Are you a foodie wondering where to eat the best Street Food in Thessaloniki?
Our Thessaloniki Food Guide shares the history of cuisine in Northern Greece, showcasing quality local agricultural products like olive oil, feta cheese and wine that you must try when visiting local bars and restaurants.
Explore the best Thessaloniki Street Food by eating your way through our suggestions at popular eateries at local markets, cafes, bakeries and affordable restaurants serving delicious cutlery-free meals.
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Street Food Thessaloniki History
Greece’s first “UNESCO city of gastronomy” is famed for its perfect pastries, spicy meatballs, fine wine, and frappés. To many foodies in Greece it’s the countries culinary capital.
Journey through the history of the important trading port and you’ll encounter awesome empires – Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, each of which has left their mark on the city’s unique cuisine.
Thessaloniki is the heart of Macedonia, one of Greece’s most productive agricultural areas. Walk through the bustling Modiano and Kapani markets and you’ll find juicy Naoussa peaches, Halkidiki olives and rouge Florina peppers. The rich, regional produce cultivated in Northern Greece is utilized in Greek, Jewish, Balkan and Turkish-influenced local recipes.
If you’re a first time visitor looking to taste the most famous Thessaloniki street food locals will point you towards must-try bougatsa, soutzoukakia, koulouria, bougiourdi and trigona.
In terms of the city’s modern restaurant scene, Thessaloniki has experienced a surge in small tavernas and tsipouradika. Tsipouro are a local equivalent to the French pastis or the Turkish raki.
At these friendly eateries you can enjoy quality local food paired with tsipouro, wine or local retsina. Those on a Thessaloniki street food pilgrimage can enjoy listening to live Greek folk music and rembetiko, a type of Greek music with origins in the 1920s brought over by immigrants from Turkey.
Thessaloniki Street Food Today
Today, street food in Thessaloniki is evolving and increasing its share in the local food scene, showcasing more of a global flare.
In the morning you can join locals for a classic bougatsa phyllo pastry stuffed with cream while slurping a frothy frappe. At dinner nosh on gourmet burgers or the perfect pizza slice.
Since Thessaloniki has a large university student population the city is famous for its late night club scene, which means you can indulge in a souvlaki stuffed pita or mouth-watering gyros into the wee hours of the morning.
Most of the street food in Thessaloniki today is served in affordable restaurants with, gasp, cutlery! When you think about Thessaloniki street food in a modern way, its more about the affordable price of the food as well as the grab-and-go nature of the dishes.
If you’re looking for cheap eats in Thessaloniki this food guide offers plenty of great options!
If you’re hunting for the best Thessaloniki street food you’re probably like me and also want to sip local wine and beer.
Beer O’ Clock Pub is the best place to sample the latest draught in the booming Greek craft brewing scene. Oenophiles should pop by My Cava to sample a selection of Greek wines in a cozy corner perched over an elegant bar.
Thessaloniki Street Food Festival
If you’re looking to taste the best Thessaloniki street food why not plan your trip around the popular Thessaloniki Street Food Festival?
The fun 3 day festival, which takes place each May, is brought to you by SoulFood Thessaloniki and takes place in the courtyard of TIF HELEXPO. Foodies can taste cutlery-free dishes from all over the world while visiting 2 musical stages, kids corner and kitchen lab.
The street food festival in Thessaloniki has become so buzz-worthy with local foodies the events producers have taken the concept on the road, offering tasty pop ups across Greece.
Street Food Thessaloniki Guide
We spent 3 days exploring the Thessaloniki street food scene, a gastronomic tour hosted by Thessaloniki Travel and local food experts Chef Stories. We were on the hunt for traditional pastries and dishes from the region as well as trendy affordable restaurants that showcase the city’s love for trendy modern street food.
We suggest starting a Thessaloniki food tour by exploring the city’s food markets and culinary boroughs.
- Kapani Market: is the local fresh produce market and the most historic market in Thessaloniki.
- Agora Modiano: recently renovated and full of street food options. Amazing place architecturally as well.
- Ladadika Area: used to be a market and now it is packed with bars & restaurants.
- Valaoritou Area: mostly known for its nightlife and some good options for street food.
Bougatsa Bantis
Panagias Faneromenis 33, 30-231-051-0355
The best place to taste street food in Thessaloniki like a local in the morning is at Bougasta Bantis.
The famous pastry shop first opened in 1969 and to this day continues to specialize in making the popular Thessaloniki food called Bougasta, a Turkish phyllo pie traditionally filled with sweet custard.
It’s an authentic bougatsa workshop run by Philippos Bantis and his wife and son who was taught the art of bougatsa making by his grandfather. The phyllo is handmade every day, which is why you’ll always find a long line of locals waiting patiently for the mouth-watering pastry.
Bantis serves the classic sweet as a creamy custard wrapped in golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter and garnished with icing sugar and cinnamon. Other varieties include spiced veal, feta cheese and an inventive tahini with cocoa.
Walking the streets of Thessaloniki, you will smell the sweet aroma of freshly baked bougatsa coming from every direction, it is after all a specialty of Northern Greece!
Be sure to arrive early as several of the bougatsa flavours were sold out before noon when we visited. There are a few tables and chairs out front so it’s best to sit in the sun and sip an espresso with a smile on your face.
Trigona Elenidi
Dim. Gounari 13, 30-231-025-7510
One of the most beloved street foods in Thessaloniki is Trigona Panoramatos, little cone pastries filled with sweet custard.
In 1956 Yiannis Elenidis started to make confections from puff pastry, filling them with cream of his own inspiration. The dough was handmade, the ingredients hand selected, adding his own culinary flair by creating the triangle that was loved by everyone and gained a reputation that soon traveled throughout Greece.
It was the dessert that was destined to go down in history as the Elenidis Triangle, thanks to its creator, and later to become known as the Panorama Triangle.
Local foodies rank Trigona Elenidi as the go to pastry shop to taste the delectable confection. The long running, family-owned shop sells a selection of traditional Greek pastries, biscuits and ice cream.
Sweet Garden Patisserie
Ermou 69, 30-231-403-3041
Sweet Garden is a contemporary French pastry shop in downtown Thessaloniki.
If you’re looking for a midday snack pop by to peruse a glass case filled with pretty pastries like cream filled eclairs, macarons, profiteroles, custard bowls and cakes.
They serve excellent cappuccinos and have a breezy covered patio, a perfect spot to rest your feet in the afternoon on a hot day.
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Terkenlis
Tsimiski 30, 30-231-027-1148
Terkenlis patisseries were founded in 1948 and from that time on they are considered a point of reference in the Thessaloniki food scene.
There are 3 Terkenlis outposts in Thessaloniki but the oldest shop is located at the corner of Tsimiski and Aristotelous Street. Every day a mesmerizing smell wafts from the oven, perfuming sweet scents across nearby Aristotelous Square
Terkenlis is known for making the best tsoureki in Thessaloniki with 3 different fillings: chocolate, pistachio, and chestnut. Each loaf is then smothered in melted chocolate.
Tsoureki is a sweet holiday bread made with flour, milk, butter, eggs, and sugar and commonly seasoned with orange zest. It looks similar to a braided Jewish challah.
Katsamaka
Αυγερινού, Athonos 18-20, 30-231-023-4177
Obviously you must feast on gyros when experiencing the best street food in Thessaloniki! The city is full of street food eateries serving traditional souvlaki, gyros, and kebabs.
Local foodies rave for ΓΥΡΑΔΙΚΟ EXPRESS, Laikon and Katsamaka. We chose to eat at Katsamaka, a small tavern in the city centre, which offers a wide selection of local specialties roasted over charcoal.
If you’re a Greek food newbie we suggest ordering classic gyros but your can expand your culinary repertoire by feasting on kontosuvli (pork on a spit), kokoretsi (lamb and goat offal) and politico soutzoukaki (meatballs).
Spitiko Bakery
Vasileos Irakleiou 11, 30-231-027-2397
No Thessaloniki street food adventure is complete until you’ve tasted a selection of Greek breads.
Spitiko is a family-owned Greek bakery featuring several concepts throughout Thessaloniki. The modern bakery concept features a chic interior selling everything from espresso beverages to fresh squeezed juice and traditional Greek breads.
We suggest ordering the Peynirli (bread filled with cheese) and Koulouri, which looks like a thin sesame seed bagel.
Valentino Crepes
Dim. Gounari 25, 30-231-028-4031
You can enjoy one of Europe’s most famous street foods in Thessaloniki at Valentino Crepes.
French-style crepes have been served at Valentino for decades. It’s definitely the most famous crepe shop in the city.
Valentino Crepes even have their own motto, “first you squeeze it, then you suck it, and finally you take a big bite or you will be soiled.”
Crepe lovers can enjoy both sweet and savoury crepe fillings so visit for an easy grab and go lunch or post dinner dessert.
Thess Bao
Kalapothaki 3, 30-231-023-5225
You can enjoy a taste of Asia while eating your way through the Thessaloniki street food scene at Thess Bao.
Authentic steamed Chinese bao buns are served in creative ways like fried chicken sandwiches and beef burgers. On the menu you’ll also find a selection of fried smashed potatoes with tasty toppings and fresh salads.
Kafeneio Odysseia
Kastritsiou 11, 30-231-052-4652
This hidden gem is a perfect place to people watch as 99% of the people eating here are in-the-know-locals.
Kafeneio means ‘’the place where you can have a coffee’’. These classic coffee shops have evolved over time and offer good food in a more cozy environment than a restaurant.
Wag your finger down the daily menu and you’ll find salads with beetroot and local cheese, beef and beans braised in the oven and ntolmadakia, vine leafs stuffed with rice and herbs.
On any given day there are usually 10-15 different dishes available. The chef adds and removes dishes daily based on what they find at the market.
Kafeneio Odysseia offers great value for money and has an excellent craft beer list.
Tarantino Burgers
Ernestou Emprar 5, 30-231-053-0020
The Thessaloniki street food scene extends to America’s most celebrated culinary invention.
Tarantino Burgers, an homage to the famed Kill Bill director is famous for its premium burgers and crispy fries.
While the beef burgers are the big draw here you’ll also find other sandwich options like pulled pork, beef brisket, jerk chicken, and Philly cheese steak.
Taqueria Rodriguez
Ernestou Emprar 4, 30-231-052-8599
You can enjoy a taste of Mexico while eating street food in Thessaloniki at Taqueria Rodriguez.
The popular taco shop is the first original taqueria in Thessaloniki, showcasing the city’s enthusiasm for multicultural meals.
The menu reads like a classic Mexican feast featuring a parade of tasty tacos, nachos and margaritas.
Pizza Hood
Ernestou Emprar 2, 30-231-052-7212
If you’re craving Italian comfort food you can order a slice of quality cheesy Neapolitan pie at Pizza Hood.
Ranked as one of the best pizzerias in Thessaloniki, Pizza Hood is the best place to get your stringy melted mozzarella fix.
Beyond the pizza menu you’ll find fresh salads, calzone and panini.
Falafel Taste Middle East
Mitropoleos 106 &, Romanou, 30-231-027-8363
Explore the flavours of the Arab world on a Thessaloniki street food tour at Falafel Taste Middle East.
The vegan and vegetarian friendly menu offers plenty of fresh and healthy street food dishes like falafel wraps served on saj flatbread with creamy sauces, pickles and crunchy vegetable slaw.
The menu also features meat lovers meals like Sis Tavuk and Kefta Kabobs.
Big Barn Deep Fried Chicken
Al. Svolou 40, 30-231-182-9678
Big Barn is the best Thessaloniki street food spot for fried chicken lovers.
The tiny eatery serves finger-licking-good fried foods like chicken wings and corn dogs as well as sandwiches, corn on the cob, waffle fries, and coleslaw.
There’s no seating indoors but you’ll find a few tables on the street to nosh on their signature spicy chicken sandwich.
Boula
Παύλου Μελά 48, 30-231-022-0023
Boula is a charming bakery specializing in Greek pies located a stones throw from the Hagia Sophia.
This Thessaloniki street food favourite makes large circular phyllo pies stuffed with a variety of fillings, from classic feta cheese and spinich to a divine spiced pumpkin.
The affordable street food in Thessaloniki can be enjoyed without cutlery, munched in a park as a picnic with a few napkins to dust off the phyllo flakes.
If you only have time to eat spanakopita once in Thessaloniki head to Boula as they’re open kitchen allows you to watch the bakers as they lovingly make their Greek pies by hand.
Surfer Maya
Skra 8, 30-231-023-5033
Surfer Maya is a casual restaurant in Thessaloniki serving up playful street food dishes featuring global flavours.
Skip inside Surfer Maya and you’ll find a trendy eye-popping interior featuring design lines with splashes of blue, pink and yellow and neon.
The Surfer Maya concept is inspired by Greek home cooking and the Ghost restaurants popular in Berlin and London. The chef produces slow-rising sourdough breads, sources meat from local farms and produce their own salmon, which is smoked onsite.
The menu features a selection of drool-worthy fusion dishes, from burgers to tacos. Our favourite was the kebab served stuffed in a pretzel bun with crunchy and vinegary shaved vegetables and cream cheese.
Estrella World Street Food
P. Mela 48, 30-231-027-2045
Estrella World Street Food is famous for bringing the brunch concept to Greece.
The wildly popular street food restaurant concept is so popular in Thessaloniki it has opened additional locations in Athens, Crete, Cyprus and beyond!
Estrella serves traditional Greek street food dishes on elevated plates with a modern twist. You’ll find crunchy deep fried Greek meatballs served over crispy fries, fried egg topped pastrami sandwich and well crafted cocktail list.
Estrella is most famous for its play on the city’s love affair with bougatsa, which they call “bougatsan.” The dessert features the flavours of a traditional bougatsa but is served with a croissant instead of phyllo, loads of creamy custard and drizzle of melted chocolate.
Stay In Thessaloniki At Zeus Is Loose
Zeus is Loose is a modern hostel in Thessaloniki, which has the vibe of a boutique art and design hotel.
Located on 13 Klisouras Street, Zeus Is Loose Hostel is the perfect option for independent “flashpackers” looking to find centrally located accommodation.
The popular hostel in Thessaloniki features 6 bed and 4 bed dorms, perfect for backpackers on a budget as well as private twin and double rooms. All rooms have their own ensuite bathrooms.
For those looking to dive into the Thessaloniki food scene Zeus Is Loose boasts the only rooftop bar in the city. Dubbed The Nectar Distillery, the popular rooftop serves quality coffee in the morning with snacks provided by a local bakery and hosts fun DJs at night paired with craft cocktails.
During my visit the majority of the folks slurping cocktails at the bar were locals, a great way for visitors to meet friendly street food loving residents of Thessaloniki.
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