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Coming to Athens quickly? One avenue meals that ought to be on the high of your record of must-try meals is spanakopita. These are spinach pies made with phyllo dough, feta cheese, and herbs that you just received’t be capable of get sufficient of.

Regardless of the place you go, you’ll discover bakeries and avenue distributors all around the Greek capital promoting these little snacks (we even strive them on a few of our Athens meals excursions). Nevertheless, as with every specialty, solely a choose few institutions actually grasp the artwork of crafting spanakopita.

So, to ensure your first pattern of spanakopita is one to recollect, we’ve listed our favourite places to strive these scrumptious Greek pies.

Bougatsadiko Psirri

Picture credit score: Bougatsadiko Psirri

To start out, I’m sending you to the very place the place I attempted my first model of those mouthwatering appetizers, Bougatsadiko, which is situated in Psirri.

At all times rammed with individuals, Bougatsadiko is a well-known Athenian pie store the place you possibly can watch the bakers whip up the dough proper in entrance of you as you order your spanakopita.

Consider me, I didn’t come to Bougatsadiko to order spanakopita, however the ladies behind the until noticed me trying misplaced at what I ought to order and really helpful it. I trusted her phrase, and earlier than I knew it, I had a takeaway metal tray in entrance of me as I sat by one of many barrels out entrance.

The spanakopita was chopped into little triangles with a cocktail stick caught into one of many items. My ideas after having the primary chew had been, how had I not tried this earlier than? From the earthy spinach blended with the crumble of the feta to the crunchy phyllo pastry, I had simply opened myself as much as a brand new dependancy.

Bougatsadiko Psirri (€2.50-€3, ~$2.70~$3.20) – Pl. Iroon 1, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open every single day, 7:00 am to 12:00 am.

Pandora

A must-visit for anybody in search of the perfect spanakopita in Athens is Pandora in Makrygianni. Solely round a ten-minute stroll from the Acropolis, individuals from all around the metropolis journey right here to pattern their particular recipe, which incorporates handmade bay leaves and a flour combination from chosen wheat varieties.

Pandora is fairly unassuming; I virtually missed it the day I went there, however I noticed a person stroll out with an enormous slice of pita in his arms. The picket counter with a glass high takes up the entrance of the family-run bakery, and you’ll see the entire freshly baked items inside.

After I first laid eyes on the slices of spanakopita, I couldn’t assist however surprise how I’d handle to complete it. However because it was offered on the white plate, the irresistible scent of feta made me greater than able to tackle the problem.

The crispy phyllo pastry paired with the earthy recent herbs and mildly candy leeks was very good, making a improbable, flavorful combination. To not overlook the olive oil that gave it a closing nutty kick.

Pandora (€2.50-€3, ~$2.70~$3.20) – Lempesi 1, Athina 117 42, Greece – Open each Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and closed each Sunday.

Fillo

Picture credit score: Fillo

Shut by Syntagma Sq., Fillo’s unbelievable lineup of pastries lures in crowds of individuals each day, however their spanakopitas are on one other stage.

Fillo has slightly upmarket really feel to it in comparison with your typical informal eatery serving up these Greek specialties. Perhaps it’s the fantastically displayed pastries within the expansive glass-topped pastry station or the ornate lights complemented by the attractive wallpaper designs.

I couldn’t recover from what number of variations of spanakopita that they had on show once I visited. In addition to the basic spinach possibility, there have been ones with natural pumpkin, florini peppers, and even completely different meats for the carnivores on the market.

The standard spanakopita seemed irresistible at Fillo, so I caught with what I knew, and it didn’t disappoint: flaky, buttery phyllo dough separated into drool-worthy layers smothered in tangy feta and delicate bitter spinach.

Fillo (€2.90-€3.30, ~$3.10~$3.50) – 105 62, Voulis 11, Athina 105 62, Greece – Open each Monday to Friday, 6:30 am to six:00 pm, each Saturday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and closed each Sunday.

Artos Venetis

Picture credit score: Artos Venetis

One other Psirri hang-out that whips up some severely good spanakopita is Artos Venetis. It’s slightly nook bakery on Sarri that does an unbelievable commerce from the early hours of the morning till late within the evenings.

Positioned in a primary white constructing with green-paneled home windows, it could not appear to be a lot from the skin, however the endless line that’s all the time outdoors Artos Venetis tells you all you must learn about this place.

Whereas Artos Venetis all the time tries to make my candy tooth get the higher of me each time I cease by, I can by no means flip down considered one of their spanakopitas. Every mouthful gives a mix of flavors, together with a gentle creaminess from the feta, hints of mint from the aromatic herbs, and a satisfying crackle off the crust.

Artos Venetis (€2.00-€3.00, ~$2.20~$3.20) – Sarri 13, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open each Monday to Saturday, 6:00 am to eight:00 pm, and closed each Sunday.

Creme Royale

Picture credit score: Creme Royale

Creme Royale is an efficient outdated dependable spot for a spanakopita on Athina with its recent components, pleasant employees, and delicious phyllo crust that I can by no means shut up about each time I go away.

Simply noticed for its glossy frontage, Creme Royale is a buzzing bakery the place you’re all the time assured some good spanakopita. I actually benefit from the ambiance right here, whether or not it’s the black-and-white tiling or the view of the dough being ready; there’s simply one thing that units it aside from different institutions within the space.

It’s simple to get misplaced within the freshly baked choices at Creme Royale, however I recommend skipping all of it and going for the spanakopita (you’ll thank me later). Completely packaged in delightfully crispy phyllo pastry with sharp and salty feta, bay leaf, and garden-fresh spinach, it received’t be lengthy till you order a second slice.

Creme Royale (€3.00, ~$3.20) – Athinas 37, Athina 105 54, Greece – Open each Monday to Saturday, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, and closed each Sunday. 

Conclusion

And so, we end our lineup of the perfect spanakopita in Athens! These savory bites are one other instance of why Greek meals is a number of the tastiest on the market. You possibly can add them to your lengthy record of snacks you must strive everytime you embark by yourself meals tour of town.