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One of the world’s greatest metropoles, the city of Athens is one of those places on any intrepid travellers’ ‘must visit’ lists, whether arriving to get shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists at the Acropolis or less crowded pursuits. Yet Athens has a growing reputation for the spread of an effortless cool and attention to detail when it comes to culture, leisure, food and drink. That means perfect places for coffee, pastries, cakes, great bread and those reasons are everything we need to be convinced to jump on a plane.

Here, Iro Adamopoulou from Athens’ speciality coffee roasters, TAF Coffee, shares five ‘must-visit’ destinations for grabbing a drink, a lovingly-made snack and a comfortable seat in the shade while visiting the Greek capital.

Lukumades

“With the self-explanatory strapline ‘authentic Greek delights’, Lukumades takes its name from a very traditional, honey soaked Greek dough ball, but the idea of this place as a traditional bakery is a little misleading. They go all out to create new and delicious products across a range of sweet, filled lukumades, cakes and ice cream all served in an effortlessly cool, neon-lit café bar.”
Aiolou 21, Athens 105 51
www.lukumades.com

Nancy’s Sweet Home

“This is where dessert gets serious and a whole lot of fun at the same time. Sure, the starting point is Greek tradition, but Nancy goes further than most in creating the most sticky and delicious cakes, stacked desserts, baklava and so much more. Their hot chocolate sauce covers their speciality Love Cake and Profiterol Pastaneci, making them look and taste incredible.”
Iroon 1 square & Karaiskaki, Psirri square, Athens, 105 54
www.nancysweethome.gr

My Pastaflora

“A great location a little way out of the city, a beautiful atmosphere and great coffee and baking. My Pastaflora is a place for both day and night, a meeting place and a place to relax by yourself at any time. Cakes, cheesecakes, pizzas, tarts or all descriptions are served in a place that’s decorated with love, vintage pictures and furniture making everyone feel at home and creating a classy vibe. It’s a bistro, pavement café and exciting bar for music and dancing all rolled into one.”
Frigias 11, Vironas 162 31, Greece
www.mypastaflora.gr

Different Beast

“A great place to hang out and grab breakfast, lunch or make a stop on your way somewhere else for great coffee and homely baking. Different Beast is like a slice of New York, London or Melbourne in Athens, with a passion for design running through the team, international lifestyle magazines available to read, cakes and tarts from international recipes and inspirations and a team that knows how to pour the perfect coffee.”
Kassaveti 19, Athina 145 61, Greece
www.facebook.com/differentbeastathens

TAF Coffee

“We can’t leave ourselves out. Not for any other reason than the TAF Coffee Shop in Athens has been designed and established with great care and attention to detail and is, genuinely, one of the city’s best. TAF Coffee baristas are highly trained to get the very best out of our coffee and the contemporary design of the space comes together with the product to create a sophisticated experience for connoisseurs and casual coffee drinkers.”
Emmanouil Benaki 7, Athina 106 78, Greece
www.cafetaf.gr