Kosta Spilios to open Vrina Mezze and Bar at Kawana Island

A Sunshine Coast tradie has flipped a riverfront restaurant into a Greek-style tapas and cocktail bar where he wants to offer “awesome food and a great atmosphere”.

A Sunshine Coast electrical contractor is bringing a taste of Mykonos to the Sunshine Coast with the opening of riverfront tapas bar at Parrearra.

Kosta Spilios is opening Vrina Mezze and Bar at the former location of Mykies by the Bay, next door to the Green Zebra Restaurant and Bar.

Mr Spilios said the restaurant would offer Greek-style tapas for sharing with cocktails alongside a wood-fired pizza oven and fish and chips for takeaway.

Aiming to connect Greek and Australian “culinary landscapes”, its menu will include everything from grilled octopus and lamb souvlaki to crispy Saganaki cheese, tomahawk steak, and lamb shoulder.

He said they would also sell soft-serve ice cream as takeaway for those visiting the neighbouring playground.

It is expected to seat up to 140 people with outdoor dining, lounge seats and waterfront booths facing the Mooloolah River.

The qualified electrician who started KK Electrical Contracting 12 years ago has also owned the restaurant building for about 15 years.

Venue manager Ryan Henderson, venue consultant Craig Moloney and owner Kosta Spilios from Vrina Mezze Bar.

He decided to give the building a “new lease of life” after seeing the success of Green Zebra next door.

“We want to make it a bit of a destination spot as well,” Mr Spilios said.

“We want to be a very relaxed, Mykonos-style venue with awesome food and great atmosphere.”

The venue opens from 7am everyday, serving coffee and breakfast for Kawana Island residents and becoming a “casual, relaxing” destination for young people on the weekends.

Mr Spilios said the fitout was worth between $350,000 and $500,000 and hopes to open by the end of September.

The view of the Mooloolah River from Vrina Mezze Bar at Parrearra.

The menu was inspired by Mr Spilios’ family background.

The restaurant is named after his 87-year-old father Con’s small hometown in Greece.

His father once owned Olympia Theme Park in Alexandra Headland and now tends to the venue gardens, Mr Spilios said.