Take Me To The Greek

Joe & Nico at Yamas TUES24OCT23

ringing their beloved Greek cuisine to Greystones is something that’s been on the minds of brothers Nico and Joe for many few years.

Even as kids growing up in Kuşadasi, they knew that wherever they landed in this world, they would bring their family dishes with them.

And when the two young boys did head off into the world – Joe ending up in the Netherlands, where he ran two restaurants, and Nico in Ireland, opening Eternity Jewellery in Greystones – their phone conversations often turned to food.

“And I would say to Joe many times,” says Nico, “I really wish you had your restaurant over here. So I could show people what is so special about Greek food, when it is done properly, and with great love…”

It’s an approach that’s plainly at the forefront of Yamas (which is basically Greek for Sláinte), the brothers having finally opened their dream restaurant together this weekend on Church Road.

“To us, it’s all about starting everything from scratch, with only fresh ingredients,” says Joe. “This isn’t pitta bread you can buy off a shelf. Nothing here has come to us frozen.

“That’s not how you make real Greek food…”

Another crucial ingredient when it comes to the authentic Greek experience is family. On the front desk, it’s Onur, whose sister, Nur, just happens to be married to Nico. In the kitchen, Joe is aided and abetted by his wife, Ozi, whilst out on the floor, it’s Ela, Nico and Nur’s daughter.

“It’s a good feeling,” says Nico, “having your family around you. It makes the restaurant feel more like a home, and that’s the kind of atmosphere we want anyone who walks through that door to feel too. That warm welcome you get with family…”

Having enjoyed a soft opening over the weekend (“We will keep learning, keep perfecting, as the days and weeks go on,” says Joe), Yamas is now open Monday to Sunday, 12 noon to 11.30pm, with the second floor assuring that there should always be room for walk-ins.

Open 5pm to 10pm Tuesday to Thursday and 12.15pm to 10.45pm Friday, 11pm Saturday and 10.30pm Sunday, you can find out more about Yamas here, book your spot by calling here, or find out more by emailing here.

In the meantime, here’s Joe and Nico on how their big fat Greek dream came true…

You can follow Yamas on Instagram here or Facebook here, and book your table by phoning here or here. Until their website arrives, a few shots of the Yamas menu here.