Where to eat in winter

Autumn is here and the trips of the summer are long. The holidays may be over, but “travelling” starts now. You do not even have to go to an airport or spend a fortune. Just go eat.

TGI Fridays

For our first stop, let’s go to North America, for the ultimate comfort food and always friendly and smiling service. Friday’s is now established in our lives as warm and relaxing space that makes you feel more like a guest than a customer. We all have our favorite dish from the menu, just like we have one from our mum’s or grandmother’s kitchen.

Personally, my favorite is the salmon fillet with the legendary Jack Daniel sauce and the Ultimate Margarita, the ultimate cocktail that frees my brain completely from the burden of thought, without stuttering or causing headaches.

For opening  hours and addresses in each city: Fridays.com.cy

Mont Parnasse Asian Fusion Restaurant

If you want to travel to Asia but haven’t decided exactly where, you know that in this restaurant you can do it in this restaurant as they serve Chinese, Japanese and Indian cuisine. It is an elegant place with a beautiful view of the city and great food. Be aware that it is always buzzing, so if you want a table you might have to book two weeks before.

Every Wednesday there is an amazing “all you can eat” buffet for sushi lovers and every Monday a super cute and enjoyable Indian set menu.

Acropolis 1, Nicosia, 22 357171, Monday-Sunday 12: 00-15: 00, 18: 30-23: 30

Il Forno

I will tell you a secret but please show some understanding: I do not eat pizza. But at Il Forno I eat it with pleasure. Here we are talking about the best pizza I have ever eaten in my life, even better than that the one I had in Rome. Thin, crisp, smoky from the wood oven, with crisp and delicious flavors.

Their pastas, of course, also deserve our attention because they are works of art.

The restaurant’s decor is simple, without trying too much to be Italian.

Ledras 216-218, Nicosia, 22456454,  Monday-Sunday 11:30-23:00

To Elliniko

The heart of Greek cuisine beats at To Elliniko Ouzomezedopoleio, a restaurant that opened July 2015 at Hilton Park Nicosia. To Elliniko, translated ‘The Greek’, combines authentic flavors made with the finest ingredients sourced specifically from Greece, a design reminiscent of a traditional food market, and friendly service. This restaurant is ready to fulfill your every request.

Achaion 1, Engomi, Nicosia, 77778300, Monday-Sunday 12:00-23:00

Sawa Restaurant

My first contact with Syrian and Lebanese cuisine was at this restaurant. What to say; It was love from the first bite. The aromatic and seductive flavors of their rich meze and the “thousand and one nights” decor will take you to the heart of an oriental story.

Adding to the equation, belly dancers, oriental music and a smell of hookah, you will feel like well-received guests of a sultan. We are talking about an experience that everyone has to experience.

Klimentos 31, Nicosia, 22766777, Monday-Sunday 11:00-00:00

Le Frenchie Bistro Restaurant

For those who love oysters, Le Frenchie bistro situated in the Mediaeval Castle area in Limassol is a pretty good choice as they have recently launched a new menu.  At this bistro, the French owners make sure that customers have an authentic experience of French cuisine. Oysters are served comme il faut with freshly cut French fires and genuinely tasty pâté and foie gras. The restaurant boasts excellent service and reasonable prices.

11 Irenes, Limassol, 25212333, Monday-Sunday: 11:00-24:00

Yiasemin

Yiasemin is located in a renovated old mansion downtown Limassol, specializing in Middle East, Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine. At Yiasemin, you can enjoy mouth-watering Lebanese meze dishes, all made with fresh and high quality ingredients.

You will be definitely amazed by the freshly baked Lebanese pita, straight out of the wood-fired oven, the aromatic dips, the gourmet salads or the perfectly delicious falafels.

278 Agiou Andreou, Limassol, 25222033, Monday-Saturday 17:00-23:30

Dumplings Chinese Restaurant

Dumplings Chinese Restaurant is located in Limassol’s commercial city centre, in one of the many forgotten shopping arcades. This new addition has created a beautiful, cosy atmosphere in the arcade, which connects Agiou Andreou and Themidos Streets, just a few steps from the busy Anexartisias Street.

The food is prepared fresh on a daily basis, with a variety of exotic spices and unique flavors. Dumplings are one of the lightest, tastiest and healthiest choices you can find when going out for a meal in the city. These little pouches of Dim Sum are a genuine authentic touch of traditional home-made Chinese cooking. They are made in the traditional way, with the same ingredients that housewives use in their own kitchens in China.

After food, do not hesitate to have a Chrysanthemum tea, which is is very popular as a summertime tea in southern China!

Anexartisias Street 15, Limassol, 25338881, Monday- Sunday: 11.30 – 23.00

Gulya’s Bar & Restaurant

We cannot talk about Limassol and not talk about homemade Russian food. If you have never had the opportunity to travel to the biggest country of the world or because your finances do not allow you to, you finally have the opportunity to experience the ultimate Russian gastronomic experience with real, homemade foods from the  hands of Mrs Gulya.

You can be Tolstoy for a while and eat vegetarian dishes such as the well-known Borsch and vereniki soup, dumplings with mushrooms or eat like Dostoevsky; hot Galupsis, huge and stuffed with red cabbage and sour cream.

Then wash them down with one, two, three vodka shots (they might give you some inspiration of youw oen). Finally, enjoy Sirniki pancakes with cottage cheese and jam.

Amathountos 64, (Navaria Group, Store 1) Agios Tychonas, Limassol, 25311034, Monday-Sunday 10: 00-22:00

Nippon Japanese Restaurant

This restaurant does not need any special introduction, as in the few months since it has opened it earned its place on the gastronomic map of Limassol and it is consider to be one of the best places in town to eat sushi and other Japanese delicacies. Far from the bustling  centre, the Nippon has the advantage of being on the same floor as the Breeze.

Georghiou Α, 90. Larnaca. For reservations both for the Nippon and Breeze VIP Room tel  7000 58 68.

Los Bandidos

Over the years, Los Bandidos in the heart of Ayia Napa have built up an incredible reputation with both local and international customers, probably becoming the island’s most famous Mexican restaurant. Here, you can enjoy authentic Mexican dishes such as guacamole, burritos, nachos, quesadillas and fajitas, cooked to perfection by experienced chefs.

Until your food arrives, enjoy the delicious home made fresh Margaritas at the top of the restaurant. Impeccable food and hospitality, genuine Mexican décor and great value for money are definitely the keys to success.

Ari Velouhioti 2, Ayia Napa, 23723258, Monday- Sunday: 17:15-23:15

Namaste Indian Restaurant

Authentic Indian gourmet street food prepared with great care by experienced chefs, using fresh ingredients as well as freshly ground herbs that will automatically travel you to the exotic East. If you too know nothing about Indian cuisine, like me, you will be surprised by the variety of delightful and original flavors that will not remind you of the standard Indian that you may have tried so far.

And do not hesitate to ask the ultra-friendly waiters to help you with your order.

Konstantias 7, Paphos, 96067591, Tuesday-Sunday 18:00-22:30

Boo-tea-liscious Tea Room

If you were a Downton Abbey fan and dreamed of feeling a bit like a lord or a lady, drinking your tea with a raised finger, chewing your scone with grace and talking about the weather and the horses in your stables, I suggest you visit this traditional English tea room in the heart of Paphos where, apart from tea, they also serve coffee, cakes, savoury foods, all made by smiling Englishwomen. You will find many vegan choices or without gluten and dairy products.

Kanari 63, Paphos, 96920124 Monday-Friday 10: 00-16:00 (closed on Wednesday), Saturday 10:00-14:00

Korean Kitchen

At last, Korean cuisine in Cyprus! I am crazy about kimchi. In addition to being delicious, it is also incredibly nutritious (certainly from the best sources of probiotics), but until now I could not find it anywhere. Now that I have found it, I will enjoy it properly, but I will not have it on its own, since I will accompany it with a juicy Korean BBQ, garlic shrimps and of course the delicious Kimbap.

If you’ll like it as much as me, the owners can teach you how to cook your favourite dishes at home.

This is a proper trip! Instead of going to Korea, Korea comes to you.

Cavo Greco, Protaras, 23831091,  Monday-Sunday 12:00-22:00