You may have had a lovely continental breakfast at your hotel, but you have been exploring for hours and now need a snack. What are the local snacks of choice when you are on the road?
Are you ready to indulge in the flavors of Greece? Look no further than the streets of Athens, where traditional snacks await to tantalize your taste buds! As a traveler, you’ll want to try these mouthwatering treats that locals love. Get ready to explore the best places to find them in Athens!
1. Koulouri (Κουλούρι)
What is it?
Koulouri is a classic Greek street food made of ring-shaped bread topped with sesame seeds. It is perfect for a quick snack on the go. Koulouri Thessalonikis is a recipe that arrived in Greece from the refugees. The original recipe is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, but over the years, many different variations have developed: the very crunchy version, the crunchy on the outside soft on the inside, the double twisted extra soft, and the soft sprinkled with cheese version.
Where to find it:
To Koulouri Psyrri (Κουλουρι του Ψυρρη) Psyrri district, this spot is renowned for its fresh and warm koulouri. Locals and tourists alike flock here for their daily carb fix.
Karaiskaki 23, Psyrri www.tokoulouritoupsirri.gr
Street Vendors: Street vendors get their koulouria from Koulouri tou Psyrri, so if you find them along your path, just stop and get one! You’ll find vendors selling koulouri on almost every corner of Athens.
Bakeries: Any bakery offers koulouri. The differences may be subtle, but some are a little better than others…
2. Tyropita (Τυρόπιτα)
What is it?
Tyropita is a Greek snack staple that’s both savory and satisfying. Enjoy it as a quick breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. Pies are a big thing in Greece, and they come in many different names and variations depending on their origin. They can be pan-baked or individual pieces or small snack-sized and with different types of pastry (phyllo, rustic phyllo, kourou), and even the cheese filling can vary the traditional version being feta cheese..
Where to find it:
Ariston: A historical bakery in central Athens that has been serving traditional tyropita since 1910! Ariston is known for perfecting the kourou tyropita which is a flaky buttery pastry (much like a shortcrust pastry) filled with feta cheese.- need I say more? You will see them being baked by the loads and disappearing almost as soon as they hit the tray!!! They offer a whole range of different pastries and pies, but the trademark kourou tyropita is by far the best! This iconic bakery is a must-visit for any snack enthusiast.
(Voulis 10, Athina 105 57)ΑΡΙΣΤΟΝ ΛΟΜΠΟΤΕΣΗ
MAM is another excellent location that has been baking its almost round-shaped kourou tyropita—among other tasty delicacies—for over 60 years. Everything is handmade with local ingredients… yum!!! You can find them in two different locations.(ΜΑΜ 2- Panepistimiou 34 & Ippokratous/ ΜΑΜ- Pespatzoglou & Stadiou)
Takis Bakery: You just finished visiting the Acropolis and are now looking around for a snack—then Takis Bakery is your next stop. It is made of handmade phyllo dough with a mix cheese filling of feta and anthotyro, which makes it more creamy. It is another tasty delight.
Misarliotou 14, Koukaki Αρτοποιότης Ο Τάκης
3. Spanakopita
What is it?
Spanakopita, or spinach pie, combines the earthiness of spinach with the creaminess of feta cheese and herbs, all encased in thin, crispy layers of phyllo or rustic dough. Personally, I think that the rustic one elevates the taste of a spanakopita!
Where to find it:
Rizos Elaia: this bakery in Koukaki has an excellent rustic phyllo spanakopita w
Matzorou 12, Koukaki Ρίζος Ελαια-Φούρνος
Tromero Paidi: spinach and feta cheese filling enveloped in a buttery puff pastry
Papadiamantopoulou 30, Ilisia Tromero Paidi
4. Loukoumas
What is it?
Loukoumas—not to be confused with Loukoumades— also known as loukoumas paralias ( beach doughnut), is a Greek version of a doughnut. It is ring-shaped and looks like an oversized plump koulouri. It is soft and fluffy on the inside, golden on the outside, and sprinkled with caster sugar! If you want a sweet pick-me-up treat, this doughnut will not disappoint!
Where to find it
Street Vendors and Traditional Bakeries: you can find Loukouma at a street vendor or at traditional bakeries. Occasionally, you can find it at the beach from vendors catering to open beaches.
To Koulouri Psyrri (Κουλουρι του Ψυρρη) yes, yet again, you can find a tasty Loukouma here as well! To Koulouri of Psirri
4. Bougatsa (Μπουγάτσα)
What is it?
Bougatsa is a northern Greece delicacy- a versatile pie that can be sweet or savory. In Athens, when we talk about bougatsa, we usually refer to the sweet version. Think of a paper-like phyllo dough filled interchangeably with a creamy custard and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Where to find it:
Dodoni: bougatsa with just the right kind of crunch and a velvety textured custardLykourgou 9. Omonia Δωδώνη τυρόπιτες
Savvas: crisp, flaky pastry with rich, creamy filling and the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. https://www.osavvas.com.gr/
Kolokotroni 15, Syntagma
When in Greece….
Pair with Coffee: Whether you choose to sit down and enjoy at a leisurely pace or grab something, try pairing one of these snacks on the go with Greek coffee. Embrace the local way and enjoy!
Happy snacking!!
