With a name inspired by the truly unique, eponymous song of the Cretan music group “Chainides”, “Akrovatis” at 113 Papafi Street, on the east side of Thessaloniki, is a restaurant with the air and aroma of Crete, which really deserves one – at least – visit!

In an elegant space with a little vintage aroma, where wood prevails, Crete has – since February 2019 – its honor every day, thanks to the great love of the owners of “Akrovati” for the first largest island of the country, which made them to want to introduce us to the authentic Cretan culinary culture.

It doesn’t matter if you are of Cretan origin or not – neither are the owners of Akrovatis, they just have a lot of love, especially for the Rethymnon area – or if you just like Cretan flavors and its people.

Here you will find the atmosphere you need, to feel that you have “traveled” to the South Aegean. The goal and philosophy is, moreover, to offer Cretan products in Thessaloniki and to mix them with local recipes, so that the Cretan air, style and food reach here.

The flavors of the menu

From the tsikoudia, which flows abundantly on every table, to cool beers from small Greek breweries and of course a wide range of Cretan wines, the flavors are harmoniously and beautifully matched, in every choice of the menu, from 1 in the afternoon until 12 at night.

The protagonists are the snails, the antikristo lamb, the skioufichta with rooster, the lamb with groats pilaf, the apaki sauteed pork with plum sauce and crispy leeks and the Sfakian pie with honey  – a traditional Cretan appetizer that should not be missing from any table – in a menu curated by Executive Chef Michalis Hasikos.

The latter is based on pure raw materials and quality products, which come from small family businesses in Greece and contribute to bringing each dish closer to the real culinary character of Crete. With the help of the Operating Chef, Michalis Adamidis, Cretan cuisine is attributed to a total of 90% on the menu, in the best possible way.

Rely on the excellent service and very good prices of “Akrovatis”, to complete your every visit here, with a positive sign.

As background music, Cretan traditional music completes your experience. Live music performances are also often held.