Xanthopoulos is a traditional grill budget eat in Thessaloniki.
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.
Address: Ippokratous 26, Thessaloniki
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.
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.
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 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.
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).
Rouga near the port serves the authentic tsipouradiko relay for 10 to 14 euros per person including tsipouro: taramosalata, marides, saganaki, and a whole grilled fish. One of the most affordable access points to proper Thessaloniki meze culture.
