Inspired by the fashionable Kolonaki district of Athens, Kolonaki Greek Kouzina has built its Johannesburg identity around generous Greek cooking, elegant interiors, and the pleasure of lingering around the table. Now, following the success of its Parkhurst and Bryanston establishments, Kolonaki brings that spirit to Waterfall with its third Johannesburg location.
Owned by Vassilios “Basil” Holiasmenos, who also serves as head chef, Kolonaki is rooted in the spirit of the Athens neighbourhood, known for its cafés, galleries, restaurants, and vibrant social culture. That ethos has become the foundation of the restaurant’s identity, where food is designed to be shared and meals are meant to linger.
“Greek food has always been about gathering,” says Vassilios. “There’s something deeply social about the way we eat. Dishes arrive at the table to be shared, people stay a little longer, and the meal becomes part of the occasion. That’s the feeling we’ve always wanted Kolonaki to have.”
A Menu Made for Sharing
At the heart of the new restaurant is a menu rooted in Greek and Mediterranean traditions, where simplicity, quality ingredients, and bold flavours remain the focus. The menu is designed for sharing, encouraging diners to experience different flavours while embracing the style of dining that has long been central to Greek culture.
For Vassilios, maintaining the restaurant’s identity as it expands has been a priority. “Opening our third restaurant is meaningful because it tells us that people have connected with what we are creating,” he says. “Our focus remains on the things that made people fall in love with Kolonaki in the first place: good food, beautiful ingredients, genuine hospitality, and a space where people feel welcome. Polofields gives us an opportunity to introduce that experience to a new community.”
Waterfall’s growing residential and lifestyle offering makes it a natural fit for Kolonaki, bringing the restaurant closer to a new community of diners. While the Polofields Crossing location carries the character of the other spaces, it’s intended to develop a personality of its own.
The Meaning of Philoxenia
Central to the restaurant’s philosophy is the Greek concept of philoxenia – traditionally understood as the generous welcome extended to a guest or stranger. Rather than viewing hospitality simply as service, Vassilios believes it’s reflected in every aspect of the dining experience, from the welcome guests receive to the conversations shared around the table.
“For me, hospitality is about how somebody feels when they are in your space,” he explains. “You can serve beautiful food, but the experience is also in the welcome, the conversation and the people around the table. We want guests to leave having eaten well and having genuinely enjoyed their time with us.”
A New Chapter in Waterfall
With its Polofields Crossing location, Kolonaki Greek Kouzina adds another chapter to its Johannesburg story, bringing a little of Athens’ food, energy, and hospitality to Waterfall.
