Thessaloniki prides itself on its delicious bougatsa. Locals and visitors have loved these shops that have been serving traditional flavors for years.
Gastronomy in Thessaloniki is a serious affair, as the city is filled with restaurants and takeaway spots, with delicious recipes and traditional dishes. A trip to Thessaloniki cannot fail to include one or more stops for bougatsa. The North’s favorite delicacy, with a long history and tradition, is a daily habit for locals.
Where do we go for bougatsa in Thessaloniki? The choices are many, but we present 6 historic shops that have been loved by locals for decades.
Bougatsa Giannis
One of the most steadfast favorites in the center of Thessaloniki is Giannis Bougatsa. In its 30 years of operation, the shop has become the ultimate stop after a night out. It is located near the White Tower and over the years it has grown and evolved, managing to maintain its quality. It remains open 19 out of the 24 hours of the day and it is impossible not to notice it, as it draws queues. Their traditional recipes include classic choices such as bougatsa with cheese, with spinach, and with minced meat. A special suggestion is the special minced-meat bougatsa, with a whole strained yogurt. The traditional cream-filled one comes in various versions, but the one with a chocolate topping wins the crowd. Mitropoleos 106, Thessaloniki
Bougatsa Doukas
On the corner of Ethnikis Amynis and Alexandrou Svolou stands a small family-run shop with tables outside that has been operating since 1981. It started from the love of Thanasis Poulios for handmade bougatsa and evolved into a bougatsa and puff-pastry workshop. His grandchildren have taken over the shop without changing their grandfather’s recipes. However, new additions are not missing from the menu. Bougatsas with rich cream, with cheese, with cheese and honey, with minced meat or spinach, are complemented by traditional pies prepared in the workshop, with savory or sweet fillings, bourekia, and biftekopita with brioche bread. Ethnikis Amynis 34 & Alexandrou Svolou, Thessaloniki
Bougatsatzidiko To Anoteron
With the traditional recipe from Serres, Bougatsatzidiko To Anoteron of the Gekas family has been operating since 1972. The shop has passed from generation to generation, but the bougatsa pastry sheet has been made in their workshop the traditional way since it first opened. In the mornings before work you will see people making a small stop for breakfast at the counter and its tables. On the menu you will find bougatsa with cream, while the savory choices are many, with cheese, with spinach, minced meat, and chicken too. In addition, there is the option to try traditional pies. Agiou Dimitriou 68, Thessaloniki / Georgiou Vizyinou 58, 40 Ekklisies
Bougatsa Bantis
The traditional bougatsatzidiko Bantis is one of the oldest shops in the city, with a history since 1969. The tradition began with Filippos Bantis, who arrived in Thessaloniki after the Asia Minor Catastrophe and passed on his knowledge of the art of bougatsa to his son Dimitris, who opened the shop. He in turn taught everything to his own son, Filippos, who has preserved the authenticity of the recipes with refined new additions. The recipe for the traditional pastry sheet prepared in their workshop has a history of at least 300 years, and the ingredients come from selected producers. At the shop window you will choose from bougatsa with cream, cheese, minced meat, and spinach, while on Sundays the options are even more. The most distinctive is the plain pastry with butter, but the one with goat cheese also steals the show. Panagias Faneromenis 33, Thessaloniki
Bougatsa To Neon
Twin brothers Tasos and Christos Koufoutakis opened To Neon in 1970. With a passion for the art of bougatsa they passed the business into the hands of the second generation, which continues the tradition. With pure local ingredients they create their customers’ favorite recipes with sweet and savory fillings. The crisp pastry is filled with rich cream, with cheese, with spinach and cheese, or with minced meat. Apart from bougatsas, the menu also features country-style pies and small pies. Everything is wrapped in the shop’s vintage paper, a nostalgic touch that takes us back to earlier times. Fragon 20 & Leontos Sofou 14
Bougatsa Ouzounis
In the eastern part of the city, Ouzounis bougatsa stands out in Kalamaria. Since 1992, the clientele has been steady for breakfast and more, as it has become a neighborhood hangout and it is loved by visitors to the city as well. On the menu there are many choices, from the famed bougatsas with sweet and savory fillings. Try the one with cream, or the savory ones with minced meat, with cheese or spinach. The menu is complemented by croissants, koulouria, puff pastries, and dough products. If you want to take their specialties with you, you can pick up ready frozen bougatsas and pies of their own production and bake them at home. Passalidi 158 & Andrianoupoleos, Kalamaria
