Hidden Gems of CLT: Mocco Bistro

CHARLOTTE, NC — What are you missing in your favorite neighborhood? WCCB Charlotte’s Alexandra Elich explores tucked away spots, historic businesses, and secret gardens in the middle of our bustling city.

On this week’s Hidden Gems of Charlotte, Alex visits Mocco Bistro.

Authentic is the name of the game for Mocco Bistro.  Everything handmade by “Yia Yia” aka grandma in Greek.

Gus Stamoulas is the owner of the restaurant on South Boulevard.

  “Most of it’s what she learned in Athens, in Athens Greece. She went to school, she worked there her whole life making desserts and all that she came here the same concept and everything here,” says Stamoulas.

He runs it with is wife and mother-in-law. The entire family is involved. He says it all started back in the day, when Stamoulas’ family came to Charlotte from Greece to pursue the American dream.

 “I was born and raised here but we would take trips sometimes to Greece. They got like the squares where everybody goes and drinks coffee, there’s pastries there, they call it a —- like A patisserie,” says Stamoulas.

He noticed Charlotte didn’t have anything like that so in 2015 Mocco Bistro was born.

“So I was like dang this is perfect, something we’ve never had. The coffee place, make it like a square where everyone comes and hangs out we have all the desserts,” says Stamoulas.

And it’s desserts galore. They also offer breakfast sandwiches and gyros. One bite and you’re on a beach in Greece.

“There should be somewhere in an exotic island somewhere. You know where you come and walk in and get coffee while you sit on the beach. Just create that fantasy,” says Stamoulas.

The family also owns Nefelie’s in Uptown. They say COVID has hit them hard but the community support has helped.