The old beach road in Thessaloniki is full of wonderful bars, cafèes and restaurants so you can enjoy the wonderful views of Thermaikos Bay wherever you choose to sit; you can experience wonderful moments by watching people walking by, all the cars, boats and bicycles. This coastal road is the ‘parade street’ of the Thessalonians; whether they are going to work or not, they go here to have a moment to themselves, meet someone familiar, or take a walk. On this street, which starts from the city harbor and stretches all the way to the White Tower, you can find – among the dozens of options you have to choose from either to sit down or buy something to pick up – some of the most authentic places in the city that exist there for more than 30 years.
THERMAIKOS
Probably the first landmark in the city is the bar “Thermaikos”. Authentic beauty, detailed, with warmth and glamor from the 90’s. You feel “at home”. Very special music. A timeless bar. Among the artist-creators who have sat at its table are John Lurie, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Al Di Meola, Graham Parker, Theodoros Angelopoulos.
Nike Avenue 21
ON THE ROAD
A favorite place which is situated half underground, that has been by the sea since the 80’s. It was the first store in town with accessories for motorcycles and leather clothing, until it was transformed into a classic by retaining the store’s wood and leather decoration. It looks like a boat and the music ranges from rock, jazz, funk. “On the road” makes you feel like you are on a boat ready to travel across Thermaikos.
Nike Avenue 61
CΑFÉ 35
One of the oldest cafes on the coast. A quiet, relaxing environment, friendly service, morning newspapers, a little gossip with the bartenders and waiters, friendly atmosphere, good music, some of the best coffees. The tables on the street can be counted on the fingers. A meeting place for the youth but also for the … young veterans and who still meet their fellow students here.
Nike Avenue 35
ACHILLION
It belongs to the younger generation, it is remarkable as it is located on a corner and gathers the youth. In the past, it was run as a café-patisserie and is still a meeting place. What make it special are the comfortable seats, the clean and stately environment with windows in all directions and of course the view of Thermaikos Bay.
Nike Avenue 37
The following is not on the beach road
ZYTHOS DORE
Thessaloniki’s most historic haunt was “Dore”, on Tsirogianni Square, in the shadow of the White Tower. Today it is called “Dore-Zythos”. All the city’s artists came through here for years during the film and song festivals in the 90s. It has a very special architecture with original decorative elements – such as the carved wooden bar, the handmade tiles and the sign from the original “Dore”.
As early as 1908, Alfredo Moratori created a café-patisserie in central Thessaloniki with European standards, which was primarily aimed at the city’s elite. It soon became a well-known meeting place with a focus on political and social discussions. Its Viennese chairs have been visited by many important personalities from all genres of political and artistic life – Eleftherios Venizelos, Melina Mercouri, Jules Dassin, Manos Hadjidakis and even world-famous personalities such as the legendary Rita Hayworth, the magnificent Sylvie Vartan and the impressive Raffaella Carrà.
The tiles from the interwar period, the marble tables, the carved wooden bar, for which the old billiard tables in the basement were used, most of the classic elements, testify to the glamor of past years.
Stratigou Tsirogianni 9
Marni Hatziemmanouil
