It’s loved with a passion, consumed with gusto, enjoyed by all ages and generates waves of endorphins and smiles of sweet satisfaction. “Food of the gods” and a beloved taste of the common man, in almost 3,000 years of history, chocolate has been consumed in every possible and unlikely form and recipe, always reliably offering the same pleasure. Wherever the cocoa bean has travelled, from what is now Mexico, where it was first cultivated, to the most remote parts of the world, our thirst for chocolate has made it valuable and sought after.
The first recipe the delicious roasted beans were used in was nothing more than a chocolate drink, like the one the Aztec emperor Montezuma consumed in large quantities daily to boost his libido and the one that Spanish conquerors later introduced to Europe by adding sugar to it, although for many decades it was a privilege of blue bloods and a small economic elite.
Today, the magical drink, which the Aztecs considered a remedy for every ailment, is enjoyed by all of us, especially when the weather turns cold, and is certainly the most delicious medicine for combatting winter doldrums and moody melancholy. Combining it with outstanding desserts in a cosy ambience with stylish décor, will soothe your heart and lighten your mood.
Zuccherino
A chapter in itself in Athens’ world of chocolate, this bright and central café in Nea Smyrni, and three other locations in Athens, never disappoints when we crave a freshly baked dessert. On the contrary, with so many choices, rich or light and sugar-free, creamy or chocolatey, we can’t get enough of Zuccherino’s sweets. In addition to the classics, it’s worth trying the tarts with buttery pastry, which are made with fresh fruit as well as some creative combinations.
Standout sweets include the pistachio tart with an almond base, creamy pistachio and raspberry compote and the crispy dulcey tart, with caramelized white chocolate, toasted almonds and a crunchy white chocolate crust, very fitting for the cold afternoons that await us. It will be ideally enjoyed with a cup of white chocolate, which also goes well with the best-seller Monte Carlo, a pistachio cake with Madagascar vanilla and forest fruits. However, the ultimate chocolate sin not to be missed under any circumstances is the by now legendary Chocolate Soup, a large mug of brownie bits in liquid bitter chocolate – or with Kinder Bueno – absolutely delicious and utterly addictive – dessert.
Info: Paleo Faliro: Proteos & Sirenon 48, Paleo Faliro: Agios Alexandrou & Naiadon, Nea Smyrni: 2as May 12, Monastiraki: Mitropoleos 80.
I Cake You
This somewhat bohemian and very relaxed café with the unpretentious vibes of Themistikleous Street and the Exarchia neighbourhood is the perfect spot for hot chocolate and gossip. It’s also reminiscent of the original and unpretentious cafes in London’s bustling flea markets – and the young owners of I Cake You admit they were influenced by such haunts. Here the back and forth is constant, the counter is lined with juicy brownies with rich toppings, lemon cake or exuberant Red Velvet and the most infernal cookies, those chewy ones with big chunks of chocolate, baked on the spot and pulling you in by the nose. And the stacks of fresh eggs in one corner confirm that there’s no room for ready-made mixes.
Delicious and tempting, the delectable cookies are a trademark of the shop, urgently begging you to dip them in a hot chocolate. There are several flavours available: The one with spices or cinnamon augurs the festive days to come, while the chocolate with caramel and sea salt has a rich and balanced taste, tempering the sweetness of the caramel with a light saltiness. Sit comfortably near the window to watch passers-by and immerse yourself in chocolatey delight. If you want a second helping, you’re perfectly justified, and the shop’s slogan supports this: ‘Cake me baby (one more time)’.
Info: Themistokleous 42, Exarcheia.
Chocolate
In the ethnic gastronomic heart of downtown Athens, where the multiculti elements prevail and flavours from every corner of the world combine, stands a real chocolate paradise with hellish flavours that will tempt even the most abstemious. You won’t find the variety of chocolate drinks served at this genuine chocolatier anywhere else. The specialised catalogue is so extensive, the varieties available so sought-after and rare, that it will take you a while to decide which one to indulge in. Each flavour is described in detail in terms of its origin, cocoa content, aromas and aftertaste, and each one seems more mouth-watering than the next. To illustrate, the Peruvian Illanka, with its strong flavour and 63% cocoa, combines notes of roasted peanuts with an aftertaste of red fruits; Diapason is a delicate white with vanilla flavours; while the Jamaican Jamaya, strong but elegant, has a velvety taste with notes of honey and pecan nuts.
Take a seat at the bar and watch the preparation ritual: sealed metal boxes are opened, pieces of real chocolate are melted in milk on the gas stove, with constant stirring at a controlled temperature, and the heady aroma seeps into your soul. You won’t be able to wait for your vintage cup of the thick, sublime beverage to land in front of you, to be sipped in small, delectable sips to make it last as long as possible. Pair it with a slice of chocolate tart or chocolate pie and you’ll be stocked up on endorphins for at least a whole day.
Info: Voulis 7 (Bolani Arcade)
The Dark Side of Chocolate
Pop into this miniature chocolate shop on a cold winter afternoon, when it’s even more atmospheric, and as you gaze through the semi-circular glass window, the traffic of cars and passers-by on Solonos will seem like they belong to another universe. You, will, however, find yourself in a universe of your own, a chocolate microcosm created 11 years ago by Aristotle Panagiotaros, who had apprenticeships in European capitals, alongside chocolate wizards such as Andrea Bianchini and Patrick Roger. He proves his own value every day with his handmade chocolates, in inspired combinations of excellent quality chocolate with Greek herbs and spices, but also through exceptional hot drinks made exclusively from Valrhona chocolate.
The finest varieties of cocoa from Venezuela to Africa and from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean fill steaming mugs with intoxicating aromas and rich flavours with names borrowed from legendary rock songs. Upon tasting, you’ll see that the aromatic “Love me do” is balanced in sweetness, while the closest version to the original Mayan drink is called “Sympathy for the Devil” and its cocoa content is close to 100%. And if you’re feeling ready to experiment, add cardamom, aniseed, chilli, and even coffee, rum or whisky. If you’re with friends, ask for the chocolate fondue to be prepared, otherwise, accompany your drink with a handful of Aristotle’s exquisite chocolates to double up the chocolate delight.
Info: 49 Solonos Street, Athens
Portatif
Nearby, the long-time favourite Portatif keeps levels of sweet delight consistently high. Their American-style, multi-layered cakes are among the tastiest in town, always freshly baked, succulent and light enough to not make you feel too full. The elegant interiors with plush armchairs and soft lighting, spread over two levels, are just the thing for a break from shopping, and the selection of hot chocolate beverages is such that you’ll have trouble choosing which one to pair your sweet with. As much as the amazing carrot cake or pistachio cake is a must, it is imperative to also try the Gianduja or Valrhona-strawberry hot chocolate, a dark rum or tiramisu flavoured one or a milk and peanut butter one. The absolute star on the menu is the handmade dark chocolate with cinnamon and orange, which screams “Christmas is coming!”. The white hot chocolate drinks are also smooth and velvety, flavoured with lemon-maple or raspberry-orange, but there’s also one without sugar for anyone trying to shed a few pounds before gaining some at Christmas.
Info: Kolonaki: Sina 21
Petite Fleur
Here’s another popular favourite café-chocolatier, whose cosy warmth we crave as soon as the cold weather sets in, along with its original, rich chocolates. They are served in pastel cups, adding a sweet and bright touch to the dull, cold days, as does the sweet decoration in all of the (now six) Petite Fleur shops. Here, all the senses get absorbed by an enchanting journey to the world of chocolate, as you sit surrounded by the vividly coloured classic furniture, listening to jazz played on vinyl records and smelling the aromas that are being unleashed as organic Valhrona chocolate bars are ritualistically melted in a bain-marie while beverages are made by the cup.
What could that smell be? Invigorating chocolate spiked with cardamom or espresso, cloves and pink pepper or cinnamon and hot pepper to instantly warm us up, or with cinnamon and accompanied by syrupy spoon sweets made from chestnut, cherry or bergamot to make us feel like children. If you still want to wake up the adult in you, there are also options with a dose of alcohol in very appropriate combinations: orange-rum, nutmeg-bourbon and honey-brandy, depending on your tastes. Complete the treat with one of the sweet tarts – lemon or chocolate tarts prepared from old, family recipes, and banish any trace of winter.
Info: Golden Hall: Kifissias Ave. 37a ,Kolonaki: 44 Omirou Street, Chalandri: 2 Agios Nikolaos Square, Kifissia: 4, Agion Theodoron 4, Pagrati: Amynta 1 (Scout Square), McArthurGlen: Building Block E71, Gyalou.
Menta
For those winter days when we seek an intimate homey atmosphere and a cozy corner to relax in, Menta café in Kifissia is the destination that never disappoints. Maybe because it has retained the feeling of an old mansion, from back when it was the country residence of the great poet Angelos Sikelianos, or maybe because it is still hidden in a verdant garden and seems untouched by the commercial traffic of the surrounding area, or simply because sitting by the windows and enjoying a hot chocolate, you feel as comfortable as being at a friendly home.
Grab a table in the very cozy interiors where the old stone walls contrast interestingly with the colourful wallpaper and floral cushions, and choose one of the “home-style” desserts, which change with the season. Crisp apple pie, juicy chocolate soufflé and the ever-popular mosaikos biscuit cake star on the winter menu. Combine them with a hot chocolate flavoured with salted caramel and sip it listening to a performance at one of the interesting musical evenings organised here.
Info: Kifissia: Agion Theodoron 5.
Cake
At their three locations, you can sample 11 or so spectacular multi-layer cakes of all flavours. From the sinful Red Velvet to the Marble cake, the mouthwatering temptations lined up in Cake’s display cabinets will leave you amazed. Their Carrot cake is one of the best in town, the peanut butter and jam cake is impossible to resist, and the chocolate is highly prized. Whether you try the Chocolate cake with butter or milk chocolate frosting, Chocolate Cheesecake, Fudge or Brownie, this is the place that’ll get you addicted to chocolate. On sunny days, enjoy your cake and hot chocolate outdoors sitting in forged metal seats with signature red cushions, and when it gets colder relax in the interiors with black and white floors and pastel, wooden counter that will make you think you’re in the kitchen of Stephen, Lucy and Maggie, the three siblings from the US who since 2004 have never stopped wowing us with their sweet creations.
Info: Aigaleo: Thevon L. 507 (Entrance Aneksartisia Park), Kifissia: Argyropoulou 3, Kolonaki: Irodotou 15.
Hobb’s
A vintage setting awaits those who find themselves in this corner all-day café in Vrilissia with a large, comfortable space that has almost doubled this year, mix n’ match furniture and well-preserved decor objects from bygone eras, which the owner collects with taste and passion. Sink into a comfortable, leather armchair with a warm mug in hand, browsing the available books and magazines or sit at a large table with good company to share delicious desserts, with the tiramisu standing out and taking you straight to Italy. The juicy orange pie, the rich chocolate pie and the fluffy millefeuille are also delicious. As for the hot chocolate drinks, the bitter, spiced and even whipped cream-topped Viennois seems simple compared to uniquely flavoured drinks like brioche praline and white chocolate with mastic and rose, which are likely to turn you into you a Hobb’s regular. To enjoy them in more privacy, opt for the room that opened this year, designed to look and feel like the cosy dining room of an English country house.
Info: Vrilissia: 110 Penteli Avenue.
Italus
What’s better than a cup of steaming chocolate? To be able to enjoy your chocolate and then eat the tasty cup. That’s exactly what you’ll do at the stylish café in Kallithea, where, moving from the bustling entrance to the quiet background, you’ll have reached the perfect refuge off noisy Thiseos Ave., as well as a place to stock up on energy in a healthy way for a day of shopping. Go in the mood to indulge but also honour your dietary vows by combining a hot chocolate with one of the many choices of bowls, banana breads and bars.
Standouts include the Banana Smoothie bowl with banana, almond milk, peanut butter and cinnamon, the Banana bread with mascarpone and Nutella, and you’ll also find 10 different handmade energy bars packed with antioxidants from nuts and dried fruit every day. There’s no shortage of desserts of course, with the delicious Sicilian cannoli filled just before serving to keep them crispy and fresh. And because must try the hot chocolate here, decide whether to indulge in the very thick Italus or a Choco cup, where once you’ve sipped your drink, you can eat the cup of ice cream cookie covered in chocolate on the inside. With so many healthy options, you definitely deserve it.
Info: Kallithea: 104 El. Venizelos Street.
Read also:
6 cafés with a fireplace in Athens for a warm, wintery atmosphere
7 top pastry shops in Athens with a French flair
6 cafés in Athens with a décor straight out of a fairy tale – Paradise for children
