One of the most famous corners of Thessaloniki, at least for food lovers, is home to “To Pantopolio”, a traditional delicatessen where foodies can find delicious traditional ingredients and hard-to-find Greek specialties.

The name is Greek for “the grocer”, although the store is much more than your ordinary neighborhood greengrocer or mini market.

The store opened as “Kosmas” back in 1924. The owner, Mr Meraklis, brought with him memories from lost homelands preserved through flavors. Pastrami from Istanbul, caviar from Russia, the rarest and finest selection of ingredients and things to eat, all found a home on the grocer’s shelves. Food-crazy Thessaloniki immediately embraced the grocer, so much so that Kosmas expanded into the adjoining two stores!

Today, the focus has shifted to gourmet products from Greece, though the old flavors still remain. You’ll always find pastrami or the best lakerda (pickled bonito) in town here. And since they bought the organic grocer next door, fresh organic fruit and vegetables are also on offer.

The grocery store has passed from generation to generation, always supporting the original philosophy of choosing the finest Greek products, an exceptional cheese and cold cuts counter and delicacies from around the world. Their consistent quality means that in 2015, they were awarded the Gastronomos award for Best Grocery Store. Your only problem will be choosing what to buy from the vast selection!

*Greece Is – Promotion