Pastavino Opens as New Italian Restaurant in Greenville

Greenville, October 15, 2025

News Summary

Greenville welcomes Pastavino, a new Italian restaurant founded by cousins Niko and George Sakellis, known for their Maryland-style crab cakes. Located at 441 The Parkway, Pastavino aims to provide a cozy atmosphere with a scratch kitchen and a carefully curated wine selection. The restaurant seeks to fill a gap in local dining and create a community-oriented space for food enthusiasts.

Greenville has welcomed a new culinary destination with the opening of Pastavino, an Italian restaurant located at the intersection of The Parkway and South Batesville Road, east of the city. Founded by cousins Niko and George Sakellis, who come from a family with deep roots in the restaurant industry, Pastavino aims to offer a unique dining experience while filling a gap in the local market for Maryland-style crab cakes.

Pastavino is situated at 441 The Parkway, north of Interstate 85 and about one mile west of the Greenville-Spartanburg county line. The establishment has taken over the space previously occupied by Rigsby’s Smoked Burgers, Wings & Grill. With a focus on creating a downtown vibe without the challenges of parking and overcrowding found in city centers, the cousins have set out to make their mark in the Upstate culinary scene.

Both Niko and George Sakellis have a strong foundation in the restaurant business, with their fathers owning restaurants and having founded Fratelli’s Italian & Seafood in Maryland. They have worked hard to perfect their Maryland-style crab cake recipe since 1996, which George likened to the importance of pizza in Manhattan. They believe that their crab cakes will resonate with diners in the Upstate, a region they identified as lacking this specific culinary offering.

The interior of Pastavino is designed to provide a cozy atmosphere, featuring rich emerald green and gold accents along with comfortable brown banquettes. The restaurant operates a scratch kitchen, where all dishes are made to order in-house, ensuring a fresh dining experience for patrons. The menu also boasts a wine selection that rotates, comprising 50-60% Italian wines and others sourced from different regions.

For those interested in visiting, Pastavino’s hours of operation are as follows:

• Tuesday to Friday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Background on the Sakellis Family

The Sakellis cousins have a longstanding connection to the restaurant industry through their family lineage. Their fathers established Fratelli’s Italian & Seafood in Maryland, contributing to a culinary legacy that is now being continued through Pastavino. Their experience in the industry has equipped them with the skills and passion to bring a taste of Maryland to the Upstate.

The Vision for Pastavino

With Pastavino, Niko and George aim to create a community-oriented dining environment that showcases authentic Italian cuisine alongside Maryland-style crab cakes. Their goal is to attract locals who appreciate high-quality food served in a comfortable setting, allowing them to enjoy a taste of Italy and the Eastern Shore without the geographical constraints.

Conclusion

As Greenville fringes on the cusp of culinary exploration, Pastavino is set to become a notable addition. Its unique combination of culture, tradition, and innovative cuisine presents an exciting opportunity for both locals and visitors alike to experience something distinctive in the Upstate.

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Additional Resources

• Upstate Business Journal: Pastavino Opens in Greenville
• Wikipedia: Crab Cake
• WYFF4: New Places to Dine in Upstate
• Google Search: Greenville Restaurants
• Upstate Business Journal: Rural King Opens in Spartanburg
• Google Scholar: Italian Cuisine
• WYFF4: DeMarco Italian Opens in Greenville
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Italian Cuisine

Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE

The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.