Hotels near Ladadika

Ladadika (literally 'oil shops') was Thessaloniki's commercial Jewish quarter for 400 years until WWII - 1,200 olive oil and grain warehouses around the port. After 1941 the Sephardic Jewish community was deported to Auschwitz; the warehouses survived intact. Since the 1990s, Ladadika has been restored as the city's tapas district - a pedestrian grid of 60+ ouzeris, mezedopoleia, jazz bars, and rebetiko underground music venues.

Free entry, busiest 9pm-1am Thursday-Saturday. Recommended ouzeris: Tsiknopempti, Diavasi, Toixos Toixo (small plates and ouzo). For traditional rebetiko music, try Tris Yiortes Kafenes (mid-week) or Sklavenitis (weekends). Mezes (small plates) average EUR 5-8; a glass of tsipouro EUR 3.

Pro Tip: Arrive Ladadika at 9pm Thursday-Saturday for the full atmosphere. Reserve at Toixos Toixo (since 1995, on Katouni Street) for the city's best fried small fish (atherina) and grilled octopus. Sunday lunchtime is also lively - many ouzeris stay open all afternoon.