What's On Cyprus

Fāinā told me "We originally opened a French restaurant in Makarios Avenue, introducing Lebanese cuisine after 2 years, but when we moved our restaurant here we switched to a Lebanese Restaurant with just a few French dishes as our customers were mostly locals.  These days its a more varied international mix as more and more tourists have discovered us.  As the years past, we found more and more of our customers were asking us to cook French cuisine for them".  She laughed and said "ha! but many restaurants cook Frogs Legs, but none can cook them like ours!  And, then she added; just wait til you try our Duck!"

I really enjoy my job, even more so when I find something a little different and was thrilled when Valentina and Yiannis invited me to meet them at their Traditional Romanian Restaurant in Paphos … They asked me if I'd like to try one of Yiannis' Soups for lunch, and I said "just a little please" and they served me Meat Ball Soup with some warm pitta and green chili peppers on the side … I just have to say; "I wish I hadn't said 'just a little' … it really was delicious!"

... we have created a menu, traditional but not, it’s totally unique, partly influenced by her yiayia, a fusion of Greek, Cypriot and Spanish cuisine, but she assured me none of the dishes you’ll find anywhere else, because they are the creation of their imagination, using always fresh produce, everything is cooked to order, nothing is prepared and always around her flavours and essences of Cyprus, that she uses to compliment every dish … oh, and if she had her way, she would change the menu every day” … So do look out for their daily specials and make sure you leave room for dessert!

This is, without doubt, one of Paphos' finest eateries ... It's a traditional Irish Bar, so authentic all the furniture was crafted in Ireland an imported over, lots of dark warm wood, benches and stools, cottage cabinets and red brick. There's plenty of room inside, a nice covered smoking room and a lovely breezy sun terrace out front with comfortable seating, and the pub grub just a tad above the rest ... it's just like you've walked into a bar in Dublin, only a bit warmer!

Standing proud at the top of Hero's Square, right in the heart of Limassol, a place where people gather, in days of old a mix of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, apparently once a red light district, now a mix of popular stylish bar's and eateries, and as the decline of cinema in the 80's inspired the new Rialto Theatre, that launched in 1999 and helped to develop the area into a hive of activities, cultural or not! 

This impeccable Wine Bar & Cafe, serves the finer things in life, just about the best coffee you'll taste anywhere in Cyprus.  Complementing your selection of over 300 different quality wines with signature Fruit, Meat or Cheese Platters, introducing you to imported cheeses from all over the world, maybe with a little marmalade, hmm, trust me, you won't find this selection anywhere else, oh, and freshly baked bread and breadsticks and btw, you really must try the new Charguterie, French-based Mixed Meat Platters plus of course everyone's favourite, the freshly made Sushi and some spontaneous finger foods encompassing the trend towards the healthy living options.

Over a delicious Illy coffee, I asked Charbel how it all started; he said, "In the past, I was an HR Operations Manager in the F&B Sector ... Then we found this place, and between 2016 to 2021, we took Rise of the past, and Re-Branded it ... it was during the pandemic where I got the idea to take it to a new level and we had the time make some improvements, the idea was to 'Elevate your Hotel Experience' ... it's not just about the decoration it's about culture and spirit"

An eatery of the highest esteem, I love the crazy paved terrace, shaded by tall mature trees, that twinkle delightfully as the sun sets, the crazy colourful tables and chairs, almost kindergarden'ish, little alcoves of comfy seating, hammocks set up high in the trees, whilst down a tier, skirting the rocks, a pathway leading to the almost private beach on the left, that'll have mellow music and waiter service and there's plenty of sunbeds, all with a view to die for, a sea of serenity at Sirena Bay ...

Stephanos said; "We got together often, looking for the best place where we could open an authentic Greek Restaurant.  We could have done it in Thessaloniki, but there's lots of Greek Restaurants there, so it was a calculated decision and we chose Larnaca because it reminded us most of Thessaloniki and then of course the weather here in Cyprus had something to do with it"

I popped into meet Stelios and Eleni, inside its clean cut, minimalistic, Italian designer style, with wooden flooring, comfortable seating for around 25 people inside and a few tables outside for Al' Fresco dining … Stelios told me "we wanted to make it feel like Home from Home" … I loved the really cool photos chosen by Eleni, especially the one saying "Eat the Spaghetti to Forget your Regretti", brilliant"!