Cafes

I met with Alexandra in Cafe Central, and over a delicious cappuccino I asked her to tell me more, starting with why my cappuccino was so good?  She smiled and said, "We selected Robusta coffee beans, from southern and central Africa, because it's an international multi-award winning coffee, with a woody, spicy, slightly bitter taste, that we preferred over Arabica" ... oh and just wait til you see the menu ...

As soon as you see this place, you'll know it oozes quality ... but tbh, it's much, much, more than it first seems ... Effectively, it's a mini resort, with a spacious area boasting a large swimming pool and cafe-style pool bar, surrounded by mature trees, delicious green lawn, palm sun shades, canvas sails and a lovely relaxed ambiance in a truly wonderful setting with free sunbeds and free WIFI ... and they're open all year except maybe January ...

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 ...

Recently, Koulla invited me to try their fish platter on their weekly Cyprus Night with a traditional Cypriot dance group ... I'm so glad I went there hungry because the fish platter was big ... Their Greek dancing just awesome, traditional, right down to the famous glass tower dance, this guy is amazing, and when they get everyone up to join in its totally unique because of this perfect location, outside, with the little church as a backdrop and all of harbour approach is your dance floor with many passer-byes stopping to see what's on ... brilliant! btw it every Wednesday night, regulations permitting

I popped in to catch up with the lovely Maria and David at Shakes & Lattes Board gamming Café in Larnaca ... They've just had three new games in ... One called 'Warriors of Krynn' the latest in War Game editions by Dragonlance released 2023 ... it's a cooperative game of adventure and strategy where you play heroes battling against the terrifying Dragon Army ...

As coffee moves to a higher level in Cyprus, Coffee Lab in Paralimni is leading the way ... They specialise in real fresh ground coffee from a single source, by that I mean they know exactly which Coffee Farm it comes from and that includes speciality coffee from Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Kenya and if you're lucky you'll catch one of their limited editions ... Trust me they guys know their coffee ... More ...

The place looks traditionally British, well, it's on a corner for starters, but these days it's got a European twist as lots of their repeat clients are from various parts of Europe, particularly Scandinavia.  There's a covered terrace all the way around, the décor; lots of wood, comfy benches, colourful tables, low or high ... a row of tall red stools surrounding the bar, oh and blackboards everywhere and the host oozes hospitality ...

It's where Tranquillity & Energy Unite, Tulum Beach Bar effortlessly bridges the gap between relaxation and excitement.  As the weekdays roll in, the atmosphere transforms into a sanctuary of calm.  Whitewashed wooden furniture and flowing curtains create an ambiance that beckons you to escape the chaos of daily life.  But hold on, for when the weekend sun rises, Tulum flips its script.  Enter a world where the best local DJs spin Techno melodies that resonate through the air.  The contrast is nothing short of astonishing.

I asked manager George how it all started? ... George said; "In 2018 it was just sand, in 2019 it was a canteen-style Kiosk.  We leveled it to the ground, removing rocks, bamboo bushes, and Acacia trees, and Paragka was rebuilt in 2021"  The whole idea was totally and inspirationally designed by George, now it's a sophisticated Beach Hut with its idyllic location, inviting a relaxed ambiance, accompanied by delectable cuisine, Paragka Beach Restaurant has become a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

To Steki tou Boss, in the heart of Paralimni is an authentic Cypriot Taverna, offering that 'Home from Home' feeling! Inside the décor, in one part designer influenced bespoke wooden tables and chairs made really comfy, patchwork high stools up at the bar, blended with cafe-style seating, lots of wood, village artefacts everywhere, plants and really cool lighting. The menu is a tick list of what's in the kitchen so you create your own meze, 3 of those, 2 of these, none of them etc ... just brilliant .... Highly recommended ... Click on the article for a Map and More ...