One of the anticipated restaurant openings of the year has finally arrived. Pappas Restaurants’ Yiayia’s Pappas Greek Kitchen is back and it’s better than ever. After its standalone Yia Yia Mary’s closed in 2020, the beloved restaurant group has brought the concept back after a five-year hiatus under a new name: “Yiayia’s Pappas Greek Kitchen”.
Pappas Restaurants, the beloved restaurant group behind Pappadeaux, Pappasito’s, and Pappas Bros Steakhouse, originally opened the Greek restaurant back in 2005 in the Galleria area. Then called Yia Yia Mary’s, the restaurant was an ode to the restaurant group’s Greek heritage, specifically their matriarch, Yiayia Mary. After a 15 year run, the restaurant group closed Yia Yia Mary’s in 2020.
Yiayia’s Pappas Greek Kitchen is now open at 2410 Richmond Avenue. With a fresh name and a contemporary twist, the reimagined restaurant is serving up a vibrant menu of Greek favorites, from succulent lamb shank and flaky spanakopita to chicken souvlaki, saganaki, and an array of flavorful dips.
The menu was led by concept chef, Michael Fikaris. From a seafood standpoint, the restaurant takes its expanded menu inspiration from coastal and Mediterranean flavors and in part by its successful Little’s Oyster Bar – that which Esquire named one of the best bars in America. Options include an oyster bar, as well as red snapper, pasta lena, youvetsi, and more.
Drink-wise, the new restaurant will offer an extensive wine list as well as specialty cocktails. The latter includes the Yiayia’s Tonic, Frozen Athenian Spritz, and Nefeli Lemonaki.
Its design was lead by Chief Design Officer, Evy Pappas. Inspired by Cycladic architecture, the space features muted earth tones, gold-toned, sea-inspired lighting, and natural elements like wicker and rattan. At its heart stands a dramatic indoor olive tree.
Yiayia’s Pappas Greek Kitchen is now open at 2410 Richmond Avenue from 5 pm – 9 pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and from 5 pm – 10 pm Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.