Kyparissos in Kathikas: Reviewer Praises Family Taverna Dating Back to 1960

Kathikas, Cyprus. A reviewer who came across the Kyparissos restaurant through repeated social media suggestions says the visit turned out to be a pleasant surprise, with cooking of a standard that justified following the online prompts. The restaurant has been run by one family since 1960.

How the visit came about

The reviewer says their social media feed, which usually promotes restaurants, kept showing Kyparissos, a name they did not know. After some research, they realised they had driven past it many times on the way into Kathikas without ever stopping in the car park.

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Setting and menu

The restaurant is large, with green taverna chairs that match the tablecloths. On the evening of the visit the interior was spotless, and the weather was too cold and wet to sit in any of the outdoor areas around the building. Behind the restaurant, rows of vines lead from the parking area towards the entrance, and the views are described as spectacular.

The menu is extensive and covers the familiar Cypriot dishes. Its first page carries photographs of the four generations who have worked in the business, along with an account of its origins: the founder’s grandfather said he would open a taverna after a family barbecue.

Starter

The group skipped the hot and cold small dishes and shared the daily special, a spinach pie. Before it arrived, the table received complimentary toasted bread with olive oil and herbs, plus olives and tahini. The pie came cut into four portions on a chopping board, topped with cherry tomato halves and cheese crumbs. Under thin layers of filo pastry was a filling of spinach, soft herbs and cheese. The four diners finished it quickly, and the reviewer says the presentation was of the same standard across the menu.

Main courses

Choosing the mains took considerable deliberation. The first dish was Spicy Lamb Meatballs on a Greek pitta, served with finely cut fresh salad, tzatziki and fries in a small basket. The reviewer says the aromatic, seared meatballs reflected the restaurant’s focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients cooked with skill.

Two diners ordered Souvlaki, one pork and one chicken, because others had recommended it online. The reviewer describes the meat as juicy and tender, with a generous portion and a charcoal flavour that was not overpowering. Both plates came with salad, traditional pitta, homemade fries and tzatziki.

The fourth main course was Marinated Chicken, made up of three pieces of chicken breast. According to the reviewer, it was crisp outside and succulent within, with lemon, garlic and fragrant herbs and a slight smokiness. Everyone at the table was pleased with their dish.

Desserts

Before the group had ordered the homemade desserts they had already chosen, the staff brought a complimentary plate of four pieces of orange cake. The reviewer says the group then ordered two more desserts for the purposes of the review, and that the waiter’s expression seemed to suggest he thought they were greedy. They shared an Anari Surprise and the Kyparissos Chocolate Cake, and the reviewer cautions that the desserts are clearly meant for sharing.

The Anari dessert differed from earlier versions the reviewer had tried. It resembled small mince pies filled with Anari cheese and given a lift by a strong cinnamon flavour. The chocolate cake was light and fluffy, with a velvety chocolate topping, and was served with ice cream and cream.