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. Best budget meal in Thessaloniki by common consensus.
Trigona Elenidis Centre is a budget eat in Thessaloniki.
The trigona panoramatos at the Elenidis Centre branch for under 3.50 euros. The city's most iconic pastry at its best for the price of a coffee. Order two.
Address: Tsimiski and Iktinou 1, Thessaloniki 546 23
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. Best budget meal in Thessaloniki by common consensus.
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.
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.