Athens Krinos Dessert in Aiolou

Location: Aiolou

Krinos (the Greek word for lily), located on Aiolou Street, has remained the same since 1923 when it first opened as a traditional coffee shop selling loukoumades. Everything from the retro mosaic floors to the marble top tables and the self-service hailing back to the 80s (you have to get a school cafeteria tray to get served), as well as a menu that ranges from bougatsa (a Greek custard pie traditionally eaten for breakfast) to soft-serve ice-cream, is part of the charm. Loukoumades here are soft and chewy, with a hole in the middle (doughnuts anyone?) and usually served with honey, cinnamon, and crushed walnuts on top. The taste is fantastic, rich, juicy, and chewy at the same time.