Discovery
I recently accidentally discovered ‘Nai Coffee’ on the road from Dherynia to Sotira. The building is the stunning, old ‘Kalograia Taverna’, the barn-style staggered apex roof, striking and unusual. It was the Illy Coffee sign that initially grabbed my attention, and I fancied a coffee, so my curiosity getting the better of me, I just had to pop in …
Kopiaste
The entrance, welcoming, to say the least, an arched lobby, with a huge doormat boasting their name. Inside and out, you could tell the building had been totally renovated, the stonework, arches, and high oak-beamed ceilings remain a feature, and the shiny double-header Illy coffee machine, behind the bar, caught my eye.
Kids & Grown Ups
On looking around a bit more, over to the left a little area for smaller parties, a stone arch adorning another arch of coloured balloons. Next to that is a Play Station 5 with two really comfy gaming chairs, free for their clients. So too, next to that, an old arcade video table with things like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and loads more. ‘Nice touch’, I thought! … over to the right some comfy seating a bit more relaxed, for a coffee and a chat.
Real Coffee
The gorgeous Abbie originally from Hinkley in Leicester welcomed me with a lovely smile, I introduced myself and asked if we could have a chat, and happily accepted her offer of a cappuccino, which btw, was just perfect. Unknowing, I was about to be more than pleasantly surprised.
New Ideas
As usual, I asked why Nai Coffee? Abbie smiled and said “You won’t believe how many names we presented to our solicitor before we found this one” … she continued “We liked it because it suited us perfectly” … I asked how did it all start? Abbie said, “We wanted to move to Cyprus and open a coffee shop”.
Fell in Love
Abbie Explained; “My partner ‘Dan’s parents had bought a holiday home here and subsequently, we fell in love with Cyprus too, then last September they bought the building for us to open a coffee shop with the space behind for my partner Dan to run his engineering company. And, we wanted to make really good coffee, so we chose Illy Coffee”.
Summer Opening
I asked Abbie when they opened? and she explained; “we moved out here in March last year, the place was in total need of an uplift so we did that through til June, then we imported all the furniture from the UK, and opened on the 26th June, with a Family Fun Day, it was a big party, with a DJ, music, stalls, bbq souvla and a bouncy castle.
Events & Parties
I reminisced about the old taverna and Abbie reminded me that before that it used to be a bingo hall too. I said; ‘It’s spacious, to say the least’, Abby continued; “We want to offer it as an events venue for Birthday Parties, Wedding Receptions, Christenings, Anniversaries and things”, I said ‘It’s certainly big enough’, … Abby added; “We’re not cooking much at the moment but we can outsource the catering or bring your own and we’ll help you decorate for the party. We also have the big car park adjacent”, ‘that’s a big plus’! … tbh, I think it’s a fabulous place to hold a special event.
Afternoon Teas
Enjoy traditional English Teas every Monday afternoon between 12 pm and 4 pm, with an array of homemade sandwiches, including egg mayonnaise, ham and mustard, cheese and pickle, and tuna and cucumber. Plus of course, fresh homemade Scones with clotted cream and jam, or lemon curd, sponge cake and Brownies … all washed down with a pot of a selection of Teas … Booking is essential by the Friday before at €15 p/p … or change your tea or coffee to Prosecco for an extra €5 p/p
Theme Nights
I asked her about the theme nights and Abbie said “One night we held a Mexican Themed Night with traditional Mexican dishes and music and of course lots of Tequilla … and we regularly hold Traditional Greek Nights, more for the locals, with traditional Cypriot dishes like Souvla, Mousaka, BBQ Spare Ribs, and salads, and a Live Cypriot Band and we danced to the early hours, and as always keeping with traditions, we smashed a few plates”.
Italian Arabic
I mentioned that it was the Illy Coffee sign that caught my eye; Abbie explained; “We wanted to serve a really good coffee and chose Illy because it’s an Italian Arabic Coffee”, I said; ‘it just so happens to be my son Leo’s favourite’. She continued; “They also provided this excellent coffee machine and I attended their training course”. I asked ‘so are you a qualified Barrister’?, she smiled and said “Yes”. I have to say it was evident, my cappuccino was just perfect!
Hot Hot Hot
Then we spoke about the menu, not too big at the moment, but I did notice the Hot Chocolate so I asked? Abbie said, “We get a really good quality Hot Chocolate from Illy, either white chocolate or milk … then we make it special and add marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles”! it’s definitely on my tick list for my next visit!
Shakes & Smoothies
Abbie loves to keep things healthy and blends a gorgeous thick Milkshake using high-quality Ice Cream, not milk … and just wait til you try the Smoothies made with 100% fresh fruit, mixed with apple juice and no added purees … and I’m just loving the Uniqie Fruit Coolers a blend of Ice and flavourings… Very Cooool!
And then …
Just when you thought they were unbeatable you must try the Frappuccino Ice Blended coffee from Illy in Italy … choose; Vanilla, Hazlenut, or Caramel, Mmm!
Seasonal Specials
I love Abbie’s seasonal specials … This Christmas she’ll be blending Terry’s Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate, Bailey’s Hot Chocolate, and After 8 Hot Chocolate all with whipped cream and sprinkles on top … oh and I can’t wait to try the Santa Clause Frappuccino, cream based with more than a hint of strawberry Mmmm!
Snacks
We talked about snacks and I asked if they do Bacon Baps coz the Industrial Estate is just around the corner, and sure enough next time I popped in I had a huge Bacon Bap with my coffee … They also have a selection of homemade filled rolls and cakes in the fridge, oh and some Pizza Slices and Homemade Jams … and Abbie said, they’ll be adding more things to the menu soon.
Community
This is a lovely addition to the area and a family communal place for the local community … there’s a toddler’s playground out front, and with 3 Big Screen TV’s inside for all the live sports with English commentary and that forever home-from-home feeling, Check out my Live Video and let’s pop down and give them some support.
Open All Year
Daily: 7 am ’til 6.30 pm
Wednesday: 7 am ’til 1.30 pm
Saturday: 7 am ’til 2 pm
Sunday Closed
All Credit Cards Accepted
Free Wifi
Directions
You’ll Find Nai Coffee at 93, Stadiou, Dherynia, it’s on the Dherynia to Sotira Road, on the left, just a short drive past the football stadium and before the petrol station in Sotira with a big off-street car park adjacent … Click on the Google Map icon below …
GPS: 35.02408, 33.57230
Nai Idea’s Nai Coffee!
