“Mare e Monti” is a restaurant in Panorama, which is really worth visiting. Why? Because on its menu you will find authentic Italian flavors and recipes that come directly from the neighboring country. In the beautiful, warm space of the restaurant, everything is prepared and served exactly like in an authentic, traditional, Italian trattoria, since its owner himself comes from Southern Italy.

“Mare e Monti” is not new to the gastronomic scene of Thessaloniki, nor unknown to most. Its reputation, after all, had already spread since the 90s, when its owner, Pasquale Lembo, a native of Southern Italy – who first came to Thessaloniki in 1993 – founded, in 1998, the first restaurant in Panorama, to then open, from 2001 to 2006, the one in Kalapothaki and from 2008 to 2012, the “Mare e Monti” in the Lazaristes Monastery.

It is a purely Italian restaurant, a “trattoria”, as restaurants with good, traditional Italian food are called and a menu that takes you on a journey to every kind of taste, from meat and fine seafood, to fresh salads and appetizers, which will remain unforgettable.

For twenty-six years now, its “family” has been creating and offering dishes based on exclusively Italian recipes, in a place that takes its name from the sea (mare) and the mountain (monti) and whose menu covers a wide range of Italian cuisine, from the North to the South of the country. For them, “Mare e Monti” refers to “a piece of sea and a piece of land”, to the products born from the Italian land, but also to their secrets, which are “hidden between mountains and sea…”.

Products and recipes directly from Italy

On the menu of “Mare e Monti”, the flavors are pure and based on Italian tradition. The products come with weekly deliveries directly from Italy and the menu changes seasonally, following the production and availability of raw materials, with an unbreakable rule, excellent quality.

Beyond the excellent raw materials, the “secret” of “Mare e Monti” is the knowledge of Italian cuisine – you will find the same flavors that you would find in any Italian household.

The basic ingredient for almost all dishes is the basis of Italian cuisine, pasta – 90% of which is their own production – fresh tomato sauce and of course mozzarella. The thin dough of the restaurant’s pizza is made in an oven and you watch the whole process. The same goes for all dishes, since the open kitchen of the place gives you direct visual access to what is happening in the kitchen, emerging flavors and aromas that are difficult to resist!

The winter menu

The variety is large and covers every taste. In addition to the excellent pastas and pizzas, you will find, in the antipasti, bruschetta with fresh tomato and basil, prosciutto crudo, gorgonzola and speck and much more. Try the Toscana salad and the Iris, with spinach, beetroot and rocket, caramelised walnuts and citrus dressing.

One of the must-try dishes of the winter is the ravioli, stuffed with pumpkin, gorgonzola and bitter almond biscuits, as well as the spaghetti alle triglie, with fresh red mullet.

A very special dish is coming soon, dedicated to the iconic composer Giuseppe Verdi: the linguine a la Rigoletto (inspired by Verdi’s opera of the same name), will include a cream of parmesan, flavoured with balsamic vinegar and accompanied by prosciutto di Parma, three ingredients from the composer’s home region.

As for appetizers, definitely try the veal carpaccio and vitello, the “protagonists” of winter, but also the excellent penne al Vodka. A more rustic dish is also the ragout with rooster, accompanied by traditional Italian pasta from Southern Italy.

In the “extra” dishes, every weekend you have the opportunity to try lasagna, just as it is eaten these days in every Italian home, while in the winter months, bean soup with pasta awaits you.

With the first rains, the first aromatic truffles will begin to be added to the menu of “Mare e Monti”, so those who prefer them will be able to enjoy them as well.

Finally, every October 17, which is… “pasta day”, “Mare e Monti” pays tribute to the classic pasta cuisine. Festive menus are also expected at Christmas and the holidays. However, don’t expect to find Carbonara, except once a year, on January 17th (the day of Saint Anthony, patron saint of Italian cuisine). On that day, you can prepare it yourself, in a kitchen set up outside the restaurant. It’s interesting to ask and have them explain why.

Desserts and the wine cellar

For closure, in addition to the unrivaled tiramisu of “Mare e Monti”, a new dessert awaits you, the crema diplomatica. Flavored with limoncello and biscuit puff pastry, it will surprise you deliciously and leave you with the best aftertaste.

Each flavor is perfectly combined with the suggestions of the restaurant’s wine list, with excellent Italian red, white and other wines, served at the right temperature. You will find classic Italian wines, such as Chianti from Tuscany, Montepulciano – a pleasant addition to the menu – or Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo from Central Italy in white, ideal for accompanying light pasta or seafood and many other labels, as well as digestivo suggestions, for closing.

The definition of Italian cuisine

You can enjoy every meal inside the restaurant, but also outside, which has now been designed to be warmer and more welcoming for the winter – and for smokers.

You will find people from all over the city of Thessaloniki, from families from the wider area of ​​Panorama or the city, to groups of friends and people who come from other areas and even many regular customers, who have “locked in” their favorite meals for a long time.

The restaurant itself is the definition of Italian cuisine and its owner – initially as an importer of Italian food and wines and then as manager of “Mare e Monti” – can be proud of having taught the public of Northern Greece to distinguish and love authentic Italian flavors!

Tip 1: “Mare e Monti” is certified in terms of its raw materials by the Italian Ministry of Tourism. It is one of the first restaurants in Greece to have been honored with the “Marchio Ospitalità Italiana” (Italian Hospitality Mark), the highest international distinction of the Association of Italian Chambers of Commerce, in collaboration with the Italian Federation of Restaurants and Bars and the National Institute of Tourism Research, as a certified “genuine Italian restaurant” abroad, for the promotion of gastronomic culture, but also for the observance of the quality standards of Italian hospitality.

Tip 2: The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Friday from 18.00, Saturday from 12.00 to 24.00 and Sunday from 12.00 to 18.00. It is closed every Monday.

Tip 3: You can also order the restaurant’s dishes via delivery, from its website.