Paphos, Cyprus. A visit to Gourmet Taverna in Paphos followed a disappointing attempt to dine at another restaurant, leading to an alternative choice during wind and rain. The meal included traditional dishes with some modern touches, alongside friendly service.
Arrival and setting
A short walk brought the diners to Gourmet Taverna, where they reviewed the menu and spoke with the host before deciding to enter. Inside, the tavern combined wood, stone, soft lighting and older-style decorative items with a neat, contemporary feel. The crowd was described as a mix of international and local guests, with the balance expected to shift during peak summer months.
Starters and house wine
The meal began with a village salad, kolokithokeftedes and a glass of house red, along with bread and butter. The house red was identified as Saint Fotios, a maratheftiko from Kolios, a winery in the Paphos district. The kolokithokeftedes were served with Greek yogurt sauce and described as flavourful, fluffy and light.
Main courses
Staff said the special of the day was duck à l’orange and described the suckling pig as one of the restaurant’s best sellers. The diners chose stifado, a slow-cooked Cypriot stew, and kleftiko.
The kleftiko was served as a large lamb shank over mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy, rather than the more traditional presentation of smaller pieces of meat and potatoes. The gravy was described as not typical of Cypriot cooking but was considered a welcome variation.
The stifado was said to be cooked using Irish beef and was described as tender and rich. It was served with vegetables and mashed potatoes on a separate plate, with substitutions available on request.
Dessert
Dessert was shared and consisted of Maria’s cake, described as a traditional syrup-soaked cake with orange sauce, featuring orange zest and semolina. It was topped with vanilla ice cream and garnished with mint, and was described as rich enough to share.
Service and location
Service was described as warm, friendly and polite, with staff willing to answer questions about ingredients and allergens. The restaurant is located at Gourmet Taverna, Dionysou 1-2, Paphos.
Would you revisit Gourmet Taverna based on its menu and service?
