Giannis Antetokounmpo Opens Greek Restaurant in Milwaukee

In collaboration with two Greek associates, Giannis Antetokounmpo opened a Greek restaurant in Milwaukee on September 20th.

Along with Giorgos Panou and Alex Saratsis, the NBA star established “Avli,” which means “Courtyard” in Greek. It is a restaurant chain that already has five stores in Chicago.

Giannis’ establishment is located at 1818 N Hubbard Street in Milwaukee.

The news was announced by Alex Saratsis with a post on Instagram. He stated:

I’ve been eating Greek food all my life. I never expected to serve it to customers. I’m proud of the folks at Courthouse for opening the first such restaurant outside of the Chicago area. Being a co-owner of a restaurant with George Panou and Giannis Antetokounmpo is an incredible experience.

Menus at Antetokounmpo’s Greek restaurant in Milwaukee

The menus at Avli, created by Executive Chef Babis Tsotras (formerly of renowned Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens, Greece and Avli on The Park in Chicago, Illinois), feature items crafted in-house and made-from-scratch, including Greek mezze (small plates meant to be shared amongst the table), a selection of spreads, salads, vegetarian-friendly options, authentic Greek entrees, and rotating desserts.

Milwaukee diners can expect to discover Avli Greek classics, including kataifi prawns with shredded filo and spicy aioli, spanakopita with homemade filo, spinach, feta, onion, and grilled lamb chops.

The bar of Avli features a cocktail program “infused with Greek nostalgia paired with modern trends,” a curated Greek wine list, and traditional spirits.

Antetokounmpo looks beyond basketball

Antetokounmpo is increasingly looking beyond basketball and has an increased focus on business investments with his brothers.

Earlier in 2023, Antetokounmpo ventured off the court to launch the Calamos Antetokounmpo Sustainable Equity Fund at the New York Stock Exchange.

The NBA star rang the NYSE closing bell to celebrate the launch of his exchange-traded fund (EFT) in partnership with investment management firm Calamos Investments. The Fund is a suite of environmental, social, and governance funds.

Earlier in September Antetokounmpo and his family announced their decision to invest in iconic Greek wine companies.

Hellenic Wineries and Boutari Winery are Greek wine companies with over a century of history, and the Antetokounmpo brothers have decided to invest in a ten percent share.

Giannis Antetokounmpo stated, “I am delighted about the investment and our partnership with Elias Georgiades. Together we will be able to develop companies with a history that produce natural products of the Greek land, such as wine and natural mineral water.”

In June, it emerged that Antetokounmpo bought a massive new home for the whole family, including his mother and brothers, in the leafy suburb of Psychiko in Athens.