What's On Cyprus

The Grand Slam is a family run British style boozer, it's even on the corner, on the sunny side of the road, and once known as The Corner Pin, inside it looks busy, with quirky little designs mostly mums doing, I just love the Table Tops they're well cool ... There's music memorabilia all over the place with a professional light and sound system, a well stocked bar, with a lovely front terrace onto Kapparis Avenue ... it's a great stop off for an afternoon drink, good pub grub, and there's something happening here almost every night!

It's all sort of lean-to-Tikki-style shack on the beach, all wood and lots of bamboo ... out front the aroma of freshly watered lush green grass lawns, a beach volleyball court, and outdoor seaview massage booths.  A gorgeous spacious veranda, covered with bamboo, creates delightful shaded patterns to enjoy your stay, with stunning sea views over Pernera Bay.  I love stuff like; Speis' handmade crisps shelf and the colourful signage on the wooden rails that run down the side of the cafe ... It's a really cool beachside cafe ...

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 ...

George showed me around the grounds explaining; "You can learn so much about marine life here, and rivers and swamps and the Penguins, the first ever in the Mediterranean region, naturally kept comfortable in the appropriate climate controlled environment".  Just watching one of their videos I amazingly learned that all Gold Fish don't have stomachs, so they have to keep eating, which means you should feed them small amounts 5 times a day, probably why I was never successful keeping one, but now I know!

I grabbed a chance to pop in for a chat with owner Andreas and his son Thomas.  With over 30 years experience Andreas is an expert in English Style Indian Cuisine.  He's contributed his whole life to his work, spending over 5 years on a mission to travel all over the UK researching the different recipes from the different settlers of various regions of Indian … btw, they also boast a TripAdvisor award putting them in the top 10% Indian Restaurants in the World!

... the kitchen serves a Full English Breakfast or just Scrambled Eggs on Toast, Homemade Burgers, Homemade Pizzas, Pukka Pies, Fluffy Omelettes, Salads, Grills with delicious Chicken breast, Huge Pork Chops and even your favourite Toasties.  There's something for everyone including a separate Children's Menu ... and if you like to share try one of their delicious Meat Platters for two ...

I've watched this pub grow since it opened in 1988.  It's all dark wood, tables, comfy seats and benches.  The whole place is covered in artefacts, flags, posters, blackboards and hundreds of photos added over the years.  I'm sure I'm in a few, ha!, in fact, I probably took a few of them too.  It's a GastroPub with a cool mix of an international clientele, and of course, the locals in the area, even our nationals who swarm down to the East Coast for a swim on a weekend, and something to eat, and all add to the ever-increasing repeat custom and inevitably, I'd have to say; it's one of the most successful pubs in Cyprus! ... Tbh, the weekends are soooo busy I prefer to go Monday til Thursday, I get more attention 😉

There's too much to mention, but when it comes to variety the experience shines through, as 'Costi' knows exactly what you'll need, might need, and hope you don't need, so you'll find everything you'll expect from a good corner shop and lots more ... and even better all at locals prices !!!

... so, if the kids are complaining they're bored, get ready to satisfy their thirst for fun!

I was thrilled to finally get a chance to catch up with Zannetos at Fig Tree Bay Zefkas George & Son Restaurant, and I was amazed to learn that the history of Fig Tree Bay actually started here ... This beach, of course, has always been popular with the locals way before tourism really existed. Situated on the far west of Famagusta Bay, where the locals went to get away from it all, in the days when there was absolutely nothing here but sand and a few footprints ... Click here for a reaal cool insight to this landmark on Fig Tree Bay, Protaras ... with a Map & More ...