The best Bougatsa of Crete and other ... delights

With fresh ingredients from selected small Cretan producers, with fresh dough sheet (Phyllo in Greek – hence our name) that is artfully opened by hand every day and with a tradition that begins 100 years ago with Apostolos Salkintzis, the bougatsa master of Hamindiye (today Mouradie) of Smyrna, we make genuine Cretan bougatsa here for four generations.

And not only that! The dough sheet art of grandpa Apostolos and other Smyrna recipes gave us the possibility to offer you unique flavors and incomparable delights. Bougatsa with myzithra, unique in Crete, with or without local honey. Vegetable pies, cheese pies, traditional pies but also traditional sweets such as Byzantino and of course kadaifi, baklava and our amazing authentic loukoumades.

Browse our site, discover our recipes, make your reservation, subscribe to our newsletter and WIN or get even deeper into the magic of the east…

AUTHENTIC BOUGATSA

100 Years of Mastery

PATISSERIE

Tradition and creation

MORNING CΟMPOSITIONS

Breakfast & Brunch

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee with history

Our clients say about us...

Patrick L
  Greek sweets are great! We were told to have baklava/ekmek/loukomades before going back home and so I found this place with amazing reviews. I... Όλη η ΚριτικήWe were told to have baklava/ekmek/loukomades before going back home and so I found this place with amazing reviews. I had to try it... Pictures did not disappoint, my partner confirmed that the baklava was great, the loukomades were insanely good and ekmek was amazing too. Service, nightlife around is great too. Highly recommend for a once or twice...or more if youre that much into sweets🤣 Απόσπασμα  - 06/06/24 
Foodgloriousfood88
  So yum we came went back It’s unusual for us to repeat a spot during holidays because there is just so many other choices But the... Όλη η ΚριτικήIt’s unusual for us to repeat a spot during holidays because there is just so many other choices But the bougatsa is so good I had to come back It’s in the prime position Lots of seating area and best spot for people watching Απόσπασμα  - 04/06/24 
David
  Kaffee und ausgezeichnetes Bougatsa An einem großen Platz in Mitten der Sonnenstrahlen gelegen. Der Kaffee und vor allem der klassische lokale Teilnachtisch (Bougatsa) waren... Όλη η ΚριτικήAn einem großen Platz in Mitten der Sonnenstrahlen gelegen. Der Kaffee und vor allem der klassische lokale Teilnachtisch (Bougatsa) waren sehr gut. Απόσπασμα  - 03/06/24 
MarieDinNYC
  Come for the Bougatsa, stay for the comfort and great service! Tourists and locals meet at Philosophies! Known for its central location and great food, Philosophies is a must experience for... Όλη η ΚριτικήTourists and locals meet at Philosophies! Known for its central location and great food, Philosophies is a must experience for your time in Heraklion. Located in front of Morosini fountain known as “The Lions” you can sit in comfortable chairs and watch the world go by. Seating is on the ground level, balcony or upstairs as you prefer. Many come to meet friends have desserts or enjoy their delicious menu of bougatsa (Cretan Phillo meals and desserts) sandwiches, salads snacks and pizzas. There is an extensive list of teas and coffees and cocktails. If you like to people watch, this is your place. The attentive staff takes Cretan hospitality seriously- since 1922. They remember your face and make you feel most welcome. They are staffed to be attentive and are quick to respond (and anticipate) your needs. The Morosini fountain is in the center of Heraklion and a must visit. Απόσπασμα  - 20/05/24 
Paulaki
  Best Bougatsa in Crete. Hands down. We ate here for breakfast EVERYDAY for almost a week. It is genuinely the best Bougatsa in Crete. (Its a... Όλη η ΚριτικήWe ate here for breakfast EVERYDAY for almost a week. It is genuinely the best Bougatsa in Crete. (Its a Greek pie like Spanakopita, many many flavors... tradionally with sweet cream). The other items are also wonderful. We had a chance to sample most of the menu. Απόσπασμα  - 07/05/24 
Monika R
  Delicious food & great service I had read up about this cafe & not sure if I visited it or the next cafe along opposite... Όλη η ΚριτικήI had read up about this cafe & not sure if I visited it or the next cafe along opposite the fountain on a cruise ship visit way back in 2009 ish. But what I did remember about it was eating amazing bougatsa! We came over at lunchtime & it was really busy, it is a well organised cafe & they could see a free table on the 1st floor balcony so up we went. There is a buzzer on the tables to call for service when needed so that was a good touch. Orders were taken promptly, I had a club sandwich & my Mr had a Cretan sandwich which we both really enjoyed with coffees. We then had bougatsa - I decided on the caramel apple one & my Mr had the Nutella one! I also had another drink - the homemade flat lemonade was lovely. It was a nice change of scenery for us & I'm glad we had such a nice & very reasonably priced lunch. Απόσπασμα  - 07/05/24 
Denise B
  Put this on your list! Phenomenal food and even better service. Whether you’re stopping for breakfast lunch or dinner or just a refresher during your... Όλη η ΚριτικήPhenomenal food and even better service. Whether you’re stopping for breakfast lunch or dinner or just a refresher during your day, it’s steps from the old town market, near the port and worth the effort! Απόσπασμα  - 05/05/24 
ElkeM
  Ein Muss in Heraklion Tolles Café - leckere Boughatsa, Tee & Kaffee köstlich, authentische Atmosphäre, super freundliches Personal und ein charmanter Oberkellner, der keinen abweist  - 16/04/24 
dimitris m
  Κριτική Ήταν όλα τέλεια από το προσωπικό έως και το φαγητό,και ιδιαίτερα εξυπηρέτικη μια ξανθιά με μπλε μάτια .Σας το συνιστώ ανεπιφύλακτα  - 02/01/24 

SUBSCRIBE & WIN

Sign up for our newsletter (we promise we will ONLY contact you to let you know about offers and events) and get an instant 10% discount on your next visit on any order at any of our 3 stores!

the journey of a family...

When the crispy handmade dough sheet (phyllo) from Smyrna arrived in Crete, it was reassembled with mizithra and together formed the notorious bougatsa of Mr. Apostolos in 1922. When Apostolos Salkintzis set his foot in Lion’s Square, he decided to build here his little hangout which he called, “The Lions”. His sons, Anestos and Kostas, continued his legacy after he passed out, and thus this beautiful patisserie came, after all these years, to the hands of his grandson, Giannis.

The continuation of our story…

© 2022 All rights reserved

Made with ❤ by Attempt Digital