A sesame-crusted ring of bread dough, baked at dawn and sold from street carts. The Thessaloniki koulouri is distinguished from the Athens version by its larger diameter, denser crumb, and heavier sesame coating.
The koulouri dates to the Ottoman bazaar tradition and was sold around the Covered Market in Thessaloniki before refrigeration, baking, or any modern food infrastructure existed. The specific Thessaloniki recipe with the sesame-dough ratio has been transmitted through a network of family bakeries for generations.
4 editor picks for Koulouri Thessalonikis in Thessaloniki, ranked by editorial score. All Thessaloniki signature dishes · Koulouri Thessalonikis across every city.
Bantis Bougatsa ★ 4.5
Panagias Faneromenis 33, Thessaloniki 546 27
Bantis has produced Thessaloniki's cream bougatsa from a marble counter near Dikastirion Square since 1969. At Panagias Faneromenis 33. Booking recommended.
Koukos 1953 ★ 4.3
Vogatsikou 10, Thessaloniki 546 22
Koukos 1953 carries the city's most famous tyropita recipe, brought from the family bakery in Asvestochori to central Thessaloniki by the third generation.
Koulouri Thessalonikis ★ 4.2
Tsimiski 12, Thessaloniki 546 23
The koulouri bakery-cart at Tsimiski 12 is the cleanest version of the city's oldest street food ritual: sesame-crusted bread rings baked from 05:30.
Thanasis ★ 4.0
Egnatia 48, Thessaloniki 546 30
Thanasis on Egnatia is the address for hot galaktoboureko, the semolina custard pastry in crisp phyllo drenched with citrus syrup. At Egnatia 48.