Dec 10, 2024

Despoinis Margarita Thessaloniki

Thessalonian bistrot

""Despoinis Margarita" is an exciting new meze find in Thessaloniki. It has really carefully selected food from all over Greece that's surprisingly good!"

I am always pretty excited when a hot new meze restaurant that looks promising breaks into the food scene of our demanding Thessaloniki. Despoinis Margarita was presented to the Thessalonians in 2018, surprisingly choosing a rather residential area to settle in! You can spot it just a few meters away from the busy Voulgari metro construction site, in Kathigitou Papadaki street.

From the very first moment that you set foot in Despoinis Margarita, you will be amazed by the surprisingly relaxing and atmospheric music choices. The first time there reminded me of the good old days in Utrecht and the cosy cafes that hug the big canal! The owners are familiar faces in the food scene of eastern Thessaloniki and surely they will make you feel like home.

Regarding the menu, it seemed to me very carefully selected, focusing on Mediterranean flavors and simultaneously respecting the local pattern of meze restaurants that Thessalonians adore so much and consider an institution! 

I tried kavourma accompanied with egg, fava, apaki from Crete (smoked lean pork meat), sausage and halloumi (semi-hard cheese from Cyprus). Well, honestly everything was super yummy! If you ask me which plate made my gustatory sensation to skyrocket that was the "Kritharaki (orzo) with synglino" (from Mani) which is basically pork which is first dry-salted then smoked for many hours. That was truly divine and surely pays good tribute to Mani which actually is the owner’s origin!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

Kathigitou Nikolaou Papadaki 29-31

Synglino:

5

2314029002

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Thessaloniki guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Thessaloniki

Ss.-Constantine-Elena-Chapel

Ss. Constantine Elena Chapel – Gothic art!

What makes this church unique are the neo-gothic pointed arches and the luminous stained-glass windows, which depict Saints and biblical scenes.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Jan 16, 2025
Choureal

Choureal – Choux & profiterole

"Choureal" Thessaloniki will make you rethink what a profiterole is. My favourite, which I think about all week, is the cream-filled choux with caramel...

024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Giannis

Sykomanis

Jan 3, 2025
Panagouda-church

"Panagouda" church – A very personal spot

Particularly beautiful is the small dome with the depictions of Christ “Pantokrator” (Almighty) and the Apostles. And the neoclassical bell tower...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 16, 2024
St.-Catherines-church

St. Catherine's church – Heaven on earth

The church itself is dated to ca. 1300. The masonry and arrangement of the exterior are some of the most beautiful in the entire city.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Hypapante-church

Hypapante church – An unknown treasury

The iconostasis is just incredible! Pay attention to the dragons beneath the Cross on the top, they allude to the story of Prophet Jonah...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Nea-Panagia-church

Nea Panagia church – Another post-Byzantine gem

The current edifice was built in 1727. On the same site, there had been a 12th-c. Byzantine monastery, also dedicated to the Virgin that burnt down around 1690.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Sotirakis-chapel

"Sotirakis" chapel – A Byzantine pearl

Even a tiny church in Thessaloniki can be a pearl! One of the smallest (if not the smallest of all) is the “Sotirakis” chapel. “Sotirakis” means little Sotiris.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Teloglion

Teloglion – The best spot for art lovers

If you are an art lover, this is your spot! The core of Teloglion’s collection is that of Nestor and Aliki Teloglou, a couple passionate about art.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Church-of-Prophet-Elijah

Church of Prophet Elijah – A Byzantine diamond

The building was perhaps built in the middle or in the second half of the 14th century. That period was characterized by unprecedented artistic flourishing in the city.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 12, 2024
Gorilas

Gorilas – Fine drinking & fun

"Gorilas" in Thessaloniki is run by an expert, world-class bartender, so you know the drinks are tantalizing for the senses. Also: don't miss the brunch!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Giannis

Sykomanis

Dec 12, 2024
Massalia-stin-Thessaloniki

Massalia stin Thessaloniki – Gourmet meze

"Massalia stin Thessaloniki" quickly became the talk of the town in 2014 when it opened. Today, this restaurant systematically exceeds my expectations.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Alexandros

Tsavdaroglou

Dec 11, 2024
Castello

Castello – An epic caffe!

In front of the promenade of Thessaloniki, there are innumerable cafes. The presumable question that a visitor may have is: “Which one should I choose?”. I have the answer! Of course, “Castello”.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Thanasis (or Athanasios)

Koukopoulos

Dec 10, 2024