🍽️ 20 Best Places to Eat in Thessaloniki: Full Thessaloniki Food Guide

🥐 Custard bougatsa – creamy filling inside layers of flaky filo, best eaten hot with a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
🥬 Spinach bougatsa – herby, savory filling balanced by buttery pastry.
☕ Greek coffee – strong and aromatic, traditionally brewed to accompany the bánh pastry.

🕙 Typically opens around 7 AM and serves through early afternoon (around 3 PM)
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🌟 Go early to enjoy it fresh from the oven; standing at the counter is part of the experience; keep small change ready for quick ordering.

🍃 Dolmades – grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, sometimes meat—tender and lemony.
🍝 Moussaka – layered eggplant, minced meat, béchamel, rich and satisfying.
🍆 Grilled seasonal vegetables – peppers, eggplant, zucchini, brushed with olive oil and grilled.

🕘 Midday into evening (approx. 1 PM–10 PM).
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🌟 Ideal for slower-paced meals; vegetarian versions may be available, just ask; call ahead for dinner on weekends.

🥠 Trigona (triangle custard pastries) – crisp filo triangles filled with silky custard and soaked in syrup.
☕ Greek coffee – to cleanse the palate after sweetness.
🥐 Additional pastries – sometimes katifi or baklava variations, depending on day.

🕘 Bakery hours from morning until early evening (approx. 8 AM–5 PM)
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🌟 Eat the trigona the same day, they lose crispness quickly; expect queues mid-morning; best enjoyed with coffee at a nearby bench.

🥨 Plain koulouri – coated with sesame, chewy inside, salty crust outside.

🕠 Early morning (starting around sunrise) until mid‑afternoon; best before 11 AM.
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🌟 Buy from carts near squares or transit stops; ideal portable snack; eat the same day, freshness matters.

🍳 Shakshuka – eggs poached in spicy tomato sauce with peppers and onions, garnished with herbs and served with crusty bread.
🥑 Avocado toast – smashed avocado on toasted bread, sprinkled with chili flakes or feta for a modern twist.
🍹 Fresh squeezed juice – seasonal blends—orange, carrot, beet, ginger: to cleanse the palate.

🕘 Late–mid morning through mid‑afternoon (around 9 AM–3 PM).
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🌟 Limited indoor seating; go early or grab takeaway; colorful plates make great food‑porn shots.

🌯 Pork souvlaki wrap – skewered pork pieces, tomato, onion, tzatziki grilled to you on the spot.
🍗 Chicken souvlaki – leaner option, served with lemon juice and a side of fries.
🍟 Sides of fries – crispy and salty, perfect dipped in sauces.

🕘 Lunch through late evening (around 12 PM–11 PM).
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🌟 Ask for extra lemon and olive oil; perfect for takeaway; pair with local beer for a casual meal.

🍰 Greek honey cake (meliopita) – soft sponge soaked in honey syrup, fragrant with citrus.
🍪 Butter cookies (koukoutsakia or shortbread) – crumbly, rich, perfect with coffee.
🥐 Cream-filled pastries – eclairs, custard puffs, nougat rolls: variety to delight any sweet tooth.

🕘 Early morning through evening (e.g. 7 AM–8 PM).
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🌟 Great for gifts; check for seasonal specialties like royal koulouri at Easter; pastries taste best same day.

🫘 Fava spread – velvety split‑pea puree, olive oil drizzle, onion or caper garnish.
🧀 Baked feta – local feta baked with olive oil, oregano, sometimes peppers or honey.
🐙 Octopus meze – small plates of tender octopus with lemon, herbs, and olive oil.

🕘 Evening dining (around 6 PM–late night).
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🌟 Great for sampling with wine or raki; ask for recommendations from staff; share plates around the table.

🥗 Greek salad – tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, olive oil; simple but assembled with crisp, high‑quality ingredients.
🧀 Grilled halloumi – salty cheese grilled to a crust, served with lemon and herbs.
🥗 Seasonal vegetable plate – roasted or grilled local veggies drizzled with olive oil and spices.

🕘 Lunch and dinner (around 12 PM–11 PM).
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🌟 Ideal for light midday meal; ask about vegan‑friendly options; pair with iced ouzo or light wine.

🥐 The hybrid bougatsa – a croissant on top of a pool of bougatsan custard cream.
🥞 Pancakes – inventive sweet options like red velvet or chocolate hazelnut, served with fruit or mascarpone.
☕ Artisan coffee – flat white, cappuccino or specialty brews with flair.

🕘 Brunch-focused: typically 10 AM to 4 or 5 PM.
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🌟 Trendy and busy on weekends: go early to avoid line; sharing a bougatsa and pancakes is ideal for mid‑afternoon snacking.

🍕 Peinirli – ask for cheese and herbs or meat filling; baked until crusty outside and gooey inside.
🥩 Cured meats platter – local sausages and cold cuts like brusetta, served with olives and bread.
🍶 Greek yogurt with honey & walnuts – thick yogurt layered with honey, crunchy walnuts, a perfectly balanced dessert.

🕘 Typically open midday through dinner; some locations open for lunch only.
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🌟 Combine shopping with dining; sit inside if you want full restaurant service; great for buying olive oil or local preserves afterward.

🍖 Gamopilafo (Cretan wedding rice with lamb) – A velvety risotto-style rice dish cooked in rich lamb broth, topped with slow-cooked lamb and a hint of lemon. It’s hearty, silky, and deeply comforting, a true Cretan delicacy.
🐙 Grilled octopus – Tender and lightly charred, served with fava or herb-infused olive oil. A great way to experience Greece’s love for simple, well-executed seafood.
🥧 Kalitsounia – Cretan mini pies filled with fresh mizithra cheese or wild greens, wrapped in handmade dough and often finished with a touch of honey or herbs.

🕘 Daily from around 12 PM until late (~11:30 PM); open for lunch and dinner.
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🌟 Ask about seasonal dishes, and consider pairing your meal with raki or Cretan wine for the full experience.

🥞 Pink pancakes – dyed pink batter shaped into fluffy stacks, served with berries, whipped cream or fruit compote.
🍓 Smoothie bowl – colorful fruit smoothie base topped with granola, chia seeds, fresh fruit.
☕ Latte art coffee – choose from flavored lattes adorned with heart or flower designs.

🕘 Typical brunch window: around 10 AM–4 PM.
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🌟 Take camera-ready shots early, without crowds; light meal vibe, so arrive with sweet cravings in mind.

🧆 Soutzoukakia – spiced meatballs in tomato sauce, fragrant with cumin and garlic, served over rice or with bread.
🍝 Moussaka – layers of eggplant, potato, spiced meat, béchamel, creamy and rich.
🍖 Slow‑cooked lamb – succulent and tender, with herbs and olive oil.

🕘 From around noon until late evening (around 12 PM–11 PM).
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🌟 Ideal for sharing; ask for house red wine or raki to complement; mention if you prefer less oil.

🍖 Gioulbasi – a Macedonian casserole of rice, lamb, tomato, and cinnamon: rich, comforting, subtly spiced.
🍖 Grilled lamb chops – juicy and smoky, seasoned simply with rosemary and olive oil.
🍲 Bean soup (fasolada) – hearty white bean stew, accented with vegetables and olive oil.

🕘 Typical lunch and dinner hours (around 12 PM–10 PM).
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🌟 Comfort-food vibe is perfect for a relaxed dinner; ask server to explain gioulbasi’s story and origins.

🍮 Custard bougatsa – milky-sweet interior contrasted by crispy pastry, best savored fresh.
🥬 Spinach bougatsa – flecked with dill and onion, lightly seasoned, perfect savory option.
🍯 Honey drizzle topping – often offered; adds mellow sweetness to either version.

🕘 Open daily, 00:00-15:00 and 20:00-00:00
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🌟 Visit before 11 AM to avoid the crowd; be ready to queue outside; bring a camera: these pastries are as beautiful as they are delicious.

🍖 Pork gyro wrap – juicy pork slices, tomato, onion, and tzatziki inside soft pita.
🍗 Chicken gyro plate – served on a plate with rice or fries, salad, and extra sauces on the side.
🍶 Tzatziki side – thick, garlicky yogurt with cucumber and herbs.

🕘 Around 11 AM–11 PM; some weekends later.
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🌟 Request extra tzatziki and a squeeze of lemon for brightness; best for grabbing and eating on the move; go after bars close to avoid the after-party rush.

🥐 Cinnamon bun – soft, gooey inside, swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with icing.
☕ Freddo latte – a beloved Greek iced coffee made with double shot of espresso shaken over ice, then topped with cold frothed milk.

🕘 Daily 08:00-23:00.
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🌟 Best mid‑morning when fresh buns arrive; limited seating, so grab a table early or takeaway.

🐟 Grilled fish (e.g. sea bream, sea bass, sardines) – simply seasoned with olive oil, lemon and local herbs, grilled over charcoal until flaky and smoky, often served with a side of vegetables or fries.
🍝 Orzo seafood casserole – a creamy, baked dish of pasta‑rice grains richly infused with fresh shellfish (mussels, shrimp, calamari), tomato, and herbs: comforting, savory, and deeply flavorful.
🦐 Shrimp saganaki – shrimp cooked in a tangy tomato-feta sauce, finished with olive oil and oregano. This luscious, slightly spicy dish is perfect for scooping up with crusty bread.

🕘 Wednesday-Monday 11:00-01:00
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🌟 Dishes pair beautifully with chilled white wine, ouzo, or even a simple cold beer.

🍆 Papoutsaki – eggplant halves stuffed with ground meat and béchamel, baked until golden, combining creamy and savory textures.
🐙 Grilled octopus – tender, charred, served with lemon and olive oil, showcasing authentic Mediterranean flavors.
🥧 Sfakian pie – a Cretan cheese-and-honey flatbread, offering a sweet-savory contrast to start or share.

🕘 Daily 12:00-00:00
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🌟 Reserve in advance if you plan to dine after 8 PM; ask for table on the small pedestrian terrace, and pair dishes with wines by the glass from their curated list.