Best Restaurants in Thessaloniki
See Greece’s guide to the best restaurants in Thessaloniki, focusing on its fine-dining and gourmet options, including award-winning menus and chefs.
Thessaloniki in Macedonia has long been the undisputed food capital of Greece, a city where the scent of roasting spices and fresh seafood drifts through Byzantine alleys. However, its reputation has reached new heights recently. As the only Greek city designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Thessaloniki has finally caught the eye of the world’s most prestigious culinary authority. It has been officially confirmed that, along with the island of Santorini, the city will be included for the first time in the 2026 Michelin Guide, an honour previously reserved solely for Athens.
This inclusion marks a turning point for the city’s dining scene, shifting the spotlight onto a sophisticated generation of chefs who are refining Macedonian traditions with avant-garde techniques. For those looking to stay ahead of the inspectors, here are ten gourmet and fine-dining establishments that represent the pinnacle of Thessaloniki’s culinary evolution.
Best Restaurants in Thessaloniki
1. Salonika Restaurant
Located within the iconic Makedonia Palace Hotel, Salonika is a powerhouse of modern Greek gastronomy. Under the leadership of the renowned Chef Sotiris Evaggelou, the restaurant has consistently secured the prestigious Toque d’Or (Chrysi Skoufi) award.
The menu is a masterclass in New Greek cuisine, focusing on exceptional raw materials from the Macedonian countryside. Diners praise the slow-cooked lamb and the exquisite seafood giouvetsi. With its panoramic views of the Thermaic Gulf and an open kitchen that showcases military-precision plating, it is a primary contender for a Michelin star in 2026.
Address: 2 Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, Thessaloniki 546 40
Phone: +30 2310 897176
Website: makedoniapalace.com
2. Olympos Naoussa
Once a historic landmark that sat dormant for decades, Olympos Naoussa has been reborn as the city’s most elegant On Residence dining destination. It recently earned a FNL Best Restaurant Award for its seamless blend of urban classics and contemporary flair. The kitchen revives Politiki (Constantinopolitan) flavours with a gourmet edge.
Signature dishes include the incredibly tender beef cheeks with eggplant purée and the Moussaka made with Black Angus rib-eye. The atmosphere, defined by high ceilings and Belle Époque aesthetics, provides a dining experience that is as much about heritage as it is about haute cuisine.
Address: 5 Leoforos Nikis, Thessaloniki 546 24
Phone: +30 2314 433323
Website: olymposnaoussa.gr
3. Clochard
A fixture of the city’s elite dining scene since 1978, Clochard has successfully transitioned from a classic bistro to a modern fine-dining institution. It is a perennial winner of the Toque d’Or and FNL awards, celebrated for its impeccable service and consistency.
The menu balances French techniques with Greek soul, featuring standout dishes like the sea bass with fennel cream and the pastitsio featuring slow-cooked beef and Metsovone cheese foam. It remains the preferred choice for those seeking a refined, quiet atmosphere where the wine list is as thoughtfully curated as the menu.
Address: 24 Komninon Street, Thessaloniki 546 24
Phone: +30 2310 239805
Website: clochard.gr
4. Moldee
Moldee represents the fine-casual evolution of Thessaloniki, where high-concept architecture meets technical brilliance. Located in the Teight Hotel and founded by chefs Vasilis Mouratidis and Sofoklis Maragkoudakis—both highly decorated on the Greek culinary circuit—Moldee has quickly garnered acclaim for its minimalist approach.
The restaurant focuses on clean, intense flavours, with the Catch of the Day often served with unexpected textures of cauliflower or citrus gels. It is a favourite among the city’s younger gourmands and has already secured accolades for its innovative Mediterranean vision, making it a one-to-watch for Michelin’s Bib Gourmand or Star categories.
Address: 38 Mitropoleos Street, Thessaloniki 546 23
Phone: +30 2310 230101
Website: moldeebar.gr
5. Grada Nuevo
For seafood enthusiasts, Grada Nuevo is the ultimate destination. This restaurant has earned multiple Greek Cuisine Awards for its dedication to the Art of Haute Gastronomy. The focus here is on the purity of the Aegean’s bounty, often sourced directly from the Toronean Gulf.
Guests rave about the lobster pasta with pistachios and the sea urchin linguine. The service is choreographed with the grace of a ballet, and every pairing from their extensive wine cellar enhances the delicate flavours of the sea.
Address: 14 Kalapothaki Street, Thessaloniki 546 24
Phone: +30 2310 271074
Website: gradanuevo.gr
6. Duck Private Cheffing
Tucked away in the city’s industrial district, Duck Private Cheffing offers an exclusive, intimate dining experience that feels like a well-kept secret. Chef Ioanna Theodorakaki has created a temple to seasonal ingredients, winning the hearts of critics and the FNL Best Restaurant accolade.
The menu changes daily based on the morning’s market finds. Signature highlights often include the wood-fired goat and the wild mushroom ragout. The open-plan kitchen and rustic-chic decor provide a chef’s table vibe that is perfectly aligned with modern Michelin trends.
Address: 3 Chalkis Street, Pylaia, Thessaloniki 555 35
Phone: +30 2310 473330
Website: facebook.com
7. Mourga
Mourga is perhaps the most avant-garde entry on this list. Led by the enigmatic Chef Giannis Loukakis, the restaurant avoids traditional luxury for a raw, ingredient-focused philosophy. It has been a consistent recipient of Greek Cuisine Awards and is frequently cited by international food critics as the city’s most exciting kitchen.
There is no fixed menu; instead, expect daring combinations like crayfish with goat-milk butter or cuttlefish with fava beans. Its inclusion in the 2026 guide seems almost certain, given its cult status and uncompromising commitment to culinary honesty.
Address: 12 Christopoulou Street, Thessaloniki 546 35
Phone: +30 2310 268826
Website: facebook.com
8. Xaroupi
Xaroupi (The Carob) has redefined what regional Greek cuisine can look like when elevated to a fine-dining standard. Led by the visionary Chef Manolis Papoutsakis, who has won multiple Greek Cuisine Awards and FNL stars, this restaurant brings the rugged, honest flavours of Crete to a sophisticated urban setting.
The kitchen uses exclusively Cretan products to create complex, modern dishes. Signature highlights include the “Antikristo” lamb cooked with modern techniques and the handmade “Skioufichta” pasta with honey-glazed pork and anthracite galomyzithra cheese. The restaurant is widely praised for its extensive Cretan wine list and its ability to turn traditional peasant food into a gourmet experience worthy of international recognition.
Address: 4 Doxis Street, Thessaloniki 546 25
Phone: +30 2310 526262
Website: xaroupi.gr
9. Botargo
Located within the MonAsty Hotel, Botargo is a tribute to the city’s Byzantine heritage, reimagined for the 21st century. Under the guidance of acclaimed chef George Stylianoudakis, the restaurant explores Urban Greek cuisine with a heavy emphasis on culinary traditions and local herbs.
The namesake botargo (cured grey mullet roe) features prominently in several starter dishes, while the lamb fricassee with handmade gnocchi is a standout main course. Its commitment to storytelling through food makes it a unique candidate for the Michelin Guide.
Address: 45 Vasileos Irakleiou Street, Thessaloniki 546 24
Phone: +30 2310 274500
Website: monastyhotel.com
10. Trizoni Exclusive
Starting as a legendary seafood taverna in Halkidiki, Trizoni Exclusive brought its high-end Fish Ethics philosophy to the city centre to great acclaim. It quickly earned Toque d’Or recognition for its unparalleled sourcing of rare fish and shellfish.
The restaurant operates more like a seafood gallery than a traditional eatery, where the Crudo bar offers some of the finest raw preparations in Greece. The grilled red porgy (sea bream) and the signature fish soup are essential orders. It’s the gold standard for high-end Mediterranean seafood dining in the city.
Address: 1 Doiranis Street, Thessaloniki 546 39
Phone: +30 2310 542533
Website: theafoodresort.com
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