By Nenela Georgele, Katerina Vnatsiou

Athens is a place to simply walk and marvel a thriving combination of history, tradition and style as they mingle with all aspects of urban life. And what a better way to explore all these intangible elements than watching the Athenian life going by while spending hours of leisure and relaxation at the coffee spots -a trend for locals- scattered around its vibrant streets north to south, complemented by sugar loaded flavors. From traditional ice cream scoops and authentic Italian gelato recipes to irresistible baklava pieces, kantaifi and nougats, and from family run pastry shops and park cantinas to museum garden cafes and high-end patisseries, Athens hosts a mouthwatering display of sweet treasures, definitely worth experiencing. 

Greek Delights

Baclavas Nuts, almonds, cinnamon, cloves and syrup. One of the most popular pastry desserts.

Diples Deep fried honey rolls served with nuts.

Galaktoboureko Another popular sweet. A pie filled with custard and then doused in vanilla syrup.

Glyka koutaliou Various Greek fruits preserved in thick sugary syrup. They come in small jars and are an ideal gift for friends back home.

Halvas A fudge made with sesame seed paste, sesame oil and sugar. It is offered as a dessert in many tavernas, after the end of a meal.

Loukoumades Deep fried little doughnuts served with honey, syrup or ice cream.

Ryzogalo Rice pudding made of rice boiled in milk, sugar and vanilla, sprinkled with cinnamon. You can find it in dairies and super markets.

Arte Athens​

A delicious display of colors and flavors of authentic Italian gelato with a twist of Greek tradition. Try the cream with wild cherries or the chocolate sorbet and definitely the crushing Catalino with its three layers of salty caramel.
16 Tripodon Str.,
Plaka, artegelato.gr
FB: Arte Athens,
Insta: @arte_athens

Kaggelis

For more than 40 years this pastry shop has been supplying Athens with amazing, always fresh and with the best raw materials sweets.In its shop windows you will find all the favorite Greek traditional and modern sweets, suchas pastes, cakes, ice creams, while its macarons are also famous.

37 Chloes Str., Zografou,
+302107756729

Le Greche ​

This is one of the most famous ice-cream shops in Athens. Here you are going to try pure, absolutely fantastic handmade ice cream in many flavors. It’s probably the most tasteful ice cream you have ever taste. You should definitely try it.
16 Mitropoleos, Syntagma, +302167006458/456 Mesogeion,
Agia Paraskevi, +302100101617/220 Olimpionikon & Lykourgou, Neo Psychiko, +302130416299/ Flagstore +302167006416

Madame Fraise ​

The first ghost pastry shop of Athens was set up by two exceptional and well-traveled pastry chefs who make amazing desserts, classic but also modern, while some of them are even sugar-free following the plant-based philosophy. You order them through Wolt app or through take away.

225 Ymittou Str., Pagkrati, +302114186086

Sweet Alchemy

The pastry chef who has changed the face of confectionary in Greece, Stelios Parliaros, studied art and pastry-making in France. Author of eight books, since 2008 Parliaros has hosted the weekly Greek TV show “Sweet Alchemies”.

He has rightfully earned the title of the top Greek chef pâtissier.

Varsos ​

With a history that dates back to 1892, Varsos pastries have grown many Greek generations. Enjoy your breakfast surrounded by the lavish greenery of its garden and explore memorable sweet flavors of traditional pastry, such as “galaktoboureko” or the “rizogalo”, or croissants filled with chocolate and nuts.
A unique array of ice creams gives your taste buds an extra thrill.
5 Kassaveti Str.,
Kifisia, +302108012472,
varsos.gr,
Fb: varsoskifisia,
Insta: @varsos_kifisia_1892

Zuccherino​

Here you will find every dessert you have ever dreamed! Cakes, ice creams, pastes, many sweets without sugar, always fresh, with an emphasis on raw materials. Zuccherino has many shops around Athens, but you can see and order the desserts through their

eshop: zuccherino.gr, +302109830869