Tsoureki, traditional pastries, brioche
Terkenlis founded by Stavros Terkenlis in 1948, the oldest shop sits at the corner of Tsimiski and Aristotelous and remains the most famous tsoureki source in Greece. The smell from the wood oven during baking is part of Aristotelous Square's morning identity. Chocolate-covered tsoureki, traditional cakes, savoury pies, and ice cream.
Koulouri (sesame bread rings), tyropita, spanakopita
The koulouri bakery-cart at Tsimiski 12 is the cleanest version of the city's oldest street food ritual: sesame-crusted bread rings baked from 05:30, warm by 06:00, sold until they run out. Also serves tyropita and spanakopita by the square. Price: around 0.70 euros.
Koulouri Thessalonikis, fresh pies, vegan bakes
Tragano on Dimitriou Gounari near Navarinou Square bakes some of the city's most reliable koulouri (sesame bread rings) alongside cheese and spinach pies, vegan options, and small filled sandwich-bagels. The wood-oven crisp on the koulouri and the rotating savoury pies have built a loyal queue from breakfast through lunch.
Galaktoboureko, revani, traditional Greek pastries
Thanasis on Egnatia is the address for hot galaktoboureko, the semolina custard pastry in crisp phyllo drenched with citrus syrup. Serves a full range of traditional Greek sweets plus loukoumades (honey fritters) on weekends.
Bougatsa croissant, artisan pastries, brunch bakes
Estrella popularised the bougatsa croissant, a cream-filled phyllo-pastry hybrid that sells out before 10am. The full pastry range spans almond croissants, custard danishes, and seasonal fruit tarts. The coffee is specialty-grade. Opens 08:00 daily.
Natural sourdough breads and French viennoiseries
Fleur in Pylaia opened in 2019 as Thessaloniki's serious naturally-leavened bread programme, with slow-fermented sourdough loaves, monastic-style breads and ancient-grain zea sitting beside French croissants and handmade macarons. Opens 06:00; second branch on Egnatia 127.