Yiasemi cafe on Mnisikelous St in Plaka has closed after 16 years of business.
Located on bustling Mnisikleous featuring the famous Plaka steps and wandering pedestrians, Yiasemi’s lease expired and the new owners, wanting to use the space themselves, began proceedings to evict the owner Marisa Kouzeli, according to ProtoThema.
The quaint Yiasemi was visited by locals and tourists alike, and had a delicious selection of homemade desserts, vegan and vegetarian homemade meals and traditional drinks. The garden and terrace enveloped the senses with classical music and traditional aromas.
The Yiasemi owner, Marisa Koutseli, posted a poetic statement to Instagram to announce the cafes departure on Monday. She tells the story of the cafe opening on Holy Saturday of 2009, and all the elements that made the cafe so special; the musicians, the workers, the mornings on the steps of Mnisisikelous, the relaxing afternoons and evenings accompanied by “Hadjidakis from the piano”.
“Yiasemi has marked “something” in recent years in the life and history of Plaka. That is why soon, for the sake of the taste and the deliciousness, but mainly thanks to your love, it will return. See you again!” she writes.
According to ProtoThema, Kouzeli hasn’t stopped pursuing her creative ventures. She currently manages ‘To Taxidi’ bar in Paxos, a location featured in scenes from Christoforos Papakaliatis’ series Maestro in Blue.
She is searching for the ideal location in Athens to let Yiasemi bloom again.
