In 2021, Thessaloniki was crowned Greece’s first ever City of Gastronomy, announcing itself among the top players on the world stage of cuisine. Famed for its perfect pastries, delicacies like spicy meatballs and fried pork, and refreshments from frappés to fruity vino’s, this foodie scene is finally getting the attention it deserves.

But when you’re visiting the buzzing city, where are the best places to enjoy the cuisine in all its glory? We’ve hand-picked just the places for you...

Bougatsa Bantis

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? So, you’ll want to head somewhere that will set you up for the day ahead. Well, look no further than Bougatsa Bantis. Not only will you be served one of the best breakfasts in the city, but you’ll also get to indulge in one of Thessaloniki’s most classic dishes, bougatsa. As you approach the small bakery, you’ll see windows full of filo pastry dishes waiting to be devoured. And it’s filling galore here! So, whether you’re after sweet or savoury, something mild or something with a kick, Bougatsa Bantis is your place. Visitors can't recommend the cheese, mince or sweet bougatsa’s enough!

Nea Diagonios

It’s worth taking the short trip south, out of Thessaloniki’s city centre, to experience the food at Nea Diagonios. One of the most sought-after restaurants in the area and voted the best of the best by Tripadvisor, it’s easy to see why this fabulous restaurant attracts a big crowd. You’re guaranteed excellent quality for an extremely affordable price, so this is a must-visit restaurant on any Thessaloniki stay. It also helps that the menu here is full of Greek greats. Begin with hot or cold appetisers from tzatziki to traditional cheese balls, loukoumadakia. Follow with delicacies like pork gyros, soutzoukakia or fillet souvlaki to savour the local flavours, all washed down with Thessaloniki’s famous red beer!

Kanoula

Ranked within Tripadvisor’s top 10 restaurants in all of Thessaloniki, Kanoula blends Greek and Mediterranean flavours to create some seriously delightful dishes. The restaurant is located slightly out of the city’s buzzing centre, but still accessible from all the main sights. It offers diners a warm and welcoming atmosphere, decorated in dark woods and traditional tiles. Delve into regional sensations like kopanisti, a feta and chilli-based starter, then try homemade spicy meatballs or sfakiani, a goat’s cheese filled pie topped with honey. Or for a taste of flavours from further afield, try the pork tenderloin with plums or the mushroom wild rice.

Lola Ouzeri

Located down the small Agapinou side street, this traditional taverna may be one of the best places to dine in Thessaloniki. It’s easy to see why it’s a Traveller’s Choice winner on Tripadvisor and why almost everyone who dines here raves about it afterwards. Decorated in pastel greens and whites, the elegance of the dishes echo throughout the restaurant. If your taste buds are craving some seafood, Lola Ouzeri’s sea bream, shrimp gnocchi and salmon pasta are cooked to perfection. Lola prepares everything herself fresh each morning, and you can tell from your first bite that you’re in for a meal of the highest quality. Don’t leave before trying the melt-in-your-mouth fried feta drizzled with honey!

Menu... me nou

Next, we make our way to another Tripadvisor award winner for exceptional dining experiences, Menu... me nou. The chef has crafted a menu that’s a journey for the taste buds, with creative pairings and an emphasis on beautiful presentation. You’ll struggle to find another restaurant in Thessaloniki that puts a potato tart with white truffle and mushrooms, or octopus balls alongside roasted peppers. But chef Sami Xhecuka takes this cuisine to unrivalled levels. Prepare to be blown away by flavours of filo feta with honey and pistachio, gnocchi stuffed with rich gorgonzola and roasted hazelnut or caramelised pancetta with teriyaki sauce.

Mourga

Back in 2013, a handful of young chefs took this city by storm and began to revolutionise the food scene. One of those chefs was Mourga’s Yiannis Loukakis. His restaurant takes a new approach to classic Greek cafés, creating the traditional warm feeling when you enter, but with a contemporary take on the food. It’s local and organic ingredients only in Yiannis’ kitchen and his fresh catch of the day is always cooked in lemon sauce or grilled over charcoal, it's a delight for the senses! Imagination is a key part to the success of the dishes here - everything is unique! The menu changes regularly, but recent standouts have been the langoustines cooked in goats' butter, garlic and thyme and grilled cuttlefish with fava beans and oil cheese.

Deka Trapezia

Located along the sea front and near the White Tower of Thessaloniki, sits the delightful Dekia Trapezia. This is one of the restaurants that has revitalised the tourist area of Ladadika. You’ll find buzzing bars and restaurants dotted around this neighbourhood, especially along the seafront. Detail to presentation leads the way here and every dish is prepared with care and precision, creating a visual experience as well as a taste one. It’s one of the smallest restaurants you’ll find in the city, with only ten tables! But once you taste the lamb meatballs with chickpea cream, smoked mussels, or the shrimp ravioli with tomato and walnut, you’ll be thankful you’re one of the tables that gets to experience chef Manolis Papoutsakis’ creations.

On the Road and Vogatsiku 3

You can’t leave Thessaloniki without sampling its excellent nightlife. From old bars to cocktail terraces, there’s something for everyone. Two of our notable mentions go to On the Road and Vogatsiku 3. On the Road is on the beachfront and is one of the best pubs in the city. With a warm atmosphere, excellent drink choices and great live music, it’s a magnificent location for drinking the evening away. For something a bit more upmarket, with a fabulous cocktail menu, try Vogatsiku 3. Fashionably decorated with high tables and dim lighting, it’s a must-visit for an evening working your way through the drinks menu.