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Zandvoort Mourns Loss of Restaurateur Kostas Babatssias in Tragic Accident
By Amelia Monroe | ZANDVOORT – 2025/06/21 16:51:40
The community of Zandvoort, Netherlands, is mourning the loss of Kostas Babatssias, a well-known and respected restaurateur, who died in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. The accident occurred on the N201 in Mijdrecht. Reports indicate that his motorcycle collided head-on with a car on the wrong side of the road under unclear circumstances. Despite being rushed to the hospital by ambulance, he could not be saved.
Kostas Babatssias,52,was highly regarded in both the Zandvoort region and his hometown of Trikala,Greece.He had emigrated to the Netherlands and established himself in the hospitality industry with his restaurant, filoxenia. the restaurant became a popular spot,attracting a loyal clientele of both Greek and Dutch patrons.
Restaurant Filoxenia, which he had started years ago in Zandvoort. © Streetview
Married with two children and a recent grandfather,Kostas and his wife built Filoxenia into an award-winning restaurant that celebrated Greek gastronomy. Beyond his restaurant, kostas also organized excursions for Dutch tourists to Trikala and othre parts of Greece, sharing his pride in his home country.
Friends and colleagues have expressed thier shock and sadness. Fellow entrepreneur Ruud shared on social media, “I am in shock. Really ignored from this terrible news about my ‘Gappie.'”
“Incomprehensible, dear friend what we are going to miss you. It is still incomprehensible. A lot of strength and strength in this difficult time.” – Lisa
Community Remembers Kostas Babatssias
Lisa described the news as ‘unreal’, adding, “Incomprehensible, dear friend what we are going to miss you. It is still incomprehensible. A lot of strength and strength in this difficult time.”
ivor shared his condolences, saying, “My condolences and strength for the family and everyone who will miss him. There are a lot! What a good person, what a sweetheart he was! It’s a loss, I have no words for it.” Lammy added, “Terrible news. Zandvoort has lost a Zandvoorter!”
The funeral will be held on Monday. A farewell procession is planned in Haltestraat, where the restaurant is located, with attendees encouraged to bring a flower as a sign of respect and love. His family shared a final message: “Forever together”.
