The Best 10 Restaurants in Thessaloniki for 2019

It is almost impossible to choose from the exceptional spread of restaurants in Thessaloniki to recommend, as the food here is incomparable. Nevertheless, we have tried to get you started with a short list of places to try, ranging from Greek traditional, fusion and Eastern or European. 

Eating on a Budget

Elia Lemoni

A typical Greek taverna with all the staples of Greek traditional foods that one would expect, cooked to delicious standard and paired with a great range of local wines and spirits to enjoy. The atmosphere is always vibrant and service prompt. A bonus is that you can get yourself a lot of food here for not a lot of money – always a plus! Plates are made for sharing.

O Gyros Tis Ellados

Great for anyone interested in sampling some of the delicious gyro meat, famous in Greece. Try a grill plate or souvlaki! Filling, exceptionally tasty and large, these meals will not let you down – you’ll be guaranteed to find the best souvlaki anywhere in Greece. A great option to stop at before heading out into the night.

Nostos

Nostos is situated around the Rotunda area, however, is nestled down a quieter street away from the takeaway joints, but still well within the action. A typical Greek taverna, complete with a homey, friendly atmosphere and exceptional, tasty and cheap dishes to boot. There’s a nice mixture of local cuisine and innovative recipes here. Pair with a carafe of local wine and order plates to share while listening to the live music often available here. The Nostos salad is recommended!

Falafel

You can’t go wrong with one of these delicious middle-eastern inspired meals. The place is small and basic, but the food is far from either of these things. Sandwiches, wraps, souvlaki, all with an array of delicious sauces and condiments. You can even find a vegan gyro here, if you’re looking for a break from all the meaty food around. Try the Lebanese hot sauce! Cheap and tasty, certainly a must visit.

Poselli Pizza

If you want a break from the Greek cuisine, you can try Poselli Pizza. Even though you’re in Greece, the Greeks know how to make a delicious pizza. Available with a great range of sizes and toppings, made traditionally with great delivery service, there’s no reason not to try this when you’re having a lazy evening.

Mid Range to Fine Dining

Opsopoion Manganeiai

You’ll need a reservation to visit this small gem. The menu is full of traditional foods, pasta and meat dishes, which are its speciality. The service and atmosphere only add to the experience. Wines are expertly matched, and the desserts are some of the best in the city.

Lola Ouzeri

Lola’s pride is its exceptional seafood which is fresh and cooked to perfection. The restaurant serves half-portion sizes, so you can grab a variety of dishes to taste. Prices are exceptionally reasonable, though a little more than you might pay for a smaller taverna. You’ll still get that local, authentic feel here with the exceptional service and lovely décor.

Odos Delfon

Located in the heart of the city in a bustling area of bars and cafes, this restaurant serves delicious local and European classic cuisine as well as smaller snack foods to compliment it’s large range of spirits, wines and beers. Portions are big, the food is fresh and the ambience inviting.

Elephant in the Room

For something a little different, this restaurant is worth the visit. Located a little outside the central city, the Elephant in the Room is a completely vegan restaurant that experiments with traditional Greek flavours and dishes, which are often cheese and meat heavy, transforming them into vegan friendly meals. The atmosphere is quaint and the staff very friendly. The ‘cheesecake’ is a must-try when you visit.

To Elliniko

This place is worth the visit if you are looking for some delicious tapas-style plates to share. Tables are situated looking out over the square, so the atmosphere is lovely too. Dishes are a great nod to traditional cuisine and there’s a great range of wines to go with them. Food is also not too badly priced, so feel free to taste lots of things!