Coastal Larnaca is famous primarily for its local Cypriot and Mediterranean cuisine, but also for its Arabic, Italian and even exquisite Oriental cooking!
While in the oldest city in Cyprus, be sure to stroll to tourist attractions such as the medieval Fort Lusignan on Finikoudes, the Church of St. Lazarus, the Hala Sultan Mosque on the Aliki Salt Lake and the ancient city of Kiti. A visit to a good restaurant in the city will also be a unique cultural experience. They often feature colorful live music from local and visiting musicians in the evenings.
To experience the unique flavors of the city, we have put together a list of restaurants that we trust ourselves. So, keep reading to find out where to eat when you're in the ancient city. And don't forget to make reservations in advance. In the evening time, establishments can be crowded. Most restaurants purchase fish from local fishermen. Fresh swordfish, sea bass, tuna, sea rays and all kinds of crustaceans are in abundance.
Let's start with the establishments in the trendy Mackenzie area
What they have in common is their stunning frontline location, panoramic sea views, and the quality of their seafood and other dishes. The neighborhood's taverns across the street from the sea and beyond are also worthy of gourmet attention, but today we'll talk about the highlights. Individual waterfront restaurants offer guests to relax on lounge chairs by the water. And also the waterfront is adjacent to the airport, so it is from here that people prefer to admire the taking off and landing planes, the lights of which reflect in the waves. For the romantics, the starry sky in the hot months here is no less delightful and endless. Many of the venues transform into nightclubs in the evening.
Lush Beach Bar
A popular beachfront restaurant located in the Mackenzie neighborhood on Piale Pasha Street. Here you can have a trendy breakfast, a beautiful lunch and a romantic dinner. The menu features European cuisine, sushi and delightfully presented hot and cold drinks. In the evenings, the atmosphere is enlivened by music from local DJs and musicians. It is not customary to dance here, so after dinner you can safely move to any neighboring institution if your soul asks you to.
In the open area of the restaurant there are tables with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. The inner hall is exquisitely decorated, and relaxing music disposes to socializing. But it is mostly used during inclement weather. An evening dress and heels will come in handy at Lush. And don't forget to bring your swimsuit. Or just walk barefoot on the soft warm sand of Mackenzie beach, watching a string of airplanes landing. You won't surprise anyone here, but you will enjoy it.
Almar Seafood Bar
Literally next door is the Almar restaurant. The variety of light fish dishes will surprise you. And small portions will be good for your figure. The restaurant has a stylish interior space with a giant aquarium, a delightful veranda and several soft tents of sun loungers closer to the water.
One of the most popular dishes is grilled octopus. And if you want something more interesting, for example, predatory dragon fish, which swims into the quiet bays of the Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal, then here any dish with it will be performed in the best possible way. And at the same time the sea will be cleaned from aggressive fish that sweeps away everything and everything from its way.
Ammos Beach Bar
The next popular establishment along the Piale Pasha promenade, Ammos is a lively bar and restaurant where you can have a drink and a delicious meal while enjoying panoramic sea views. Despite being a popular restaurant, Ammos also operates as a nightclub, in keeping with its elegant and vibrant atmosphere. After 10pm, the speakers pick up so much that it's hard to hear the person you're talking to. The kitchen, accordingly, at this time already switches exclusively to the bar. In the evenings, shows are held here, DJs perform. It is possible and necessary to dance. So wait for a sound track and go ahead.
Food Park City
Surprisingly, as of today, the first line of the Tripadvisor rating is occupied by the Food Park City restaurant on the Mackenzie Quay. The place is not for foodies, it will disappoint. It is a democratic, modern location, but it does not offer any frills. Mostly fast food in boxes, pizza and ready-made frozen smoothies from bags. But tired parents of small children will breathe a sigh of relief here. In the evening, the place looks lively.
Right here, Food Park City is one of the city's newest outdoor playgrounds. It has a secure fence so that fidgeters do not run away in different directions at the very moment of exhalation of parents. Well, if the weather is rainy, you can go inside or promptly move with kids to the excellent neighboring coffee shop South Coast. In the latter they serve even a little faster, and for children up to 8 years old there is an indoor playroom with a safe surface.
The Finikudes promenade is the most popular spot for tourists
There are so many really great restaurants and eateries here that not everyone makes it to Mackenzie in time.
Kalamaki Bar
Eat a simple Cypriot souvlaki of any kind of meat and at any time of day at Kalamaki. The small tables are tightly packed, but there may still be a shortage of tables in the evening, so make a reservation. Portions are generous, one is easily enough for two adults. Prices are very reasonable, service is fast. An ideal place for a hungry tourist.
Maqam Al Sultan
In the neighborhood there is an Arabian restaurant Al Sultan, famous first of all for its excellent vegetarian cuisine. But lovers of mysterious oriental beauty will not get bored here, in the evenings you can admire belly dancing masters. Sometimes you need to book a table several days in advance.
Just around the corner from the restaurant is the Jami Kebir Mosque and a small square where you can relax if the promenade is noisy.
Ithaki Garden
On the second line from the sea there is an Indian restaurant Ithaki, immersed in the colors of luxurious bougainvillea. We recommend this modest but pleasant quiet place in the city center for all fans of curry flavors. The cuisine is simple, Indian, but with just the right sauce.
Let's move to the city center, to the Agios Nikolaos neighborhood. Focusing on the Larnaca Municipal Park, park your car safely and easily find good restaurants that not every tourist reaches.
The Blue Pine Bar & Restaurant
A noisy, fun American-style establishment located in the center of town, across the street from the Municipal Park. Very popular with locals and dates back to 1989. Classic rock music is played here all day and night, and on weekends there are small concerts with a couple or three musicians. The friendly and lively atmosphere will cheer up any time of year.
Blue Pine's meat steaks and grilled dishes are excellent. Connoisseurs note the quality of beer. The pub is in the best traditions. Each table has a separate TV for watching your favorite sport. Fans gather here on the days of soccer matches. The open veranda and the closed area are close. There are also billiards and a couple of slot machines inside.
Nippon Japanese Restaurant
Next door to Blue Pine is the trendy Nippon. If you want to take a break from the rich meat dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, the Japanese restaurant is the perfect place to try something light and unusual. The light interior has a lot of glass and fragile details, so it is not very cozy here with very young children. But for official and business meetings the place is suitable. Elegant first-class service. Besides, there is a lot of parking space in the area.
Italia Spaghetteria
For 25 years this family restaurant has been offering a gastronomic journey to Italy. The muse and wife of the restaurant's owner is said to be a true Italian. But I happened to see only the owner, who always welcomes guests in the best Cypriot tradition and carefully monitors the quality of service. Come here for lunch after 12 or for dinner after 18:00, which lasts until late in the evening.
Despite the sounding name, most people come here to eat fresh pizza on thin dough. Of course, lasagna is also on the menu here, and the dessert menu includes homemade tiramisu and mascarpone cheesecakes. They are also worth trying. The interior is quite modest, but every detail and a note of music will remind you of the greatest virtues and special atmosphere of Italy. Not Milan, but Rimini. No, it's even simpler than that. From Finikoudes, follow Grigoris Afxentiou Street downhill and, before reaching the Municipal Park, turn left towards the church. An unassuming sign or the aroma of fresh pizza will show you the way. You can also orient yourself towards the Municipal Park, Spaghetteria is across the street from it.
Art Cafe 1900
The owner of this colorful Larnaca establishment is inspired by art. It is located in an alleyway to the right of the Pierides Museum. The entrance is framed by a lush pink bougainvillea bush and is impossible to miss. Here you will see originals and reproductions of paintings by local and foreign artists, as well as the masters themselves. The vintage atmosphere is also created by unique things, posters and vintage dishes on the cabinets. This is how local artist Theo Michael painted the cafe.
In reality, the people who come here are the most ordinary-looking folks. It is basically a pub and the atmosphere is relaxed.
It opens in the afternoon. You can come here for a cup of Cypriot coffee, as well as for lunch or dinner. The menu combines local Cypriot, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Connoisseurs note the variety of malt beverages.
To Kazani Traditional Tavern
If you want a real local flavor, you should go a little further inland, to the Aradippou district or to the hills of the village of Oroklini. This is where you'll find out how the native Cypriots relax. Noisy, dressed up, and loving, they come in large groups of relatives. The tables are bursting with seafood and meat, the elders and fathers of the family raise their stacks with a yawn. Delicate waiters are equally respectful to each guest. Nearby, happy children run around late into the night. Apparently, they celebrate someone's anniversary or even a wedding. Everything is as simple as possible and definitely with lemon juice!
As an option traditional tavern To Kazani with its unique decor. Checkered tablecloths, greenery around and all sorts of folk decorations create a cozy atmosphere. The menu card consists mainly of Cypriot dishes at their best, and all dishes are presented in exceptionally generous portions. So if you decide to dine here, be sure to go hungry so you can try as much as possible.
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B. Nippon is not on the finikoudes strip so obviously you are biased and promoting establishments to your own interests.