Ten
of the best Greek Restaurants in Thessaloniki
Want
to know how you can tell a truly great Greek restaurant? The food is
excellent and even the plates are smashing. It’s thought that the
Greek practice of smashing plates after a meal both signifies joy and
wards off bad luck. However, before you start to show your
appreciation of a superb meal in one of Thessaloniki’s many
authentic Greek restaurants by bouncing crockery off the walls,
please bear in mind that nowadays plate
smashing is
usually reserved for special occasions – such as weddings – only.
Not to worry; no doubt there are other ways to express your enjoyment
after a meal at any one of this selection of ten of the best Greek
restaurants in Thessaloniki…
To
Full Tou Meze, Ladadika, 3 Katouni, Kentro
This
atmospheric yet compact restaurant is situated in Thessaloniki’s
Turkish Quarter. Popular with locals (always a good barometer of a
restaurant’s quality), Full Tou Meze serves fresh and authentic
Greek cuisine including a huge variety of mezes, and many speciality
seafood dishes.
Trata,
Coast 69 Thermaikos
Along
the coast from Thessaloniki Airport and convenient for guests of the
luxurious
Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki Hotel,
Trata has been serving Greek cuisine prepared from the freshest
ingredients for two decades. The restaurant and taverna’s
beautiful seafront setting make it the perfect choice for romantic
al fresco
dining, and –naturally- seafood is a house speciality.
Rouga,
28, Karipi
Chic yet
rustically-styled, Rouga offers generously-sized portions of
excellent Greek cuisine from a wide and varied menu which includes
moussaka, saganaki and a speciality seafood stew. The service is
attentive yet discreet, the prices reasonable and the whole Rouga
dining experience is rounded off by the accompaniment of live Greek
music.
Mavri
Thalassa, Chilis & Plastira 31, Κalamaria
Offering
views
of Mount Olympus
and across the Gulf of Thermaikos, the seafront Mavri Thalassa
epitomises fine Greek and seafood dining. Expertly prepared classic
Greek dishes including dolmades, pikantiki and kolokithokeftedes rub
shoulders with the freshest fish and seafood from squid to
scorpionfish, all accompanied by an outstanding wine list. 
Perek,
Monopigado
For an
alternative to views of Thessaloniki’s city streets, a trip to eat
at the out-of-town Perek is well rewarded. The restaurant’s
beautiful, rustic dining room and large open-air terrace afford
stunning views of unspoilt countryside stretching to Mount Olympus
on the horizon. Freshly-baked bread complements o host of
traditional Greek dishes lovingly created with fresh local produce.
Omega
3, 56 Andreou Georgiou
The
name might sound like some kind of health supplement, but Omega 3 is
a chic new upmarket restaurant which specialises in seafood and
contemporary Greek cuisine. A modern vibe, attentive service and
stylishly-presented food set Omega 3 apart for those seeking a fresh
alternative to the traditional Greek restaurant.
Zythos,
5 Katouni/Ladadika
On
a sun-dappled street corner in the Ladadika district, the charming
Zythos restaurant, with its tiled-floors, huge windows,
marble-topped tables and classical decor has a charm that is every
bit as pleasurable as its varied menu of meat and fish dishes, and
lunch or dinner at Zythos’ outside tables provides the perfect
opportunity to relax, take time over an excellent meal, and watch
the world go by.
Myrovolos
Smyrni, Komninon 32 near Ermou Street
Tucked
away in a quiet corner in the Mondiano Market this popular
restaurant, also known as ‘Tou Thanassi’ after its late owner,
is worth seeking out. Specialising in seafood dishes including squid
and mussels, diners can enjoy not only great Greek food and service
but may also be serenaded by bouzouki, accordion or violin-playing
musicians.
Ta
Nissia, Proxenou Koromila 13, Kentro
Expect
to pay a little more at Ta Nissia; this is a cut above your average
Thessaloniki restaurant. But for a special night out you’re
guaranteed exquisitely-flavoured and perfectly executed traditional
and contemporary Greek fare, including stuffed squid, veal with
pureed eggplant and saffron infused artichokes. The imagination and
diversity of the menu is matched by an equally lengthy wine list.
Tiffany’s,
Iktinou 3
Tiffany’s
restaurant is something of a Thessaloniki institution, having served
the best of typically Northern Greek cuisine for more than four
decades. Simple yet delicious dishes include stews and grilled
meats, and for sociable diners Tiffany’s long group-dining tables
help to cultivate a convivial atmosphere.