Where and What to Eat in Thessaloniki

On both of my trips to Thessaloniki, I enjoyed wandering from street to street and discovering delicious food I hadn’t even planned to try. This time, I’m turning the route from the city’s historical and cultural sights to its dining tables. If you’re also wondering “where and what to eat in Thessaloniki?”, in this guide I’m sharing the places I personally visited, my favorite dishes, and the spots I would return to on my next trip.

What makes Thessaloniki’s cuisine special is the way the city’s colorful history has made its way onto the dining table. Over the centuries, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, Sephardic Jews, and Greeks arriving from Anatolia have all left their mark on the city’s food culture. As a result, you can find everything from olive-oil-based dishes and seafood to pastries, spices, and influences from Balkan cuisine.

The arrival of Greeks from Anatolia following the 1923 population exchange further enriched Thessaloniki’s culinary culture, bringing new recipes and culinary traditions with them. Today, eating in Thessaloniki is, in a way, an opportunity to discover a unique food story shaped by the blending of different cultures over the centuries.

There are so many places to discover and so many different dishes to try in the city that it’s simply impossible to experience them all during a trip of just a few days. So, for those wondering “where and what to eat in Thessaloniki?”, I’ve brought together the places I personally visited and enjoyed. I’ve tried to include options that appeal to different tastes as much as possible. If you’re heading to Thessaloniki, let’s take a look at these food stops that I think can come in handy during a short trip.

My first stop in Thessaloniki was Estrella, a lively spot with an energetic atmosphere and an interesting menu. It is one of the places that best represents the city’s breakfast and brunch culture. For me, it was also one of my favorite places to start the day on a delicious note.

Estrella combines traditional Greek cuisine with a modern American-style brunch concept, and its most iconic creation is Bougatsan. Created by chef Dimitris Koparanis, this dessert combines a freshly baked, crispy croissant with Thessaloniki’s famous warm bougatsa cream. It is served with a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon, and has become something of a gastronomic trend in the city.

Of course, the menu goes far beyond Bougatsan. You’ll also find fluffy pancakes, breakfast pizzas made with Thessaloniki’s famous koulouri as a base, Georgian-style khachapuri, hearty burgers, omelets, and salads. So, Estrella is not only a place for something sweet but also a great option if you’re looking for a long and leisurely breakfast.

In Brief: Estrella

• What to eat? Bougatsan, pancakes, and breakfast options
• When to go? Breakfast and brunch
• Where? Pavlou Mela Street
• Price per person: Approximately €10–15
• Would I go again? Yes, especially for the Bougatsan

As you walk along Agias Sofias Street in Thessaloniki, follow the smell of freshly baked bread and butter and you’ll almost certainly find yourself at Blé Taste Gallery. This is much more than a traditional bakery or pastry shop; with its design, aromas, and flavors, it truly lives up to its name as a “taste gallery.”

As soon as you step inside, the modern and welcoming atmosphere is complemented by a huge 12-meter clay oven made from Cretan soil. The secret behind the flavor of the baked goods cooked over a wood fire lies in this impressive oven.

Blé is lively throughout the day and, in my opinion, is a great place for lunch, dessert, or a coffee break. Choosing between the sourdough breads, crispy croissants, traditional Greek specialties, and handmade desserts displayed in the cases is not easy at all. Since I had lunch somewhere else, I opted for two different desserts at Blé. And honestly, both were fantastic. If you’re looking for a nice place to stop for coffee or dessert during a walk around Thessaloniki, Blé deserves a spot high on your list.

In Brief: Blé

• What to eat? Desserts and a variety of baked goods
• When to go? Around lunchtime
• Where? Agias Sofias Street
• Price per person: Approximately €10–15
• Would I go again? Yes, especially for the desserts

CHOUREAL was one of the places I visited for a sweet break in Thessaloniki. As the name suggests, the place specializes in choux pastry, éclairs, and profiteroles.

When you walk into a place like this, you want to try everything, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible. I opted for an éclair and a profiterole. I thought the freshly made choux pastry and the consistency of the cream inside the éclair were very successful. The desserts were also just as appetizing in appearance and presentation as they were in flavor. As for the profiterole, I really enjoyed the combination of chocolate, cream, and lightly crisp choux pastry. The fact that it wasn’t overly heavy or excessively sweet was a big plus for me.

In Brief: CHOUREAL

• What to eat? Profiteroles and éclairs
• When to go? Afternoon or evening
• Where? Paleon Patron Germanou Street
• Price per person: Approximately €10
• Would I go again? Yes, especially for the profiteroles and éclairs

Whenever I travel, I enjoy trying local burger spots whenever possible. So, naturally, I couldn’t leave Thessaloniki without adding a burger stop to my food itinerary. After a long walk through the city, I ended up at Brothers In Law. You can immediately feel the restaurant’s American-industrial vibe as soon as you walk in. But honestly, the real excitement started when the burgers arrived at the table.

I tried two different burgers, and both were quite filling. The burger on the left was a real treat for sauce lovers, with plenty of sauce, cheddar cheese, bacon, and a juicy beef patty. I particularly liked how well the creamy sauce complemented the patty. The burger on the right stood out with the combination of caramelized onions and cheese, which I personally love. The slight sweetness of the onions, the salty richness of the cheese, and the juicy beef patty came together to create a very balanced flavor. My only complaint about both burgers was the tomatoes. I think they would have been better without them.

Overall, Brothers In Law is a pleasant option if you’re looking for a good burger in Thessaloniki. If you’re craving a filling burger after a long day of exploring the city, you can add it to your list.

In Brief: Brothers In Law

• What to eat? Burgers
• When to go? Lunch or dinner
• Where? Komninon Street
• Price per person: Approximately €10–15
• Would I go again? Probably

One of the places I definitely wanted to visit during my trip to Thessaloniki was Terkenlis. This famous bakery, which has been operating since 1948, is particularly well known for its tsoureki and is one of the city’s most iconic sweet stops. I visited the branch at the intersection of Ermou and Agias Sofias Streets. Once inside, choosing between the breads, desserts, and chocolate-covered treats in the display cases was far from easy.

I tried the chocolate-covered tsoureki. The generous chocolate coating and the cream served alongside it made it look incredibly tempting at first glance. But would that inviting appearance live up to its taste? I got my answer with the first bite. The tsoureki was incredibly soft and had a much richer and more distinctive flavor than I had expected.

If you want to try tsoureki, one of Thessaloniki’s classic treats, you can add Terkenlis to your list. You can either sit down and enjoy something there or grab a few sweets to take with you. For me, the chocolate-covered tsoureki alone made it worth a visit.

In Brief: Terkenlis

• What to eat? Tsoureki, baked goods, and desserts
• When to go? Afternoon or evening
• Where? Agias Sofias Street
• Price per person: Approximately €10
• Would I go again? Yes, for the tsoureki

Whenever I want something quick, filling, and local in Thessaloniki, gyros is naturally one of my first choices. While researching places to try, I came across Mpoukia Mpoukia Gyradiko (Μπουκιά Μπουκιά Γυράδικο). After reading a little about the place and checking out the reviews, I decided to give it a try.

Although the menu was quite extensive, I naturally went for the gyros. My order was taken quickly, and the food arrived without much of a wait. The meat in the gyros was nicely browned on the outside while remaining soft and juicy inside. The fries served alongside it were also very good. One of my biggest concerns with fries is that heavy smell of cooking oil, but thankfully, I didn’t encounter that here. For me, it was a very good choice when I wanted something hot, filling, and quick.

If you’re looking for something warm, filling, and local without spending too much time away from your sightseeing, Mpoukia Mpoukia Gyradiko is worth considering. Especially if you’re a fan of gyros, it’s one of the places worth adding to your list.

In Brief: Mpoukia Mpoukia Gyradiko

• What to eat? Gyros and other casual Greek street-food options
• When to go? Lunch, dinner, or late at night
• Where? Tsimiski Street
• Price per person: Approximately €5–10
• Would I go again? Yes, for the gyros

If you want to take a short break from sightseeing, grab something to eat, and enjoy a beautiful view in the middle of the day, the Orizontes Roof Garden at Electra Palace Thessaloniki is a great option. I stopped here for a short break during my city tour.

What made this place particularly special for me was, of course, the view. From the rooftop, you can look out over Aristotelous Square and the Thermaic Gulf. Sitting down with something to eat while enjoying the view, especially in the middle of the day, was a lovely experience.

If you’re looking for somewhere with a beautiful view where you can sit down, have something to eat, and take a break while exploring Thessaloniki, you might want to consider the Orizontes Roof Garden at Electra Palace.

In Brief: Electra Palace Thessaloniki

• What to eat? Classic Greek and international dishes, along with a wide selection of drinks
• When to go? Morning, lunch, or evening
• Where? Aristotelous Square
• Price per person: Approximately €15–50
• Would I go again? Yes, for the view and service

I wanted to experience a more local atmosphere in Thessaloniki in the evening, so instead of the areas more popular with tourists, I headed toward the inner parts of the city. The Pulp Bar, which I came across in the Valaoritou area, turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. As soon as I walked in, both the decor and the lively atmosphere caught my attention.

The Pulp Bar has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that will particularly appeal to fans of rock and indie music. The interior is colorful and full of character. The walls are covered with all kinds of objects, pictures, and posters. It may look a little busy at first glance, but all these details are part of the bar’s character. The wooden elements and dim lighting add to its warm atmosphere.

For me, one of the best things about The Pulp Bar was that it was a comfortable place to step away from the pace of the city and spend a few hours. Whether you’re on your own or with friends, it’s a relaxed spot to listen to music and chat. If you want to get away from the tourist crowds in the evening and experience a more local and lively side of Thessaloniki, The Pulp Bar in the Valaoritou area is worth considering.

In Brief: The Pulp Bar

• What to do? Listen to music, chat, and spend some time
• When to go? Evening
• Where? Al. Svolou Street
• Price per person: Approximately €5–10
• Would I go again? Probably

Ladadika was also one of my favorite areas in Thessaloniki. Located just behind the port, this historic neighborhood is filled with colorful buildings, old stone structures, and a wide variety of restaurants as you wander through its streets. The atmosphere changes completely in the evening. The streets become livelier, restaurant tables spill out onto the sidewalks, and you can hear different kinds of music coming from every corner.

Ladadika is worth exploring not only for its streets but also for trying different flavors of Greek cuisine. The tavernas and restaurants in the area offer everything from seafood and meze to traditional Greek dishes. In the evening, sitting down at a taverna and sharing several local dishes is, in my opinion, one of the nicest ways to experience Ladadika.

I spent time in Ladadika not only eating but also simply wandering through its streets. What I liked most about the area was the way its old Thessaloniki character blends with livelier, more modern venues. Walking around here in the evening is particularly enjoyable. If you’re spending a few days in Thessaloniki, I definitely recommend setting aside at least one evening for Ladadika.

In Brief: Ladadika

• What to eat? Traditional Greek dishes, meze, and seafood
• When to go? Evening
• Where? Katouni, Fasianou, and Egiptou Streets
• Price per person: Approximately €20–50
• Would I go again? Yes, especially for the evening atmosphere

If you’re looking for best things to do in Thessaloniki, you can also check out my other post about Thessaloniki.