Nashville is a city that eats its history. We see it everywhere—the beloved dive bar becomes a luxury condo, the century-old hardware store turns into a boutique hotel. So, when the news broke that the legendary Athens Family Restaurant in Nashville was losing its lease after sixteen years on Eighth Avenue South, the local heartbreak was real. You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors. People thought it was gone for good.
Honestly? They were almost right.
It took a literal act of neighborly grace to keep this Greek staple from vanishing into the Nashville "It City" ether. If you’re looking for that specific blend of "crunchalicious" kotopita and those massive bacon-lamb burgers that Guy Fieri obsessed over on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you need to know that the map has changed. But the soul of the kitchen hasn't.
The Melrose Heartbreak and the Belmont Miracle
For years, the Melrose neighborhood lived and breathed by the rhythm of the Athens grill. It was a classic Greek diner. You’d go there for a hangover-curing plate of eggs and home fries at 8:00 AM, or you’d hunker down for a gyro platter in the middle of a Tuesday workday. The owner, Mohammed Rasras, had built a sanctuary.
Then came 2021. The pandemic was the first blow, but the knockout punch was the real estate boom. The building was slated for demolition. The landlord wanted a 7,000-square-foot commercial structure. In Nashville, "old and charming" usually loses to "new and glass-fronted."
But here is where the story gets kinda beautiful.
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Anna and Arnold Myint—the siblings behind the iconic International Market—didn't want to see another piece of Nashville’s culinary DNA disappear. They reached out to Rasras. They offered their own restaurant space, PM on Belmont Boulevard, as a temporary pop-up. That "temporary" fix eventually became the permanent home for Athens Family Restaurant in Nashville. It was a total win-win that saved a dozen jobs and kept the tzatziki flowing.
What to Actually Order (Beyond the Gyro)
Most people walk into a Greek spot and default to the gyro. Look, the gyro here is great—the meat is carved right, the pita is soft—but if you’re at Athens, you’re there for the deep cuts.
- The Kotopita: This is the dish that made Guy Fieri flip. Imagine a Greek pot pie, but instead of a soggy crust, it’s wrapped in layers of flaky, golden-brown phyllo dough. Inside, you’ve got cubes of chicken breast, Greek cheeses, and veggies. It’s heavy, it’s savory, and it’s arguably the best thing on the menu.
- The Bacon Lamb Burger: This isn't your standard beef patty. They use a custom "love spice" blend for the lamb, top it with Swiss cheese and crispy bacon, and add a pinch of crushed red pepper. It's a Nashville-Mediterranean fusion that shouldn't work, but it absolutely does.
- Bouyatsa Breakfast: If you have a sweet tooth, this is the move. It’s Greek custard tucked into filo, hit with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It’s basically dessert for breakfast, and we’re not judging.
The New Vibe: 614 18th Ave N and the Belmont Space
There’s been some confusion lately about where to actually go. If you’re looking for the full sit-down experience, the Belmont Boulevard location (the former PM spot) is where the magic happens. It’s cozy. It feels like a neighborhood living room.
However, you might also see an address at 614 18th Ave N popping up on delivery apps like Postmates or Grubhub. This is often linked to "Midtown Foods," which serves as a hub for online ordering. It’s a sign of the times—Athens has adapted to the digital age, ensuring that even if you can’t make it to the dining room, you can still get that Avgolemono soup delivered to your couch.
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Why It Still Matters in 2026
Nashville’s food scene has become increasingly corporate. We have a lot of "concepts" now—restaurants designed by committees to look good on Instagram. Athens is the opposite of that.
It’s a place where the servers remember your name and the owner is probably in the back making sure the spinach for the spanakopita is chopped just right. It’s authentic. Not "authentic" in a marketing way, but in the way that Dina Elostta (the former co-owner whose family is from Athens) intended: food that tastes like home.
Even though the original Melrose building is long gone—replaced by the inevitable march of progress—the flavors haven't shifted. That’s a rarity in this town. Usually, when a restaurant moves, the "soul" gets lost in the relocation. At Athens, the move to Belmont actually seemed to sharpen the focus. The food feels even more dialed in than it did a decade ago.
Your Game Plan for Visiting
If you're planning a trip to Athens Family Restaurant in Nashville, keep these tips in mind:
- Check the Hours: They’ve traditionally been big on the breakfast and lunch rush. Don't show up at 10:00 PM expecting a full Greek feast; they often pivot their hours based on the neighborhood's needs.
- Park with Patience: Belmont Boulevard is charming, but parking is a sport. Give yourself an extra ten minutes to find a spot on the street or in the nearby lots.
- Start with the Sampler: If you’re with a group, get the appetizer sampler. The Melitzanosalata (eggplant mousse) and the whipped feta are elite.
- Ask About Daily Specials: The rotating menu often features traditional entrées like Moussaka or Pastichio that aren't always on the main page.
Next time you’re craving something that isn't hot chicken or a $25 avocado toast, head over to Belmont. Support the places that survived the "New Nashville" transition. Because once these family-run spots are gone, they don't come back.
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Next Steps for Your Nashville Food Tour:
- Check the current operating hours on their official Facebook page before driving over, as they occasionally adjust for private events.
- If you're ordering for a group, look into their catering packages; the gyro "per person" kits are a massive hit for office lunches.
- Compare their spanakopita to the version at Greko Greek Street Food in East Nashville to see which style of phyllo you prefer—it's a fun local debate.