It may be that this small joint is located inside Thessaloniki’s busiest food markets, Kapani. And it may also be that it’s one of the few traditional kafeneia (old coffeehouse that also served meze) left in town. But ultimately it’s the delicious food and its people that make this stand out!

Chalkboard menu adapting to everyday’s fresh produce

Aged feta cheese served with baby tomatoes, rusk bread and dried oregano

A couple of young locals opened this small joint in 2013 in a warmly decorated corner of the Kapani market. Just a few meters away from the merchants’ loud voices and the market’s buzz, To Kafeneio tou Mitsou serves both meet and fish dishes tailored to what they find each day at the market.

If you every find yourself walking around the area, pop in and say hi to Kyriakos. He’ll definitely pour you a small sip of raki to get you going. The pickled salad (aka politiki) is lushed in olive oil and beetroot joice to add sweetness, the Arseniko cheese from Naxos island is tangy and both the meet dishes we tried – tender beef patties and honest pork chops- were amazing.

Ultimately, the place is so small, you tend to make friends with the people sitting next to you. Thessaloniki at its best – let’s hope you visit soon!

P.S. Rumor has it that their shortfin squid is also fried to perfection but we left this for our next visit!