Meet the Grainger Market Traders: Acropolis

Tell us a bit about your journey so far – what made you leave Greece for the North East? 

In Greece, I worked in a street food restaurant and always dreamed of owning a place myself. Through a friend, I was offered a job in Newcastle and I decided to move for the opportunity. It was a now or never moment. I’m so pleased I took that leap – to be where we are today with Acropolis is amazing.  

What was it like making the move from a market stall to a brick-and-mortar space in Grainger Market? 

We started at the Quayside Market and spent a huge amount of time creating our menu and researching recipes from around the shores of Greece and how we can best create them in the North East. Opening our first brick-and-mortar store in the historic Grainger Market was a huge milestone that was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I remember that first morning fondly, hearing the buzz of traders and visitors, our neighbours coming to say hello and the people who came to try our food. To be part of one of the country’s oldest markets is an absolute honour.

Why do you think your food has been so popular in Newcastle? 

We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients which are lovingly prepared every day in our Newcastle kitchen. Our recipes are authentic yet unique and have been refined over time. My mother and sister-in-law are integral parts of our kitchen team and they put so much love and effort into ensuring all Acropolis items are the best they can be.

We always say, if we wouldn’t serve it to our family then we won’t serve it to our customers. Being a family-run business, we’ve felt an incredible connection with the people of Newcastle. Geordies have embraced us and we’ve embraced them. We consider Newcastle our home.

If you could recommend one dish to a first-time diner, what would it be? 

I’d recommend two; our chicken gyros and chicken souvlaki - both with crispy slices of halloumi, fresh tzatziki and hearty dollops of our Greek salad. These are Greek food staples served to workers and tourists that are packed with fresh, zesty and moreish flavours.  

You had a visit from celebrity foodie Adam Richman last year- can you tell us a bit more about that?

I couldn’t believe it when we received an email from Adam Richman – he is a huge name who I watched on TV for years, so it was very surreal. He was incredibly kind and full of energy, making the whole experience even more special. He enjoyed our chicken gyros as well as sampling almost everything on our menu. Watching him enjoy our food, getting involved with our staff and seeing his enthusiasm for how we prepare each dish meant the world to us.

Acropolis has expanded massively since first setting up in 2016 - what plans do you have for the future?

2024 was a busy year for us – we had a lot of new openings. The momentum is definitely continuing in 2025 and we have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline that we’ll share when the time is ready!

We are looking forward to expanding our team and getting more local people involved with Acropolis. Our success is only possible from the hard-working, good people in our amazing team who make things happen. It’s a pleasure to work alongside them.

And finally, what’s your favourite thing about being a part of the Grainger Market community?

There’s so much to love about Grainger Market; the location, the customers, and the fantastic community of traders. From day one, we’ve felt supported by the other traders, whether that’s borrowing equipment or sharing ingredients when the busy rush hour arrives. It’s a place where businesses truly help each other and we’re proud to be part of that community.

Acropolis is located in Units 12-13 on Alley 1 in Grainger Market and is open from Monday to Saturday. For more information, visit the official Acropolis website.