Mamai Restaurant: A Celebration Of Honest Dining In Glyfada
- by XpatAthens
- Thursday, 29 January 2026
From Toronto Luxury to the Greek Flame
The story of Estiatorio Mamai began far from the Mediterranean. Founder Theodoros Mamais and his partner Yiagos Deligiannis are Greek-Canadian friends who met in Toronto, working at the pinnacle of luxury hospitality; an environment of relentless precision and flawless execution. Yet, while they mastered the art of perfection, they found themselves yearning for purpose.
For chef Theodoros, that purpose was found in the most ancient of tools: Fire. He moved away from the star-chasing obsession of fine dining to embrace a more grounded food philosophy. At Mamai, the kitchen operates without electricity. Every dish is a collaboration between the chef and the elements, crafted in a wood-fired oven, over a parilla, or on a traditional stofa.
A Menu Guided by the Seasons
At Estiatorio Mamai, the menu is small, deliberate, and fully seasonal. By maintaining a small, curated menu, Theodoros ensures that every single plate is a masterpiece. 
- The Ingredients: We source only organic, high-quality Greek meats and the freshest catch of the day.
- The "Non-Star" Philosophy: Every plate is treated with equal importance, but the Stifado, served in various seasonal interpretations, has quietly become a favorite among regulars.
- The Wine: The cellar is a tribute to Greece’s hidden gems, exclusively featuring small-scale Greek winemakers whose variaties are chosen to complement the smoke and salt of the kitchen.
Hospitality as Presence, Not Performance
If Theodoros is the fire, Yiagos is the steady hand that guides the room. Having managed high- end F&B operations, Yiagos rejects the theatre of modern service. Here you won’t find scripted smiles or stiff formalities.
Instead, Mamai offers genuine hospitality. It is the art of reading a room, knowing exactly when a guest needs a refill and when they need to be left in peace. It is warm, human, and unforced.
Against the Fireworks
When they opened in 2025, Theodoros and Yiagos were urged to chase the "viral" formula. They deliberately chose otherwise. They traded fireworks for fine comfort Greek food.
Mamai doesn’t promise a spectacle; it promises a memory. It is a restaurant built on conviction, where the ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves and the noise of the outside world is left at the door. In a neighborhood that is always moving, Mamai gives you a reason to sit still.
Mamai restaurant does not promise excitement on demand. It offers something more valuable. A reason to come back.
If good food matters to you —the kind cooked with fire, patience, and soul— follow Mamai Restaurant on Instagram, like them on Facebook, and reserve your table here to experience a dining memory worth returning to.
LIFE & CULTURE
