Traditional Greek Desserts You Need to Try

Traditional Greek desserts stand out for their sweet combinations of honey, nuts, phyllo, and semolina. These recipes have deep roots in the Mediterranean islands and mainland and are often served during celebrations or as dessert after meals. They reflect Greece’s agricultural wealth and Byzantine influences.

From syrupy pastries to nut-packed cakes, they not only taste incredible but also offer health benefits like antioxidants from walnuts and olive oil. Exploring these sweets provides insight into Greek hospitality and culture, making them a must-try for any dessert lover. This article showcases classic options, preparation tips, and ways to incorporate them into your routine.

What Are the Most Iconic Traditional Greek Desserts?

Greek desserts focus on simplicity and intense flavors, typically featuring phyllo dough, honey syrup, and seasonal ingredients. Here are seven classic desserts to try, each representative of regional traditions:

• Baklava: Layered phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts such as walnuts or pistachios, baked, and soaked in spiced honey syrup. This treat offers a sweet, crunchy texture and lasts up to two weeks when stored correctly.
• Galaktoboureko: A semolina custard wrapped in flaky phyllo, soaked in lemon-honey syrup. This dish from Thessaloniki has a balance of creamy richness and citrus flavors, providing a comforting texture.
• Loukoumades: Deep-fried dough balls dipped in honey, resembling Greek doughnuts. Sprinkled with cinnamon and sesame, street vendors in Athens prepare them fresh, making them warm and irresistible.
• Melomakarona: Christmas cookies infused with honey, walnuts, and spices, representing winter abundance. They stay moist and aromatic for weeks without needing refrigeration.
• Bougatsa: A phyllo pastry filled with either creamy custard or cheese, topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Residents of Crete enjoy it as both a breakfast item and a dessert.

Modern Greek Desserts to Savor at Committee

At Committee, Boston’s vibrant Greek restaurant in the Seaport, these timeless inspirations take on a contemporary twist. The dessert menu combines classic Mediterranean craftsmanship with creative flair, offering the perfect ending to your meal:

• Passionfruit Pineapple Sorbet: Refreshing and tropical, served with assorted berries.
• Ekmek Cheesecake: A stunning blend of blueberry, lemon, kataifi (shredded phyllo), and whipped cream—a nod to traditional Greek ekmek kataifi reimagined as a modern cheesecake.
• Chocolate Tart: Rich ganache balanced with bing cherry coulis and whipped cream, offering a luscious Greek-inspired indulgence.
• Portokalopita: A beloved orange “upside-down” phyllo cake with blood orange gelée and citrus whipped cream—sweet, aromatic, and utterly Greek.

Pair your dessert with a Greek after-dinner spirit like Metaxa, Tsipouro, or Commandaria, or unwind with coffee or herbal tea from Atomic Coffee Roasters and Steven Smith Tea.

Experience Greek Dining and Dessert at Committee

These desserts highlight the diversity of Greek sweets, with phyllo-based treats being especially popular because of their versatility.

Whether you’re reminiscing about the islands or exploring Greek cuisine for the first time, Committee brings the flavors of Greece to life—from savory meze and grilled favorites to decadent desserts that celebrate tradition with a twist.

Join us for dinner and stay for dessert—because no Greek meal is complete without something sweet. Visit Committee in Boston’s Seaport and experience authentic flavors, lively atmosphere, and a modern taste of Greek hospitality.