Central & West Macedonia – Greek Diaspora Travel
Best Restaurants In Thessaloniki
The 20 Best Restaurants in Thessaloniki, Greece
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city is a food lover’s dream. As a vibrant, historical, and multicultural city – Thessaloniki has all the ingredients of a culinary delight. Known for its gastronomy, there are options to suit everyone’s taste buds. Well known for its pastries, a trip to Thessaloniki is incomplete without sampling the city’s world famous bougatsa.
Here are the 20 best restaurants in Thessaloniki, Greece:
1. Sempriko
Located near the western Byzantine Walls, Sempriko is a must for all foodies. Try the smoked eggplant salad with tahini (dip), traditional ‘manti’ dumplings with lamb and yogurt, buttery shrimp, stunning risottos, or the truffle oil steaks – whatever your choice, you really can’t go wrong. Make sure you try Sempriko’s fantastic selection of cheeses, antipasto, as well as Greek wine and craft beer.
Address: 2 Fragkon, Thessaloniki, Greece
2. Extravaganza
Located near the Roman Agora, this innovative restaurant will tickle your taste buds. Try the scrumptious Extravaganza take on the penirli, the funky but delicious strawberry and sausage risotto or go for some meze dishes such as the fried meatballs with sage and the oat battered Mytilini fried cheese. Don’t forget to order one of Greece’s craft beers from Extravaganza’s long list to accompany your meal.
Address: 8 Episkopou Amvrosiou, Thessaloniki, Greece
Hot Tip: Sempriko & Extravaganza are my two favourite restaurants in Thessaloniki and two of my favourite restaurants in the world!
3. Estrella World Street Food
Located near the Arch of Galerius, Estrella gives the all-day breakfast & brunch menu a new meaning – literally serving breakfast until about 11pm! Try the ‘bougatsan’ (a twist on the traditional custard bougatsa, served in a croissant), the pizza ‘koulouri’ (a twist on the traditional Greek bagel, stuffed with pizza ingredients), and the Ottoman burger.
Address: 48 P. Mela, Thessaloniki, Greece
4. Agioli
With waterfront views, located next to Aristotelous Square, and a funky modern interior – what else could you ask for? Ohh yes, the food. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but whenever I’m at a seafront restaurant, I jump straight to the seafood options! The seafood here is sure not to disappoint. Try one of the catch of the day specials, the zucchini chips, the domatokeftethes (tomato fritters), the squid and sausage linguine, or a Florina sweet pepper with tzatziki.
Address: 15 Leof. Nikis, Thessaloniki, Greece
5. High School Pizza Bar
This pizza bar not only has some of the best cocktails in Thessaloniki but also has great views of the port area. Running with the high school theme, you’ll find pencil candleholders, exam-room chairs, and maths sums on the walls. A must along with any delicious pizza is the three cheese (graviera, parmesan, and Philadelphia) kataifi nests.
Address: 9A Leoforos Nikis, Thessaloniki, Greece
6. Mourgá
With a modern artistic décor, relaxed vibe, and sophisticated seafood based menu – Mourgá is sure to delight the senses. Try the fava bean purée with preserved caper leaves, buttery pan-fried shrimp, grilled calamari, grilled octopus with legumes, fried red mullets, and irresistible local seaweed. Don’t forget to also sample the local cheese and wine selection on offer.
Address: 12 Christopoulou, Thessaloniki, Greece
7. Taverna to Igglis
Are you after good traditional Greek taverna food? Then Taverna to Igglis is the hidden gem you’ve been waiting for. Try the slow-cooked pork shank or one of the delicious meze dishes.
Address: 32 Irodotou, Thessaloniki, Greece
8. Mageires
One of the best places to get traditional Greek home cooked meals is at Mageires – which literally means chefs/cooks. Another great reason to come here is to support a good cause. Mageires supports the community by hiring staff from vulnerable groups and works with a number of local charities. Try the mousaka, pastitsio, gemista (stuffed peppers), greens, or spaghetti.
Address: 40 Vasileos Irakleiou, Thessaloniki, Greece
9. Negroponte
Located in the heart of the historical Ladadika district, Negroponte is housed in one of the oldest buildings of the neighbourhood, built in 1888. Try the meatballs with yogurt and zucchini cakes, chicken and mushroom risotto, or handmade sausages accompanied with their organic house wine or raki. If you’re as lucky as us, you might also receive a complementary tahini cream yogurt dessert at the end of your meal!
Address: 21 Katouni, Thessaloniki, Greece
10. To Kourbeti
Located in the historical Ladadika district, To Kourbeti is a relaxed and hospitable traditional Greek restaurant. Try the ‘htipiti’ (potatoes and smashed cheese), sesame-crusted goat cheese with tomato marmalade, and the fried zucchini with tzatziki.
Address: 2 Vaiou, Thessaloniki, Greece
11. Mia Feta
Imagine a unique concept – half restaurant and half grocery story, with a minimalist décor – enter Mia Feta. Most products are sourced from the owner’s dairy farm. Try the feta with wild black truffle and the homemade bread with zea or emmer wheat, accompanied by a wine from the comprehensive list.
Address: 14 P. Mela, Thessaloniki, Greece
12. Derlicatesen all Souvlaki
A small, funky souvlaki bar located smack bang in the middle of Thessaloniki is Derlicatesen. Come here and try one of the best pork pita gyro in the city, served with paprika spiced yogurt.
Address: John Kouskoura 7, Thessaloniki, Greece
13. Diavasi
Meaning ‘crossing’ in Greek, Diavasi is another well know souvlaki bar/restaurant in Thessaloniki, located near the famous White Tower. Try one of their mouthwatering pita gyros or ‘soutzoukakia’ (Greek meat balls).
Address: 13 P. Mela, Thessaloniki, Greece
14. Clochard
Located next to Aristotelous Square, Clochard is one of the better fine dining options in Thessaloniki. Try the delectable ravioli, accompanied with a wine from one of the greatest Greek wine lists in the country.
Address: 4 Proxenou Koromila, Thessaloniki, Greece
15. Grada Nuevo
Another great fine dining option located next to Aristotelous Square, is Grada Nuevo. Try the shrimp salad, marinated goose, steak, or one of the flavoursome pastas. Make sure you finish off your meal with Grada Nueveo’s take on the traditional galaktoboureko dessert, which contains mascarpone cream, dates, nuts with rose syrup and ice cream!
Address: 14 Kalapothaki, Thessaloniki, Greece
16. Serraikon
The fact that Serraikon has three different types of chocolate bougatsa should alone be enough reason to come here. But there’s more! The range of bougatsa fillings and pastries in general at Serraikon is second to none. Whether it’s cheese, spinach, spinach and cheese, mince meat, custard (crème), Nutella, praline chocolate, or regular chocolate bougatsa that you’re after – Serraikon has you covered. Yes, that’s right, Northern Greece don’t just make bougatsa with custard. Most places in Thessaloniki will have at the very least the custard and cheese options, but Serraikon takes this to an all new level.
Address: 35 Vasileos Irakleiou, Thessaloniki, Greece
17. To Xryso
Another great bougatsa/pastry store from Serres. To Xryso is probably the most well known place in Thessaloniki to sample a bougatsa. As they’re are a chain of stores, you’ll be able to find To Xryso at shopping centres, airports, and other major cities all over Greece. The address below is the store in the heart of Thessaloniki, although there’s also a store at the Mediterranean Cosmos Shopping Centre.
Address: 27 Dim. Gounari, Thessaloniki, Greece
18. Chatzis
Located near the Roman Agora, Chatzis is what Thessaloniki is all about – sweet pastries! Chatzis has been serving tantalising desserts since 1908. Make sure you try the ‘kazan dipi’ (the Greek crème brulee, a dessert from Constantinople, dating back to the Byzantine Empire). Other must tries include the ‘kamaki’ (a buffalo milk ice-cream) and the ‘sutzuk loukoum’(a Turkish delight roll stuffed with nuts).
Address: 50 El. Venizelou, Thessaloniki, Greece
19. Blé
Blé is Thessaloniki’s flagship patisserie and you can find two stores located in the heart of the city. Make sure you try Blé’s signature tsoureki (Greek sweet bread) covered in hazelnut chocolate ganache. Other must tries include the creamy mille-feuille (a French crème pastry) and a mini chocolate and berry cake. There are also many delicious savoury dishes served here.
Address: 19 Agias Sofias, Thessaloniki, Greece or Egnatia 138, Thessaloniki, Greece
20. Terkenlis
Over 70 years old, Terkenlis has become synonymous with Thessaloniki, known for their mouthwatering chocolate ganache tsourekia (Greek Easter bread). Terkenlis provide a variety of sweat and savory options. As they’re are a chain of stores, you’ll be able to find Terkenlis at shopping centres, airports, and other major cities all over Greece. Below is their flagship store in the heart of Thessaloniki, however there are also stores located in Agia Sofia Square, Mitropoleos, Mediterranean Cosmos, Macedonia Airport, and Railway Station (OSE).
Address: 30 Tsimiski str & Aristotelous str corner, Thessaloniki, Greece
Hot Tip: If you’re located in Sydney, you no longer have to wait to your next trip to Greece for Terkenlis. They’ve just opened a store in Earlwood, Sydney called “The Daily Greek – by Terkenlis”!
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