Melissa, Melbourne’s iconic Greek cafe experience, has finally arrived in Oakleigh.
The first cafe of the chain was first launched in 1969 by Nick and Soula Katsakis in Collingwood. They chose, Melissa, meaning honey bee for the cafe.
For more than 43 years, the cafe and cake shop has been a place for clients to enjoy delectable Greek cakes, pastries and other sweets from baklava to galaktoboureko washed down with coffee.
READ MORE: Frappe cravings leave cafes dry
The business has had many high-flying visitors, from Bert Newton to Graham Kennedy, Duran Duran, INXS, and cast members from Prisoner and Cop Shop.
These days, George and Angelo, Nick and Soula’s sons run the cafe but the original founders often pop in for a smile and chat.
There are several Melissa cafes around Melbourne, and the fact t
hat there was not one in Oakleigh was a huge oversight. Finally in Oakleigh, the cafe was inaugurated on the weekend and hopes to create a ‘buzz’.
READ MORE: New exhibition explores history behind Queensland’s Greek cafes and milk bars