Thiasos: Kafeneio-Ouzeri With Gourounopoula Near the Cathedral

On Ypapantis Street, on a small square shaded by two centuries-old plane trees near Kalamata’s cathedral, sits Thiasos — a traditional kafeneio-ouzeri with one absolute star dish: gourounopoula, whole roasted suckling pig.

A building with history

The building dates from the early twentieth century and once housed the famous Café Tavlaridi, opened in 1914, one of the city’s best-known coffee houses. After years of decline and a stint as a Berlin-themed bar, Kostas and Vasilis reopened it in September 2015 as a traditional kafeneio-ouzeri — the name Thiasos (literally “company” or “gathering”) deliberately evokes a place of togetherness.

What to eat: gourounopoula

Gourounopoula is a whole roasted suckling pig, a specialty of the Peloponnese region of Messinia. The meat is marinated with olive oil, oregano, lemon, salt and pepper, then slow-roasted for hours — traditionally on a spit, though restaurants often use an oven, for up to ten hours. The result: tender, juicy meat with crackling, crispy skin. The accompanying potatoes are roasted in the rendered pork fat.

Chef Kostas Pierros also works with seasonal, local Messinian products, some from his own family’s farm: botargo (cured fish roe), vegetable pie, chickpea fritters, pork pie, and in season artichoke omelette and stuffed courgette flowers. Vegetarian options such as fava and eggplant salad are also on the menu.

Atmosphere

A square room with high ceilings, large windows, and a wood-burning stove in the middle for winter. Live rebetiko and folk music plays regularly, with guests and musicians often joining in spontaneously. The outdoor terrace under the plane trees is often full in the evenings and on weekends — reserving ahead or arriving early is recommended.

Practical information

• Address: Ypapantis 7, Kalamata.
• Phone: +30 27210 88407.
• Price level: budget-friendly — a portion of gourounopoula costs around €9.
• Tripadvisor rating: 4.4/5.

Note: we could not confirm exact opening hours — call ahead or check Google Maps, especially if you’re coming specifically for the gourounopoula.

On the map