Kolonaki has a new destination for sandwich lovers. Located at Tsakalof 7-9, Ola Fresca puts freshly baked dough, generous fillings and all-day comfort food at the heart of its concept, offering everything from savoury sandwiches to indulgent sweet treats.

The star of the menu is schiacciata, Tuscany’s answer to focaccia. Its name comes from the Italian verb schiacciare, meaning “to press” or “flatten”. At Ola Fresca, it emerges from the oven crisp on the outside yet light and airy within, with an open crumb structure that accommodates substantial fillings without feeling heavy.

48 Hours to Create the Perfect Dough

Here, the dough is far more than a vessel for fillings. It is one of the menu’s defining ingredients. The process begins with a biga, a pre-fermented starter that enhances both flavour and texture. After resting for 24 hours, it is incorporated into the final dough, which matures for another 24 hours before baking.

The result is a dough that takes 48 hours to complete and contains 70% hydration, giving it a light, open texture and the ideal contrast between a crisp crust and a soft interior.

Schiacciata is not the only highlight. The menu also features panuozzo, the sandwich bread that originated in Gragnano, near Naples. Prepared using the same two-day fermentation process and 70% hydration, it is baked in the shape of a small pizza before being folded around a variety of fillings.

From Lunch Break to Sweet Treat

Designed for different moments of the day, the menu caters to everything from a quick lunch to a more satisfying break from work. Schiacciata fillings include combinations such as mozzarella, Bologna mortadella, sweet pepper sauce, rocket and roasted cherry tomatoes, or stracciatella, San Daniele prosciutto crudo, pesto, rocket and roasted cherry tomatoes.

The panuozzi lean towards more comforting flavours. Options include one filled with Smyrna-style meatballs, pickles, yoghurt sauce and crispy onions, alongside versions featuring sausage or slow-cooked lamb.

For anyone craving something sweet, Ola Fresca also offers its CUP-KIES cookies. Available in a range of flavours, from chocolate chunks and gianduja to bitter orange zest, they can be enjoyed on their own or paired with mascarpone ice cream.

With its focus on quality dough, freshly baked bread, generous fillings and all-day appeal, Ola Fresca brings a simple but effective idea to Kolonaki. It is an ideal stop for those looking for something quick, without compromising on quality.

Ola Fresca
Tsakalof 7-9, Kolonaki, Athens
Tel: +30 210 360 8088