Jonathan Patarkatsi was a student at NYU when friends kept raving about a particular Greek yogurt shop in Beverly Hills. And one visit is all it took to get hooked. He tracked down the owner in Greece and spent years working on bringing the concept to South Florida. In 2012, Jonathan founded Go Greek Yogurt. After building a following in California with celebrities like Gigi Hadid and the Kardashians, Patarkatsi set up shop in Coconut Grove in 2025, connecting with fellow business owners through the Coconut Grove BID.
IMAGE: Jonathan Patarkatsi (left) at May 2025 grand opening in Coconut Grove.
BID: For anyone on “new year, new me” mode, what makes Go Greek better than your run-of-the-mill ice cream run?
Jonathan: We use real Greek yogurt as the base, so you get protein and probiotics. We have health-focused toppings you don’t usually see at other yogurt shops. And we have fresh Greek yogurt we actually fly in from Greece. It can be breakfast, lunch, post-workout, or dessert.
BID: The branding is really clean. What was the vision?
Jonathan: Our goal was to create a space where you feel transported to Greece. It’s nice hearing customers feel that.
BID: What originally brought you and your partners together, and what gap did you feel was missing in the food space at the time?
Jonathan: The founder is from Greece. He moved to California and wanted to bring a European-inspired yogurt bar to the U.S., which didn’t exist at the time. Yogurt is huge in Europe, especially Greece. I was at NYU when friends kept telling me about this shop in Beverly Hills. I visited, took one bite, fell in love. I asked if the owner was in. Turned out he was in Greece. I got his number and reached out. My family spent time in Miami, and every visit I’d say, “I wish we had Go Greek here.” The goal has always been to bring it to South Florida.
BID: Greek yogurt has exploded in popularity. What made you believe in it early on?
Jonathan: I’ve always loved yogurt. My mom raised us health-focused. I’m 32 now, when I was growing up, health and wellness wasn’t all that trendy. Yogurt was my breakfast essentially every day. I noticed European yogurt quality felt much different from what’s old at U.S. stores. Yogurt is incredibly versatile. It can be breakfast, a snack, dessert, even savory. I’m a firm believer that if you want to build a business, you have to genuinely love the product and be a loyal customer yourself. I knew if I was obsessed with it, other people would feel the same.
BID: Why stay rooted in tradition as the brand grows?
Jonathan: A lot of brands pay homage to tradition, then stray and become too mass market. We don’t want that. The traditional straining process for Greek yogurt is still really only done in Greece. It makes for a creamier, more delicious product with higher probiotics, better enzymes, and higher protein. Even if there are 1,000 stores one day, we never want to stray from that.
BID: How do you make nutritious food feel like an indulgence?
Jonathan: We don’t categorize ourselves as a health brand. Customers decide what goes in their bowl. Frozen yogurt is selfserve, toppings are self-serve. You can keep it clean with fresh fruit, walnuts, and honey, or add chocolate chips and candy. We’re not restricting anyone. If a parent comes in with a kid who only wants ice cream, they can still come to Go Greek, build something fun, and it tastes amazing!
BID: Why Coconut Grove? And what’s your relationship like with your neighbors and other businesses in the BID?
Jonathan: I’ve always loved Coconut Grove. When we started bringing the brand to Miami, the Grove was top of mind. It’s intimate, nostalgic, and has such a unique vibe. It’s beautiful. People are friendly, community-driven, and it has summer town energy all year.
The support has been incredible. Even before we opened, people were reaching out. Now we’re seeing regulars, families who come every Saturday, kids who know it’s “Go Greek day.” I’ve also met neighboring business owners through the Coconut Grove BID who want to collaborate with us. Starting a business is hard and can be lonely, so this supportive community makes a huge difference.
BID: For someone visiting for the first time, what do you recommend?
Jonathan: Sample both the fresh Greek yogurt and the frozen Greek yogurt. Even if you came for dessert, you’ll know what we offer for breakfast or post-workout. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Have fun with it!
BID: Lastly, what’s your passion outside of work?
Jonathan: I’m very passionate about my faith. I love going to synagogue and praying. I love spending time with my family. And I’m an athlete. I grew up playing tennis and hockey competitively, and I still love staying active. I try to exercise almost every day and be outdoors. That wholesome, balanced lifestyle is really important to me.
BID: Thank you!
