Gastronomic Food Tour In Thessaloniki With A Chef

An amazing experience with Panos. He has such a wealth of knowledge and passion about food, which is infectious and you cannot help but love the food and the stories that accompany it. We went to several food stops and enjoyed some of the best that Thessaloniki had to offer. We will be looking up Panos for another trip when we return.

Fabulous food tour - engaging stories from the Chef to go along with a variety of delicious Greek delicacies! Would recommend!! Next time I would ask Chef if we could pause in a few stops so we could purchase items to bring home.

An amazing experience! I highly recommend it because you learn a lot about the city and the history and get to try lots of different things.

I enjoyed this well organized food tour of Central Thessaloniki. The tour leader was well organized, and very enthusiastic. He spent a good portion of the time valving into the historic as well as current origins of the cuisine in Thessaloniki. The tour included tastings of different pastries, breads, cheeses, coffee, drinks, and finally some alcoholic libations. The tour lasted 4 1/2 hours and was well worth the money. I have been on many food tours, and this was one of the best.

A fabulous day of learning the eating ways of Greeks and Thessaloniki folks. Different to other food tours we have done, but very informative, especially when it came to the cheeses. Wonderful cheeses. Our lunch was tasty and traditional and ended a great day.

This excursion was the best one we took on our vacation to Greece. Chef Pannos created a great itinerary, provided an explanation of Greek history, and the menu of food and drinks was awesome.

Panos is very passionate about the gastronomy of Thessaloniki. He was kind and patient with all those on the tour with food allergies and preferences. He was knowledgeable not only about food and food culture, but also about history and architecture. He took us to authentic places run by locals for many years. Whenever possible, he took us to places where the farmers who produced the food were running the shops. I highly recommend him!

Chef Panos combined the perfect ingredients: interesting, authentic food samples with a deep history of Greece and Greek cuisine. Affable, humorous, and unfailingly pleasant, Chef Panos served up a tour de force experience. Highest recommendation!

We had a terrific tour with our guide Panos. We were just a small group of 4 so it was perfect to hear all about the culture and food of Thessaloniki. The walking route he took us on was slow and well thought out as we saw most of the highlights of the town center. I’m not a big tester of food. I’m very picky. My wife loves to test the food. But Panos was very understanding and I did try most of the small samples of food along the tour. I would definitely recommend this tour to those who like the local culture and more hole in the wall restaurants with a lot of history.

Really informative tour about local cuisine. There were only 4 of us so we got lots of time with the tour guide. We had 5 stops and were full by the end of it. We went back to one of the bars the next day as liked it so much. Really enjoyed the tour

I highly recommend this wonderful tour with Chef Panos. You’ll come away fully satisfied as you visit local establishments that you’d be unlikely to discover on your own. He pairs the food and drink with the history and stories of Thessaloniki. An absolutely tasty and enjoyable way to learn about this beautiful city.

A great tour. Loads of delicious tastes (more than I was expecting!), our guide Panagiotis was superb - interesting, engaging, knowledgeable and he gave great tips and recommendations (I booked 2 great meals on the back of his suggestions). A fabulous way to spend my first morning in Thessaloniki.

I did the gastronomy tour of Thessaloniki and really enjoyed the experience . Our host was super friendly and informative and I was properly stuffed by the end of it. A real highlight was visiting a local cheese shop and trying the various local cheeses.

Learned more about Thessaloniki’s food culture and history in four hours than by reading about it all day. The tour starts out with a local favorite: a frappe. Then comes the food: some baked goods including spanakopita, a cheese tasting, a salad, some Raki (because I can’t spell the local name for it) a Greek biscotti and a sausage and potato stew. We all called it quits before desert. So much food. Lots of walking too, but no complaints.

Don't have breakfast (or have something small if you are up very early)! We loved our 4+ hours with Panos. On our tour, we visited (and partook of) a coffee shop, a bakery, a cheese shop, a produce shop, and a bistro with emphasis on Greek tradition. At each stop, we learned a great deal about what we were eating and drinking -- the history (especially related to Greece and Thessaloniki), the ingredients, the production, the preparation, and the customs of Greeks when they come together for food and drink. Along the way we learned about Greek history, especially as it affected food and drink. Panos was very informative and very entertaining. The food was also excellent (and filling). Panos was also careful to provide alternatives for me to avoid my food allergies. Highly recommended.

This was hands down one of the highlights of our trip! The food was incredible, and every stop introduced us to authentic local flavors we never would have found on our own. Everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly paced—we left completely satisfied without ever feeling rushed. What truly made this experience exceptional was our guide. They were knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about the city’s history, culture, and culinary traditions. We didn’t just eat amazing food—we learned the stories behind each dish and discovered neighborhoods we otherwise would have missed. If you’re trying to decide whether this tour is worth it, don’t hesitate. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and be ready to experience the city through its food. We would recommend this tour to anyone visiting and would absolutely do it again!

First of all, you should know you’re not just going with a Chef! You are going with an educator and his historian. He was absolutely amazing. I’ve been a stage four cancer patient for two years and he showed me some very good things to incorporate into my diet. I am so grateful that I selected this tour. It was my first food tour and it did not disappoint. I’m still dreaming about the frappe!!!!!! if you’re even considering this go go go

Very good experience with a excellent chef. Good explanations of the food and history of Thessaloniki. It's definitely worth it, you'll have a great time and deeply discover the Greek food culture.

This was an exceptional experience. My guide Panagiotis was kind enough to undertake the tour even though I was the only person booked on. The meeting point was clear and he messaged me just before hand to check I knew where to find him. We visited half a dozen places and sampled delicious Greek specialities - unique to the supplier/ vendor and I am sure I would have walked past them without realizing the delights inside, without my guide. All the places we visited were friendly and hospitable and the sample plates were waiting for us. I tried sweets, savouries, coffee, olive oil, cheese, olives, local spirit and two wines. Plus, as well as being a chef expert in the culinary heritage of his home country, Panagiotis was very knowledgeable about the history of Thessaloniki and Greece over the centuries. Such a great 4 hours in his company - convivial, instructive and engaging. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An interesting tour of the history, food and culture of Thessaloniki. The host was charming and very knowledgable. Highly recommended.

The guide was wonderful. He made the experience fantastic. The variety of food also enhanced the time and helped us understand the culture.

Tour guide was knowledgeable about so many things besides food. I revisited two of the locations we went to during my stay in Thessaloniki. My parents are from Greece and I enjoyed all the food we tasted and the owners of all the establishments we visited were friendly.

This was a great experience. Wonderful food, history, and glimpses into local life as well as wonderful off the beaten path places.

The tour and tastings were excellent! The tour guide took us to his local neighborhood for tastings and shopping. It was amazing. the guide thoroughly explained the difference between what we were tasting and what we had been tasting at other tourist eateries and the differences were significant. Highly recommend. I went back two additional times to a cheese shop we tasted at to get more cheese.

Great tour with Chef Panosh! We learned a lot about the history and culture of Greek food! Chef is very knowledgeable and welcoming. He answered all of our questions enthusiastically and he’s very well versed on the history of Thessaloniki. We had delicious bites of local specialties. The cheese tasting was outstanding. I highly recommend this tour.

Our tour with Chef Panosh was outstanding! Beyond the incredible food tastings, Chef Panosh not only shared his love of food but also fascinating insights into the history and culture of both Thessaloniki and Greece. Come hungry — you’ll enjoy a wide variety of delicious local foods throughout the tour.

Plenty of great food. Pantos gave us history of the area as well as interesting city information. He was very personable. We were a small group, and thoroughly this experience.

It was extremely informative and very casual - just perfect! It was extremely informative and very casual - just perfect! It was extremely informative and very casual - just perfect! It was extremely informative and very casual - just perfect!

What a wonderful food and culture tour. Our chef Panos gave us a solid understanding of the history of Thessaloniki and its influence on the food of the city. Panos was engaging and extremely knowledgeable and we had so much fun. Highly recommend this trip as a good way to start your visit to Thessaloniki.

Panos is so passionate about food and about Greece! This was an amazing experience from start to end. As we were walking to each stop he would tell us stories of the area but also get to know each person on the tour to know their interests. We have a son who is a chef and Panos gave us some great recommendations on books for Greek cooking and even offered to share his own book that he wrote when he was a culinary instructor. We were concerned about the amount of walking but each stop was long enough to be ready for another trek. We did this as a stop from our cruise ship and it was one of our favourite tours, for sure! Highly recommended!

Panos is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, warm and a great advertisement for the city that he so clearly loves. His tour provides a personal and informative dimension to understanding this fascinating city.

Panos was an excellent guide and shared a great deal of history of the city and how the food had been impacted by it. It was a very interesting and good experience.

When it comes to Greece's culinary capital, it takes a true local to guide travelers through this bustling cosmopolitan. Panos- A self proclaimed romantic refugee born and raised in Thessaloniki, and a 3rd generation chef guided us through Thessaloniki's culinary scene, markets, products and history. We started our tour with a frappe of course- as Thessaloniki is the birthplace of the wonderful beverage, and over the course of a few hours we explored flavors, aromas, products and dishes local to Thessaloniki and that originate in Greece. Panos views Thessaloniki as a city that belongs to everybody and nobody, and it reflects in the food scene that has many different influences reflective of the melting pot the city is. He guided us through Thessaloniki staples like frappe and handmade bougatsa he's frequented since he was a child. We also learned about the produce and products in the different markets, their origins and benefits/ usage in various dishes. We were taken to boutique shops known mostly to locals, and sampled the most INCREDIBLE selection of cheese and kefir. By the end of the tour I gained more than just knowledge of the city but also a colleague who appreciates the culinary arts and the origins of the ingredients in our food. As Panos said- the tour is not just about visiting another tavern- anyone can look one up and go, the tour showcases establishments that represent the locals' way of life, and the city's heritage. Thank you dear Panos!

People truly make the difference, and Panagiotis (Pan) absolutely does! From the moment we met him, it was clear how passionate and thoughtful he is. He took us to places around the city that carried deep family history, especially through the food we experienced, which made everything feel authentic and meaningful. Pan is incredibly knowledgeable about Thessaloniki’s culture, history, and traditions. We loved learning about local foods and having thoughtful conversations about Greek Orthodox faith. These discussions added a depth to the tour that we did not expect and truly appreciated. One moment that especially touched our hearts was when Pan gave our son a gift after learning he is studying to be a priest. That act of kindness perfectly reflects the kind of person Pan is—generous, sincere, and deeply caring. This was more than just a tour; it was a genuine cultural and personal experience. We cannot recommend Panagiotis highly enough!

It was incredible experience. We had lack to have a private tour. Only we a couple . Tour was very professional very well prepared. Chef know his city, history, architecture. We enjoyed this tour very much. As I told to Chef- "The tour was not good -it was fantastic"

We had a fantastic food tour with Panos. We learned a lot about food and the history of Thessaloniki. I have multiple dietary restrictions and he took extra care to make sure I had a safe and delicious experience. Highly recommend!

Panos was terrific! He offered a great history of Thessaloniki and Greece. The food stops were well planned, delicious and reflected the Greek culture. Fun group! Not to be missed!

Walking on busy city streets. Wonderful food from surprisingly common places. A great introduction to Greek cheeses

What an excellent experience! We started with mountain tea which set up the first lesson on Greek foods and a trip to the herb market. Throughout the day we had insightful commentary on the history of Greece. Did someone say “History in Six Glasses”? We learned about Greek doughs and pies. We sampled local cheeses and salad ingredients. The finishing touch was a light meal with a nice Greek red wine. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, one we would recommend as the “starter”.

Excellent!!! I did not want it to end!!! Great information, conversation, spots we visited. Wish I could find that olive cheese somewhere in San Francisco. Panos was a perfect guide!. Thank you.

This was a fabulous food tour. Panos was very knowledgeable not just about Greek and international cuisine but also about the history of Thessaloniki. The tour was well paced and the food thoughtfully spaced and ordered. A great tour if you love food but also want to combine it with some history.

We had such a great time with Panos. His passion for history, food, and Thessaloniki really came through as we sat and talked about the city’s culture. He introduced us to the owners of family-run establishments where we enjoyed a variety of foods and drinks, each with its own story. It was the perfect way to get a feel for the city. I also suspect Panos could easily tailor the experience to match anyone’s interests.

This is was an incredible experience. Panos shared a wealth of information about the history of Thessaloniki and how that history is connected to the current day food culture. He had a thorough knowledge of all aspects of food and drink as well as history. His passion for his city and its food and culture was inspiring.

Panos is delightful, he loves food but his city even more, and this was a walk through history as well as the markets and restaurants of a cool place. Thank you!

If you’re interested in learning some local history while hitting up some GREAT local spots, this tour is for you! A truly enjoyable day.

Our Guide is an experienced Chef. His insight into the culinary delights of Thessaloniki was outstanding.His knowledge of his city and its fantastic history was expectional.The food we ate was delicious.Of all the food tours we have experienced throughout our travels this was the best! We fully recommend Panagiotis well worth the5 stars

Fantastic tour – 10/10! This was so much more than a food tour. Not only do you get to try delicious & interesting local dishes, but Panos also weaves in rich historical & sociological context that makes everything come alive. As a chef, he brings unique insight into the food and culture, and over the course of 4 hours you get to explore different neighborhoods at a perfect pace. He’s friendly, inclusive, knowledgeable, and his passion for Greek food is contagious. Highly recommend!

We had an amazing food tour with Panos! He knows Thessaloniki like the back of his hand, and the experience went far beyond just food. As we walked through the city, he shared its hidden corners, history, and unique atmosphere with us. When it comes to food, Panos introduced us to the richness of Greek cuisine through 5 carefully chosen stops — each one was a delight. We truly ate like royalty! I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Thessaloniki. Thank you, Panos, for such a wonderful experience!

A great walk through the neighborhoods, great tasting from different restaurants and also a little history as well.