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!