A Foodie’s Guide to the best Restaurants in Thessaloniki.

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Many travelers love Greece for its culinary scene though I dare say, many Greek classics fall in the category of ‘comfort food’. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, Thessaloniki has become the spot for some innovative twists and new interpretations of Greek classics when it comes to food.

Which are the best restaurants in Thessaloniki? I am not supposed to choose favorites but I will say that the city is an amazing destination for anyone who loves food. With that, I would like to share a few of my favorite restaurants in Thessaloniki. The list is not yet complete but shall be a work in progress. 

Some tips when dining in Thessaloniki

• Thessaloniki restaurants have ‘funny’ opening hours. Many open at 2 pm for a late lunch and stay open until midnight. If you are used to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I recommend you have a late breakfast and move your meal times up accordingly. 
• If you are looking for the best breakfast in Thessaloniki, you will have to stay at The Modernist! Don’t miss out on some of their amazing bougatsa.

• Not all restaurants are open all year round, some close after the summer season and reopen the next year.
• I usually get by as a solo diner without a reservation but if you are set on a certain restaurant I would recommend making one. Even going at a weird time, say 4 pm, you may find yourself in a very crowded restaurant. Greek people keep different lunch hours. 
• Most places have an English menu and no, that does not mean it’s a tourist trap. 
• You will usually get a bottle of water immediately, and no, it is not free. That said, it is very affordable. However, if you don’t want it or prefer sparkling water just say so. Same goes for bread by the way.
• Most restaurants in Thessaloniki do accept credit cards and cash. And you will usually get a shot of local ouzo or spirit or something sweet with your bill. 
• Tipping is not mandatory in Greece and I have yet to see a restaurant that charges a set service fee. That said, a few euros are always appreciated. 

Read more:

Travel guide for a weekend in Thessaloniki

The best Restaurants in Thessaloniki

Mourga

I think when people ask for a recommendation for a cool Thessaloniki restaurant, Mourga is the place most mentioned. Giannis Loukakis has created a little masterpiece that is equally delicious and cool as it is unpretentious. The menu changes daily and only features seasonal vegetables and seafood. Greek classics are redefined with the purpose of showing off some great produce. 

Portion sizes at Mourga are quite ‘normal’ as in – I could easily manage a starter and a main. Keep in mind though, they are not classified as such. The menu is a colorful mix of everything. To start with I opted for the bonito tataki which was served on a … stone for a lack of better word. It came with a grilled aubergine puree that gives regular babaghanoush a run for its money. 

For my main, I went for the squid on fava puree. While fava beans of course always remind me of Silence of the Lambs, the puree was the star of the dish. The squid was nicely grilled and not too chewy, I think I just don’t really care for squid all that much. Next time I will probably opt for some of the veggie dishes. 

They also have a nice selection of natural wines, by the bottle or by the glass. Keep in mind that if it is windy and you are sitting outside, your glass might be in peril. If you end up with wine all over your clothes and smell like a winery don’t worry, I was told by a few Greeks that this is a good smell. 

+ ΤροΦή | Sintrofi

There is no shortcoming of restaurants in Ladadika but few are as cool as Sintrofi (+ ΤροΦή in Greek). The tourists that come here, went looking for it – this is not a place you just walk by. In fact, the location is less than charming as you are literally eating right next to a big construction site at the moment. However, I was intrigued by the concept that chef Giannis Loukakis had envisioned for his new enterprise. Especially because there is no indoor seating – the kitchen takes precendence as does the icon of Aghios Euphrosynos, the patron saint of cooks. 

But nobody minds to eat with side of construction here and when I arrived just before 5 pm I barely managed to get a seat at the outside bar counter. Comfy it ain’t, but that is the lot of the solo diner. No, honestly I was lucky to get a seat – Greeks and their very odd dining times…

Read more:

Tips for eating alone on a trip

Unlike Mourga there are also some meat dishes on the menu and unlike most Greek restaurants in Thessaloniki portion sizes are refined = small. I started with the beef fillet tartare with egg foam cream followed by gyoza stuffed with tuna and melon. Both dishes were delicious though the gyoza dough was a bit tough. And have I mentioned the portion sizes? I think I should have also ordered the pork schnitzel with katsuobushi (my new favorite after Japan!). 

The menu changes frequently and there is an extensive list of natural wines to go with including quite a few options by the glass. I tried an Asproudi orange as well as a Stalisma rose which was incredible. And of course, you are still in Greece so you will get something on the house – in this case a very cool peppermint mastic. 

Stou Mitsou

The Kapani Market is the place to go if you consider yourself a foodie in Thessaloniki. However, it is mostly great for people (and cat) watching and to buy fresh produce. 

ΨΙ by Mezen – Psi by Mezen

Looking to eat fish in Thessaloniki? To say you have options would be an understatement. I went to ΨΙ by Mezen for an early lunch and may have just found a new favorite when it comes to fish. 

It is not just a restaurant, but a mix of a cool wine bar, a fishmonger, and a deli. In the back, you can see their huge fish dry ager with treasures from the Aegean Sea and from the Mechaniona fish market.  And yes, you can buy fish and delicatessen to take home as well. 

If you want to eat there, either come when they have just opened or make sure to get a reservation. On the menu, a fantastic selection from the sea: grilled, smoked, or raw. They have a big selection with small snacks like pickled octopus and fish roe mousse as well as salads, sides, dips, and obviously a fish cut selection. 

This is not your average fish menu, though. Instead, tuna belly from the grill, dentex ceviche with kimchi mayo, and scorpion fish cooked in the oven. 

Another delight, especially when eating alone, is the “for young and old” section with individual pieces like squid souvlaki and mini tuna schnitzel. Salads are available in half portions, and they also have a fantastic selection of wine by the glass. 

MIA Feta Bar

Google Maps says it is currently closed, and it was when I drove by. However, the website is still working so I assume it is really just temporary.

I have eaten at Mia Feta Bar a few times now because I absolutely adore the concept. As the name implies it is all about the feta cheese here. Inside they have a huge selection for take-away – it is almost a mini supermarket. They don’t only have feta but a variety of Greek cheeses which also includes a good selection of vegan feta made from coconut milk. Even as a non-vegan, I can appreciate this! 

On the menu are a variety of cheese plates, of course, but also smaller dishes and some mains. Some center around cheese, some don’t, but I’d say the star is definitely feta here. In addition they have a huge well curated wine menu with many option by the glass or even half glass. 

During my recent visit, I went for the Grill & Eat which is grilled cheese with fava bean dip, olive chantilly (basically a tapenade), and lemon cream. I also ordered crab with black rice which was a really generous portion. Service is lovely and attentive. The only downside is the sidewalk seating which is less than charming but honestly, the cheese is worth it!

ERGON AGORA 

If you are looking for a mix between a market hall, a grocery shop, and a restaurant in Thessaloniki, Ergon Agora is the place to go. Ergon the mother brand has become a little food-centered empire with various shops around Greece as well as a few hotels and resorts. 

Ergon Agora in Thessaloniki is unassuming from the outside as there are only a few tables on the sidewalk. Make sure to take a peek inside where the magic happens: hams dangling from the ceiling, traditional Greek delicatessen, an impressive wine list, and fresh produce may tempt your belly and your credit card.

They have upped their number of tables so you can also sit inside – it is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or brunch which is served until 1 pm. 

On their regular menu, they offer meze, salads, and pasta, as well as favorites from the butchery and fishmonger inside. My new favorite: peinirli with Vitello Tonnato. Peinirli is a pizza/pie mixture and is done with handmade sourdough here – utterly delicious – come hungry! But seriously, whatever you are in the mood for, you can’t go wrong – Ergon Agora knows how to do good food. 

ΜΑΙΤΡ & ΜΑΡΓΑΡΊΤΑ | MAITR & MARGARITA 

This Thessaloniki restaurant came recommended by the Modernist and it did not disappoint. While it looks unassuming from the inside, the menu of Maitr & Margarita is more than inspired.

Greek dishes are given a modern spin and are merged with some international classics. My instant favorite was the ceviche with savory peanut butter panna cotta. While not cheap at Euro 22, it came in full portion size and became one of my favorite dishes in Thessaloniki. I am still trying to figure out how to make this one at home…

During my second visit, I ate tuna carpaccio with grilled melon. For someone who usually despises melon (I must have missed that part of the description the waitress gave me), it was super yum and I am considering grilling melon myself in the future. I also had a risotto with prawns in passion fruit and pinenut creme and while the portion was way too big, it was absolutely divine.

ΧΑΡΟΎΠΙ | CHAROUPI 

While I revisited some of my favorite restaurants in Thessaloniki during my most recent stay, I added Charoupi to the list of must-go places. It was a bit ironic considering that it is one of the best restaurants in Thessaloniki for Cretan food and I was about to head to Crete for a month. But I will say, I have yet to find food like that in Crete so it was well worth a trip.

While they offer some Cretan classics (no doubt with a twist though!) like pies, snails, rabbit, and stuffed vine leaves I went for the most unusual dish I could find on the menu:

This was an unusual choice for me because I usually consider eggs a firm breakfast staple. Mind you, I can’t ever say no to fresh truffle and was also intrigued by the concept of a savory meringue. The whole dish was equally unusual and delicious, the staka cream being almost like a super creamy cheesy potato puree. I also ordered the fried mushrooms because I am a sucker for fried mushrooms, and while those were a lot fancier than what I expected they were incredible.

I had a family of four sitting next to me and they seemed to order every item on the menu and I was quite envious to not have anyone to share with. With that said, I need to come back to try more!

Η ΡΟΥΓΑ | ROUGA 

Admittedly, Rouga is not one of the cool kids when it comes to dining in Thessaloniki. But I ate at Rouga during my first visit to the city and always remembered the magical atmosphere in Via Karipi. One of the adjacent restaurants has put up circus figures on the awnings and there are hipster fairy lights strung all across the road – don’t come too early so you can soak up the vibe fully.

To be honest, Rouga wasn’t my favorite restaurant in Thessaloniki when I returned a couple of years later but the service is great and the atmosphere is quite magical. The menu offers classic Greek dishes: I had the eggplant salad and grilled calamari but I remember that the octopus was a highlight for me last time I was there. If you ask nicely they will treat you to some ouzo and homemade cherry cheesecake in a glass.

The whole alley is a bit theatrical and kitschy but honestly, in the best way possible!

Diagonios 1977

If you come to Greece, you will want to eat meatballs, soutzoukakia. They are sublime. Greeks make them better than anyone else (well, maybe they can have a cook-off with Turkey…). They are juicy, smoky, and very tender. Usually, they are made with pork, but you can also get beef or lamb meatballs. 

Looking for the best soutzoukakia in Thessaloniki, and you will stumble upon Diagonios 1977. This institution has been serving meatballs and gyros for decades. 

The menu is desceptively simple: 5 soutzoukakia served with dried chilli flakes on the side, or a plate of gyros plus some typical Greek sides. I went for a Greek salad and was glad to have asked for a half portion because even that was huge. It was the perfect fresh accompaniment to some of the best meatballs I have ever had. 

Is it fancy? No. Is it the most delicious version of a Greek classic you could hope for and absolutely moreish? Heck yes! 

Glykanisos

If you don’t mind a taxi ride, I recommend you head to the residential neighborhood of Pylaia. This is where you will find Glykanisos, one of the best fish restaurants in Thessaloniki. Of course, when I say fish, this includes all sorts of seafood as well. In fact, Glykanisos calls itself an oyster bar. 

To be fair, the ambience doesn’t compare with all the hip and happening restaurants in the city center. The interior is stuck in the noughties, the service is a bit too fast and efficient, and the whole setting doesn’t really invite lingering. 

Still, it is worth the trip when you look at the menu! 

Apparently, Glykanisos is known for its tuna bacon, so I obviously had to try it. I asked for a half portion, which was not a problem and was plenty. It was a strange sensory experience as it tasted like smokey tuna but with a soft bacon-like texture. Delicious and probably even better with an Egg Benedict. 

They also have oysters and scallops by the piece, so I had one of the latter served in a nut butter. Scallops are no steal at 5 Euros a piece; otherwise, I would have had more. It was served with the beard and was soft and sweet. 

As a main, I went for the fava gnocchi with octopus, a dish I had scouted on the menu beforehand. I was very keen on this unusual combination, though I would have preferred a bit less overpowering sauce that I couldn’t quite place. That said, the octopus was wonderfully tender, and using fava for gnocchi is a stroke of genius. 

The Heavy Melon – To vari peponi

This came recommended by lovely Ionna, the F&B manager at the Modernist. To vari peponi is located right by the Palace of Galerius and like many other restaurants in Thessaloniki only opens at 2 pm. I was there at 2:01 as were two other solo diners which caused some confusion with the hostess. However, she quickly managed to seat us while keeping some bigger tables for other guests. 

On the menu are Greek classics with small sophisticated touches. As usual, I ordered two dishes to get a better idea of what the restaurant is about. I was “warned” through some Google reviews that portion sizes were going to be generous and they did not lie.

I started with smoked trout that was served on a crunchy radish, pepper, and onion salad with lots of red pepper. Then came the florina kebabs which were just the perfect example of why meat is so very yummy in Greece. They were served with beetroot mayo and mustard as well as small fluffy pita bread – Greek perfection on a plate. They were so good that I managed to eat them all somehow. 

Shed 

If you are looking for a cafe in Thessaloniki you won’t have to search for long. Coffee culture is huge in Greece and Thessaloniki is no exception. That said, things are a bit different if you like me love a good matcha. Luckily there is now Shed. 

Shed is a little Japanese corner cafe in Thessaloniki offering Japanese coffees and amazing matcha. Matcha latte that is, there are no shenanigans and unfortunately no matcha sans milk either. That said, they do offer a variety of milks and of course, you can get your matcha latte hot or iced. And at 4 euros it is a steal at least compared to Starbucks.

They also have some sweet treats, apparently you get samples with your beverage, I opted for a full-size red velvet cookie instead and regret nothing. 

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