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. A full meat meal for under 10 euros. No pretension, no decor, excellent grill.
Location
Address: Egnatia 52, Thessaloniki 546 30
More budget eats in Thessaloniki
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. Counter format, eat standing, buy two and a coffee for under 4 euros. The most consistent cheese-pie shop in the central pedestrian zone.
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, lentil soup, and roasted chicken for 4 to 6 euros. Open Monday to Friday from 12:00 and packed from 13:00.
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 on weekends. Reliable and unpretentious.
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. Slices of plain or chocolate-covered tsoureki, savoury pies, and traditional sweets sit at the under-5 euro tier. Counter service, buy and walk out onto Aristotelous Square.
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 tavernas under the historic 1920s glass roof. A market lunch of cheese, olives, and bread runs under 8 euros. Hours follow the market core (closed Sundays).