Thessaloniki is a destination full of history and culinary tradition that is definitely a must when visiting. And there is no better way to explore it than with the help of Panagiotis Karafoulidis, an expert in Culinary Arts and the man behind Gastro Routes. Gastro Routes offers curated experiences in the city for both locals and tourists through the eyes of a local with decades of experience in gastronomy. Panagiotis invited us on a tour, and we couldn’t be more glad to join him on this adventure!
The day starts with Panagiotis waiting in Agia Sofia Square around 10:00 am, wearing a big smile and eager to take us on a full journey into Greek food culture. He promises a unique experience with authentic food and stories about Greek cuisine, culture, and the places that have shaped Thessaloniki over the years.
Of course, we couldn’t start the day without coffee, and nothing beats a refreshing frappe. Panagiotis informs us that the frappe, apart from being a national Greek treasure, is actually a Thessaloniki invention, created unintentionally in 1957. Along with the frappe come two more local delicacies: the famous koulouri Thessalonikis and the queen of pastries, bougatsa. What adds to the experience are the places we visited, but of course, we’re not going to spoil them here.
After enjoying our breakfast, Panagiotis took us on a stroll through local food markets to explore the ingredients that form the base of the famous Greek cuisine. We tried different varieties of olives, smelled fresh herbs, and tasted local delicacies in shops around the city center.
The smell of herbs and the magnificent olives reignited our appetite, and Panagiotis took us to his secret spot to try the famous Greek meze along with some local spirits. While explaining the meze culture, small plates started arriving at our table with a mix of seafood, dairy, and meat dishes. The plates were placed in the middle so we could all share and try everything. Along with the food, we had some retsina, a type of white resinated wine that’s especially popular in Thessaloniki.
With our bellies full, we continued strolling, and this time Panagiotis took us into the city’s main food markets. The atmosphere was vibrant, with a wide variety of local groceries and small shops. As we walked the market streets, Panagiotis told us about the history of certain products and shared information that even most locals don’t know.
After four hours, we definitely felt wiser in our understanding of Greek culture, and we had the chance to taste some truly amazing food and delicacies. It was time to say goodbye to Panagiotis, but the memory of this incredible tour will stay with us forever.
You can learn more details about Gastro Routes and book a tour with Panagiotis here!
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