Aiakeion

The shop opened in 1958, and today Alexandros and Michalis, the third generation of the patisserie, run it. They have kept the traditional patisserie going and built a newer range around the Aegina pistachio, using ingredients from Greek producers and processing the nuts themselves from the first stage. The shop says that friends of Aegina rarely leave the island without a bag of its pistachio products.

Ask for the pastries made with Aegina pistachio, some of them generously filled with it. Then look along the shelves: pistachio spreads, roasted pistachios, jams, sweet snacks and vegan and fasting treats, which many visitors take home as gifts. On summer weekend evenings the shop’s Aithrion space serves cocktails and a short food menu, with a view over the main harbour as the sun goes down.

Aiakeion is at 18-20 Dimokratias Avenue, on the waterfront road facing Aegina’s main harbour. If your yacht is moored in the town harbour, it is a short walk along the quay. If you are anchored off another part of the island, come into town by tender or taxi.

You do not need to book for the pastry shop. The Aithrion opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm in summer. The phone and email are answered from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, and the shop also sells its products online if you want to order more later.