A new café in the heart of Manhattan is celebrating Greek family heritage in a deeply personal way, with its name and concept inspired by a 95-year-old Greek grandfather whose love of figs has become part of his family’s legacy.
Cafe Fig, located at 365 Broome Street in New York’s Nolita and Little Italy neighbourhood, was opened by George Skaliarinis in honour of his grandfather, Pappou George.
The café’s story was shared by George’s mother, Maria Skaliarinis, who explained that the venture was created as a tribute to the grandfather who has played such an important role in the family’s life.
The name Cafe Fig carries a special meaning. It references Pappou George’s love of figs, as well as the family name Figetakis, bringing together a favourite family memory and a connection to the generations who came before.
For the Skaliarinis family, the café represents more than a new business. It is a way to celebrate a beloved grandfather and preserve a piece of Greek family tradition in one of the world’s busiest cities.
From YiaYia’s Backyard to Manhattan
The inspiration for Cafe Fig reaches back to family life in New York, including memories of the family home in Greenport and the backyard of George’s YiaYia in Astoria, a neighbourhood long associated with the Greek-American community.
In a personal message about the venture, George Skaliarinis described how the scent of figs brings those memories flooding back.
“The scent of figs have always triggered memory of our family home in Greenport and our YiaYia’s backyard in Astoria,” he wrote.
He also expressed his wish that his grandparents could be there to see what their family has built, acknowledging the opportunities and love they helped provide.
“Every day I wish they were here with us,” he wrote, adding that he hoped Papou George would enjoy the fruits of their labour.
The sentiment will resonate with many Greek families in the diaspora, where memories of grandparents, family homes and traditional foods help maintain a connection to their heritage across generations.
Greek Frappe Meets Creative Coffee
Cafe Fig brings that family inspiration into its menu, combining familiar Greek flavours with inventive café creations.
Customers can enjoy a traditional Greek frappe, the iconic frothy iced coffee that has become a staple of Greek café culture.
Another standout is the Baklavatte, a distinctive dessert-inspired coffee creation that draws on the flavours of baklava.
The menu also features a Banana Churro Espresso and a matcha version made with Nekohama matcha, banana milk, maple syrup and a dusting of cinnamon.
For something savoury, Cafe Fig offers a spanakopita croissant, combining the flavours associated with traditional Greek spinach pie with the flaky texture of a French-style pastry.
The menu reflects the café’s wider concept: celebrating Greek identity while bringing new ideas to New York’s vibrant coffee scene.
A Place to Slow Down and Play Backgammon
Cafe Fig is also designed as a place to sit back, relax and enjoy time with others.
Visitors are encouraged to play backgammon, a game deeply familiar to generations of Greeks and often associated with long conversations over coffee.
That detail helps connect the café to a broader Greek tradition in which coffee is rarely just about the drink. It is an invitation to spend time together, catch up with friends and enjoy the moment.
In a neighbourhood known for its restaurants, shops and cafés, Cafe Fig offers a distinctly personal story rooted in family, memory and Greek culture.
A Grandfather’s Legacy Lives On
For Maria Skaliarinis and her family, the café is a tribute to a man who has reached the remarkable age of 95 and continues to inspire the next generation.
By naming the business Cafe Fig, George Skaliarinis has turned his grandfather’s love of figs into a lasting reminder of the family bonds that helped shape him.
It is also a celebration of the Greek-American experience, where traditions travel across generations and take on new forms in the communities families call home.
At 365 Broome Street, customers can enjoy Greek-inspired coffee, creative pastries and a game of backgammon. But behind the menu is a story that reaches beyond Manhattan: a grandson honouring his Pappou, a family celebrating its heritage and a reminder that some of the most meaningful legacies begin at home.
Cafe Fig is located at 365 Broome Street, in Manhattan’s Nolita and Little Italy neighbourhood.
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