In Athens, sugar has its own geography. It stretches from century-old pastry counters that still whip buttercream by hand to minimalist dessert bars redefining what a tart or truffle can be.
Across the capital, these patisseries blend time-honored recipes, some from a century ago, with modern precision: profiteroles made à la minute, chocolate domes burnished like jewelry, and gelatos bright with Mediterranean citrus. The newer arrivals – run by chefs who treat dessert as art – stand comfortably beside the city’s legends.
01
In Love Again
A downtown dessert bar from the award-winning Baba au Rum team, this creative offshoot is located right across the famous bar. Expect cocktail-inspired tarts, meringue domes infused with rum or citrus, and rotating éclairs filled to order. The setting is stylish yet relaxed, with a steady hum of music and scent of melted chocolate in the air. Perfect for a mid-afternoon sweet or a pre-dinner indulgence in the heart of the city.
Klitiou 3, City Center (near Agias Irinis Square)
02
Pastry Family
Old-Athens charm with Parisian polish. Since 1969, this Pangrati institution has turned out proper tortes, petits fours, almond-scented biscuits and party-ready cakes with immaculate finishing. Its fan base spans generations for nougatines, chocolate tortes and celebratory orders; the house style favors fresh dairy, clean flavors and restrained sweetness over gimmicks.
Rizari 19, Pangrati
03
Choureal – Choux & Profiterole
A modern shrine to pâte à choux near Syntagma: indulgent but not too sweet made-to-order profiteroles, éclairs, and cream-filled choux assembled in front of you. Expect crisp shells, light custards, and serious chocolate sauces; the queue moves fast and the product turns over constantly.
Diomeias 2, Syntagma
04
Zuccherino
A long-running Athenian favorite that pulls in locals for rich cakes, ice-cream confections and crowd-pleasing classics. The Monastiraki branch is the easy stop after a walk through the historic center; look for signature chocolate slices, gelato pairings and seasonal specials.
Mitropoleos 80, Monastiraki – also 18 Kolokotroni, Syntagma
05
Le Greche
Gelato meets patisserie with Italian technique and Greek produce, right off Syntagma. Lines are common for seasonal sorbets, ricotta-bergamot, almond, Sicilian pistachio and pastry-inspired flavors like pavlova and tiramisu. It’s the spot for a refined cup after dinner, year-round.
Mitropoleos 16, Syntagma & Patriarhou Ioakeim 19, Kolonaki
06
Sweet Alchemy by Stelios Parliaros
The flagship boutique of Greece’s most celebrated pastry chef, where sleek design meets haute patisserie. The vitrines display glossy tarts, chocolate mousse domes, millefeuilles, and travel cakes with complex layering and restrained sweetness. Every detail—from the packaging to the plating—reflects Parliaros’ belief that dessert is an art form.
Irodotou 24, Kolonaki
07
Cake
An American-style patisserie that introduced Athens to proper layer cakes—red velvet, carrot, chocolate fudge and New York cheesecake. Both locations share the same philosophy: generous slices, creamy frostings, and an easy-going neighborhood feel that suits breakfast, coffee, or an indulgent afternoon break.
Irodotou 15, Kolonaki – and Karyatidon 15, Makrygianni
08
Holy Llama
A new-generation vegan dessert bar and brunch patisserie that fuses plant-based recipes with comfort-style indulgence. Expect cinnamon buns dripping with tahini caramel, vegan brownies, puffy croissant doughs, cruffins, cheesecakes made from cashew cream, and soft-serve inspired by Latin American flavors. Its playful aesthetic, friendly service, and inventive menu have made it one of the most talked-about pastry openings in central Athens.
Nikis 23, Syntagma
09
Asimakopouli Brothers
Believed to be the oldest pastry shop in downtown Athens, this Exarchia classic is loved for handmade chocolates, kaimaki ice cream, fresh cream desserts and heritage pastries. House truffles and nougatines are old-school perfection, unchanged since the mid-century.
Harilaou Trikoupi 82, Exarchia
10
Mitropolitiko
A near-centenarian (open since 1930) around the corner from Syntagma with vitrines of old-school temptations—glossy fruit jellies, quince paste, baklava, handmade caramels and almond cakes. The baklava and retro petits fours are benchmarks; locals come for gifts and holiday trays.
Voulis 39, Syntagma
11
Desiree
Kolonaki’s grande dame of desserts since 1962, with a salon feel and French-leaning repertoire. Come for Saint-Honoré, Mont Blanc, almond truffles and those delicate iced marzipan petits fours. A polished, resolutely classic experience in the city’s most chic neighborhood.
Dimokritou 6, Kolonaki
12
Krinos
A 1923 landmark where Athenians still line up for loukoumades fried to order and drenched in thyme-honey syrup. In summer, the soft-serve “rocket” cones are a nostalgic must; all year, the loukoumades remain a warm, sticky reminder of old Athens.
Aiolou 87, Omonia
13
I Stani
A dairy-driven classic since 1931: sheep’s-milk yogurt with honey and walnuts, rice pudding showered in cinnamon, and honey-soaked loukoumades. For a true old-Athens breakfast, order butter and honey on bread—then a slice of galaktoboureko to go.
Marika Kotopouli 10, Omonoia
14
Bozas
Kypseli’s cult for almond cake—the towering, nut-studded amygdalou cake—and seriously chocolatey slices. A small daily range keeps everything fresh, from retro wrapped pastries to fragrant tsoureki; Easter sees lines down the block.
Kerkyras & Paxon 39, Kypseli
