If you’re planning a Greece trip soon and want a shortlist of desserts you can confidently order in bakeries, cafés, and tavernas, start here. On my own trips around Greece, my favorites are syrup-soaked phyllo pastries like baklava, galaktoboureko, and kataifi, as well as comfort desserts you’ll see year-round like rizogalo and spoon sweets.
Below is a practical guide to each sweet, how it’s usually served in Greece, and the small details that help you order the correct version—especially in places like Athens, Thessaloniki, and the islands, where local styles vary.
Welcome to a world of sweet indulgence! If you believe that life is too short to skip dessert, this blog post is just for you. Greek desserts are known for their irresistible sweetness and unique flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
From creamy custards to nutty pastries, there’s no shortage of delightful treats in the Greek culinary repertoire.
In this comprehensive Greek dessert guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the very best Greek sweets that will satisfy your sweet tooth like never before. So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the mouth-watering world of Greek sweets!
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1. Galaktoboureko – Greek Custard Pie (My Fave Greek Dessert)
Galaktoboureko is a Greek dessert made with semolina custard and phyllo dough. It is typically soaked with syrup (often citrus-scented) and served in squares or slices.
This dessert is popular across Greece (with notable local versions associated with places like Athens and Thessaloniki). The name galaktoboureko combines Greek for “milk” (galakto) with boureko, a term related to börek (a layered/stuffed pastry).
The semolina custard is what makes this dessert so special. It is made by simmering milk, sugar, and Greek semolina flour together until thick and creamy. Then the eggs are beaten into the mixture to create a smooth, rich custard filling.
The layers of phyllo pastry used in this recipe are also unique. It is paper-thin and delicate, yet it holds up well to the moist filling. To ensure you get a perfectly crispy phyllo pastry, follow the recipe instructions carefully.
Whether you enjoy it for breakfast or as a dessert, galaktoboureko will satisfy your sweet tooth!
2. Baklava – Layered Phyllo Sheets
Baklava is a traditional Greek pastry with phyllo dough, honey, and nuts. It is believed to have originated in the Ottoman Empire, and it is now a popular dessert throughout Greece. Baklava can be made with a variety of nuts; in Greek versions, walnuts are commonly used (with almonds also common in some regions), while pistachios are more typical in some other regional styles.
The phyllo dough is layered with chopped nuts and soaked in a honey syrup before baking.
Baklava is often served at weddings and other special occasions. It is also a popular holiday dessert, and many Greeks enjoy it during Easter and Greek Christmas. Baklava can be found in most Greek bakeries, and the slice usually sells it.
3. Loukoumades – Greek Honey Doughnuts
There’s nothing quite like a warm, Fried doughnut – a crunchy, tasty delight. Covered in honey and ground cinnamon. And in Greece, these delicious treats are called loukoumades! While they may be simple to make, these little bites are absolutely packed with flavor – and sold as street food in Greece.
To start, you’ll need to make a basic dough using flour, water, yeast, and sugar. Once the dough has risen, it’s time to start frying! You’ll want to use a deep fryer or a pot filled with oil so the loukoumades float while they cook. Once golden brown and crispy on the outside, it’s time to drain them on paper towels.
Now for the best part: the honey glaze! Just mix honey, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle this over your Greek donuts, and enjoy!
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4. Halvas – Semolina Pudding
Halvas (semolina hard pudding) is a traditional Greek dessert made with semolina flour, water, sugar, and sometimes nuts or raisins. It is typically served with a drizzle of honey or cinnamon on top.
The name halvas/halva comes from the Arabic ḥalwā (meaning “sweet”), and versions of halva are found across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond, including Greece.
Halvas can be found in many forms throughout Greece, from sweet to savory. The most common type of halva is made with semolina flour, but other flours can also be used, such as rice or chickpea flour.
In addition to being a popular dessert in Greece, halva is widely eaten as a sweet treat. It is also commonly associated with fasting periods in the Orthodox calendar (especially during Lent).
5. Kourabiedes – Easy Greek Almond Cookies
Kourabiedes are Greek cookies that are made with butter, flour, sugar, and almonds. They’re especially popular around Christmas and New Year, and also appear at celebrations and gatherings.
These cookies are not too sweet, and the almond flavor is very pronounced. The texture is soft and crumbly. Kourabiedes are best when they are fresh, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
If you are looking for a traditional Greek dessert to make at home, kourabiedes are a great choice.
6. Bougatsa – Greek Breakfast Pastries
Bougatsa is a traditional Greek breakfast pastry made with phyllo dough and a filling that is typically either sweet semolina custard or savory cheese (and sometimes minced meat), baked in a pan and cut into pieces.
Bougatsa can be served plain or dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It’s also common to see bougatsa served with fruit jam or honey.
7. Diples – Greek Sweet Pastry With Honey
Greek desserts are some of the most delicious in the world. From traditional baklava to modern loukoumades, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth. One of the most famous Greek desserts is diples.
Diples are a type of pastry made from thin sheets of dough, fried, then rolled in honey syrup and topped with chopped walnuts and cinnamon. They are often served at weddings and other special occasions.
If you’re looking for a delicious, sweet treat, diples are a great option. They’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
8. Portokalopita – Orange Cake
Portokalopita, or orange zest cake, is a delicious Greek dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth. This cake is typically made with oranges, eggs, sugar, and phyllo (often mixed into the batter) and finished with an orange syrup; it’s sometimes served with whipped cream or ice cream. Portokalopita is a traditional Greek dessert that is sure to please everyone at your next dinner party or family gathering.
9. Kserotigana – Fried Pastry
Kserotigana are a type of fried pastry found in Greece; recipes vary by region and may be made with either leavened or unleavened dough. The dough is then rolled out into a thin sheet and cut into strips. These strips are then fried in oil until they are golden brown. Kserotigana are often served with honey or bathed in syrup.
10. Rizogalo – Greek Pudding Made With Rice
Rizogalo is a Greek rice pudding that is typically made with short-grain rice, milk, and sugar. It is often flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, and sometimes lemon zest is added for additional flavor. The Greek version of rizogalo can be served hot or cold and is a popular dessert throughout Greece.
11. Gliko Tou Koutaliou – Spoon Sweets
Gliko tou Koutaliou, or spoon sweets, are a type of Greek dessert that is made from boiled fruit and sugar. The fruit is typically stewed in a syrup made from water and sugar, then strained and left to cool. Once cooled, the fruit is placed in small dishes or glasses and served with a spoon.
Spoon sweets are a popular Greek dessert and can be found in most restaurants and cafés. As a delicious dessert, they are often served as a welcome treat for guests or as a sweet finale to a meal. Spoon sweets can be made with any fruit, but some of the most popular varieties include figs, apricots, quince, and oranges.
12. Vasilopita – Traditional Greek Cake
Vasilopita is a traditional Greek cake that’s served around New Year’s (often sliced at midnight as the year changes and/or on New Year’s Day).
The cake is round and has a coin hidden inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the coin is said to have good luck in the new year.
The cake is made with a variety of different ingredients, including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and baking powder. It is often flavored with vanilla or orange juice. Vasilopita can be decorated with nuts, candied fruit, or icing sugar.
13. Karithopita – Walnut Cake
There are few things as quintessentially Greek as karithopita (Greek walnut cake). This traditional dessert is made with a simple batter of eggs, sugar, flour, and baking powder, into which chopped walnuts are folded. The resulting cake is moist and nutty, with a delicate flavor that pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea.
Karithopita is often served on special occasions such as weddings and baptisms, but it is just as delicious and enjoyed at home with family and friends. If you’re looking for a classic Greek dessert to add to your repertoire, karithopita is a superb option.
14. Kantaifi – Shredded Phyllo Pastries
Kantaifi is a traditional Greek pastry made from shredded phyllo dough. It is often filled with nuts and spices and served with sweet syrup or honey. Kantaifi can be enjoyed as part of a traditional Greek dessert or as a standalone treat.
MORE POPULAR GREEK DESSERTS TO DEVOUR
- 15. Galatopita (Greek milk custard pie) – Baked milk custard pie, sometimes finished with syrup
- 16. Melomakarona – Biscuits/cookies drizzled with honey
- 17. Revani/Samali – Syrup-soaked semolina cake (often citrus-scented)
- 18. Koulourakia – Traditional Greek butter cookies (often orange- or vanilla-scented), commonly made for Easter and sometimes topped with sesame
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19. Amygdalota Amygdalota – Chewy Almond Sweets
Amygdalota are traditional Greek almond sweets made primarily from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, giving them a soft, chewy, almost marzipan-like texture.
Unlike buttery cookies such as kourabiedes, amygdalota are dense, fragrant, and naturally gluten-free in many recipes. They’re often shaped into small ovals or crescents and sometimes scented with rosewater or orange blossom. Amygdalota are commonly served at weddings, baptisms, and celebrations rather than as everyday cookies.
20. Pasteli
A blend of sesame seeds and honey/sugar, often eaten as an energy-style snack; a delicious, crunchy treat, often served as a healthy snack. A delicious and crunchy treat
FAQs About Greek Desserts
What’s the most popular Greek dessert to try first?
If you want one “iconic” pick you’ll see everywhere, start with baklava or galaktoboureko—both are classic syrup-soaked pastries sold in most Greek bakeries.
What’s the difference between galaktoboureko and bougatsa?
Galaktoboureko is a custard-and-phyllo dessert that’s typically soaked in syrup. Bougatsa is a breakfast pastry that can be sweet (custard) or savory (often cheese) and is usually served without syrup; the sweet version is commonly dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon.
Where should I go to try the best Greek desserts?
You don’t need a fancy restaurant—local bakeries (fournoi/zacharoplasteia) are the easiest places to try the classics, and you’ll often get fresher trays of syrup pastries earlier in the day.
Are Greek desserts very sweet?
Many traditional Greek pastries are syrup-soaked and can taste very sweet (especially baklava, kataifi, and galaktoboureko). If you prefer something lighter, try rizogalo (rice pudding) or spoon sweets served with a glass of water.
Do Greek desserts contain nuts?
Many of the most common pastries do (baklava, kataifi, and diples often use walnuts, almonds, or pistachios). If you have an allergy, ask before ordering because cross-contact in bakeries is common.
Do Greek desserts usually contain dairy or eggs?
Quite a few do—custard-based desserts like galaktoboureko, bougatsa (sweet), rizogalo, and portokalopita often contain dairy and eggs. Syrup pastries can still contain butter or dairy, depending on the recipe.
Is there a good gluten-free Greek dessert option?
Many Greek desserts use phyllo or flour, so they’re not gluten-free. Some spoon sweets (fruit preserved in syrup) may be gluten-free by ingredients, but you should still ask about preparation and cross-contact.
What’s an easy Greek dessert to take home as a gift?
Boxed syrup pastries (like baklava) travel well
Wrap Up On Best Greek Desserts
The world of Greek desserts is genuinely something special. From traditional recipes passed down from generation to generation to modern twists on classics, there is a wide variety of treats available for those with a sweet tooth.
Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or looking for something decadent and indulgent, Greek sweets have it all! So go ahead and satisfy your sweet tooth today by trying out some of these fantastic Greek dessert recipes!
