In 1998, Cyprus-born Andreas Andreou moved to Oulu with his Finnish wife and children. It marked the beginning of a journey filled with plenty of good food, but above all, Greek hospitality – filoxenia!

Andreas and his family left behind the small and idyllic mountain village of Lefkara, where he had grown up and learned to love good food. After arriving in Finland, Andreas noticed that his new hometown did not have a single Greek restaurant. So he simply said: “Let’s open one!”

That was the beginning of a journey towards a dream. The restaurant’s dishes were created through experimentation and inspired by the traditional recipes of Andreas’ mother. At the heart of it all were high-quality ingredients, freshness and craftsmanship, but the most important thing was to create a place where filoxenia lives on: a restaurant where every guest feels welcome, valued and cared for.

In January 2000, Andreas opened his first Greek taverna, Restaurant Crecian. Its delicious food, warm atmosphere and hospitality immediately won guests over. Over the years, Andreas became a well-known local figure who made sure everyone left the restaurant full and smiling. Before long, he became known as Papa Andreas – a Greek honorary name for someone who cares for the community.

When Andreas’ children had the opportunity to open a restaurant in Helsinki, the name was obvious. Papa Andreas is a tribute to Andreas’ way of living and serving: bringing the flavours of Greece and filoxenia to every guest’s table. We hope you enjoy your time with us often, and for as long as possible!