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TASTING THESSALONIKI - We Found Greece's GREATEST Food City!

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Is Thessaloniki actually the best food city in Greece? 🇬🇷🍴

In this episode, we head north to Greece’s so-called “Real Food Capital” to find out if Thessaloniki truly lives up to the hype. While most travelers stick to Athens and the islands, this vibrant city has quietly built a reputation as the country’s ultimate foodie destination—and we’re putting it to the test.

From sizzling street food spots serving up next-level gyros and bougatsa, to family-run tavernas hidden down backstreets where recipes haven’t changed in generations, we’re diving deep into the flavours locals swear by. Along the way, we’re also checking out some of the hottest 2026 Michelin-rated restaurants redefining modern Greek cuisine—places that are still flying under the radar for most visitors.

Expect honest reviews, unexpected finds, and plenty of incredible food as we explore what makes Thessaloniki so special. Is it really better than Athens? Does it deserve the title of Greece’s top food city?

If you’re planning a trip to Greece or just love discovering underrated food destinations, this one’s for you.

👇 Let us know in the comments:
Is Thessaloniki on your radar yet?

#Thessaloniki #GreekFood #FoodTravel #StreetFood #GreeceTravel #HiddenGems #michelinguide

[00:00:00] – Intro: An introduction to why Thessaloniki is Greece’s ultimate hidden food secret.

[00:00:49] – Diagonios 1977: Visiting the most famous spot in the city for their legendary "naked" soutzoukakia and pork gyros.

[00:02:35] – Sin Trofi: Modern, wood-fired Greek cuisine in a "dodgy" alleyway featuring local sourdough and charcoal-kissed prawns.

[00:04:37] – The Shed: Transitioning from Japanese coffee to fiery €6 cocktails in a stylish local haunt.

[00:05:16] – Late Night Student Quarter: Diving into the "Athenian Prince" sandwich—a messy, mustard-heavy student staple.

[00:06:57] – Greek Breakfast Buffet: Recovering with honeycomb, local breads, and a view of the harbor oil rigs.

[00:08:07] – Bougatsa Filippos: A masterclass in stretching elastic filo for custard, cheese, and minced meat bougatsa.

[00:11:55] – The Spanakopita Basement: Watching local grandmothers hand-roll traditional spinach pies.

[00:12:54] – The Hidden Country Tour: A surprise kidnapping by local legend Aris to find the city's most authentic meatballs.

[00:14:50] – Sweet Treats & Orange Pie: Exploring Greek "angel hair" desserts and the best orange cake in town.

[00:16:16] – Poster: Checking out the high-energy "Donnie" vibe with deep-fried mushrooms and skirt steak sandwiches.

[00:17:13] – Iliopetra: The "hottest restaurant in town" for refined tarama and sea bass wrapped in vine leaves.

[00:18:56] – The Signature Steak: Trying a unique medium-rare steak served with yogurt-mayo and raisins.

[00:20:19] – Aristotle Square: A quick bit of culture in the grand square designed by Ernest Hébrard.

[00:21:43] – Trigona & Salepi: One last custard-filled pastry and a sip of the "aphrodisiac" orchid-root drink, Salepi.

20 Comments

@rosieannacallanan1421 5 months ago

Another absolute banger gents - next stop Thessaloniki this summer for sure 🎉

@ΜιλτιάδηςΜπαλτατζής 5 months ago

I am from Thessaloniki Makedonia 🇬🇷🫶🏼

@doublettube7224 5 months ago

wow, what a great atmosphere all these sops had. We will definitely visit this city someday. Added this to my must go. Thanks for the great video!!

@leonamarantos2811 5 months ago

Thessaloniki was built in 315 BC (the first years of the Hellenistic period after the death of Alexander the Great) by the ancient Greek king Kassandros (kingdom of Macedonia). The city was named after the queen Thessaloniki (bride of Kassandros and sister of Alexander the Great). The whole area was inhabited though (like the rest Greece) from the prehistoric period. After the Hellenistic period the city had the Roman period. Because the West Roman empire fell early and the East remained powerful, Constantinople and Thessaloniki were the major cities of the New Roman Empire (=The Byzantine, a Medieval Greek one). The Ottomans conquered Asia Minor and mainland Greece (yes, the today Turkey was Greek soil the older years). So Thessaloniki had Ottoman occupation. About the Arabic influence in the city you say in the video, there is no Arabic influence actually, more an Ottoman influence from the occupation. The jewish influence was from the Spanish-Jews in 1492 who were exiled from Spain (when Colombus started from there the big voyage to America) and they come here in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is a rare global example of a city with urban continuity of 23 centuries. Most of the global cities were villages at first and not many "live as cities" for 2 thousand and 3 hundred years without stop. I think it's a Greek thing this historic continuity.

@makispaok19 5 months ago

When the sky is clear, you can see Olympus mountain enjoying a coffee at the port

@Minhtyfresh0 5 months ago

Welcome to Thessaloniki Guys! Hope you had best time here!

@Achim-gi7su 3 months ago

A Bougatsa Krema with a Greek coffee for breakfast, a Pita Gyros for lunch and mezes with local wine for dinner. That's just about enough but then you have missed the Fava, the fish dishes with or without Orzo. the Feta with the sesame honey crust, the fantastic beetroot salat and a wonderful Greek yoghurt with Greek honey and walnuts, an Ouzo (or two or three ...) on a warm summer night and, and and .....
And no, the Bugatsa Krema is not filled with custard :-))))
It's a blessed place indeed and I'm glad I'm living here.

@barbarianf.c.official4517 5 months ago

Wow what a city - need to get out there asap

@leonamarantos2811 5 months ago

1:17 That's not "Keftedes". it's "Soutzoukakia" (an Asian Minor Greek plate).

@leonamarantos2811 5 months ago

7:48 At your back there is the Mountain. Yes, it's true! You can see Olympus, the mountain of the 12 Gods from there when the sky is clear.

@RichardSmith-u4f 5 months ago

This is bloody quality. A perfect blend of great food, culture and debauchery. Long may these vids continue!

@FotiniLunatic 5 months ago

Quick tip: The other "Elenidis" store (different logo) is actually the better one of the two chains and the reason many people just call them "Trigwna Elenidis" instead of "Panoramatos".

@JohnnyTheOnly-m1p 5 months ago

i am from Athens but i have to say...we are glad to have you in our country !!!appreciate you guys and i hope to visit us again:))

@Kouklaki1972 5 months ago

The food in Thessaloniki is banging

@emmascott9844 5 months ago

This place looks incredible. Great video as usual. Now I’m off for an Old Fashioned x

@pavlosiced 5 months ago

Great commentary, awesome music and editing. Subscribed!

@Kassandra_Karma 5 months ago

What a great video about my city!!! You got to visit some great places but I promise that you haven't even scratched the surface - so a second visit is a must...😉 Glad you had a great time and I always love it when people who love food try our cuisine!!! Keep it up guys, you're doing a great job!!! 👍 😊❤

@leonamarantos2811 5 months ago

Bougatsa was a specialty of the Greeks of Asia Minor. When they came to the Greek metropolitan area as refugees from the Greek Asia Minor, brought with them the bougatsa.