Bakeries have been popping up all over Athens in recent years. We are a bread obsessed people and retail super chains have figured a way to cash in. However, Pnyka Bakery, 3 locations in Athens and one in Vienna, has stood the test of time. The one pictured here in the first, opened in 1981 just a few blocks from Syntagma Square on Petrakis Street. There is nothing trendy or fancy about this place. Just really delicious breads, pastries and savory and sweet pies.

The breads at Pnyka are the real stars. Loaded up behind the counter, in different beautiful shapes and sizes and tastes. Pnyka makes a Dinkel loaf bread that I like to have a hand for toasting. It's a dense bread and can last over a week sitting out on the counter and longer in the fridge. Their cheese kritsinia (bread sitcks) are the perfect party pleasers and a great item to pair with taramosalata, Tzatziki or other Greek dips/spreads. For sweets I like their diples, a rolled sheet of flaky pastry shaped like a small burrito and covered in honey. Extremely difficult to make well - but Pnyka has it down. My Greek grandmother would approve.