Sweet Tooth Athens
From historic pastry shops to artisanal gelato, discover some of the sweetest stops worth seeking out in Athens.
DESIGN YOUR JOURNEYA Curated Athens Dessert Guide
Athens has a long and rewarding sweet tradition, from historic family-run patisseries to more contemporary artisanal ice cream shops. This guide brings together the classic pastry counters and modern sweet stops that make the city especially enjoyable for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Planning your full trip? Pair this with our Athens restaurant guide, Best Things to Do in Athens, and 3-Day Athens Itinerary.
Historic Pastry Shops & Traditional Favorites
1. Chara
A nostalgically styled sweet institution open since 1969, best known for syrup-soaked pastries, generous ice creams, and especially its rich ekmek layered with custard, buffalo cream, and nuts.
2. Mitropolitikon
A Belle Époque pastry shop run by the same family for generations, known for classic Greek pastries, almond baklava, rose-scented amygdalota, chocolate-covered almonds, and exceptional quince jelly.
3. Aristokratikon
A long-standing chocolate and confectionery destination dating back to 1928, celebrated for truffles, loukoumia, glazed chestnuts, and beautifully made small biscuits for coffee.
4. Afoi Asimakopouloi
Operating in the same location since 1915, this family-owned pastry shop is especially loved for its dairy roots, classic desserts, and some of the best kourabiedes in Athens.
5. Stani
The last surviving milk bar in Athens, famous for sheep’s milk yogurt with honey and walnuts, rizogalo, kaimaki ice cream, anthogalo, and honey-drenched loukoumades.
Craving Ice Cream Only in Athens?
6. Le Greche
The city’s most famous gelato stop, known for Milan-style texture, excellent pistachio, rich chocolate sorbet, mascarpone with figs, ricotta with Aperol, and a standout affogato.
7. Kokkion
An atelier-like ice cream shop for more creative palates, with memorable flavors such as sheep’s milk frozen yogurt, peach and rosemary sorbet, spicy milk chocolate, and salted caramel.
8. Cremino
A small, homely hidden gem with daily-changing homemade flavors made from sheep, cow, and buffalo milk, plus elaborate sundaes and unusual seasonal combinations.
9. Maraboo
A newer artisanal ice cream stop in Pangrati with rotating flavors such as vanilla and saffron, lavender and honey, coconut with bay leaves, mango sorbet, and high-cocoa chocolate sorbet.
How to Choose the Right Sweet Stops in Athens
If you want tradition and atmosphere, start with the historic pastry shops. If you are more interested in artisanal ice cream and creative flavors, focus on the city’s newer gelato and dessert specialists.
The best way to enjoy sweets in Athens is to build them naturally into the flow of the day: a pastry stop after sightseeing, yogurt or loukoumades in the afternoon, or gelato after dinner in the center.
For a more complete Athens experience, also explore our guides to the best restaurants in Athens, Athens nightlife, and Best Things to Do in Athens.
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