Category Archives: Coffee

Boat Bars

Boat barDo you know that Thessaloniki has not one, not two, but three boat bars ?

There are three boats, that you will find sitting in front of the white tower where you can enjoy your drink while getting a mini cruise on the gulf of Thermaikos !

You get the chance to view the city from a totally different prospective, by the sea, and you might also get the chance to see some huge container ships up close !

Some people find the boat bars touristic and many locals wouldn’t be seen dead in there, but I actually like them a lot, and thankfully have some friends who like them too, so we regularly go there for a drink, even during the winter time if the weather is not very cold.

boatbarEach bar has a different music style so if you are particular about the soundtrack of your mini cruise choose the one you like best: rock, reggae or mainstream.  If you don’t care so much about the music, but want to enjoy the ride just hop on to the first available one to leave next.  There are tables with the times of departure just in front of the boats and also people there who will tell you which one leaves next.

My favourite time to go there is in the evening but it is also great during sunset or on a sunny winter sunday morning !

Entrance is free, and you only pay for your drink.

P.S. If you are lucky enough to get caught by rain during the cruise there is no way to escape it – you just get wet !

Le Coq tail mix bar

coqtailSeptember is one of the best months in the city of Thessaloniki.  Besides the many events during the month, the weather is ideal to enjoy all the open spaces and terraces with a view.  For a cocktail drink or coffee with a view, a great suggestion is Le Coq tail mix bar.  Here you will enjoy the last summer days and first fall evenings with great cocktails and drinks, while making your plans for the new season.

Le Coq tail mix bar is a cafe bar in Ano Poli with a view you will not forget. It offers a great selection of cocktails which you can enjoy on the open terrace overlooking the city.

The place is also ideal for a quick coffee break while strolling around the narrow streets of Ano Poli.  Don’t delay ! Plan your visit there while the weather is good and you can enjoy they terrace views !

Le Coq tail
Cocktail Bar and Café
Ohi Avenue 2, Ágios Pávlos

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Mon Frere

Mon FrereMon Frere is on of my favourite coffee break spots in town.  Centrally located in the corner of Karolou Ntil and Proxenou Koromila streets, this place is surrounded by coffee bars and small boutiques. The seafront and the busy streets are just one block away.

I love this place because of its french style atmosphere, and the quiet (from cars) location.  It is always busy with people of all ages, and if you find a table to sit in the afternoon you can consider yourself very lucky ! I prefer to go there for an early morning coffee or on less busy days.

Mon Frere offers quality drinks, good prices and a nice atmosphere, the best way to start your day in the centre of the city !

Mon Frère
Café
Karolou Dil 6 & Proxenou Koromila

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Efimerida

EfimeridaEfimerida means newspaper.  This is the name of a new all day cafe bar that opened recently in the city of Thessaloniki, in the White Tower area.  It is an urban city style coffee bar with a double entrance between two streets.

If is ideal for a coffee break, relaxed drink and also a quick bite. Nice crowd, good prices, friendly service.

If you sit outside, like I did today, this is the street view in front of you.

Haven’t been there late at night but if you do, rumours say you might have some water thrown on you from the balconies above !! So better sit inside at night !

Efimerida

Café
Filikis Eterias 7

White Tower

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Ladadika

LadadikaThis is an old style neighbourhood in the centre of Thessaloniki.  Located between the port and the Valaoritou nightlife area, this colourful place is filled with nice restaurants and bars.

The name Ladadika comes from the old market of trading oil that this place was originally known for.   As you walk through the narrow streets and alleys, you will feel like you take a walk in the past!

This is a neighbourhood which is alive 24 hours per day. In the morning you will see the business people walking around, as it is an area next to the port with many banks and business offices around.  My office is also located here so if you are in the neighbourhood send me a message to meet !

LadadikaFrom lunchtime onwards people start filling the places to eat, drink and dance till the next morning.  You will find many famous places to eat here like Zythos, Paparouna, Panelinion, Bakaliarakia tou Aristou, Full tou Meze, Tapas Bar and many more.  Detailed posts on these and more will follow in time…

Have in mind that after 14.00 the restaurants start getting busy, so if you are there on a weekend avoid going around 15.00 as it is the busiest time.  Local musicians appear out of nowhere – don’t be surprised when you see them next to you!

This area is an excellent choice for lunch, dinner, coffee or drink, and is one of the first places to go for a real taste of Thessaloniki.

Omilos

Omilos

Omilos

This is an all day coffee bar restaurant at one of the best locations in town.  It offers spectacular view in a relaxing atmosphere.

It is one of my favourite places all year long so anything I write is really too little for it.  I’ll let the picture speak for itself and move on to some practical info.

At the moment it has some access problems because of the works taking place at the beachfront.  Hopefully they will be over soon and Omilos will be accessible again by foot and bike.

The best time to go is … anytime, but it’s more crowded during the weekends.

Omilos
Bar, Café, and Restaurant
M. Alexandrou 12,

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Fragile Bar

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Fragile Bar

This is the first and so far the best, rooftop bar in the Valaoritou nightlife area !

If the weather is good and you stroll around the narrow streets trying to select a bar and all the different music from the speakers comes to your ears as one loud noise, then lift your head up to find the rooftop bar.

It is located in a terrace overlooking the industrial and office building spaces around.  Relaxed drinks and atmosphere, music depends on the dj.  Go early if you want to find a place to sit.

Also good for an afternoon coffee away from the city buzz.

Keep in mind that you have to go up 3 floors with no elevator.

Fragile
Bar
Valaoritou 27

at the rooftop !

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Valaoritou Nightlife Area

Up until a few years ago, this was an area you would never walk at night. It is a business area during the day with many local business, and office spaces. Over the last years, it has developed as the new art and creative district of Thessaloniki, and also a major nightlife spot.

The change is so big now, that if you have not been in Thessaloniki during the last 5 years and you suddenly go to this area at night, you will be shocked !

Also, if you are a new visitor and don’t have exact directions, it might be difficult to find since you will have to walk a bit in deserted – at night – streets until you get to this – full of life – area.

The general style and crowd is for students and young people.  The choices are so many, beer places, alternative bars, mainstream bars.  If the weather is nice and you sit in one of the tables outside, you will feel like you are in a greek island ! The bars and streets get super busy during the weekends and around midnight, so if you want to find a place to sit, go before 22.00.

You will find detailed posts about some of my favourite places here in the future, but I have to tell you something important now. Whatever you do, don’t leave the area without a stop at Pizza Poselli.  This is by far the best pizza in town and can only be compared to genuine italian pizza.  Tartuffo is my personal favourite.  No need to say more.

Thermaikos Bar

View from Thermaikos Bar

View from Thermaikos Bar

Thermaikos Bar is named after the sea that you see in front of you !

Located in the heart of the city, Nikis Avenue and overlooking Thermaikos Bay, this is a classic all day bar.

It is difficult to get a table outside in the summer since there are only a few, but if you want to sit inside there are plenty. It has a relaxed atmosphere, unique vintage decor, great music, excellent coffee and drinks. What more do you want?  It’s a favourite among young and young-at-heart people of the city!

Thermaikos
Bar and Café
L.Nikis 21

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Kitchen Bar

View from Kitchen Bar

View from Kitchen Bar

This is one of my favourite all day spots. Ideal for any time of the day and any season. It is loved by locals and visitors equally !

When we have a new person visiting the city this is one of the first places to take them, since it combines great city view, is located in the city centre and has a big variety of dishes so it is ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  You can also go only for coffee or drink. Although you are in the heart of the city, you are also far from the street noise which is ideal.

It is housed in one of the old warehouses of the port so the building itself is very old.   It overlooks the city beachfront, White Tower and all the east side of the city.  It is also the favourite meeting point during the film festivals so if you are visiting during that period, although it is super huge, you might have a problem finding a place to sit !  During christmas the ceiling gets filled with red lights creating a super christmas atmosphere!

My personal favourite dish is the toscani salad, green salad served in a parmesan crust basket !

Kitchen Bar
Bar, Café, and Restaurant
Warehouse B, Port Pier

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