pies at A la Grec
At A la Grec, the charming Kostis Kostakis creates delights from all over Greece -each one worth savoring, one by one. But when it comes to pie-making, his mastery is truly unparalleled. The variety here is a feast of flavors and techniques, especially for cheese pie lovers: tender myzithropita, rustic kourou pies made with multigrain dough and fresh anthotyro, and the aromatic Politiki kourou, scented with mahlepi. And then there are the unforgettable Asia Minor-style pies, baked to perfection on the traditional saj.
65, Agias Paraskevis str., Chalandri, +30 211 0122071
The historic cheese pie of Glyfada devoured at Tassos
In 1955, Grandfather Tassos began crafting his iconic kourou cheese pies, a tradition that has since passed into the hands of his grandson, also named Tassos. With the same reverence and care, he continues to follow the old family recipe to perfection (for the older generation, each bite is a journey back to childhood). The magic lies in the delicate, golden kourou dough and a filling of feta cheese -two of the well-guarded secrets behind the pie’s timeless allure. And don’t miss the famous "Negri" pastries, which were born here and grew to become a cherished treat throughout Greece. The story goes that Grandfather Tassos created them to honor his beloved Panionios football player, Kostas... Negri.
6, Maragkou str., +30 210 8943154
These cheese pies have become somewhat of a legend in Nea Smyrni. “Nikos” first opened its doors in 1977, with a recipe passed down from the family’s roots in Smyrna. It’s the same cherished recipe that the third generation follows today: a warm embrace of flaky puff pastry, with cheese overflowing from within.
36, Constantinou Palaiologou str., +30 210 9356865
The fried (triangular) cheese pie, perfectly crisped at Dimitra Gounaridi
Golden, triangular, and generously filled with creamy feta, the cheese pie that emerges from this historic bakery has a legacy that stretches back to 1945, accompanied by a rapid, almost inevitable consumption. Its meticulously crafted dough and the high-heat frying technique are key to why, despite being fried, it remains light, airy, and perfectly oil-free -like a small, golden cloud.
5, Evangellikis Scholis str., Nea Ionia, +30 210 2712548
Though Athens’ first croissanterie is renowned for its heavenly spinach and cheese croissant, the cheese croissant holds its own with equal grace and flavor. Whatever you choose to nestle inside this buttery, hand-crafted dough, it is impossible for it to fall short of perfection. Each bite is a delicate symphony of flavor, a true testament to the artistry of pastry-making.
27, Praxitelous str., Athens, +30 211 4198151
The buttery cheese pie scented with delight at To Tromero Paidi
Filled with an abundance that spills over and generously brushed with French butter, this cheese pie found at the renowned bakery To Tromero Paidi, boasts a flavor that’s truly exceptional. Trying one is never enough -you can't resist grabbing two: one to savor the moment you step out the door and another for later, whose memory will stir a deep, nostalgic longing.
30, Papadiamantopoulou str., Ilissia, +30 210 7777537
Cheese pie with a twist at Marili
It’s not merely a cheese pie -it’s khachapuri! Created by two Georgian women, Londa and Natia, in a traditional Georgian wood-fired oven, this dish captures the essence of their heritage. The dough, soft and enriched with milk, is filled with cheese and brushed with butter just before baking, filling the air with a tantalizing aroma that wafts through the entire neighborhood.
26, Agias Zonis str., +30 211 4252269
