Hellas Bakery

Just average this visit. Nothing too exciting and we threw away more than we ate. Been here before and really enjoyed it but this time lacked in service and quality.

Hands down four-​star bakery and service provided on a busy Saturday night!
I came out with Shannon to venture out of the «Night on the Islands» event on Saturday nights in the summer and came out here after dinner at Mamas nearby.
Now granted I have only passed by before but regret why I haven’t now. I LOVE the window look into the bakery (felt like I kid again in a candy store) wanting everything! Service was on point with being immediately helped upon arrival.
I proceeded to purchase the last carrot cake, get Shannon a coffee and myself an iced latte. I thought the carrot cake was OK, not enough of the cream cheese flavor but the iced latte was on point (even a bit better than Starbucks when I go).
We both stayed, talked, laughed and didn’t realize the time that it was way past their closing time! We were never told that they were wrapping up but as Greeks are, always having fun with another group indoors and that’s what I love about this place, no anal management!
I recommend this place after visiting the sponge docks for a tasty treat or caffeinated beverage.

Pretty good dessert (not the best), but really rude service. I go here fairly often, and don’t always have bad service so that’s why I gave 3 stars. Today, I had one of the workers argue with me about giving me a free parking pass. I explained that I came to Tarpon specifically to go to Hellas and did not do any touring. He didn’t care and said only the restaurant diners get free parking. This is fine, but be more open about it on your outside parking lot signage. The guy was rude, so that’s my biggest problem.

AMAZING Cheesecakes, Cookies, Cannoli! We go here whenever we come to Tampa to visit family & have gone here twice and both times everything tastes A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G!!! I’m a baker & very picky and for me to say this place is the best means alot! You won’t be disappointed, get 1 or 2 of everything!!!

Be still my heart. This is my favorite bakery in Florida. I LOVE their baklava. I had some there and brought a package home.
I visit every time I am in the area. Tarpon Springs is a Greek community and it’s fun to hear locals speaking Greek in the cafes, including Hellas.
Their treats are delectable. Service can be a little salty.
No matter, love Hellas!

I never thought I’d have to type the term «a juggernaut of a bakery» but here we go: this is just that, a massive bakery attached to a restaurant which since 1970 has been a local favorite and also a major tourist draw and somehow walks the thin line between the two, endlessly packing in the tourists while also retaining a degree of authenticity. Hellas operates as both a retail and wholesale bakery, meaning you can get their desserts if dining at the Hellas restaurant, you can walk in the bakery and just buy the sweets, or if you have your own Greek or Levantine restaurant and don’t want to make your own baklava, you can order from Hellas and sell their sweets to your own customers. Which, incidentally, is how many Greek restaurants and festivals in Florida actually source their baklava as it’s a time-​consuming, difficult, dish to make especially if your kitchen is devoted to other things. Understandably, such a massive bakery operation can do two things: great variety (many various types of baklava, both Greek and French-​inspired pastries, and numerous cheesecakes and other baked goods. The baklava I had was very tasty, I must say, which brings me to my second point: they are adept at making these pastries perfectly probably because they’re making them day in and day out, and in great amounts.
For that baklava and probably for the rest of the various baked good they had on display, plus for their beautiful presentation which runs its course from the building’s lovely façade down to each mere pastry, I would give five stars. However, I deducted one star for their restaurant menu and their dogged assertions of authentic Greek cuisine while they, per that menu, clearly are Greek-​American. I’m very familiar with Greek and Slavic cuisines and was excited by the bakery hoping the restaurant would really offer the type of food you can find in Greece, but it’s very Americanized. In example, they present saganaki simply as the flaming Greek cheese dish many know from visiting their local Greek restaurant: in fact, saganaki in Greece is any dish cooked in a small skillet in a specific manner and the flaming cheese variant was invented in a Greek restaurant in Chicago but now has become a standard of Greek-​American restaurant across the USA. It’s basically a chop-​suey story: a famed ethnic dish but out of an Americanized origin. The restaurant menu and also the bakery menu continues this theme in many regard, offering some very authentic dishes but many that are clearly Americanized. The baklava even, though tasty, represents mostly Americanized versions (of which there are many) of this classic sweet.
People clearly are enjoying Hellas and the bakery and restaurant also clearly are aiming for and reaching a high level of consistent quality – I respect that. But I feel chagrined that people are being told that this menu of flaming cheese, hamburgers, and Greek salad with potato salad in its center is authentic Greek cuisine. Hellas is pretty much the flagship Greek restaurant in the largest Greek-​American community in our nation, so to me it’s a little bit of a pity there isn’t a real emphasis on pure culinary origins here, but what sells is what sells and cheesecakes and flaming cheese certainly do seem to sell.

Deserts are superb. We enjoyed the baklava, greek coffee, éclair and the horn pastries. They were delicious. The service left something to be desired. The staff rushed you and came off rude and unpleasant. We will look forward to coming back on our next visit to Tarpon and hope the staff has be happy and engage in good service.

They have a great selection of Greek treats — I can’t pronounce them but I love them! LOL

So many sweets! What to choose? After an already filling lunch, we came here for desserts. We got 2 pieces of the baklava and it was really good but we really could’ve split one. Incredibly sweet and rich.
The order process can be a bit messy. You order by the desserts (there is a sign that says «order here») and then the person that helped you will tell you what register they are checking you out at. The only problem is that when it is busy, the «order here» part can get complicated since there are so many people around and I don’t believe O saw a numbering system (i may be wrong though). So just be prepared and patient.
They have a ton of different kinds of desserts and plenty of seating for you to enjoy it at.

Supper awesome spot right on the sponge docks to finish you Greek experience with some delicious deserts and fresh Greek coffee!!! You can’t go wrong with any of the many choices offered behind the huge glass counters. If I had to choose a must have it would be the baklava cheesecake. You would be amazed at how many people visit and don’t even know about this fresh homemade delicacy they serve. I strongly urge you to try this desert you won’t go wrong!!! Secondly be a bit adventurous and try something authentically greek you will be so happy you did!!!

Hella’s Bakery is conjoined with their restaurant nearby; it’s a straightforward operation, with the one attribute that it somehow pumps out magically wholesale amounts of what appears to be hundreds of different dessert options. There are a few of these kinds of bakery/​café establishments in NYC, and they operate very similarly, so I wasn’t blown away by the variety like a lot of the other reviewers. That’s not to say the variety isn’t seriously impressive; it absolutely is. How do they even keep everything fresh?! Doesn’t matter, they do and it comes out awesome. What stood out was the baklava and chocolate mousse, from our last outing here. Greek coffee (strong and delicious) and the cappuccinos are top notch.
This isn’t a bakery, it’s a destination. It may be very crowded so be prepared to duel it out for a table. On a Saturday mid-​day, it was tight and from what I understand, that was considered a light day for them.

I will go somewhere in the middle here with Hellas Bakery only because they have decent coffee and this is the only main Big Greek Bakery around the area.
I just don’t like how they have a lot of desserts here that would not even be considered Greek. I’m talking about the ones that look pretty, but don’t taste it. Like the mousse cakes. Eclairs, Fruit Tart Some of the Puddings. Etc. and the best one … Greek Cannolis. — Greek Cannolis? No.
I wouldn’ t recommend any of these if you’re looking for a real representation of a Greek Dessert. They don’t taste good and like I said, not Greek. I cringe when I see people eating them.
What I would recommend is the Galatibouriko, anything Baklava, melomakarona, Diples, Kourabiethes, kataifi, almond cookies, Tsoureki Bread and maybe a few more things I can’t think of off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you on that.
BUT. One more thing, I hate how they use SOYBEAN OIL to make some of the pastries when they should be using OLIVE OIL. Killing the Greek Tradition even more. It does really affect the flavor and smell, making these desserts MEDIOCRE at best, and very unhealthy– GMO city .
I’m already eating unhealthy, but please don’t completely kill me. Some people don’t mind this, but I do. That’s very cheap, they charge plenty, they have become a very successful business and can afford to use the little bit of olive oil .
I Wish they had more pride in what they were actually putting out to the people. It says on their website, Authentic Greek pastries made with only the FINEST ingredients. Ela Hellas ! Ela! * shakes head* Greeks don’t use Soybean Oil for anything. It’s not even in our Vocabulary.
I just noticed it a couple of years ago. I don’t know how long they have been doing this, but I don’t remember it always being this way. If you look, it is printed on the cookie sets ingredients labels.

if you are in the mood of getting some authentic Greek food, your best bet is going to be one of the numerous Greek restaurants in Tarpon Springs. And if you’re in the mood of munching on the most authentic Greek pastries and coffee drinks, then you only need to visit one place… Hellas Bakery.
We found this bakery on the busy Dodecanese Street of Tarpon Springs. A giant blue Greek soldier adorned with neon lights located on the top of the building guided us to this place. Once inside, we were quickly overwhelmed by not only the amazing smells of all the food but also the sounds coming from a sea of tourists. One key fact that everybody should be aware of is that there is really no queue when it comes to ordering. You just walk up to the counter and place your order once ready. For our adventures in sweets, we tried the Baklava cheesecake, Kataifi, and an iced latte. The cheesecake was very smooth and creamy and provided an extra crunch due to the top and lower portion being covered by the flaky baklava. The Kataifi was very delicate, golden, sweet, and oh so moist. We washed it all down with Greek style latte which is sweeter and creamier than what you may find at other coffee establishments.
When it comes to authentic and fresh Greek sweets, there is really nothing better than Hellas.

Late night stop for sweet treats. Always crowded sweets are always fresh and a ton of choices. I like the fruit tart and my hubs likes the red velvet cheesecake. I always bring family from out of town here because it’s an experience and every one should go at least once.
Almost forgot the spinach pie is amazing.
Service fast and precise.
Free parking in back for customers.

Hellas Bakery is connected to Hellas Restaurant, you can view all of the yummy cakes and pastries from your seat. I walked into the bakery to plan out my dessert.
They sell Greek breads and cookies here. Just a heads up, the cookies aren’t too sweet. Think of a Stella d’oro margarite cookie but less sweeter. (I love them but not today)
They serve a funky Baklava cheesecake but today I want something with walnuts, honey and topped with shredded wheat. I see Kataifi in my future.
Made oh so perfectly and drenched in honey, its the perfect ending to my meal.

They have this baklava cheesecake to die for it’s a little bit of Greek with a little bit of American and it’s absolutely wonderful and delectable

Hellas Bakery is my go-​to place for a good cappuccino. No bitter burned milk here (like a certain corporate store or two). Always perfect! Add cinnamon on top for a Greek flare. My boyfriend and I have become regulars here, and we’re always greeted with a smile. Our favorite girl even gave us a surprise icing-​decorated dessert for our anniversary.
A note on protocol for first-​timers: There is real no line to order. If you want to be served swiftly, scan the sweets as quickly as you can and make eye contact with the closest available associate to put in your order. First to speak, first served. ;)

I may be in the minority here but Greek dessert is pretty horrible, even if it’s done well. Just drenching everything in honey and butter and calling it a dessert really isn’t my cup of tea. Sprinking some pistacios on it doesn’t change the fact that Greeks just don’t do dessert well, very surprising given their proximity to Italy. Hellas is aware of this and that’s why the majorty of their dessert options are Italian and French based. Hellas Bakery is by in large an Italian dessert and café location connected to a Greek restaurant.
Living in Brooklyn and being somewhat obsessed with dessert I’m a bit spoiled. NYC has some of the best food in the world, especially when it comes to dessert, Italian dessert in particular. With that as a measuring stick I wasn’t impressed with the quality from Hellas. I’m sure it’s one of the best options in the Tampa area and there was certainly nothing that looked bad. The space was very clean, the prices were reasonable, and the service was good. I forgot the exact dessert me and my girlfriend shared but one was supposed to have custard and it was more of a frosting and the other was a chocolate mouse with less flavor than I was expecting. Again neither was horrible, just not worthy of a 4 or 5 star review.

Hellas Bakery is connected to Hellas Restaurant so you can enter the bakery from inside of the restaurant and they also have an entrance from the street no matter which way you chose be prepared for a wait the bakery case is filled with a little of everything but the ordering process is not so organized the severs randomly ask customers what they want and completely ignore the line once you place your order they direct you to a register to pay numbered one through four.
Looks like a lot of these reviews including mind are focused on the ordering process not the treats (that’s the problem here and my reasoning for the three stars). The offerings are plentiful and the Italian Cannoli and Baklava were just okay I think the shear volume takes away from the quality. I see most people were ordering take out but there are a number of tables and chairs. The service is plastic and self service and you bus your own table all of this was a little disappointing.

Chaos? Yes. Lots of people gazing at the display counters trying to decide what to get? Yes. But trust me, the wait is worth it.
A Tarpon staple, that’s attached to their restaurant (skip the restaurant), Hellas is a sugar lovers dream.
After dinner, my man friend and I walked down Dodecanese Blvd, taking in the sights that Tarpon has to offer. After making the loop, we stopped in for some to go goodies.
You’ve got to get a triangle of their baklava. To die for. I also ordered some cookies called melomakarona. Think the same ingredients as baklava, but more of a cookie consistency. I had them once at a Greek christening and loved them.
When in the area, stop and get yourself some goodies. This is the best in Tarpon.