Fire at popular North Adelaide restaurant Ammos Greek Bistro

Police are hunting a hooded duo after a popular North Adelaide restaurant was targeted by arsonists in a suspected molotov cocktail attack.

At least two molotov cocktails are believed to be thrown in an arson attack on popular Greek restaurant Ammos in North Adelaide early on Monday morning.

Fire crews were called to the O’Connell St restaurant just after 3am on Monday, police said.

Witnesses reported hearing smashing glass and seeing two hooded figures making off from the scene in a silver hatchback, which was last seen heading east on Ward St.

The fire is being treated as suspicious, police said.

Co-owner Sotiri Vassiliou, who runs the restaurant with his 25-year-old twin brother Savvas, told The Advertiser the restaurant had only been open for five months and was doing well.

He said the Greek chef, flown in from Greece to work at the bistro, was upstairs watching soccer at the time of the attack and after hearing the glass smash and seeing the fire, was the first to call emergency services.

Mr Vassiliou said by the time he and his brother arrived, police had already cordoned off the area and the fire had been put out.

He said he and his brother planned to begin repairs to the inside of the restaurant as soon as possible, hoping to re-open in two to three weeks.

“We get on top of things straight away,” he said.

“We’ve already got someone coming to help clean up this afternoon.”

The underground bar Ouzo was not affected by the fire and the restaurant’s kitchen was not damaged.

Restaurant manager Nikola Novakovic estimated the cost of repairs to be around $100,000.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Savvas Vassiliou’s girlfriend was seen breaking down in tears when she came to view the damages around 8.30am.

Mr Vassiliou said it was the sight of the religious icons at the entrance.

“We’re religious, orthodox, and the icons were burnt – it was probably the burnt icons that made her tear up a bit.”

The brothers said they had received an outpouring of support from community members, customers and other business owners in the area.

“You know what I like about people in North Adelaide, they support you,” Mr Vassiliou said.

“I got so many messages this morning, people are gutted, because they love this restaurant.

“It’s all right, we’ll be back.”

The restaurant, on the intersection of Ward St and O’Connell St, has been cordoned off with police tape since the early hours of Monday morning.

The glass door facing Ward St appears to have been smashed, with glass shards still scattered on the footpath and the remaining glass pane in pieces.

The top of the door frame and the inside of the restaurant are also black from soot.

Fire damage to Ammos Greek Bistro in North Adelaide. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Friend Troy, who is also owner of nearby business St Louis, said the fire happened within 15 minutes of the last person finishing their shift at Ammos.

He said he had seen CCTV footage – yet to be released – that showed two people in masks throwing at least two molotov cocktails through the glass door.

He also said the CCTV camera inside Ammos had been destroyed.

An MFS spokesperson said fireys managed to extinguish the fire quickly.

“On arrival 15 firefighters from five appliances and a command vehicle attended a restaurant where they found the ground floor involved in fire,” the spokesperson said.

“Firefighters worked immediately to contain the fire within five minutes, taking approximately 15 minutes to extinguish the blade.

“With a quick response of the MFS firefighters they were able to contain the fire on the ground floor, preventing any further damage to the first floor of the building and the neighbouring businesses.

In December, 2023, The Advertiser called Ammos one of the new Adelaide restaurants to try this summer.