How To Eat Well in Thessaloniki

It’s the second biggest city in Greece so like Athens has an abundance of great restaurants. Being right on the waterfront makes it a great place to eat seafood. It’s also famous for the bougatsa (pastry) – I’ve included three spots on this list. I only got to about half the spots on my hit-list but here are some of the great places I ate whilst I was here.

📝 The best way to explore the Greek islands is by ferry. In summer ferry tickets can sell out quick so I recommend buying them ahead of time. The best website to book your tickets is on ferryhopper.com. I also find it useful to check ferry routes here.

1. Διάβαση/Diavasi

Go for the soutzoukakia (meatballs) & gyros. You know the gyros is next level when they serve it by itself. No pita, no chips, no sauce, no salad, no lemon. Just gyros. I also really liked the rossiki which is basically like a Spanish Russian salad.

2. Charoupi/Χαρούπι

A restaurant near the port serving modern Cretan dishes. I went for the lamb ravioli but the orzo looked beautiful too. The long green bean special was amazing too.

3. Ψησταριά Διαγώνιος

Another famous restaurant for soutzoukakia (meatballs) & gyros.

4. Ouzeri Tsinari

A lovely spot a mini bottle of ouzo, people watching and fresh grilled sardines (and they have cats to eat the tails for you). Great grilled aubergine. Average dolma.

5. Trigona Elenidi

Trigona Panoramatos – the Greek version of cannoli (but better 😉). These are basically baklava flavoured crunchy triangle-shaped phyllo pastries filled with vanilla cream. Ελενίδης (Trigona Elenidi) is a Thessalonian institution for these. They are handmade everyday and pumped with cream in front of you.

6. Το Ανωτερον (Μπουγατσα)

Bougatsa Giannis in English. One of the best spots for bougatsa in the city. I tried the classic sweet bougatsa with sugar & cinnamon as well as the ham & cheese bougatsa served with a dollop of mayo. Both great.

7. Παραδοσιακό Μπουγατσατζίδικο “Μπαντής”

Another great spot for bougatsa.

8. Σέμπρικο/Sempriko

A great restaurant for steak and pork chops. I got the tomahawk pork chop which was cooked to perfection. The steaks look incredible too and the menu is so good that it was pretty hard to choose. I also had a very good fava, some spicy peppers that were far too spicy to eat and a great chocolate dessert that came free.

9. Γαλακτομπούρεκο Γαλυφιανάκη

The best galatoboureko (Greek custard pie) in the city. You can buy a whole pie or by the slice. I got mine with extra syrup. Perfect. It’s supposed to be served cold but I think it’s best served just before it’s fully cooled down. They also serve some pretty good looking kataifi & balava.

10. Σούβλες & Σχάρες (Spits & Grilles)

A famous grill house. Go to try kokoretsi. This is what separates the men from the boys – Lamb intestines wrapped around liver, heart & lungs. I’m going to be honest, the crispy intestines tasted just like crispy lamb skin, and liver is similar to pâte and is pretty good with lemon squeezed all over it. Heart and lungs I’m not so much a fan of. Would you give it ago?

11. Το Ανωτερον (Μπουγατσα)

Another top bougatsa spot. I went for one mincemeat (pork & lamb) bougatsa & one sweet. Both great.

12. Ergon

Part of the Ergon Foods empire. Two locations in Thessaloniki. Ergon Agora East has the beautiful outdoor space. A great spot for breakfast on the way to the airport.

13. Kritikos

A fancy seafood restaurant with two locations in the city. I had a delicious freshly made pasta with langoustines and octopus salad to star. Not cheap. One for a blowout meal.

14. Ουζερί Λόλα

A good restaurant for seafood and ouzo. The fresh shrimp gnocchi & seafood pastas are popular here.

15. Foul Tou Meze

A buzzing well priced traditional seafood restaurant near the port. I went for spaghetti with tomato sauce & fresh shrimp with a side of kritamo (similar to almira as in it grows amongst rocks near the sea but very different in flavour).