There’s always room at Yiayia’s Table, Mowbray’s hidden Greek deli

It pays homage to its beloved matriarch with pastries and desserts

Love, health, food and family. These were the pillars embodied by Elli Parolis, the original yiayia (Greek for “grandmother”) and namesake of Yiayia’s Table, a family café hidden in the quiet suburb of Mowbray. Paying homage to Elli, Yiayia’s Table brings the same baked favourites enjoyed by those who sat at Elli’s famed yellow table. 

A TASTE OF AUTHENTIC MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 

Yiayia’s Table pays homage to the Parolis family’s matriarch, and serves the same baked favourites enjoyed by Elli’s guests lucky enough to eat at her yellow table. Yiayia’s Table is embodying its beloved matriarch's pillars through wholesome and comforting foods. 

The deli also sells breakfast, straight from Yiayia's recipe book. Image: Yiayia's Table

The deli sells affordable, traditional Greek delicacies and pastries with mouth-watering Mediterranean flavours like spinach, feta and sundried tomatoes in buttery, flaky phyllo pastry, baked to crisp perfection. 

“Our offering is unique and there is a skill in working with phyllo pastry and creating the spiral pies, which are a labour of love. We also have a selection of traditional and authentic Greek confectioneries and have become very well known for our Kourabiedes (Greek shortbread) and Baklava,” says owner Dimitri Perolis. 

Enjoy delicious Greek pastries at Yiayia’s. Image: Yiayia’s Table

THE DELI HAS A RICH FAMILY HISTORY

The deli is a stylish, modern take on the traditional Greek café and has a warm, homely and friendly atmosphere. , filled with aromas and flavours. There are a few well-spaced tables and comfy chairs, and you can either come in, grab a coffee and get some work done, or pack a pastry to - go.

Yiayia's Table has been newly renovated. Image: Yiayia's Table

Yiayia’s still also operates in its original building, which was a family butchery before it was converted into a deli, serving Yiayia’s passion of making delicious food with love, passion and Greek hospitality. 

The deli specialises in traditional Greek pastries, like Ekmek Kataifi. Image: Yiayia's Table

Although the deli has been renovated, it still retains some features from the days when Elli ran the shop.

“The fan in our bakery is the original fan which used to hang in our grandfather’s butchery, the same shop that now houses Yiayia’s Table. It is over 60 years old, is still in perfect working condition and could probably tell many stories,” says Dimitri. 

41 Durban Road | Mowbray | info@yiayiastable.co.za | +27 (0) 21 689  8837

By Hloni Manare

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