Tucked away in the Centre Grand Rue – central yet slightly hidden – Greek Alley has been open since March. Here you’ll find Greek specialities, whether for breakfast or lunch, sweet or savoury, traditional or reinterpreted. All served with a generous helping of Greek hospitality and a firm commitment to quality.
Anyone familiar with the city will have heard of Tsu. The friendly spot on Avenue de la Porte Neuve has been known for its Greek pies for four years now, part of a franchise created by Vicky Ioannidou and Kostas Giannopoulos. They launched it first in the Netherlands and later brought it back to Luxembourg, where they once lived. Their idea: to reinvent traditional Greek pies in a modern, urban style. Spanakopita, bougatsa or the Santorini pie with tomatoes and olives are staples on the menu – baked fresh daily and available in vegetarian, vegan or meat-filled varieties.
It all started with coffee…
With the new location on the Grand Rue, just a stone’s throw from the original Tsu, the offer was expanded with a few significant additions. The first big topic was coffee. “From the very beginning, it was clear that we wanted to take the coffee offering to the next level,” explains Panos, District Manager for Luxembourg. For this, the in-house coffee specialist teamed up with Greek roastery Dimello, which designed bespoke espresso machines for the project. Every morning, the grind is freshly adjusted – depending on humidity, temperature and even the time of day. “It takes around 30 minutes to calibrate the machine. After that we fine-tune it every two to three hours. Only in this way can we guarantee that every cup tastes the same,” says Panos.
This precision is not an end in itself. “Greeks are very demanding when it comes to coffee. If we manage to satisfy them, then we know we are doing it right.” The Greek classics, the iced freddo espresso and freddo cappuccino, have long since become favourites and bring many guests a taste of holiday in their everyday life.
Pita Perfect – Welcome to Grandpa’s!
The real star among the new additions is Grandpa’s – the concept under which pitas and souvlakis are now served for lunch on the Grand Rue. Unlike in Greece, where a wrap usually comes in a fixed combination, here the focus is on individual choice: guests can select between classic pita, Lebanese flatbread, Cypriot bread or Greek sandwich bread. Fillings are added as desired – meat, vegetables, extras – and of course the tzatziki, into which a great deal of time and energy has been invested to create the perfect sauce.
The side dishes have their own standing too: classic fries, fries with egg and feta or sweet potato fries with truffle mayo and graviera cheese, alongside falafel or courgette fritters. For a heartier option, one of the grilled skewers can be added. “We wanted a system that is flexible and gives people the freedom to create exactly the souvlaki experience they want,” says Panos. “And together with Tsu, it works like a small food court – a shared space where you can try everything.”
A sweet finish?
Alongside pies and souvlakis, there is of course something sweet. Tsu brings its characteristic tsoureki, the soft brioche-style bread that also gave the shop its name. Served with Nutella, honey or other sweet toppings, it is a staple of the menu. In addition, there is a dessert selection that balances classics with variety: baklava, kataifi and orange pie form the solid foundation, complemented by seasonal creations that change throughout the year.
“We never want to stand still,” says Panos. “We are already working on new ideas – with a local connection. People can look forward to what’s coming. What matters to us is that guests find something familiar here, but always with a modern Greek twist.”
Finally, he stresses what he considers the heart of the entire project: “Hospitality is everything for us. The personal bond with our guests matters deeply to me – regular visitors should feel that we know and appreciate them. That’s what makes the difference.”
Tsu X Grandpa’s
60 Grand-Rue, L-1660 Luxembourg
tsupies.com
grandpas.lu
