Bougatsa is a way to gather

A classic Greek breakfast that every tourist must try is bougatsa. This dessert is an essential part of Greek culture and daily life thanks to its cultural roots, social symbolism, and connection to local identity.

It originates from the Byzantine region, particularly in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), when it was still a Greek city. The name bougatsa comes from the Ottoman word pogatsa, which means "sweet pastry." However, this dish can have both sweet and savory fillings. It became popular in Greece after the Catastrophe of Asia Minor: Greece’s defeat by Turkey, which led to the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Greeks from Asia Minor, marking the end of the Hellenic presence in the region (1919-1922). This dessert gained the most popularity in Thessaloniki and Serres, two cities where many refugees settled during this period.

Today, bougatsa remains a delicacy for Greeks and comes in countless varieties of fillings. The most popular is custard cream made with semolina, but it is also common to find fillings such as cheese, minced meat, chocolate, apple, mashed potatoes, spinach, and more. Although bougatsa is most commonly eaten at breakfast, it is also enjoyed as a midday snack or even "at night, after going out to bars," as George Papadopoulos, one of the co-owners of Bougatsa Giannis, an iconic shop in Thessaloniki, explains. Eating bougatsa is much more than just nourishment; it is a way to gather, which is why shops like Bougatsa Giannis serve as meeting points for many locals. Papadopoulos explains that at his shop, it is a tradition for "customers to come on Saturday and Sunday mornings to have bougatsa with coffee, taking the time to catch up with friends and family."

Bougatsa Giannis has become popular thanks to the

dedication and quality of their bougatsa | Mariona Carbó

In cities like Thessaloniki, bougatsa is a symbol of local identity. Each region has its version, and it is common for locals to take pride in it and consider it a distinctive element of Greek gastronomy. Additionally, according to George Papadopoulos, bougatsa "is easy to share, and almost everyone does, which reinforces the Greek tradition of hospitality (philoxenia)".