Diagonios 1977 is a greek grill budget eat in Centre, Thessaloniki.
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. Open until 3am on weekends. One of the best value meals in the city.
Address: Egnatia 159, Thessaloniki 546 21
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 of cheese pies and small filled bagels under 3 euros. Open from breakfast through lunch, queue moves fast, eat standing.
Since 1865 near Kapani market, Ouzeri Tsinari serves fried whitebait, chargrilled octopus, and taramosalata with ouzo or tsipouro for under 12 euros per person. The oldest and cheapest way to eat traditional Thessaloniki meze.
The gyros pita at Giotis is the city centre's most consistent for under 3 euros. Pork or chicken in soft pita with tzatziki, tomato, onion, and chips. Eat at the standing counter or take to a nearby bench.
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 at lunch. Old men, market workers, and a few savvy tourists. Closes at 14:00.
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. A full meat meal for under 10 euros. No pretension, no decor, excellent grill.
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. Counter format, eat standing, buy two and a coffee for under 4 euros. The most consistent cheese-pie shop in the central pedestrian zone.
