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Family-run Greek cafe offering both traditional & modern dishes, a wine list & an easygoing vibe.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone: (612) 378-0611
Website: https://gosalonica.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Gardens of Salonica – Providing the Twin Cities with the Best of …
Anna and Lazaros opened the Gardens of Salonica in 1991 providing the Twin Cities with the best of traditional and modern Greek cuisine.
Gardens of Salonica: New Greek Cafe & Deli | Minneapolis MN
Gardens of Salonica: New Greek Cafe & Deli, Minneapolis. 1845 likes · 5 talking about this · 2850 were here. Featured since 1995 in Zagat’s, “America’s…
Gardens of Salonica | Restaurant Guide – Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
Kid-friendly, Private Dining, Wine & Beer Only. This Northeast eatery has many fans who consider the Greek menu the area’s tastiest.
Reviews
Ishmam Ahmed
My photos don’t quite do it justice, but the olive & pepper boughatsa and kotsi arni lamb shank were delicious. The avgolemono soup was also a hit. The atmosphere was very cozy and the staff were friendly and attentive. I look forward to being back to try more of their menu! This was my first time visiting and I’m so glad I got the chance to go. They were short-staffed and out of stock on a few menu items, so that raised some questions, but overall, the experience was pleasant and satisfying.
… moreBruce Kahn
This restaurant was rated as the best Greek restaurant in MN so we tried it. We love Greek food and go to Greece yearly and Greek restaurants often. It was very good. Some unique dishes that I hadn’t seen before, and a large menu. The service was good and the server was knowledgeable. The restaurant decor was very casual and not fancy. There wasn’t much Greek decorations. The walls were covered with art by a Serbian artist who bends wire and uses a lot of rocks. According to the owner, they don’t need Greek decorations, because in the restaurant “you are in Greece”. It didn’t feel that way to us, but we enjoyed the food and would come back.
… moreChris Goggin
Dinner at Gardens of Salonica, we haven’t been back since before the pandemic. Had the shrimp appetizer – unfortunately no picture – it was delicious grilled, bathed in butter and oil with a drizzle cheese. Enjoyed a glass of Greek white wine. The gyro was good with potato slices. Had the Pistatis a lamb noodle dish with a creamy texture – hard to explain, I liked it – but might not be for everyone. Service was good, steady flow of clients.
… moreDavid Mathews
The food was really good. Ordering via QR code was kind of odd.
… moreKay Marie Dennis
Their Mousakas was divine. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was helpful and patient with our group. Many asked a dozen questions. The grapefruit soda was a big surprise, bursting with flavor and refreshing. Try to leave room for dessert. There are a dozen intriguing options. The apricot cream pastry melted in my mouth. I wish I had brought some home. We all enjoyed time and handmade selections. I will be back. K
… moreGeoffrey Serdar
RealTalkGeo visits Gardens of Salonica
Gardens of Salonica in Northeast Minneapolis isn’t just the best Greek restaurant in the Upper Midwest… it’s a place rooted in memory, culture, and soul. We’ve known Anna Christoforidis, the owner, for years, and her presence is at the heart of everything here. She remembers faces, stories, favorite dishes — and somehow makes every visit feel like a return home.
This isn’t street food-style gyros — this is fine Greek cuisine, the kind that’s slow, layered, and deeply intentional.
We began with the Combo Plate, a trio of vibrant starters:
• Tyro — a whipped Greek feta spread, creamy and sharp with a briny depth
• Patzaria — earthy marinated beets in vinaigrette, chilled and tangy
• Fava — a smooth purée of yellow split peas with a touch of lemon and olive oil
Then came a lineup of mezze that stole the show:
• Fillo-wrapped feta, deep-fried until crisp on the outside, gooey in the center
• Saganaki, flambéed right at the table — dramatic, yes, but more than that, intensely savory
• Grilled octopus, tender and smoky with a bright kiss of lemon
The main plates continued the story:
• Greek fries, seasoned simply with lemon, sea salt, and herbs — no ketchup needed
• Spanakorizo, a soulful dish of spinach and rice, humble and comforting
• Grilled lamb riblets, marinated in Petimezi (Greek grape molasses) — sweet, sticky, and packed with flavor
• Pork gyro, not your standard fare — this version is made from pork shoulder butt and cheeks, rich and marbled, served with two sauces: a traditional tzatziki and a sharp, cooling yogurt-mustard
We paired it all with carefully selected Greek wines — a mineral-driven white and a bold red — and Benedetta, my daughter, enjoyed a sparkling Greek grapefruit soda that added a bright citrus note to the meal.
For dessert, we shared:
• A Greek yogurt mousse topped with rose petal marmalade, floral and light
• A chocolate chocolate chip cake, made with couverture chocolate — rich, deep, and deeply satisfying
Beyond the food, the atmosphere is just as special. The space is full of warmth, adorned with expressive, natural sculptures by Zoran Mojsilov. These aren’t just decor — they’re art that grounds the space with an ancient, organic voice.
And many don’t realize this, but Anna also hosts curated events and special dinner nights that create opportunities for real connection — the kind where strangers become lifelong friends. She caters weddings and corporate events as well, bringing her vibrant flavors and sauces to tables that usually settle for boring sandwiches. I always recommend her catering — it adds elegance and intention to any gathering.
On top of that, every once in a while, Anna organizes a group trip to Greece. I haven’t made it yet, but I’ve met people who have — and every single one raves about the experience. They say it’s not just a vacation — it’s a knockout cultural immersion, deeply personal and unforgettable.
As a real estate professional working in Northeast Minneapolis, I’m here often — and I always make time to stop by. This time, we were filming a business spotlight for our YouTube channel, RealTalkGeo. If you’re curious to see the experience for yourself, just search the video on YouTube.
Gardens of Salonica is where I come to reconnect — with food, with people, with memory. If you come hungry, you’ll leave with more than a full stomach.
A lifelong friend,
Geoffrey Serdar
… moreGardens of Salonica in Northeast Minneapolis isn’t just the best Greek restaurant in the Upper Midwest… it’s a place rooted in memory, culture, and soul. We’ve known Anna Christoforidis, the owner, for years, and her presence is at the heart of everything here. She remembers faces, stories, favorite dishes — and somehow makes every visit feel like a return home.
This isn’t street food-style gyros — this is fine Greek cuisine, the kind that’s slow, layered, and deeply intentional.
We began with the Combo Plate, a trio of vibrant starters:
• Tyro — a whipped Greek feta spread, creamy and sharp with a briny depth
• Patzaria — earthy marinated beets in vinaigrette, chilled and tangy
• Fava — a smooth purée of yellow split peas with a touch of lemon and olive oil
Then came a lineup of mezze that stole the show:
• Fillo-wrapped feta, deep-fried until crisp on the outside, gooey in the center
• Saganaki, flambéed right at the table — dramatic, yes, but more than that, intensely savory
• Grilled octopus, tender and smoky with a bright kiss of lemon
The main plates continued the story:
• Greek fries, seasoned simply with lemon, sea salt, and herbs — no ketchup needed
• Spanakorizo, a soulful dish of spinach and rice, humble and comforting
• Grilled lamb riblets, marinated in Petimezi (Greek grape molasses) — sweet, sticky, and packed with flavor
• Pork gyro, not your standard fare — this version is made from pork shoulder butt and cheeks, rich and marbled, served with two sauces: a traditional tzatziki and a sharp, cooling yogurt-mustard
We paired it all with carefully selected Greek wines — a mineral-driven white and a bold red — and Benedetta, my daughter, enjoyed a sparkling Greek grapefruit soda that added a bright citrus note to the meal.
For dessert, we shared:
• A Greek yogurt mousse topped with rose petal marmalade, floral and light
• A chocolate chocolate chip cake, made with couverture chocolate — rich, deep, and deeply satisfying
Beyond the food, the atmosphere is just as special. The space is full of warmth, adorned with expressive, natural sculptures by Zoran Mojsilov. These aren’t just decor — they’re art that grounds the space with an ancient, organic voice.
And many don’t realize this, but Anna also hosts curated events and special dinner nights that create opportunities for real connection — the kind where strangers become lifelong friends. She caters weddings and corporate events as well, bringing her vibrant flavors and sauces to tables that usually settle for boring sandwiches. I always recommend her catering — it adds elegance and intention to any gathering.
On top of that, every once in a while, Anna organizes a group trip to Greece. I haven’t made it yet, but I’ve met people who have — and every single one raves about the experience. They say it’s not just a vacation — it’s a knockout cultural immersion, deeply personal and unforgettable.
As a real estate professional working in Northeast Minneapolis, I’m here often — and I always make time to stop by. This time, we were filming a business spotlight for our YouTube channel, RealTalkGeo. If you’re curious to see the experience for yourself, just search the video on YouTube.
Gardens of Salonica is where I come to reconnect — with food, with people, with memory. If you come hungry, you’ll leave with more than a full stomach.
A lifelong friend,
Geoffrey Serdar
Ruby V.
A lot of mixed feelings after our recent visit for a birthday.
First off, our server was great. I felt bad that she had to memorize so many specials. They had about 7 specials going that she had to recite. She was very attentive and good about answering our questions. So the service was great, no complaints there. Now onto the food.
We ordered the following :
appetizers were saganaki with mushrooms, dolmades with tzatsiki, and a sample of the octopodi.
The saganaki was bland and the few small pieces were lost in a sea of mushrooms. It came with pita-which was pillowy, soft and warm-but trying to top a pita with the scattered pieces was awkward.
The dolmades were good and the tzatsiki was good but I have had better at other places in the city.
I know that ordering octopus is risky, and I have liked it before so I thought I’d try it here, since they offer a sample. I’m sad to report that it was terrible. Drenched in olive oil and not much else, it tasted fishy and the texture was weird, kind of like a canned oyster. It needed lemon, salt, garlic. It just didn’t seem to be of good quality or well prepared.
For our entrees we ordered the pastisio, and the cod which was on special. Comes with soup or salad for an extra $5 as opposed to being on its own, which seemed a bit odd.
The pastitsio was good. Drier than I remember and the amount of meat was excessive. But it was probably the best thing we had.
The salad came before the cod and it was really not good. Wilted lettuce, 2 pitted Kalamata olives, mealy tomatoes, a lot of cucumber and vinaigrette that tasted bottled. I dint even finish the tiny portion.
The cod was cooked in lots of olive oil, onions and garlic. It was a decent portion and was cooked well enough, although a little chew in parts. The dominating flavor was roasted garlic. I liked it but didn’t love it.
At the end, after we ordered two boughatsa to go, we were given a birthday baklava at the table. I can appreciate the gesture but…we just ordered two desserts to go because we were too full to eat more. We took a bite out of courtesy and found it dry and overwhelmingly seasoned with clove and/or cinnamon.
I’m sad to give a mediocre review for a place with so much history in the neighborhood. Mpls sorely lacks good Greek places and I can’t recommend this either, as Gardens of Salonica does feel tired.
… moreFirst off, our server was great. I felt bad that she had to memorize so many specials. They had about 7 specials going that she had to recite. She was very attentive and good about answering our questions. So the service was great, no complaints there. Now onto the food.
We ordered the following :
appetizers were saganaki with mushrooms, dolmades with tzatsiki, and a sample of the octopodi.
The saganaki was bland and the few small pieces were lost in a sea of mushrooms. It came with pita-which was pillowy, soft and warm-but trying to top a pita with the scattered pieces was awkward.
The dolmades were good and the tzatsiki was good but I have had better at other places in the city.
I know that ordering octopus is risky, and I have liked it before so I thought I’d try it here, since they offer a sample. I’m sad to report that it was terrible. Drenched in olive oil and not much else, it tasted fishy and the texture was weird, kind of like a canned oyster. It needed lemon, salt, garlic. It just didn’t seem to be of good quality or well prepared.
For our entrees we ordered the pastisio, and the cod which was on special. Comes with soup or salad for an extra $5 as opposed to being on its own, which seemed a bit odd.
The pastitsio was good. Drier than I remember and the amount of meat was excessive. But it was probably the best thing we had.
The salad came before the cod and it was really not good. Wilted lettuce, 2 pitted Kalamata olives, mealy tomatoes, a lot of cucumber and vinaigrette that tasted bottled. I dint even finish the tiny portion.
The cod was cooked in lots of olive oil, onions and garlic. It was a decent portion and was cooked well enough, although a little chew in parts. The dominating flavor was roasted garlic. I liked it but didn’t love it.
At the end, after we ordered two boughatsa to go, we were given a birthday baklava at the table. I can appreciate the gesture but…we just ordered two desserts to go because we were too full to eat more. We took a bite out of courtesy and found it dry and overwhelmingly seasoned with clove and/or cinnamon.
I’m sad to give a mediocre review for a place with so much history in the neighborhood. Mpls sorely lacks good Greek places and I can’t recommend this either, as Gardens of Salonica does feel tired.
Alex Carpenter
DELICIOUS authentic Greek restaurant. We had great service and were very impressed with the server’s knowledge and memorization of the long list of specials. Will absolutely eat here again!
… moreChase Nelson
Gardens of Salonica has a pretty large menu compared to most Mediterranean restaurants I’ve been to. The lunch menu had a decent array but I’d like to go back for their dinner, which I assume has more entrees to choose from. It was hard for us to decide what to order, everything was great though.
… moreClaire Rekow-McKee
THE place to go in northeast Minneapolis. It’s full of heart and truly good food. If you’re going to go out go here, bring lots of friends so you can try as many dishes as possible. A real meal.
… more