Have you been on the lookout for a new spot to enjoy some freshly battered fish and chips in Sydney? Let us introduce you to Paris Seafood Café.
The Greek family-run fish and chip shop has been around for more than 25 years and is known for its wide-range of quality seafood, as well as its burgers, souvlakia, salads, octopus and much more.
It was originally opened in 1997 by the Mavropoulos family in La Perouse, and in 2018, relocated to a seaside location in Cronulla.
Run by Paris Mavropoulos, his wife Helen and their two children, Christos and Sofia, the Paris Seafood Café family spoke to The Greek Herald via zoom and shared how the business came to be.
“Our dad has always been passionate about the hospitality industry,” 23-year-old Christos said.
“Like many Greeks who migrated from Greece in the ‘80s, he began working in the hospitality industry from a young age and eventually gravitated towards opening his own cafe.
“He grew up in Greece, with his grandfather’s cooking and always loved everything he’d make and just the idea of serving people. So running his own business was something that just came naturally to him and was something really rewarding.”
Paris was born in Wollongong, New South Wales in 1963 and left for Greece when he was only six months old. He grew up in Northern Greece, in a village called Protochori in Kozani.
“My dad came back to Australia when he was 18, and worked in various roles within the hospitality industry,” Christos said.
“He had later decided he wanted to be his own boss, and in 1990, he decided to open his own business, Olympic Yeeros on Oxford Street.
“It was one of the first gyros shops on Oxford Street at the time too, and he kept it running until 2000. He also opened an adjoining shop, Paris Fruit and Veggies, which was a fresh produce grocery store.”
Unlike many other businesses, Paris Seafood Café remains unique as the next younger generation is taking over and helping run the family business. Sofia and Christos said they love being able to support their parents.
“Working together as a family has its moments, but it’s incredibly rewarding, especially when we see how successful the shop is and we hear great feedback from our customers,” Christos said.
22-year-old Sofia added, “I feel like a lot of people our age haven’t been in the position where they’ve had to work in a family business, it’s very rare.
“It’s more of our parents age who are used to working with their families. However, I feel like it’s given us so many more skills in life compared to our peers.
“We are very grateful that we have been put in this situation and we have learned from a young age what hard work, dedication and sacrifice looks like and it’s been really great.”
Sofia added that their La Perouse café was also significant to them as it’s where her parents first met in 1999. Her mum Helen would regularly dine there with her friends. Shortly after, Paris and Helen married and had their first child, Christos, in 2000, and Sofia in 2001.
Sofia said there were some key factors that make Paris Seafood Café unique from other fish and chip shops.
“We are known for having a pretty big selection to offer our customers. Everything we sell, we make ourselves,” Sofia said.
“It’s fresh, it’s not pre-cooked, and we make it on the spot for our customers. We also make our own patties, homemade chicken schnitzel and use fresh oil daily. My dad puts all his passion and energy into everything he makes, not just the fish and chips, so you can expect everything to be tasty, fresh and of the best quality.”
Paris Seafood Café was also recently listed amongst Time Out’s best fish and chips shops in Sydney.
“When dad found out we were on the list, he was so surprised and grateful. It was very humbling for him,” Christos said.
“It was a great sense of pride for all of us. I even started tearing up because it was just so nice for our family to finally get some recognition because I think, as a business, we’re very underestimated and under the radar.
“After all these years of serving so many great people and bringing them together, it’s made us feel so happy.”
The Mavropoulos family was beyond grateful for the recognition.
“We were surprised at how many customers reached out to us to congratulate us,” Christos said.
“Our customers are always positive and supportive towards the business and without them, we wouldn’t be here. When they dine with us, they become part of our family.
“We want to thank our existing and new customers for all their support, and we promise to continue to serve the food that they all know and love that we’ve been serving since 1997.
“We’re constantly trying to meet our customers’ expectations and make them happy.”
Paris Seafood Café is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm. It is located at 136 Cronulla St, Cronulla, Sydney.
