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Worth visiting restaurants in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is well known for its great cuisine and tasty dishes. Food lovers from all over the world enjoyed this experience. While visiting Thessaloniki, one thing is for sure: you will be fed well!
Numerus restaurants are located all over Thessaloniki. The vivid nightlife of Thessaloniki keeps many of these places open until morning hours. The dishes served can satisfy all taste preferences as well as all economical status.
Locals enjoy good food and oftenly go out for lunch or dinner. Thessalonikis traditional taverns are famous in Greece.There are many different options one can choose from.
There are restaurants that offer seafood and fish. Others specialise in meat dishes and others in traditional Greek food (moussaka, gemista, papoutsakia).
There are some tsipouradika that mainly serve tsipouro or ouzo with meze (small dishes with a variety of food that goes with ouzo or tsipouro). Of course you can always choose street food or fast food to save money and still enjoy your meal.
It is worth mentioning that the portions served are very generous and the prices reasonable.
One thing that you wouldn’t know about restaurants or taverns in Thessaloniki is that most of them offer desserts without any charge to all customers. So be prepared for this extra treat!
Depending on the day and the restaurant or tavern you choose, you might enjoy Greek music as well. Some of these places have live Greek music, especially at night.
As you can understand it is subjective to identify the best restaurants in Thessaloniki.
However we have a list that includes a variety of the best cuisines in the city. Many new restaurants appeared in Thessaloniki in recent years, making this beautiful city even more attractive to food lovers.
Enjoying a full meal in Thessaloniki is a must do thing, during your visit there.
Tiho – Tiho, 1 Stergiou Polydorou st., Upper Town
Located in Upper Town or Ano Poli, in a traditional neighbourhood of Thessaloniki. Tiho-Tiho, which means by the wall, is located just across the Byzantine walls. There you will find many different dishes and flavours.
For many people Tiho-Tiho stands out because of its location and variety of options. Tiho-Tiho also offers special dishes of the day, for each day of the week.
This special dish might surprise you in a good way. It usually includes greek products combined with fresh ideas. You will have the opportunity to taste many traditional recipes, but served in a modern way so that guests of all ages leave this place satisfied.
If you love greek food like feta, spanakopita, dolmadakia and greek salads or you want to try them, this is the place for you. Of course there is a rich variety of drinks and wines from macedonian wineries to accompany your meal.
During your meal you will hear greek music, while the space is coloured in blue and white, the official greek colours. Also wooden furniture completes the decoration. Tiho-Tiho welcomes every visitor and offers the feeling of hospitality.
As you can understand this is not one of the places tourists usually visit. It is not located in the crowded centre of Thessaloniki but near the Byzantine acropolis.
If you like walking, you can go there from the city centre on foot. In this way you will have the opportunity to see the upper town and enjoy the view.
If you want to get to Tiho-Tiho faster than on foot, you can always grab a taxi to take you there. Otherwise, the local bus number 23 has a stop nearby. It’s not difficult to reach.
To Elliniko, 9 Stratigou Kallari st.
If you want to have a great taste experience you should certainly have a meal at To Elliniko. It is located in the centre of Thessaloniki and easy to find.
This is a restaurant that has been presented in Rick Stein’s travel documentary and not without a reason!
Delicious dishes such as stuffed mushrooms, Cretan apaki, grilled vegetables and salads are being served every day.
Many Thessalonikians and tourists choose to have their lunch or dinner at this amazing eatery. There are plenty of drinks and wines that you can order to have with your meal.
Massalia, Manousogiannaki and Filikis Etairias st.
“Massalia” is the Greek word that means Marseille. If you want to taste traditional Greek products, Massalia is the right restaurant for you. The menu is being altered ever now and then according to the season.
Fresh ingredients are always included in the menu while creative greek cuisine takes charge.
In Massalia you can taste salads, fish or meat dishes but there are vegan options as well. Also you can choose between a variety of local wines, ouzo or tsipouro.
If you are interested in a small trip you can try visiting Nea Fokea, where you can find the first Massalia restaurant. It follows the same philosophy and serves similar dishes.
Maiami, 18 Thetidos st.
Miami is located in Kalamaria at the east side of Thessaloniki. This place mainly offers sea flavours as it serves fish and seafood dishes.
This restaurant is a family business that lasts for three generations and therefore it serves dishes with background and experience.
You can accompany your meal from a wide wine list from the biggest greek wine labels. You can either choose between indoor, outdoor or terrace configuration. At the same time you will enjoy the view of the Thermaic Gulf.
Ouzou Melathron, 21 Karipi st.
Ouzou Melathron is a well known tavern located in the centre of Thessaloniki. This area has many cafe’s, taverns and bars and it attracts visitors all day. Ouzou Melathron has a humoristic aura with funny posters and decorations.
The menu follows the same trend as all dishes are named in a funny way.
There are many delicious starters (mezedes) which you can combine with ouzo or tsipouro. Also, you can choose from a rich variety of fresh salads, meat dishes, grilled or cooked, as well as from their list of greek wines.
7 Thalasses, 8-10 Kalapothaki st.
7 Thalasses, which means seven seas, might actually be the best seafood restaurant in Thessaloniki. Many Thessalonikians believe that it is!
This restaurant has plenty of awards in its history: 2006-2007-2008 Gourmet Award and 2010 Best Greek Cuisine Award. It is mentioned by ‘National Geographic’ as a place that worths eat to and in “Louis Vuitton Cities Guide” too.
The menu includes a rich variety of high quality fish and seafood as well as organic greek products. 7 Thalasses combines the sophisticated menu with great wines and appetisers. Foodies all around the world will enjoy their meal here!
Agioli, 15 Nikis Avenue
Right at the seafront of Thessaloniki you can find Agioli restaurant. It is famous for the quality of fish and seafood it serves. Agioli is not a traditional Greek tavern while it has a fine dining philosophy. All dishes have great taste with a gourmet twist.
You can try the linguini with seafood or for meat lovers the famous burger of Agioli. Don’t forget to ask for the dessert card and try their own ice cream, fior di latte. Your meal will end in the most tasteful way!
The vintage decoration is colourful and relaxing. If you want to enjoy a unique menu and relax at the seaside with a view of the White Tower, Agioli is the place for you.
Haroupi, 4 Doxis st.
During recent years Haroupi became a pole of attraction for locals. This restaurant successfully combines Cretan cuisine with fine dining practises. Haroupi introduced a different cuisine to Thessaloniki. Its menu doesn’t look like others in the city.
The dishes include Cretan ingredients with a modern twist, giving an interesting outcome. The staff is always available to suggest the most suitable wines to accompany your meal. You can also inform them about your preferences so that the wine suits you best.
Mia Feta – Feta Bar, 14 Pavlou Mela st.
Mia Feta – Feta Bar presented Thessaloniki an innovative idea. During morning hours you will find delicious breakfast or brunch options. Dairy products play a great role in those meals, as well as fruits, honey and nuts.
It also operates as a restaurant where feta and other greek cheeses are served in different ways.
Many of the dairy products are produced in the owner’s organic farm while all materials used to produce the restaurant’s dishes are greek.
In Mia Feta – Feta Bar you will have the opportunity to taste traditional greek flavours. An interesting suggestion is to order one of the cheese mix plates and one of the wines that goes great with it. Saganaki and fried cheese are always a tasty option. Don’t miss it!
Mia Feta also operates as a delicatessen. Many products used in the menu are available to you. You can take home all the things you liked. This could also be a good gift idea!
Ergon Agora, 42 Pavlou Mela st.
The main idea of the owners of Ergon Agora when they opened this store, was to promote Greek products and Greek culinary culture. The place today hosts a restaurant, a cafe, a butcher shop, a fish shop, a grocery and a bakery.
Inside this special place you can have a cup of coffee, take breakfast or brunch and enjoy your lunch or dinner. The plates served include quality Greek products. You can find and buy them all in the stores housed under the same roof.
The interior has a modern character. It is decorated with the industrial elements of the building. All materials like visible pipes on high ceilings and concrete walls contribute to the atmosphere of the place.
Dishes here have a high quality level. The flavours will please you and you can purchase all the goods you actually liked! It might be a good idea to make a reservation first, especially during weekends and holidays.
Bachtses, 211 Queen Olga Avenue
A must visit restaurant in Thessaloniki is Bachtses. It is located at the east side of the city, at Queen Olga’s Avenue. It is a small restaurant with beautiful, colourful decorations. Vintage furniture and ethnic style details complete the scenery. An open backyard is always hospitable to all guests.
The plates served cover all tastes. There are seafood options to accompany your ouzo or meat based dishes. Try to include ‘mixed tigania’ to your meal. It is a fried combination of pork, chicken, sausages, peppers and spices.
The outcome might surprise you in a positive way. Also, you must try ‘feta saganaki’. This is a salty-sweet plate, as the fried feta cheese with sesame, is covered with greek honey. It is an absolutely amazing starter!
Tsinari, 74 Papadopoulou st., Ano Poli
An alternative and more traditional option is Tsinari. You will find this tavern in Tsinari, one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Thessaloniki. The area gives visitors a glimpse to the past, while the plates served gives you the most greek, traditional flavours.
You can order mezedes, small portions of food, to enjoy it with ouzo. Greeks usually order many mezedes with ouzo, which they share with everyone on the table.
If you want ataste of traditional greek food you should try dolmadakia, tzatziki, fried gavros or sardines, bouyiourdi and soutzoukakia. Outside the tavern is a big leafy tree which makes it a perfect lunch destination especially during summer.
This place is the right one for those who want to taste the authenticity of Greek recipes and the old-style environment.
Full to meze, 31 Katouni st.
If you are interested in visiting one of the most famous places of Thessaloniki, you should go to Ladadika and eat at Full to Meze. Ladadika is one of the most vivid areas in Thessaloniki, where families, friends and workmates go to spend time together.
Full to Meze is located in the centre of Ladadika at Katouni st. Numerous delicious dishes are served, so that you will find it difficult to choose between them. Meat or fish plates are perfect for every preference.
Try fried pork pieces with mushrooms or with lemon and oregano, Macedonian tsoubleki or Yulbasi from Smyrna. Also, you can order wine, beer or other refreshments from a wide drinks variety.
Extravaganza, 8 Episkopou Amvrosiou st.
Extravaganza is a well known restaurant in Thessaloniki. You should make a reservation first if you want to avoid waiting in the queue, especially at evenings.
Of course the outcome will award you! Many different ingredients are combined to create the most delicious dishes. Unexpected flavours and combinations from different cuisine cultures reveal unique plates. As an example, it’s not unusual to see Cretan ingredients work fine with chinese style bao buns.
The big variety of dishes will certainly not disappoint you!
To Tarti, 9 Ioannou Delliou st.
If you’d like to have a taste of the Aegean islands but you don’t have the necessary time to visit them, Tarti is the right place for you.
This tavern serves dishes inspired from the island of Lesvos. The dishes give a little taste of the island as they are based on traditional recipes of Lesvos. You will find it in the centre of the city and you can have your meal on the sidewalk, especially during Spring or Summer days.
There are meat and fish plates, so that you can choose the ones that you like. There are many mezedes that you can combine with your drinks.
Mezen Salonika, 3 Rogoti st.
Mezen is a chain of restaurants with speciality in meze. You can find such restaurants in Volos, Athens and Larissa.
The environment is warm and intimate. Their menu is mainly focused on meze, small portions of food to accompany tsipouro or ouzo. There is a big variety of ouzos and tsipouros to choose from. If you don’t know what to order, you can always ask for assistance from the staff. They will be more than happy to help you!
Most of the dishes are made of fish or seafood. However there are other options, for those who prefer fish free plates. Mezen offers its dishes through delivery services too. If you don’t feel like going out you can always make an order and enjoy your meal indoors.
Panselinos, 31 Prosfigikis Agoras st. – Bit Bazaar
An alternative suggestion is Panselinos tavern. It is a little hard to find, but it’s totally worth it!
Located in the historical centre of Thessaloniki, inside Bit Bazaar, Panselinos has a lot to offer. The Bit Bazaar is a traditional shopping area, where you might feel like going back to the past. The atmosphere is just amazing.
Panselinos is a picturesque tavern that can make your evening unforgettable. The dishes are carefully made. They include plates like tacos, kebab and humus. Many locals consider Panselinos a hidden jewel. It’s a place that combines quality products with good prices along with a big variety of beers.
Sempriko, 2 Frangon st.
Another mezedopoleio that attracts people in Thessaloniki is Sempriko. Located in the centre of the city, near Ladadika, a well known area. Every day, Sempriko serves different specials along with the main menu. Here you will find delicious mezedes and unusual dishes.
Sempriko is a hospitable place with warm decorations and wooden furniture. Aromatic plants and flowers add their aroma to the place and give it a traditional note.
Ouzeri Lola, 10 Agapinou st.
Ouzeri Lola is a wellknown, crowded place. Many locals appreciate the mezedes served here. The atmosphere is simple and cosy, as the decoration and furniture belong to past eras. You can find this ouzeri in the centre of Thessaloniki, near Galerius Arch. As you can imagine, Ouzeri Lola serves plenty of ouzos and tsipouros. You can ask for help from the staff so that you choose the one that meets your needs.
Dishes here are traditional, perfect for the drinks served. You will find kalamari, octopus, fish and other goodies that match with ouzo or tsipouro.
Phanos, 8 Agiou Mina st.
Phanos sits in an old stone house in Thessaloniki. The environment is homelike and hospitable. In Phanos you will find traditional Greek recipes as well as new modern ones. All dishes are very tasty and served in small portions. This way you get many different flavours.
In case you follow certain dietary restrictions, you will find a variety of gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian dishes!
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