Traditional
I met the owner Harry not long after he opened Karlina in 1993, having just graduated in hotel catering and management in Westminster, London. In those days the front of the restaurant was a lush garden area with mature trees, and inside it was obviously traditionally Cypriot …
Family Run
Times have changed as far as the fascia goes, but 28 years later, the service is still exemplary and the cuisine, still is as traditional as it gets. It’s a family-run restaurant, from Luigi’s warm welcome to the homemade Cypriot specialties using mum’s secret recipes and the lovely touch of complimentary seasonal fruit, grown in dad’s orchard, that they’ll bring to your table for afters.
The decor
Inside it’s all traditional, warm wood, warm lighting, impeccably laid tables, comfy seating, and fans everywhere, with a hint of the Cyprus of old, from an antique 3 wheel carriage and the wagon wheels and paintings, too well placed artifacts everywhere!
Bar
I love a busy looking bar and this is just that, with everyone’s favourite tipple, a nice carefully selected variety of local and imported wines, exotic cocktails, ice cold drinks, coffees, tea and maybe a slice of cake?
Menu
It’s traditionally authentic Cypriot with a hint of British influence, from the Full English breakfast to cafe style snacks, like fluffy omelettes, pastas, pizzas, burgers, pitta breads, toasted sandwiches, salads, but my faves have to be the beer battered cod, the Chicken Tandoori wrap, one of their tender steaks or just a Jacket Potato with garlic mushrooms, omg!!!
Home Cooking
When I first met Harry back in ’93 he told me, “most of the traditional recipies are my mums and just wait ’til you taste her magical Moussaka” I did that night, it was delicious. Another favourite over the years is their amazingly tantalising Beef Stiffado, even better if it’s yesterdays. But if you’re hungry, you must try their Meze, it’s 20 seasonal dishes, brought slowly to the table, Cypriot style, for only €16.95.
Set Menus
Famous for their Set Menues, choose from a cool varity of 3 course set meals, all freshly cooked to order, with 8 choices of starters, 11 main courses and 7 desserts for only €16.95 … oh, they’re kid friendly too coz they get their own menu … Check out their Facebook Reviews
House Speciality
The traditional Lamb Kleftico is their speciality, just mouth watering and definitely my absolute favourite … Individually wrapped portions of lamb, to retain the juices, are slow cooked in sealed a clay oven for up to 6 hours, until the meat just falls off the bone, btw, diners travel from the Capital Nicosia, in fact all over Cyprus to eat Kleftico here, often booking a day or week in advance to avoid disappointment … confidently, it’s that good satisfaction is guaranteed!!!
Fish
The Cypriots love fish so you’ll find a nice selection including Fresh Sea Bass and Salmon, fresh Kalamari and the occasional surprise that their fishermen friends bring from their mornings catch … Check out their Full Menu here.
Over 20 Years
I’ve been eating here for over 28 years and the only difference these day’s is it’s now proudly on the pavement, so you can sit and watch the world go by. It’s right opposite the entrance to The Tombs of The Kings and as there’s no eaterie in the Tombs, either before you go in or when you come out its conveniently just across the road, and highly recommended! …
Repeaters
Check out their TripAdvisor Reviews here, but as most of their clients are repeaters over almost 30 years, it’s obvious Harry, Luigi and the crew have got it right!
Parties
These guys just oouzz hospitality, so they also welcome intimate weddings and small private parties and really pull all the stops out to make your day.
Open March ’til November
9 am ’til 12 Midnight
Directions
You’ll find them at 78, Tombs of The Kings Road just opposite the entrance to the Toombs, and if you need a taxi to get there or take you home they’ve even got their own taxi rank … awesome! … Click the Google map icon below …
GPS: 34.774878, 32.408893
As traditional as it gets !
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