Experienced
One of my favourite finds over the years is one of Napa’s brilliant eateries, it’s at the top of the square, excuse the pun, called ‘Kota Greek Souvlaki’. I’ve known Chris for years, since his days at Helvetia Restaurant and before that Chris told me “I grew up from the age 8 at Karoussos Beach Restaurant, ’til more recently The Square Bar, Santa Lucia and night clubs, including Grease and Insomnia in their hey day, back in the early 2000’s …
Hospitality
Cypriot born to Greek parents, Chris told me “cooking is in our blood, recipes have been past down from generation to generation over the past 130 years”. With a wealth of experience and a degree in ‘Hospitality’ Chris leads the way in providing you with a mix of Greek & Cypriot cuisine just like you’ve been friends forever.
Greek or Cypriot
Chris, with over 35 years experience in the hospitality industry said, “I wanted to open a place that offers low cost, tasty, good quality food, Greek style” … please note; Greek not Cypriot, because this is authentic Greek with a slight lean towards Cypriot and even the Pittas are imported from Greece! When I asked him why they are so good Chris told me; ”every dish is homemade and we use only the freshest ingredients, cooking to order, which gives our dishes that extra bit of quality!”,
Décor
It’s traditionally Greek, seating inside or out on the terrace, cool plants adorning the entrance, I love the bespoke furniture and décor and the blackboards giving you a quick lesson in the local lingo.
Menu
I first popped in back in 2017 when Chris first opened, then I thought the menu was really cool both price wise and variety. I’ve watched it change it over the years and as head chef Yiannis, from Greece, added a few more dishes, oh and btw Yiannis has worked all around the world on big cruise liners, so expect to find only the best!
Starters
In fact, in the kitchen 2 Greek chefs start the day serving Brunch and Lunch. One of my favourites for starters is the Fetta Sesame with wild cherry dressing, which has won an award and cool ideas like a Starter Platter for 2, Grilled halloumi, stuffed peppers, sausages, tzatziki and pitta bread.
Crazy Prices
For those who are just a little bit peck’ish, how’s this for a bargain … 1 skewer of either
yummy Chicken or Pork Kebab at only € 2.00 … The Fish Soup with Pitta delicious or my fav, how about their speciality tasty grilled Chicken Fillet or the delicious Ftana, aka Belly Pork and omg, I like them well done, they’re soooo moorish!
In the Oven
You just have to try their Moussaka which has won 3 food awards in the past 6 years and is served with salad or maybe the mouthwatering Kleftiko which is served with potatoes and salad.
Traditional
The Stuffed Vine leaves aka Dolmades are an authentic dish made both with minced meat or veggie style and even the chips are hand cut, round and crispy with a hint of herbs, also award winning … I must say they are delicious!
The Kota Box
A great choice if you fancy sharing … 2 Chicken Skewers, 2 Pork Skewers, 2 pieces of grilled Halloumi, 2 Sausages, 2 Sheftalies, Chips, Salad and 2 pieces of Pita bread
Platters
If you don’t know what you fancy, try one of their Platters, they’re like a mini meze, where you can choose between a Meat or Fish Platter, or if you tell them Tony from What’s On said they’ll do a nice mix of both! or the Kebab Platter, which is more than enough for two of you, and you really can’t go wrong!
King Size Platters
If you’re really hungry or there’s 2 or more of you, you have to try the king size, ‘Apollo Platter’, hmm and I’m sure it will set you up for the night drinking and partying in Napa!
Platter Kota
On one visit with a few friends we went for the house speciality, the Kota Platter, a whole oven roast chicken, served with mustard sauce, large salad, chips, pitta bread and tzatziki just brilliant!
Fish Platters
With a close fisherman friend, Chris gets his fish fresh daily, serving fresh fish, chips and salad for only €10 or a wicked Fish Meze, with 350 gm of fish, prawns, calamari rings, crab sticks, chips, tuna salad, tzatziki and pitta bread for only €29.50
Create your own
How about creating your own Meze … choose whatever you want and they’ll put it together for you and serve it as you wish, fast or slow!! oh and, they’ll size anything down for the kids.
Kids Menu
There’s a great selection for children too with the outstanding offer of Beef burger, chips and ice-cream for only €7.50
Desserts
You have to try one of their Homemade desserts … I love the Baklava with Mastiha Ice Cream, mmm! it’s filo pastry filled with crushed almonds, walnuts and honey syrup or maybe the Homemade Cheesecake, or Chocolate Cake, for a lighter choice some Strawberry Sorbet or the refreshing chilled melon delicious!
Value for money
It’s a locals favourite, where else are you going to get great tasting food at such low prices?
Behind the Bar
Naturally they serve a lovely selection of their own wines on draught, white, rose or red specially made for them in Crete… You really must try their speciality Honey Wine … Plus a draught beer also specially made for them in Greece, and all your favourite spirits including a very special Ouzo, Retsina and Zivania and of course crazy cocktails and don’t forget to tell Chris I said “you can have a free shot”!
Non Alcoholic
You really must try the Homemade Lemonade, or the Iced Tea, but The Infused Waters with Mint, Cucumber, Lime, Peach or Melon are just sooo refreshing!
Taxi Service
If there’s a group of you and you fancy a drink and don’t want to drive ?, they can also arrange for a taxi to collect you and take you back when you’ve finished !
Take Away & Delivery
Much as I’d suggest you Dine-In to enjoy the traditional hospitality, they also offer a takeaway service, see Facebook and an excellent delivery service with a small charge for those of you who don’t have time to hang about or wanna chill by the pool and have food delivered to you via Foody and Wolt
Events
They also provide catering for small weddings, birthdays and christenings, where you choose your favourites and they’ll prepare it to perfection from spit roast baby lamb or suckling pig to traditional BBQ and full hot and cold buffet spreads … and Chris presents the occasional Live Music Night … stay tuned for more …
Videos & Reviews
Their Menu is really amazing! their food excellent!, the service complementary, so before you go, check out their cooking videos here and their Facebook page oh and some lovely reviews on TripAdvisor
Special Offer
Tell Chris you saw it on What’s On and he’ll give you a free delicious Honey Wine!
Open long summer season
March ’til November
Daily: 12 noon ’til 10.30 pm
Directions
Slightly off the beaten track, you’ll find Kota at 5, Vasilli Michalides, 5330, Ayia Napa … it’s just 100 metres north end of the square in the centre of Ayia Napa … with ample on street parking …
GPS: 34.990398, 33.999353
Traditionally Greek with a Cypriot Twist
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