6 Beautiful Desserts to Try in Thessaloniki

Estrella is one of the most popular street food joints in Thessaloniki—it has since opened outposts in Athens, as well as across Greece—and it is where you can try, among other heavenly sweets, a unique hybrid creation known as the bougatsan. This delicious dessert, created by the resident chef, is a perfect combination of a baked croissant and custard cream, the trademark of the original bougatsa. Raspberries, strawberries or other toppings, depending on the season, accompany the dessert, or you can devour it plain. Either way, you will enjoy it.

With roots in Smyrna, the bougatsa is a delicious, creamy pastry often consumed for breakfast or as a late-night snack. This treat—creamy custard inside phyllo dough—is considered a trademark of Thessaloniki. Try it at Bougatsa Giannis, where you will find it in a variety of flavors, including with a Merenda chocolate paste topping or even a savory option. It’s open 24 hours a day and is quite popular. It also offers a delivery service so that you can still enjoy the treat without having to stand in line. It’s a win-win!

A little confectionery in the White Tower area, Sugarela has established itself as one of the best places to enjoy sweets, thanks to the quality of its ingredients. From delicious cupcakes, tartlets, pastries, truffles, and cakes to cookies, Sugarela has it all. You can spend hours browsing through the store before finding what you want, and you will no doubt want to take some photos. Sugarela also makes custom-made cakes for special occasions, so feel free to spoil yourself—because why not?

If you are a choux (cream puffs) fan, look no further than Choureál, where the tastiest profiteroles are made in Thessaloniki. The young owner, a chemistry major passionate about pastry making, had the idea to open a place where you could customize profiteroles. You choose your fillings and toppings, and then you can watch as the staff creates your bowl right in front of your eyes. Maybe you want melted milk chocolate topped with white chocolate and fruits, or perhaps it’s some bitter chocolate and whipped cream that you prefer. What about a decadent vanilla ice cream as a filling topped with chocolate? Whatever you are craving, you can have it at Choureál.

A Thessalonian institution when it comes to desserts, Elenidis is the place to go. In business for almost 60 years, the bakery is known and loved for its original trigona panoramatos dessert, crunchy triangle-shaped pastries filled with cream. Even though there is a high demand for these little triangles, they are still handmade. They come in classic flavors such as kataifi and baklava, and today, they are probably one of the trademarks of the city.

One of the most prized spots in town, Spoon knows how to make you feel happy and satisfied with its menu full of mouthwatering options. You will find not only delicious food but also tasty desserts, including cakes, pies, and the divine waffle bites. These come in a variety of options and will make you beg for seconds. Forget the diet and indulge in this yummy treat.