Let’s be honest. Thessaloniki is on its own level when it comes to food, but Psi by Mezen is something else entirely. If you think you’re walking into just another classic mezedopoleio, forget it. Here, the sea has “nerve,” intensity, and an approach that is almost… carnivorous.

Grigoris Helmis and the team from the iconic Volos-based Mezen have landed near Agia Sofia, bringing the art of dry-aging fish with them. We aren’t just talking about food; we’re talking about a gastronomic update to the traditional Greek meze. Imagine raw ingredients undergoing aging techniques that completely transform the texture and flavor of everything you thought you knew about “fish.”

Kalamari souvlaki

Cherry Blossom

Ogawa Kazumasa

The Foodie List 🍴 (What to Order)

The menu is an ode to the sea, viewed through a “meat-lover’s” lens. Do not skip the handmade fish charcuterie—the shi drum pastrami and tuna bacon are on a whole different level.

• Must try: The shi drum “meatballs” (pure comfort food) and Kalamari souvlaki.
• Creative touch: Cod served with smoked cauliflower cream.
• The Addiction: Pickled giant beans with anise. Honestly, I’m obsessed.

Of course, the table fills up with the classic “Mezen essentials”: kopanisti from Volos, tsiros politikos (cured mackerel), smoked mackerel, and a lakerda (pickled bonito) that literally melts in your mouth. This isn’t a “routine” approach; the flavors are clean, deep, and bold.

Sip & Vibe

Forget boring spirits. Here, the spotlight is on low-intervention wines (natural wine lovers, unite!) and rare tsipouro from small-batch producers. Everything is designed to support the food without unnecessary noise—exactly as it should be.

The space is an urban-maritime dream. Picture a modern fish market that’s been through a high-end design filter: deep blues and terracotta tiles, terrazzo floors, warm wood, and minimal lines. With an open kitchen and a glass-walled lab, you can watch the magic of the aging process happening right before your eyes.

Psi by Mezen is one of those places that leaves you talking about the culinary details for days. If you ask me, this table alone is worth the trip to the North.

📍 8 Skra St., Agia Sofia, Thessaloniki 📞 +30 2310 268763