By Eric Curl
Oct. 4, 2025 – Olympia Café, long a staple along the Savannah Riverwalk, has been selected by the city as the highest-scoring proposer to continue operating out of the ground floor of the Thomas Gamble Building.
The Savannah City Council is scheduled to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute the lease agreement at its meeting on Thursday.
The decision follows months of uncertainty that sparked widespread concern from locals and visitors alike, particularly after the passing of longtime owner Nick Pappas in May. Pappas, remembered for his warm hospitality and for bringing Greek-inspired cuisine to Savannah since opening the restaurant in 1991, was mourned by many who described him as “bigger than life itself” and an embodiment of Greek culture, as previously reported.
The café’s current lease is set to expire at the end of this year, and under state law, the city could not simply extend the agreement. Instead, officials were required to issue a public request for proposals. Out of five qualified bidders, Olympia Café earned the top score based on criteria that included rent, qualifications, design concepts, and operations.
The new lease will cover roughly 4,800 square feet of the Gamble Building’s ground floor. Olympia’s submitted plans call for a renovated full-service restaurant that will continue serving Mediterranean cuisine with an ice cream shop, take-out area, and private dining space. Due to ongoing building renovations, the lease is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026, with an initial five-year term and the option for another five years.
The announcement comes as welcome news for the many Savannah residents who voiced dismay at the thought of Olympia Café closing. For decades, the restaurant has been not only a dining spot but also a cultural landmark, where birthdays, anniversaries, and countless tourist visits were celebrated under Pappas’ signature hospitality.
The RFP for the Gamble Building space was issued on May 15 in accordance with state law concerning the use of public buildings, according to city officials.
“The City will accept the highest scoring proposal that aligns with the terms and conditions of the lease agreement outlined in the RFP,” Press Secretary Joshua Peacock said via email in May. “It is anticipated that Olympia Café will submit a proposal.”
In response to a petition to “save” the Olympia Cafe, Mayor Van Johnson raised the matter on Facebook earlier this year
“Everyone loves Olympia Café, including me. Olympia is a true Savannah icon, which is loved and supported by residents and visitors alike … ” Johnson said in the post.” By law, City Council has no discretion to bypass or interfere with this competitive process, regardless of how many signatures are collected or how beloved a business may be. The owners of Olympia Café have been informed of the process, and I hope that they participate.”
Olympia Cafe co-owner Nick Pappas died in May at age 80, after decades of delighting diners with his welcoming manner and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant’s co-owner is Vasilis Varlagas.
Nicholas (Nick) Pappas Obituary
RELATED: AT OLYMPIA CAFÉ, COOKING TRADITIONS ARE ALIVE AND WELL(2015 Savannah Morning News)
Located along the waterfront at 5 East River St., Olympia Cafe has been serving Greek and Mediterranean dishes at the restaurant since its opening in 1991.
Olympia Cafe’s current lease with the city was originally executed inn 2011, according to the last 5-year extension in 2019. The current lease extension ends Dec. 31.
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