Five Decades
Probably one of the area’s most famous restaurants, Kamasias Taverna, once aka Tony’s, has an impeccable reputation to provide the best in traditional seasonal meze. Warm and cozy in the winter and cool and breezy in the summer, and I’ve been eating here for over 35 years, even Cyprus’ President Anastasiadies pops in occasionally. It’s without a doubt, one of my all-time favourites in Cyprus and this year, as usual, they’re in the top ten finalists for the best Tavern in ‘Eating Out Cyprus’, and tbh, if you’ve never eaten here, I just know you’re going to love it!
It’s a family affair
This truly is a family affair! The old man with the big mustache is Tony, originally opening Tony’s Tavern over 50 years ago in 1970, right in the heart of Paralimni, in 1980 they moved to a bigger and better venue just up from the traffic lights on 1st April Avenue, opposite our old office, and in 1993 to the current venue. Passing the eaterie to son Andreas, joined by wife Daniella, who heads up the kitchen for the past 27 years and ably assisted by grandson Antonis, who maybe one day will turn it back into Tony’s Taverna?
On the menu
You’ll find a unique, traditional, seasonal, Cypriot Meze at its absolute finest, normally about 16 dishes, starting with ‘Horthta’ fresh seasonal salads and homemade dips, the tahini just devine. Then it can get a little different, baby snails, rabbit, souvlaki, asparagus with an egg cracked on top, fillet of pork, fresh lamb cutlets, beef liver, chicken, grilled local sausages, and f’tana aka pork belly, cooked to perfection and delicious hand-cut chips. You can even just make up your own Meze from the extensive menu, so you choose as many dishes as you fancy!
Rain Gifts
Now, this is where this place excels … they call them seasonal ‘Rain Gifts’ because Tony and the family are dedicated to bringing you the freshest and most sought-after wild Cypriot produce, like baby wild Artichokes, Snails, fresh Asparagus, and Tony takes a regular trip to Paphos to find rare wild mushrooms, all part of the norm. Tony often walks 15km to 25km a day to bring you the best selection that night … needless to say if you like wild Mushrooms omg, this place is an absolute must!
Specialties
I could easily say everything is special here, but you really must try a couple of dishes that are quite unique. They travel for miles just for the Rabbit in Lemon Sauce, its mum’s secret 50-year-old recipe, entrancing, and just to die for! Then, you really must try the Black Angus T-Bone, from Australia and USA, any carnivore’s heaven! it’s almost enough for two if it wasn’t so nice, or maybe go à la carte with one of their saucy dishes, my fav the Pepper Sauce!
Summer Delights
Crazy as it sounds, a few years ago after much pressure from their regulars, they added Kleftico to the menu, promising you’ll never taste anything like it. This is prime cuts of Lamb, slow-cooked in the Clay oven for over 12 hours. It goes in around 10 pm every night and comes out midday the next day and omg, it’s just the best!
Souvla
After continuous requests from their clients from near and far, Andreas and the crew now provide a selection of traditional Souvla in the summer months, especially on a Sunday when the whole of Cyprus spills down to the beaches of Ammohostos and naturally it gets busy in here on weekends. Hence, it’s advisable to book a table.
Seafood
The fish and seafood are fresh daily, and of course and the Fish Meze is delightful! Prawns, Mussels, Grilled Calamari, always a selection of today’s catch, and my fav the shallow fried baby crab, omg! Fresh fish daily includes; Sea Bream, Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Red Mullet, Black Fish, Kalimari, Grilled Octopus or my fav the Fisherman’s Platter; Mussels, Shrimps, baby Crab, and baby Kalamari, just perfect!
Cava
Toning down their selection of 200 Cypriot and Greek Wines in the Cava these day’s they have about 100 different labels, so you’ll be sure to find something to compliment your meal perfectly. They also have a selection of bottled beers and, spirits that can be served by the shot, quarter bottle, up to a whole bottle and if you like good Malt Whiskey just ask or maybe a specialty Cognac, hmm you’d better start saving for the piece de resistance a very special bottle of Delamain Cognac, one of only 500 bottles made in 2008 … a touch above my budget, you’d better check before you order a shot, you’ll be amazed!
Winter Warmers
Through the Winter you’ll find heartwarming open fire for those chilly nights and they welcome corporate business lunches and parties or special events with a guarantee that you’ll leave satisfied. 50 years must mean something, so why not check out their Trip Advisor Reviews and their Facebook page for loads more photos and videos, oh and if you go, please give them a review on Trip Advisor.
Live Music
With Live Music every Friday night this place really parties Cypriot style with a little Bouzouki … check out this video of the amazing Elias Vretos from Greece, singing on the tables and lots more of their Videos here.
Children & Desserts
Even the kids have their own selection and if there’s any chance you still have room for afters, all their sweets are homemade. They normally just bring seasonal fruit but whatever you do try a little Shamali it’s absolutely delicious !!!
Check out their recent award-winning presentation
Open all year
Daily: 12:30 pm ’til 3:30 pm
Dinner: 6:30 pm ’til 12 midnight
A Take Away Service is available.
Closed on Mondays
Directions
You’ll find them at 23 Daidalou Street, Paralimni, it’s the triangle green, almost opposite Lidl’s Supermarket and just off that huge roundabout …
GPS: 35.052342, 33.975894
This family lives for the table!
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