Thessalonikis most up-and-coming neighborhood today, the Twelve Apostles, is brimming with new culinary openings as well as longtime favorites.
Among the neighborhoods of Thessaloniki that are becoming go-to spots, Holy Apostles Square and its surrounds has managed to become the most up-and-coming and popular in the past two to three years. Just a few steps from Vardaris and beside the Western Walls of the city, the Holy Apostles neighborhood, also known as Twelve Apostles, is popular with young people of the city and beyond.
The area takes its name from the Church of the Holy Apostles, a 14th century Byzantine church with striking mosaics, while sights here also include the Byzantine cistern, the Propylaeum, and the Ottoman bath Pasha Hamam (Phoenix Baths).
A few years ago the area was almost deserted, before its gradual revitalization began. A handful of venues appeared, creating year by year a new gastronomic hub, close to yet at the same time away from the crowds of the center. Olympou Street, which leads to the square, is the heart of the district, which also stretches to Mavili Square and the surrounding lanes. We have selected 8 spots for you to spend your day here, savoring food, coffee, and drinks.
Food
Zeme
Right across from Holy Apostles Square, on Olympou Street, Zeme sprang from the dream of a group of friends who shared a love for tsipouro, good food, and tradition. The meze tavern opened its doors in early 2024 and the tables fill from early noon with devotees of fine distillates and authentic flavors. On the menu the «zemedakia», as they call them, are rooted in traditional tastes with modern touches. Try everything from smoked taramas and mackerel with charred tomato mayonnaise, to slices of pastourma and savoro with the catch of the day, and pair them with varieties of tsipouro from all over Greece that you will find on their shelves. Ολύμπου 1, Θεσσαλονίκη
Άσπρο Δέντρο
A little further along Olympou you will find Άσπρο Δέντρο -Kitchen Theater, a venue that began operating in February 2020 by Antonis Fotiadis, a professional chef and actor. He created the restaurant and the theater to channel both his callings into one space and curates the menu daily, as well as the theater’s artistic program. From morning it serves coffee and brunch, and then the baton passes to a menu based on contemporary Greek creative cuisine. Dishes include butter chicken with garlic cream and sage, skioufihta with apaki, anthotyro and mushrooms, a beef patty with a handmade bun and smoked cheese, as well as their homemade desserts. Ολύμπου 5, Θεσσαλονίκη
KORU Inspired Cuisine
KORU Inspired Cuisine is a culinary venture by two women from different professional fields who were united by their love for food. The name KORU paraphrases the word koros, which in Ancient Greek means satiety and refers to food, which they consider the satisfaction of all the senses. The restaurant space blends industrial aesthetics with touches of a small bistro and the curated music pleasantly completes the overall experience. Their cuisine is based on seasonal ingredients from local producers, drawing inspiration from Macedonia and Thrace to Pontus, the Peloponnese and the islands, with dishes such as shrimp ceviche, eggplant pie, traditional fava, pappardelle with seafood and rooster braised in tomato sauce with hylopites. Ολύμπου 15, Θεσσαλονίκη
Ταβέρνα ο Θόδωρος
An authentic family taverna beloved by locals long before the neighborhood began to grow, Ταβέρνα ο Θόδωρος is located near the historic Pasha Hamam. The atmosphere recalls old Thessaloniki, as its story begins in 1965 when grandfather Theodoros created a small grill house that gradually became popular. It is now run by his grandson, also Theodoros, who continues the tradition. Every Friday and Saturday you will hear live rebetiko and laiko songs, while every day you will enjoy their traditional specialties, such as soutzoukakia, keftedes, mushrooms a la creme, the famed stuffed pork chops with tomato and feta, as well as a small selection of seafood meze. Παπαρρηγοπούλου 15, Θεσσαλονίκη
Φοίνιξ Καφενείο
One of the newest arrivals in the neighborhood is Φοίνιξ kafeneio which in a few months turns one year old. The modern kafeneio has managed to become very popular with a young audience, thanks to its industrial decor and its flavors. In the former auto repair shop with the impressive mosaic, café tables are set all around and there is a pass counter in front of the open kitchen. The menu is concise, based on Greek tastes with select dishes cooked with locally fresh ingredients. Some of the options are handmade cheese spread and house pickles, gigantes beans with kumquat, smashed potatoes and chicken thigh in cast iron with ladolemono and aromatic butter. Παπαρρηγοπούλου 27, Θεσσαλονίκη
Coffee and drinks
Little Cup
One of the spots that helped showcase the area as a destination, Little Cup, is the creation of a duo with a love for coffee. The self service shop has become the coziest hangout in the area and is full at all hours of the day, as it is open from early in the morning until after midnight. Young people in the neighborhood who take their dogs for a walk stop not only for their coffee but also for a dog friendly biscuit. The shop often organizes parties as well as events with an animal-welfare character. Pair your coffee with pistachio or red velvet muffins, brownies and cinnamon rolls, or with a sandwich. In the afternoon choose one of their spritz or their signature cocktails. Ζεφύρων 20, Θεσσαλονίκη
Utopia Taproom
A little further down from the Church of the Holy Apostles, on Mavili Square, Utopia Taproom is a modern beer bar that opened in 2023. In a former parts workshop, today you will see a modern taproom that is a meeting point for those who love beer and more. The atmosphere is relaxed, with high tables, space at the bar and also outside on the sidewalk. There you will drink unique beers that are hard to find elsewhere from microbreweries, in bottle and on tap. If you are hungry, on the menu there are options of pinsa with various flavor combinations and humorous names. Γλάδστωνος 11, Θεσσαλονίκη
Wagon Lit
A tiny spot that is open from the afternoon, Wagon Lit is the most atmospheric bar on Holy Apostles Square. It was created by Eirini Vogiatsi, who, as soon as she saw its size, immediately thought of a sleeper carriage and thus gave it this name. The decor evokes something of a French bistro together with a New York jazz bar, with wooden furnishings, warm colors and red taking center stage on the walls, while the little tables outside have as their backdrop the Church of the Holy Apostles. The list includes a variety of wine labels, as well as cocktails, and you can pair them with an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie. If you love music, you may also catch an evening dedicated to jazz. Ολύμπου 3, Θεσσαλονίκη
