If Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella and Pinocchio were looking for a place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with a slice of cheesecake or apple pie, then the following cafés would definitely be on their list. These “fairy land” places, with the impressive, “instagramable” décor attract both young and old. They tell their own, mostly sweet, stories and offer an experience that seems to have come out of the pages of a fairy tale.
Little Kook
It’s impossible to not notice the impressive exterior of Little Kook, even though it’s “hidden” in the narrow streets of Psirri. Already from the first day it opened, queues were formed outside. The décor is inspired by classic stories we all know and love, like “Alice in Wonderland”. The décor changes often, honouring a different fairy tale, but it’s always equally impressive. The staff is in costume, resembling heroes of a past era, while the neoclassical mansion that houses this café is full of lovely antiques.
Little Kook didn’t stay in just the original building for long, it gradually took over the street, creating a themed neighbourhood with many small shops selling goods that range from crepes and waffles to ice cream and candy. It’s worth a visit for its atmosphere and for a snap for Instagram.
Desserts and pancakes are the main event, with decadent, impressive and very very sweet versions. I tried their red velvet cake, their most famous dessert, with the many layers of cream cheese, and the extremely sweet chocolate pie.
17 Karaiskaki str, Athens, tel. 0030 2103214144
Cap Cap
One of the first cafés based on fairy tales and magical worlds to open in town. It got its name from the Mouse with the Blue Bow and the sound of the rain falling on the rooftops. The décor changes regularly and is based on different worlds, as does what’s on the menu: the names and presentations of the desserts change.
So, you’ll find a variety of imaginatively named cupcakes, luscious cakes – I recommend the one with rum and espresso –, crispy lemon pies, waffles, crepes, as well as tsoureki (traditional sweet bread) with jam filling at both the Egaleo and the Elliniko branches. They also have an interesting e-shop where you can buy official Harry Potter, Disney, Marvel, DC etc merchandise.
26 Panormou str, Egaleo, tel. 0030 2105904116, 10 Iasonidou str, Elliniko, tel. 0030 2109645008
Fairytale
The moment you enter the shop, you’ll enter the pages of your own fairy tale, and you might find Peter Pan sitting at a table with Snow White, or Beauty sharing a dessert with Harry Potter. And moving between the tables you’ll see a white rabbit holding a tray with delectable desserts and yummy beverages. You can tell the atmosphere is charming and magical.
Fairytale has been telling its own sweet story for some years now in Nea Filadelfia, and more recently also in Psirri. Its menu is full of filling, impressive sweets, full of sugar, that are great for sharing, like for example the Fudge Brownie Tower that comprises of juicy brownies, thick milk chocolate sauce, choco biscuit, Oreo crumbs and vanilla ice cream.
48 Tripia str, Nea Filadelfia, tel. 0030 2102582341, 16 Leokoriou str, Psirri, tel. 0030 2102582341
Trick or Treat
In a small street off the main pedestrian street of Peristeri, just a few minutes away from the metro station, you’ll find Trick or Treat. Its name references Halloween, and it immediately sets the tone. Colourful, impressive, full of fairy tale heroes on the walls, and with tables that look like huge lollypops, you won’t be able to resist taking photos to post on social media, and then, you’ll take your time deciding what to order from the menu.
Like the other cafés we’ve mentioned so far, Trick or Treat also has very sweet, impressive desserts, while it also has a selection of savoury dishes in case you’re there for brunch.
8 Delfon str, Peristeri, tel. 0030 2105770201
Alice Cakewitch
You’ll find Alice Cakewitch among shops, in Kato Petralona. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, it features a glass display of its desserts and many different cupcakes.
You can choose from a variety of cupcakes of different flavour combinations, either to enjoy there, or for takeaway. Apart from the cupcakes, they also have a wide range of other sweets like muffins, lemon pie, donuts, banoffee, croissants with various fillings, impressive 3D cakes. On Sundays it also serves brunch.
42 Ious str, Kato Petralona, tel. 0030 2103464353
Ellyz Athens
Ellyz Athens’ décor might not be inspired by a fairy tale, but it’s inspired by Champs-Élysée in France, and it’s bound to attract your attention. The walls and the ceiling are covered in pink and purple flowers, the tables have white marble tops, the sofas are pink and powder blue velvet and bring to mind a Parisian café in the ‘30s.
The flowery setting will get you there, but their desserts will make you stay. Try the pink velvet cake with your pink flat white coffee.
11 Agiou Filipou str, Athens, tel. 0030 2114183816
Read also:
7 top pastry shops in Athens with a French flair
5 places in Athens for a great cup of hot chocolate
6 cafés with a fireplace in Athens for a warm, wintery atmosphere
