Café Nostos has opened its doors in California, featuring a variety of authentic Greek pastries in Downtown Berkeley and customers are loving the new Greek flavours and hospitality now on offer at this cozy café.
“We hope to give the public here a taste of the Greek experience,” says owner Yannis Samaras.
The name of the cafe, Nostos, which comes from Ancient Greek, means “homecoming, the idea of returning home from a long journey," according to Samaras, who also says the idea of the name came from his support for Greeks in the United States, many of whom immigrated to America years back and still miss their motherland.
Samaras wanted to give Greeks and non-Greeks in California a taste of Hellas at his café and for guests to be able to experience a piece of Greek style cafe culture.
The Greek delicacies served here come directly from Greece through the Greek pastry company Alfa, which co-owner Lili Grigoriou-Samaras described as “the best product in Greece.” Grigoriou and Samaras also say these Alfa pastries can only be found at their cafe, Washington, D.C. and Greece.
Much loved Greek pastries such as Bougatsa — a crisp, custard-filled phyllo sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar — and Kozani olive swirl — a type of Greek street food made of authentic Greek feta cheese filling and Kalamata olives — are some of the most popular items.
“It’s homey food; it makes people feel good. You cannot find Greek pita like this anywhere in the Bay Area,” says Samaras.
The decor of the cafe has a simple and earthy feel, the green walls were chosen by the owners, as it was a reminder of the olive trees back in Greece.
Samaras stresses this is a family business that aims to offer Greek and American customers the opportunity to enjoy Greek products produced with authentic Greek ingredients, the real Greek way.
ADDRESS: 1930 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley, California
