Thessaloniki Restaurants and Dining

(Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece)



Photo of cafe tables on the pavementsYou will discover restaurants and Greek tavernas spread all over Thessaloniki, serving hearty fare at a reasonable price. When dining out in Thessaloniki, do try the food at least at one or two of the Greek restaurants and eateries, such as those around the Tsinari district, which serve reliably tasty food, often flavoured with herbs (particularly thyme) and garlic.

Many tourists will enjoy local dining specialities, such as 'souvlaki', which consists of small pieces of meat (usually pork or chicken), which have been skewered and char-grilled. 'Pastitsio' is another popular meal often served at Thessaloniki restaurants and is best described as a Greek baked pasta dish, with similarities to lasagne.


Picture of cafe parasols catering for summer touristsMore familiar dining favourites in Thessaloniki include moussaka (layers of minced lamb and aubergines / eggplant), and of course the famous Greek salad, which surprisingly for many do not necessarily always include cubes of Feta cheese.

Worth bearing in mind before you go ahead and order your pudding, many restaurants in Thessaloniki will now automatically serve you a complimentary dessert as a matter of course, which can include anything from crepes or chocolate cake, to 'baklawa', a rich pasty made with layers of either chopped pistachios or walnuts.

Central view of local eateries and gift shops

Where to Eat

There are many top dining venues around the Ladadika area of Thessaloniki, close to the port and the White Tower, who are just waiting to serve you up a very memorable meal. However, if it is an unmistakable nighttime ambiance, then the eateries around the Kastra and the Byzantine city walls are hard to match.

Aristotelous Square resides in central Thessaloniki and is filled with good restaurants and cafes, while for more of a noisier, younger vibe, the dining scenes around the Bit Pazar and Ionos Dragoumi come highly recommended and features lots of 'ouzerias', where meals are accompanied by the anise-flavoured liqueur, ouzo.