Top 7 restaurants for foodies in Thessaloniki, Greece

Whether you’re in the mood for a sweet or savory breakfast, bougatsa is the best choice in Thessaloniki. This iconic Greek pie is made with custard, vanilla, and phyllo pastry and stuffed with feta, minced meat, or semolina. And one of the perfect spots to get a freshly baked crispy bougatsa is Bougatsa Bantis. Opened in 1969, the café offers a wide array of pie variations, including casserole, spinach, sausage, blueberry, chicken, mushroom, and potato options. Enjoy this delicacy while still warm with a hot cup of Greek coffee, cappuccino, chocolate, or tea. Chef Philippos Bantis is a third-generation bougatsa maker who inherited authentic recipes from his grandfather and continues the family business while enriching traditional pies with new tastes. It is also recommended to try here a traditional Greek yellow cheese pie called “kaseropita” with thick and crumbly texture.

Located on the seafront in the heart of Thessaloniki, Pepper & The Backroom is a nicely decorated restaurant where you can enjoy your breakfast, brunch, dinner or simply grab a drink while admiring a stunning view. It is actually two separate spots, Pepper and The Backroom, under one roof, both serving Italian and Argentinean cuisine. If you’re more into hearty food, go for delicious steaks with a magnificent smokey flavor, a wide variety of pasta, risotto, and burger options at The Backroom. And if you’re looking for a place to grab a bite, try palatable bruschettinis, crêpes, omelettes, and quinoa at Pepper. For sweet tooths, they serve croissants, pancakes, caramel cheesecakes, and a huge variety of delicious cocktails. You can also enjoy a cup of hot coffee, fresh smoothie, or a glass of lemonade or wine at the sunny and cozy balcony with a panoramic view over the sea.

No trip to Greece is complete without tasting traditional Greek food. And one of the best restaurants where you can try it is Yenti, located right next to the castle of Yenti Koule. With such palatable dishes as kotsi (slowly cooked pork leg), moussaka, octopus on the grill, baked eggplant, smoked mackerel on the grill, fresh mussels, and homemade dolmades, get ready to experience the rich flavors of Thessaloniki. The place also serves stunning meze dishes (an assortment of meat and seafood snacks), which you can pick if you’re not really hungry. The space inside the restaurant is bright and roomy, and the terrace is an exciting outdoor venue filled with greenery. At night, you may have a chance to enjoy live Greek music performed by local musicians.

And if you want to try the best profiteroles and choux pastries in Thessaloniki, drop by Choureál, an award-winning café serving mouthwatering desserts. The pastry chefs use only fresh dough and quality products to make newly baked crunchy profiteroles, éclairs, and choux pastries. In fact, the fragrant choux is produced every hour to keep it as fresh as possible. You can pick pastry cream or ice cream for filling and select among ten different toppings, from classic to seasonal, like bitter or white chocolate, praline, and caramel. The restaurant was opened in 2014 and received a number of awards, including Best Restaurant Awards, Best Greek Food Award, Golden Phoenix, and LUX Restaurants And Bar.

Located in the narrow street of Tyrolois, just behind Toumba Stadium, you’ll find the best place to taste local seafood in Thessaloniki. In Kritamos, you can try real gastronomic masterpieces prepared from freshly caught fish and seasonal ingredients by two professional cooks, Samson and Giorgos. Start with delectable appetizers, like meatballs with pumpkin and cheese, roasted Talagani with plum chutney, pickled leeks and tomatoes. Then you can enjoy one of their amazing fish dishes, such as sea bass carpaccio, cod filet accompanied by noodles with cabbage and raisins, steamed sea bream filet on fricassee cabbage, or blackfish with white asparagus and sautéed mushrooms. The menu constantly changes and depends on the ingredients of the season and the fresh products available in the local market. To wash down these incredible dishes, order a glass of a local spirit, beer, or Greek wine.

Opened in 1965, O-THodoros is located in the historic center of Thessaloniki and serves Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. With a minimalistic design, wooden furniture and a small cozy outdoor terrace, this traditional Greek tavern creates a very welcoming and warm ambience. Here you can try large portions of stunning dishes made of seasonal products for rather reasonable prices. Gourmets will surely be impressed by shrimp pasta, octopus sautéed with rosemary, grilled eggplants with garlic, onion and feta, chicken filet stuffed with four-cheese sauce, baked cod with garlic sauce, mushrooms a la crème, and a large Greek salad. On Friday or Saturday night, guests can enjoy live modern Greek music or old folk songs that add up to the splendid atmosphere of this place.

Another great spot to try traditional Greek food is Dilavos. This restaurant with unpretentious aesthetics and friendly and warm ambience is filled with the divine aromas of delicious food. At Dilavos, you can taste skewers grilled on coals, chicken, pork, or beef souvlaki, grilled eggplant, hot roasted peppers, bouyiourdi (a Greek appetizer made of baked feta, kasseri, tomatoes, and peppers), and grilled feta or Talagani cheese. All dishes are made of seasonal products delivered by local producers. Additionally, Dilavos serves famous Greek spirits, like Apostolaki or Ouzo, canned beer, and dry and semi-sweet wine. You can enjoy the taste of flavorful grilled meat the place is famous for in both indoor and outdoor areas.

Known for its spectacular sea views, vivacious nightlife, and historic attractions, Thessaloniki also boasts a vibrant gastronomic scene. With a plethora of delicious dishes to satisfy all tastes, the city is home to numerous amazing restaurants offering delectable culinary delights waiting for you to discover them. Aren't you hungry yet? Which restaurants are on your list?