Bantis Bougatsa ★ 4.8
Thessaloniki's best bougatsa for 2 to 3 euros at the marble counter. Opens at 06:30. The benchmark cream phyllo pastry of the city eaten standing.
Eat well in Thessaloniki for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Diagonios 1977 ★ 4.3
The pork souvlaki at Diagonios since 1977 for 2.50 euros a skewer, or 4 euros in pita with tzatziki and chips. Late-night institution. At Egnatia 159.
Tragano Navarinou ★ 4.3
Tragano on Dimitriou Gounari near Navarinou Square sells the city's most reliable wood-oven koulouri (sesame bread ring) at 0.70 euros plus a rotating set.
Ouzeri Tsinari ★ 4.2
Since 1865 near Kapani market, Ouzeri Tsinari serves fried whitebait, chargrilled octopus, and taramosalata with ouzo or tsipouro for under 12 euros per.
Giotis Gyradiko ★ 4.0
The gyros pita at Giotis is the city centre's most consistent for under 3 euros. At Vasileos Irakliou 40. Booking recommended. Reservations advised.
Kapani Market Ouzeries ★ 4.3
The ouzeries tucked inside and around Kapani Market serve the cheapest meze in the city: a half-carafe of tsipouro and three meze plates for under 10 euros.
Xanthopoulos ★ 4.0
Xanthopoulos has served pork chops, lamb skewers, and kokoretsi from a charcoal grill since the 1960s for prices that have barely moved in real terms.
Koukos 1953 ★ 4.1
Koukos at Vogatsikou 10 across from the Metropolitan Church serves the city's most celebrated tyropita recipe (passed down since 1953) for under 2 euros.
Aristotle University Student Tavernas ★ 3.8
The tavernas and cafeterias around Aristotle University campus serve the cheapest sit-down meals in the city: daily specials of moussaka, pastitsio.
Nea Diagonios ★ 3.9
Directly across from the original Diagonios on Egnatia with the same format: kalamaki skewers and pita gyros for under 4 euros until the early morning hours.
Terkenlis 1948 ★ 4.4
Terkenlis has run from this Tsimiski and Aristotelous corner since 1948, producing the tsoureki that became synonymous with Thessaloniki across Greece.
Modiano Market Lunch Stalls ★ 4.1
The Modiano Market reopened in December 2022 after restoration and now houses food vendors, cheese counters, cured-meat traders, and a handful of small.
Rouga ★ 4.0
Rouga near the port serves the authentic tsipouradiko relay for 10 to 14 euros per person including tsipouro: taramosalata, marides, saganaki.
Palia Athina ★ 3.8
Palia Athina serves the reliable Greek taverna repertoire for around 12 euros per person: moussaka, stifado, and simple grills with domestic wine.
Trigona Elenidis Centre ★ 4.6
The trigona panoramatos at the Elenidis Centre branch for under 3.50 euros. The city's most landmark pastry at its best for the price of a coffee. Order two.