Panos Politis & Giorgos Melissaris: Leaders in the Athenian gastronomic scene
Giorgos Melissaris and Panos Politis are behind the most beloved hangouts in Athens. With a shared philosophy around what “good food” and “holistic experience” mean, they join forces at Ox and Cinapos.
- 29/07/2025, 12:17
Giorgos Melissaris and Panos Politis are two entrepreneurs who have methodically created, each with their own identity, a set of restaurants that do not go unnoticed. From Brunello and Spitjack, to Ovio and Cupola, they have linked their names to hangouts that gain a fanatical audience and steady momentum. Their collaboration at OX and Cinapos was born naturally, through a long-standing friend ship of mutual appreciation.
For them, success is not just a matter of reservations, but of experiences that last. This personal bet unfolds through their thoughts, which they share with the White Paper:
P.P.: The first thing I notice as a customer in a restaurant is the quality-price ratio. It doesn’t matter whether I pay a lot or a little – as long as what I get corresponds to the cost. Unfortunately, today we often encounter expensive restaurants with services that do not justify their prices. The next crucial element is the atmosphere, the feeling you get and the overall experience, from reception and service to respect for the customer and the environment.
G.M.: A real success story in hospitality today is not based only on skills or ideas, but on a combination of things. The modern restaurateur needs knowledge, from accounting to philosophy. Although we see many successful endeavours that stand out momentarily, the biggest challenge is durability. Stability in quality, constant evolution and the right quality-price ratio are the elements that build true success and not merely a temporary success.
P.P.: My philosophy is based on creating strong teams. Regardless of how good a concept is, no business endeavour can progress without a strong foundation. Daily operation, management and financial management require proper staffing.
P.P.: Hospitality today is being attacked from all sides —financially, tax-wise, labor-wise— and this creates enormous challenges. However, the biggest
obstacle is not the ideas, the concept, or the collaborations, but the lack of qualified staff.
G.M.: Authenticity will be the dominant trend in the coming years. I see that people today are looking for genuine elements and a substantial experience. They don’t want the product to be a mix of ideas.
Giorgos Melissaris is the owner of Brunello, Brasserie Lorraine, Brutus, Smash ‘n Bun, Spitjack, Ami, Taratsa, Woowoo summer, and Panos Politis is the owner of Ovio and Cupola. Together, they own Ox and Cinapos.
Published in “White Paper: The Big Business of the South”, NouPou Media’s special edition spotlighting the current landscape and future prospects of the Athens Riviera.