Thessaloniki foodie guide: where and what to eat and drink?
Welcome to this Thessaloniki foodie guide. This vibrant city, although often overlooked because most people are visiting Athens, is known by many as the food capital of Greece and for good reason. It has a rich food culture that is a mix of traditional Greek recipes and influences from other areas of the Eastern and Mediterranean countries. That’s because Thessaloniki has an interesting history with many occupants and thus inhabitants with a different background. The local cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients, bright flavors, and unique dishes that can be found only tasted in this specific way in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is also way more compact than Athens, meaning you can try SO much more in a couple of days.
In this blog, I give you my suggestions for where and what to eat and drink, based on places I have visited.
Do also check out my other blogs on Thessaloniki:
This guide discusses:
The following traditional sweets are amongst the things you should definitely try when in Thessaloniki
Bougatsa
Bougatsa is a special type of phyllo pastry filled with sweet cream or savory things such as spinach, cheese or meat. They cut a piece out of an enormous bougatsa and cut it into small pieces for you to eat directly or on the go. You should definitely try both a sweet and savory bougatsa in Thessaloniki, as fresh bougatsa shops are rare outside of the Makedonia area. I’d recommend Bougatsa Giannis (because they have a bougatsa with Nutella as well) and Serraikon (because they have a version of bougatsa with sweet cream in which they added forest fruits). Yum! You can literally eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Trigona
These are sweet cones (drenched in syrup or honey) made of phyllo pastry that reminds us a bit of Baklava. They are filled with sweet custard cream. So it is basically a crunchier and sweeter version of a sweet bougatsa. This treat originates from Thessaloniki and the most delicious ones are made by Elenidis.
Tsoureki
Tsoureki is a sweet brioche bread that is supposed to be baked and eaten during holidays, more specifically Greek Easter. Terkenlis in Thessaloniki however has become very famous as a bakery selling the most delicious ones all year round, stuffed and topped with chocolate. They even have a shop in the duty-free shopping area in Thessaloniki airport so that Greeks and tourists can take tsoureki home or abroad to their loved ones. And believe me, you’ll spot many a tsoureki sticking out of a bag when boarding your plane.
Profiterole
This is a sweet that originates in France. Sometimes called a cream puff, it is is a small round pastry filled with whipped cream, custard, or ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. It is usually made with choux pastry, which is a light and airy dough made with butter, water, flour, and eggs. Greeks however are crazy about it and you can find it in many a place as if it was a traditional sweet from Greece. The best and personalized profiterole in Thessaloniki can be found at Chouréal.
The following spots in Thessaloniki are great for continental breakfast and lunch
Ergon Agora
Ergon is a food market as well as a restaurant, where you can eat delicious breakfast, lunch and even dinner. Crafty and fresh and they make up the plates really nicely!
Estrella
This place is located almost next to Ergon Agora and is your place to go to if you’re looking for a sweet breakfast or lunch (although they also do great eggs). Just look at the pictures of the pancakes….
Canteen
Canteen is always busy for lunch and that is for a reason. It is the kind of place that has something for every taste (eggs, burgers, American pancakes) and of good quality. Not a world changing concept, but you can’t really go wrong either with this choice.
Going for dinner in Thessaloniki? Here are 3 suggestions for totally different kinds of food:
Loupino
Loupino offers the traditional Greek kitchen, but then one level up and with a twist. It is definitely also one click more expensive than a traditional taverna, but it is worth it. Everybody told me to go here and I wasn’t disappointed!
Brothers in Law
Brothers in Law served me one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten in my life. A burger with mac & cheese. I REPEAT A BURGER WITH MAC & CHEESE. I’d never thought of this combo but, yummmm.
Derlicatesen
When you think of Greece, you think of souvlaki. Derlicatesen serves the best souvlaki, pita souvlaki and bifteki in Thessaloniki. If you just want to spend a few euros on your meal but still eat a delicious traditional and filling dish, this is the place to go to.
Everybody needs a coffee and cocktail now and then. So we can not leave them out of a Thessaloniki foodie guide! And above all, Thessaloniki has great nightlife because lots of youngsters live there. Here are some great places to go to.
Proto Patoma – Art café Théatral
Proto Patoma – Art café théatral is a real hidden gem. You’d never expect such a gorgeous looking bar up here from the outside. It has a small balcony that you can sit on so you can see all the cars and people passing by on the street. The great thing about this café is that when you order a drink, you get a free homemade piece of pie. We had a delicious big piece of chocolate pie. If you don’t hear it from local, you’d probably never know.
Tabya
Tabya is located in a renovated in a neoclassical building, which is beautifully furnished from the inside and has a cute courtyard on the outside, which is separated from the area by thick stone walls. It is actually one of the few places in the center of Thessaloniki where you can sit outside for a coffee or a cocktail without being next to a busy street full of cars. Which made it a very pleasant experience for me.
Little Big House
Little Big House is located in the upper part of the city. It is a hostel, café and cocktail bar with a rooftop. If you want to meet fellow travelers, or are on your way to the Ano Poli and up for a drink and a sweet, definitely stop by.
Castra bar
While you’re in the Ano Poli, you can enjoy the view even more when having a drink at Castra bar. Early morning or late at night, Castra will be open to welcoming you.
Skyline cafe at OTE tower
The OTE tower is 76 meters high and inside you can find the Skyline cafe. It is a rotating café meaning you sit down for a coffee or a cocktail and without moving, you can see a 360 view of the city. In the evenings, there is often live music. Of course you can expect to pay a higher price here even for the most simple drink. But you literally pay for the view. On the website you can book a table and certain menus, which gives you an idea of the current prices.
Orizontes Roof Garden at the Electra Palace Hotel
The Orizontes Roof Garden on top of the Electra Palace is the most famous rooftop of Thessaloniki and it has one of the best views. You look out over Aristotelous square, the boulevard in the sea. With the sun right on your face during the day. You don’t have to be a guest to go up there, you just have to order something. A freddo cappuccino is expensive at € 6, but no waiter is pressuring you to order anything else than that. So you can sit for hours with one drink if you want. And, in summer, even take a dip in the rooftop pool!
Urania
Urania is one of the best rooftop bars in Thessaloniki, where at some days after 11PM the party gets started with a DJ, cool lighting, et cetera. It is open during summer months. Check their socials for the latest program.
BONUS TIP FOR THE READERS OF THE FULL THESSALONIKI FOODIE GUIDE: go check out the newly renovated Agora Modiano, or one of the other traditional (food) courts in Thessaloniki. Read more about it in my blog about the top 10 things to do in Thessaloniki!
I hope this Thessaloniki foodie guide was useful and that you will enjoy your visit!
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