Greek restaurants have a long and rich history. In the 1920s there were hundreds of Greek-owned restaurants in the North in industrial cities and even more in smaller ones. Many Greeks opened up restaurants in the 1920s because there were health laws that greatly restricted food carts. Also, the sweatshop business began to collapse around this time, and food carts were a great way to make a living. Nowadays, in New York alone there are about 370 Greek restaurants, and in the US, there are probably more Greek-owned restaurants than there are McDonalds![1]
As a class, we took a our of Astoria and visited many of the restaurants listed below. All of the owners were extremely nice and welcoming. Many of them offered us Greek food so we could taste the foods that their culture values most.
Zorba’s originated in Manhattan but after 30 years they moved to Astoria (in 2002). Zorba’s aims to serve “good quality, great tasting Greek and American food at an affordable price.” They serve Greek and American cuisine in order to attract all kinds of people and to cater to a multitude of tastes. They are open 7 days a week, they deliver and they even cater events! When we went there on our class trip to Astoria, even though we didn’t go in, the owner was really friendly. He told us about the food and the people who come there. It was nice to feel so welcomed in just a few minutes!
– Taverna Kyclades –
Taverna Kyclades, centrally located on Ditmar’s Boulevard, is well-known for their delicious seafood. The staff is appropriately dressed in blue and white (the colors of the Greek flag) in order to show their pride for their home country. The owners, Caterina and Ardian Skenderi say that this restaurant is not only their occupation but it is also their vocation. They love what they do because they get to promote their Greek culture through the delicious seafood that they cook. Although we didn’t actually enter this store, we passed by, and it looked like a nice place.
– Kopiaste Taverna –
Located in the heart of Astoria, Kopiaste Taverna is the place to be. The healthy and authentic Greek cuisine, puts an emphasis on the local recipes of the Greek Island of Cyprus. Established in the historical location of the Pancyprian federation, and decorated with traditional objects, Kopiaste Taverna makes visitors to feel like they are actually in Greece. They have live Greek music every Friday and Saturday night, with a full bar and a variety of other night life entertainment. Just by looking at the font of the letters on the sign, you can tell that they have Greek pride.
– Telly’s Taverna –
Telly’s Taverna serves delicious Greek food and is known for their tasty grilled meats, seafood and vegetables. Co-owner Nana Loiselle greets guests at the door, which emphasizes how friendly and enthusiastic Greeks are to share their culture with the world. We actually went into this store. The owner was friendly and excited to show us the Greek specialties that were in the store.
– Stamatis Restaurant –
Stamatis Restaurant serves delicious and authentic Greek food at extremely affordable prices. This longtime taverna is a family-friendly spot for hearty Greek staples in a simple setting. When we visited during our class trip to Astoria, the owner was so excited that we were learning about Greek culture in Astoria. He welcomed us with open arms, offered us traditional Greek food, and told us a little bit about this restaurant. He was even willing to take a picture with us, as you can see below! I remember him telling me all about the food and which ones were his favorites, but it all looked delicious! When we scanned the restaurant, we could see people of all ages who seemed to be enjoying their meals. The restaurant had a friendly environment and like many other Greek American restaurant owners, the owner here could not wait to share his Greek pride with us.
– E Taverna –
E Taverna is a traditional Greek neighborhood restaurant located in the heart of Astoria. They are not your typical Greek restaurant. They focus on serving authentic regional Greek dishes, using nothing but natural ingredients in order to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle. E Taverna has a small but unique selection of Greek wines. They strive to deliver an enjoyable dining experience, with a cozy ambiance. E Taverna is the ideal spot for friends and family to get together and enjoy traditional Greek home style cooking, delectable wines and high quality music.
– MP Taverna –
MP stands for the name of the head chef, Michael Psilakis. Psilakis is a tremendous cook who attributes his success to everything his mother taught him about the flavors and techniques of classic Greek cooking. “Even today, the flavors of my dishes are my mother’s flavors,” says Psilakis. “And my instincts for taking Greek cuisine in new directions—these I’ve inherited from her.” MP Taverna in Astoria is one of three MP Tavernas. Michael Psilakis has opened many other unique upscale Greek-inspired restaurants that throughout New York City. When we went there, the greeter and bartender were super friendly and willing to share information with us about the restaurant. They told us that Psilakis comes all the time to try and add new, exciting foods to the menu.
– Agnanti Meze –
Founded in December 2002, Agnati Meze is a family-oriented restaurant. Here you can find traditional Greek dishes from various parts of Greece. Located on Ditmar’s Boulevard in Astoria, offers an outdoor patio in the summer and a cozy atmosphere with a fireplace in the winter. They also serve a diverse selection of Greek wines.
– Zenon Taverna –
Owner, Stelios Papageorgiou graduated as the top chef of his class from the Hotel and Catering Institute of Cyprus in 1977. After gaining experience in the Cypriot cuisine, he decided to move to the “land of opportunity” with his wife Dora. Since taking control of Zenon in 1988, Stelios has only used imported Cypriot herbs, spices, and wines in all his recipes to emulate the genuine taste of the Greek and Cypriot cuisines. Along with the help of his wife and their three daughters, Stelios has maintained a family-run restaurant which demonstrates unique Cypriot ambiance that is rarely found elsewhere in the U.S. The walls are adorned with landmark images of Cyprus. Zenon has became famous within the community for its sheftalia, souvlaki, and halloumi, as well as its homemade lunza and loukaniko (homemade sausages). After being in business for a while, Stelios started a free delivery service so that those who could not make it into Zenon would still be able to eat his delicious and traditional Greek food.
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