In a country where crumbly buildings and sparkly turquoise water usually get all the airtime - Thes-uh-lon-iki is deliciously different.

2,000 years of blended culture have made the city a melty stew of butter-soft meats, spices from the East, French flair, and a Mediterranean appreciation for fresh ingredients.

Here’s where to get the best of it in your mouth...

Thessaloniki’s street food is like a gateway drug to the fancy stuff happening in the restaurants. Prepare to be hooked.

It doesn’t get much cheaper than the markets - Modiano and Kapani are the best. Head here for a piece of spanakopita (spinach pie) with sweet sauteed onion and a crumbling of tangy feta.

Average spend 💸
Modiano Market: €2

Wine? 🍷
Yep, the deli sells it but you’ll look a bit weird swigging from the bottle by the fishmongers.

Shout out for 🍤
Grab a handful of sardines for €3 and some fresh lemon, grill and squirt. You’re done.

Sold! Where is it? 👍
Thessaloniki 546 24, Greece

Mid-morning snack time? Bougatsa Bantis has you sorted. These guys sell a flakey pastry dusted with flour. You can get a sweet one stuffed with cream and custard, or go savoury with minced meat and herbs.

Rick Stein came here - so ya know it’s good.

Average spend 💸
Bougatsa Bantis: €2

Wine? 🍷
Nope. Better. They sell cartons of chocolate milk.

Shout out for 🍤
Ask for a half and half - start with the little mince meat parcels and follow up with pillowy custard squares. Winner winner.

Sold! Where is it? 👍
Panagias Faneromenis 33, Thessaloniki 546 32, Greece

Derlicatesen all Souvlaki (derli means scoff, not a typo) serves up pork and chicken with chips and salad in a pita pocket.

The portions are cheap and massive. Not feeling like taking on all that Greek meat? Get a mini feta pocket for the low low price of €3.

Pizza Poselli is just round the corner and do their own take on pizza. Think super-fresh toppings, loadsa veggies, and an extra thin base.

Get it with a salad and a beer for €3.

Average Spend 💸
Derlicatessan Souvlaki: €5
Pizza Poselli: €3

Wine? 🍷
Pizza Poselli will do you a beer. Or you can head to Piccadilly or Urania (10-min walk) for a rooftop bar and cocktails - but they’re spenny.

Shout out for 🌯
Mix it up and get a dikavalo instead - it’s a tortilla filled with mushrooms and halloumi.

Sold! Where is it? 👍
John Kouskoura 7, Thessaloniki 546 22, Greece
Vilara 2, Thessaloniki 546 25, Greece

Ouzeri Tsinari is a proper looker - think, blue chairs perched on cobblestones, a huge shady tree out front, and a chequerboard floor inside.

People come here for simple food done well. Everything is fresh and hearty - and the setting alone is worth forking out for.

Get the huge salads with massive triangles of feta and wedges of tomato drizzled in oil and herbs.

Average spend 💸
€20

Wine? 🍷
Fill your boots.

Shout out for 🌯
Stuffed vine leaves and octopus to start

Sold! Where is it? 👍
Alexandras Papadopoulou 72, Thessaloniki 546 33, Greece

The light shades are made of dried flowers, the colour pallette is coppery, and the decking looks out over the water... You’d better believe Agiolo is spenny - for Thessaloniki.

Order the white fish bianco. It comes with baby potatoes in garlic and dill, squid ink rice cracker, and a taramasalata mousse.

Average spend 💸
€35

Wine? 🍷
You can get a bottle of local white vino for €19

Shout out for 🌯
Get the stuffed zucchini flower with creamy avgolemono sauce as a side for the table (then eat it all yourself)

Sold! Where is it? 👍
Leof. Nikis 15, Thessaloniki 546 23, Greece