Directly behind the Turkish Consulate, where Kassandrou and Olympiados streets split and the road goes uphill towards Ano Poli, there is a house that cannot be overlooked and it is none other than “To Spiti tou Passa” (The Pasha House).

An old tavern, one of those that hosted at least three generations until today and from whose tables have passed countless groups of students, couples, elders who are moved by such places. All these years, many musical evenings, impromptu and not, have taken place at these tables.

A special place, which has its own important history. Starting from previous centuries, it continues and is written daily, on its two floors and its outer courtyard, where mezedes (small dishes) dominate, accompanied by wines from the Greek vineyard. Appetizers of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, with a strong Cretan element on the menu and with options that cover all dietary preferences.

The history of the building that has remained known as “To Spiti tou Passa”, is directly intertwined with the great fire that burned the largest part of the center of Thessaloniki, in August 1917. The old Turkish neighborhood, right above the Turkish Consulate, which today is the beginning of the area of Ano Poli in its modern form, it had burned down then and was rebuilt, as much as possible and with whatever means were available.

The specific two-story building, with the beautiful courtyard, was inhabited in 1922, by a Greek Christian with Muslim beliefs, who had two wives, each of whom lived on a different floor. Thus, it was named “The Pasha House”, after the first owner of the tavern, Mr. Lefteris.

Cozy home feeling, warm and comfortable space

Going up there, reaching the cobbled streets of Ano Poli, one understands the energy of the space, the energy of a home, a warm and comfortable energy, which invites to mystical encounters in its spaces. An energy that emanates from Ano Poli itself, the district with completely different, gentler rhythms, which, especially in the summer with its courtyards, resembles a village – even if one is in the center of Thessaloniki – and which fascinates every passer-by .

The current owner, formerly a patron, then a waiter in the place and a little later, a co-owner, until he took it over completely, has built a completely human-centered tavern, open to everyone, friendly to the members of the LGBT+ Community, a place where everyone fits and where “the only thing that doesn’t fit is the closed mind”. The place also remains completely pet friendly, open to the four-legged friends of the patrons.

Mediterranean and Cretan menu

The cuisine at “To Spiti tou Passa” has changed in recent years, and from the most traditional flavors of a tavern, it is now based on the Greek and Mediterranean cooking tradition, with at least half of the menu being vegetarian or completely vegan, so for everyone to find complete culinary suggestions.

Mixes of northern Greece intersperse the menu, in which meat and ingredients from the most northern regions prevail, combined with traditional Cretan recipes, such as “tsigariasto lamb”, which is also the most popular dish.

There are also seafood dishes, such as grilled octopus, which, accompanied by raki or ouzo, is what you need for a summer meze.

From the menu, the traditional yaourtlou, the grilled talagani – a dish that “wins impressions and creates memories” – the cool Cretan dakos, ideal for a salad or side dish in the summer, the also cool dolmades with yogurt, the “kolokythokorfades”, the Cretan “skiufichta”.

And of course the “bourbouristoi chochlioi” one of the most beloved traditional Cretan recipes, a special treat that we recommend you try.

All this in a philosophy, which wants “Pasha’s” signature meze to be accompanied on the tables by spirits from Crete, and where the traditional welcome with the treat of raki is customary on every visit!

At “To Spiti tou Passa” you will eat either inside, in its peculiar spaces, with painted walls, or outside in its beautiful courtyard with trees and rose bushes and you will feel, without exaggeration, at home. After all, it is a former house, with strong elements of Ano Poli and Thessaloniki, which invites everyone to culinary and musical meetings at its tables!

Tip 1: The tavern is open every day, from 13.00 to 02.00. Its upper space also functions as a bar in the winter.

Tip 2: We recommend making a reservation, especially on Fridays and Weekends.

Tip 3: From September to June, meals are accompanied by live music events, with purely Greek music, of all kinds.

Tip 4: Contact the store managers to organize a birthday party, graduation, wedding/christening or any type of event.