11 Must-try Greek desserts 

From light and citrusy to decadent syrupy, there is a Greek dessert for every palette. Santorini offers a wonderful selection of desserts and pastries that will get you hooked right after the first bite. Let’s go on a journey of flavors!

 

• Baklava 

Crispy, nutty, and extra syrupy.. Need we say more? There are lots of speculations surrounding the origin of the baklava. Greeks and Turks both claim it as their national dessert, however, contemporary historians believe it has its roots in ancient Greece

• Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is a milk-based dessert, basically a pudding wrapped in crispy phyllo dough and drenched in scented syrup. It can easily be considered the king of Greek desserts both for the heavenly taste and the large filling portion

 

• Melitina

Melitina is usually offered at certain celebrations in Santorini, where it originates from. The tiny cheese tartlets consist of sweet mizithra cheese which is similar to ricotta cheese, mastic from Chios, and Greek yogurt

 

• Loukoumades

Most European cultures have their version of doughnuts but Greek loukoumades takes the cake! These little bite-sized fluffy sweet honey balls are deep fried to golden and crispy perfection. They come in many flavors, toppings, and fillings

 

• Portokalopita 

Greece is famous for its high-quality orange produce. The mouthwatering portokalopita is a fragrant, juicy, and decadent cake that oozes a rich orange flavor. It is made of shredded phyllo and Greek yogurt that is soaked in homemade orange syrup

 

• Revani

This Greek sponge cake looks rather simple at first but there is a twist! It is bathed in a delicious citrus scented syrup. The syrup that flavors the revani varies. The most common flavors are lemon, orange, and rose

 

• Spoon sweets 

These syrupy fruit preserves have a long tradition in Greece. They are linked with hospitality and welcoming. It is very common in Greek taverns that the waiters bring a plate of sweet preserves after the meal, which is on the house

 

• Bougatsa 

This Greek breakfast pastry is basically a custard pie with phyllo. The word bougatsa means cheesy or sweet filling of pie, enclosed and sealed in a dough. This wholesome treat is guaranteed to keep you full until lunchtime

 

• Halva 

Food historians suggest that the halva was found sometime in 3000 BC. The dairy and egg-free semolina pudding made of crushed peeled sesame seeds are perfectly suitable for vegans. It comes in many flavors and is often drizzled with cinnamon

 

• Kataifi 

The traditional kataifi is a cousin to baklava, as it consists of a similar combination of chopped nuts and crispy dough soaked in syrup. An interesting fun fact is that kataifi is also called angel hair due to the characteristic look of the dough

 

• Karidopita

This Greek traditional pie is bursting with fresh, chopped walnuts nestled in a syrupy base made of bread crumbs. It is ideally served with ice cream and makes a perfect dessert after a nice evening walk in Oia