Zonar’s is a classic café and pastry shop located in downtown Athens near Syntagma Square that has been operating since the summer of 1940. Numerous Greek intellectuals, politicians and actors have established Zonar’s as the most historic hangout place in Athens, making it an integral part of their daily lives.
Today, the store is closed, while a large sign states that “history is being rewritten this winter.” The café, founded by Greek-American Karolos Zonaras in 1939, has been renovated and will reopen in the fall, after the necessary work has been completed.
Greek businessmen Chrysanthos and Spyros Panas decided to invest in one of Athens’ most historic locations. They have chosen to keep the décor close to the café’s old aesthetic and splendor.
Furthermore, the two businessmen decided to bring back some of Zonar’s most famous pastry, as well as its trademark mints, which Queen Sofia of Spain used to buy all the time and therefore will be named Queen Sofia’s Mints.
The historic café has been visited by many important figures of Greek history. Legendary Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis and singer/actress Melina Mercouri gave an interview to French television while sitting at a Zonar’s table. It was also a place frequented by Greece’s political leaders like Konstantinos Karamanlis, Sofoklis Venizelos, Evangelos Averoff, Georgios Rallis and Xenophon Zolotas.
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