The 4 Best Baklava in Athens

Baklava is one of those classical Greek desserts that just has to be included in an Athens food tour. It’s made with delicate layers of phyllo dough gently painted with butter and cinnamon. The layers are then interspersed with nuts, honey, and seasonings.  

The baklava is then baked to golden-brown perfection. A few seconds after it comes out of the oven the baklava gets a light bath in a simple syrup or honey-water mixture that infuses it with sweetness and keeps it perfectly moist.  

Whether it’s your first time trying baklava or your hundredth, there are a lot of great bakeries to choose from in Athens. To help get you started on the search for the best baklava, I recommend one of the following places.

Stani

Photo credit: Stani

Stani is one of Athen’s historic and beloved pastry shops with a reputation for having some of the best baklava and Greek yogurt in the city. They’ve been at their current location since 1931, which makes them popular with locals and tourists alike.  

The vintage décor at Stani gives it an old-world charm that is simultaneously cozy and nostalgic. The layout was designed to be functional rather than flashy. The service is known for being fast, which makes it a great place to grab a quick bite while you’re on the go in Athens.

One of the things I love about the baklava at Stani is that they typically soak it in a honey water solution. This gives it a more complex sweetness than if it was soaked in a white-sugar simple syrup. They often have baklava with pistachios, which I love for the organic flavor it adds to the crispy sweet layers.

I usually order a dish of their equally famous Greek yogurt, topped with pistachios and a light drizzle of honey. I think it goes with their baklava the way American apple pie goes with ice cream.

Stani (€3 to €4) – Marikas Kotopouli 10, Athina 104 32, Greece – Open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Open on Sunday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Karavan

You’ll find Karavan in the Koukaki neighborhood of Athens not far from major attractions like the Acropolis Museum, Syntagma Square, and Philopappos Hill. They have a well-earned reputation for making some of the best authentic Greek and Turkish foods like baklava.

The décor at Karavan is minimalist with clean lines and touches of classical green heritage. I also feel that the marble countertops and strategically placed lighting also give it a little bit of an elegant feel, without sacrificing the down-to-earth vibe.

Karavan’s baklava strikes a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. The layers of phyllo dough are prepared, with just the right amount of butter and syrup to give them a satisfying crunch and sweetness. I also appreciate that they usually have baklava with walnut or pistachio between the layers of phyllo.

Karavan (€4 to €5) – Voukourestiou 11, Athina 106 71, Greece – Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri

Photo credit: Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri

You’ll find Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri pastry shop in the heart of Athens’ vibrant Psyrri neighborhood. They are best known for offering a wide spectrum of traditional Greek sweets like baklava, as well as a few Middle Eastern classics. It’s also near Monastiraki Square, making it an easy pit stop for a treat on a day trip.

Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri’s is the embodiment of a traditional Greek dessert café with warm inviting décor and rustic wooden tables. There’s comfortable seating inside, but I think the outdoor seating area is the place to be. You can sit back, sampling sweet treats and snacks, while doing a little people-watching.

One of the things I love about the baklava at Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri is the thickness of the nut layers, as well as the buttery flavor that infuses the phyllo dough. It gives each piece a memorable richness and filling quality. I also appreciate that they usually have walnut, pistachio and almond versions to choose from.

Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri (€3 to €4) – 105 54, Eschilou 3, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open every day from 10:00 AM to 12:30 AM.  

Nancy’s Serbetospito

Photo credit: Nancy’s Serbetospito

Translated from Greek, Nancy’s Sweet Home is one of the most-beloved dessert cafés in Athens’ Psyrri neighborhood. Their pastry chefs are known for making traditional Greek dishes like baklava as well as Middle Eastern and Turkish treats.

The décor at Nancy’s Sweet Home is colorful and warm with touches of vintage Greek art.  The seating is cozy and I think the decorative shelves filled with jars of ingredients like nuts and honey give it a truly homey ambiance. In fair weather, they even set up a modest outdoor seating area.

The baklava at Nancy’s Serbetospito is rich and decadent, with syrup soaking the phyllo dough enough to keep it moist in the middle, yet satisfyingly crispy at the edges. They’re also known for their generous portion size, which gives you a truly filling snack.

They often have chocolate and even cream-filled baklava. These creative twists almost make it feel a little bit like it came out of a French patisserie.

Nancy’s Serbetospito (€4 to €5) – Pl. Iroon 1, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open every day from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

Conclusion

If you’re a foodie in search of authentic Greek cuisine, like gyros, pitas, and street foods, then you need to include baklava in your Athens food tour.  Some bakeries like Stani even sell Greek yogurt and other treats that pair nicely with crispy phyllo dough and nuts.

If you’re looking for baklava with a creative twist, you’re sure to find something at Nancy’s Serbetospito to sink your teeth into. If you wanted something authentic, yet with a twist one of the different nut combinations available at Ta Serbetia stou Psyrri might be the best baklava experience for you.