A Taste of Tarpon Springs History: From Pappas to the Present

Tarpon Springs has long been a culinary gem on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with its restaurant scene deeply rooted in Greek heritage. The city’s sponge diving legacy brought waves of Greek immigrants in the early 1900s, who introduced authentic Mediterranean flavors that still define the area today.

The Legacy of Pappas Restaurant

One of the most iconic names in Tarpon Springs dining history is Louis M. Pappas, a Greek immigrant from Sparta who founded Pappas Riverside Restaurant in 1925. Known for pioneering the famous Greek salad topped with potato salad—a tradition he began while serving in Gen. John J. Pershing’s army—Pappas turned his restaurant into a world-renowned destination.

1947 - Louis Pappas and son Michael mixing Greek salad at famous Riverside cafe in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

• In 1975, the Pappas family built a grand two-story restaurant at the entrance of the Sponge Docks.
• A new restaurant, Riverside Grille House Veranda, briefly reopened at the same location in 2010, featuring a rooftop veranda and a tribute to the Pappas legacy—but it has since permanently closed.
• Though the building no longer serves food, its memory remains a cornerstone of Tarpon Springs’ culinary heritage.

Greek Roots and Modern Favorites

Today, Tarpon Springs continues to celebrate its Hellenic roots through beloved eateries like Mama's Greek Cuisine, Mr Souvlaki, and newest Greek kid on the block Acropolis Greek Taverna. These restaurants carry forward the flavors and traditions that began nearly a century ago, offering everything from spanakopita and baklava to fresh seafood and waterfront dining.