“Zythos”, the emblematic restaurant of Thessaloniki, which is now part of its history, is the first beer hall to open in the city when, in May 1990, in Ladadika, a unique, neoclassical building from 1902 was used again – impressive from the outside and inside – which earlier housed one of the oldest hotels in the city.

A few years later, in 1995, the second restaurant was created in “Dore”, on the site of the former cafe-pastry shop, directly opposite the White Tower. A place that was restored – with respect to its architecture – and which became a favorite of every lover of beer and good gastronomy, offering a view of the symbol of the city, but also of Thermaikos gulf.

Today, both “Zythos” restaurants are gastronomic attractions of Thessaloniki, as boutiques for Greek beers and local flavors, places that have been fully integrated into the history of the city and have identified their name with it.

Having all the characteristics of a good beer hall on the one hand, but also those of a restaurant on the other, “Zythos” has been, for years, an emblematic business of the city (and one of the oldest in operation), with many fanatical patrons: residents, passers-by, city visitors, artists, students and more…

The first “home” of beer

Dozens of beers have been hosted on the menu of the two restaurants. After all, in “Zythos”, beer acquired its own home for the first time and was introduced as an alternative way of entertainment to the public of the city.

For the owners and initiators, the stimulus came from abroad and the desire to create a place that would combine beer with meze, a proposal that did not yet exist in the city at the time. The trigger was the experiences of the owner, Despina Mavrommatis, who, growing up on Ionos Dragoumi street, had in her vision the images of the shops that served beer crickets accompanied by charcuterie and cheeses in parchment paper and her goal was to revive these memories. Thus, the name “Zythos” was born.

Self-described, at the beginning, as a “Mediterranean restaurant” it was, in fact, a Mediterranean “brewery-restaurant”, a “brasserie” with all-day operation – certainly the first place in Greece, registered as a beer hall – with the aim of presenting beers known and newly imported ones, always accompanied by local dishes, from the local cuisines of Greece.

The historicity of the buildings

Both buildings of “Zythos” were chosen for their historical, political, artistic and cultural significance.

The building in Ladadika was the first beer hall nationwide, having initially opened as a brewery-restaurant. A neoclassical building from 1902, one of the oldest in the area, consisting of five different small shops, which had collapsed in the 1978 earthquake and which were completely restored in one space, with the original construction materials preserved intact. From the moment it opened, in 1990, it managed to attract the interest of a very large part of the city.

The building in “Dore” has been renovated in an exact copy of the building built – at public expense – by the architect Vitiliano Pozelli on Ethnikis Aminis street, after the destruction of the original “Dore” building, at the corner of Ethnikis Aminis and Alexandrou Svolou streets , from the fire of 1917.

Many elements of the previous store have been used in the decoration, such as the old billiards from which the wooden bar with the carved pieces was made, the hand-made tiles, and also the original sign that adorned “Dore”.

The catalytic presence of beer

“Zythos” stays open all day, with its main menu updated at least quarterly and hosting daily or weekly specials, depending on the season and available products.

The presence of beer is a catalyst: you will find, on a constant basis, 10 barrels and a total of 60 bottled, mainly Greek but also imported beers – with an emphasis on microbreweries – which change every year and always with the quality selection of “Zythos”, while it is made substantial presentation of the wines, but also of the spirits for which our country is famous. The list is particularly up-to-date and includes local wines mainly from Macedonia and fine tsipouro and ouzo.

 At “Zythos”, after all, there has been a campaign to promote Greek products since 2009, alongside the continuous training of the staff, to provide services that exceed the customer’s expectations.

The gastronomy

For more than 30 years, “Zythos” has presented all the local cuisines of Greece, whether it is continental or island cuisine, always with a focus on innovation and suggestions for all tastes.

The basic philosophy is one: the dishes must first highlight the character of the city and at “Zythos”, they always try to present the tradition in a timely manner, through a well thought out menu!

It is worth trying the traditional Thessaloniki burger with homemade paprika, the hunkar begendi with smoked eggplant puree and fresh butter, the handmade croquettes and dolmadakia with yogurt sauce, the whole chicken breast tagliata – a dish ideal for anyone who wants something light – and of course the unbeatable “Zythos” pasta, which has been cooked daily for 35 years.

The saganaki – their own “burger” made from Cretan graviera – which has also been served for 35 years with sun-dried tomato jam and other, simple, Greek recipes and traditional flavors, such as its pilaf, kontosouvli, pitarakia and buyurdi, the fresh sausage with Florinis pepper, double-baked pancetta and Kesarias pie with pastourma and caseri, as well as shepherd’s pie, are flavors that invite you to unique meals. You’ll also find cuts like the Greek-raised sirloin steak, the T-bone stake, the Angus Greco lamb chop.

In the last year, “Zythos” also established the presentation of appetizers. Around 20 dishes are available daily, at very affordable prices, for you to “bite” while enjoying your favorite drink. You will find small dishes of meat, seafood, vegan, etc., ideal for the whole company, surrounded by your favorite salads, such as the sought-after parsley salad, dakos, burrata with cherry tomatoes, etc.

For breakfast you will find individual tarts, omelettes, Greek-style pancakes, waffles and other suggestions, ideal for enjoying your coffee.

Characteristic throughout the menu is the insistence on the use of the best raw materials on the market, in the always seasonal proposals, such as yaprakia, but also in the unbeatable bread from the “Red Oven”, which has been served consistently, all these years.

Sweets that smell like Thessaloniki!

In the desserts, you will find the famous chocolate gateau with handmade ice cream and crumble, with a history from the 50s, made to order, with lots of chocolate couverture. You will also find their own “dondurma” ice cream, with almond fillets, served with the town’s traditional sour cherry sweet.

Dore’s halva semifreddo is also a must try, that is, ice cream with traditional Macedonian halva.

“Zythos” cannot but be loved, every hour of the day. Even today, both stores keep a low profile and continue to earn respect, being a “seal of guarantee” and two places where you’re sure to have a good time! It never stands still and always has something new to offer, while its own people, who always support the arts, give their best to gastronomy as well.

Relax in a quiet atmosphere and enjoy your culinary escape away from everyday life, in a “classically modern” and calm space that allows you to indulge in the magic of flavors!

Tip 1: “Zythos” is open every day, from 10.00 a.m. to 02.00 a.m. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it is good to make a reservation.

Tip 2: You can order everything from “Zythos” via e-food and Wolt .

VIDEO | “Zythos” in Ladadika and Dore – The city’s first beer hall, with a long history