Photo: Eleni Veziri

Athens is the perfect city to indulge your sweet tooth. Head straight to these traditional patisseries for your local desserts, cakes, and decadent pastries.

By Carolina Doriti

The information provided in this article, including prices, menu items, and other details, reflects the conditions at the time of writing or visit. Please note that these elements are subject to change, and we recommend contacting the restaurant or venue directly for the most current information.  

The ultimate ice cream sundae.

Photo: Eleni Veziri

Chara

Mitropolitikon

Follow the sweet smell of sugar and butter to some of the city's best baklava and quince jelly.

Photo: Eleni Veziri

Piles and piles of perfectly swirly chocolates.

Photo: Eleni Veziri

Aristokratikon

Afoi Asimakopouloi

This family-owned pastry shop has been operating at the same location since 1915. Originally a dairy selling fresh milk, butter, yoghurt, custard cream and rice pudding, the four Asimakopoulos brothers took over the business in 1930. Over the years, they added ice cream and pastries to their rich repertoire. Their kourabiedes, the almond cookies traditionally eaten at Christmas, are among the best in town. Sisters Jane and Christina Asimakopoulou are the fourth generation dedicated to keeping sweet-toothed Athenians smiling.

“Their kourabiedes, the almond cookies traditionally eaten at Christmas, are among the best in town.”

Get your dairy-based desserts right here.

Photo: Eleni Veziri

Stani

Kosmikon

For Athenians, Kosmikon is synonymous with what many consider to be our national dessert: galaktoboureko—custard cream enclosed in filo pastry and soaked in syrup. Before opening this pastry shop in 1961, Dimitris Telonis would sell his homemade indulgences from a tiny snack bar near Omonia Square. Popular demand persuaded him to open a proper patisserie, opposite the train station of Agios Eleftherios. Gradually, the Telonis family opened five more branches across Athens. Besides their famous galaktoboureko, their best sellers are profiteroles, kataifi (honeyed nuts topped with shredded filo) and tsoureki, a braided brioche scented with mastiha (a resinous spice from Chios island) and mahlepi (an aromatic spice made from the ground kernels of wild cherries).

"For Athenians, Kosmikon is synonymous with what many consider to be our national dessert: galaktoboureko."

Head to Varsos to grab your own wobbling tower of dessert.

Photo: Eleni Veziri

Varsos

Divan

'Tsoureki' is a traditional sweet bread. Pick one up at Divan.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis