Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, is a rich city culturally and gastronomically. Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Italian and French architecture. The proliferation of coffeeshops is nothing short of stunning. As I look out my back and front window there is a coffee shop called “Coffee Island” and out back a Gregory’s. Then 20 steps away there are three ultra trendy coffee shops clustered together nicely decorated and full of trendy perhaps wanna be seen customers just about round the clock. A spanakopita and a cappuccino at Gregory’s cost me 5.10 Euros which is the same price as a mediocre tepid cappuccino at the trendy wannabe seen coffee shops. Quality in perhaps more humble settings.
And yes I have seen two Starbucks so far. Yikes!
You won’t find many tourists at my local Gregory’s on Mitropoleos Street that has two tables outside with locals slowly savouring their coffee whereas the fancy coffeeshops have comfortable chairs where every patron can look at each other and be looked at by those in the other coffee shops.
Gregory’s has 365 coffee shops in Greece and Cyprus and its reputation has propelled it to open its first location in Germany.
Why this coffee culture in Thessaloniki I am not sure but it exists elsewhere in Greece. Let’s go out for coffee or perhaps a glass of wine means let’s go out and socialize and have a long chat. Greeks do not believe in a hurried cup of coffee. A conclusion is coffee is the fuel of Greece and quality need not be reflected in price. Could it be the 200,000 students at Thessaloniki’s two universities need to keep perky and alert?
It’s your choice the atmosphere you want to enjoy your coffee at but right now and right here I’ll take the quality coffee prepared by expert barista Costa and the friendly welcoming attitude of Sofia at Gregory’s.
When in Thessaloniki be prepared for a coffee invasion like you’ve never seen it before.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 