Dining Archives - Ampeli Villa, Pissouri Bay, Cyprus

Pissouri Cyprus Night Returns

Nikki Salter Activities, Dining, Events June 25, 2022June 25, 2022cyprus night, pissouri 0 Comment

At long last, a favourite of holiday visitors and local residents, one of our Cyprus Top Ten list, is returning to the heart of the village. Organised by O’Vrakas and Symposio restaurants in Pissouri Square, the much-missed evening of dinner accompanied by a family-friendly show of traditional music and dancing, plus spectacular glass-balancing feats is back for the peak 2022 season.

More village highlights, while you are visiting Pissouri – a typical Cypriot village.

For extra activities that we are happy to personally recommend, see Our Top Ten List.

Special Diets in Cyprus

Nikki Salter Dining, Food and Drink, Pissouri January 17, 2020January 18, 2020allergies, free-from 0 Comment

Close up on dairy-free milk at Papantoniou

Cyprus visitors with a food allergy or intolerance need have no worries. Supermarkets and restaurants throughout the island are geared up to cater for all kinds of special diets.

Allergy Awareness

As required by EU law introduced in 2014, restaurateurs are required to conduct a comprehensive audit of every ingredient within their dishes, which must then be displayed on menus to inform customers about any potential allergens, including nuts, milk, celery, gluten, soya and wheat.

The photographs on this page were all taken in the Papantoniou supermarket in Pissouri. Hopefully they show what a great range of free-from goods they carry.

Vegetarian and Vegan Choices

Vegetarian options have long been widely available, particularly as in the Cypriot culture there is an extended period of fasting every spring during Greek Orthodox Lent when meat is not eaten. In recent years it has become increasingly common to see a selection of vegan dishes offered.

We particularly recommend O’Vrakas in Pissouri village if you are looking for a good vegan-friendly restaurant.

‘Free-From’ Foods in Supermarkets

Pissouri’s main supermarket – Papantoniou – has a large section of ‘Free From’ foods. If you require a gluten-free diet, you will find loaves, different types of pasta, bread and cake mixes, along with a variety of sweet treats such as biscuits, cakes and cookies. They also sell a huge range of dairy-free milk including almond, soya, coconut, hazelnut, oat and rice milks.

Answering Your Dining Dilemmas

Nikki Salter Dining, Food and Drink, Pissouri May 7, 2019May 7, 2019cafe bar, il vesuvio, kentroikon, mandria, pissouri bay, pizza venetto, saffron 0 Comment

Ever had the situation when you have a yearning for one type of cuisine while your loved ones want something different?

Usually dinner menus have enough options to satisfy everyone, but occasionally you find an establishment that goes even further.

Typical family-run restaurants tend to offer the traditional fare that Cypriots most enjoy. And surely it’s one of the pleasures of travel to sample the local cuisine during your stay.

Cypriot Specialities

Cypriot dishes to make your mouth water include the freshest of locally caught fish, Stifado – an intensely tomatoey beef stew, Kleftiko – super-tender slow-cooked lamb, Moussaka, charcoal barbecued kebab skewers or halloumi.

As an appetiser, what beats dipping slices of pittas in tahini, tzatziki and olive tapenade, and a tasty village salad topped with salty feta?

We also recommend seeking out a traditional restaurant away from the tourist traps to sample an authentic Cypriot meze during your stay. As these can consist of more than 20 small dishes, remember to skip breakfast – or ask for a doggy bag if you can’t manage it all!

Other Cuisines Found in Pissouri Bay

For a small resort, there’s an amazing array of restaurants within walking distance…

Our fav haunt is Pissouri Bay Cafe Bar whose fresh Mediterranean menu includes imaginative salads, tasty pasta dishes and risottos, along with curries and a variety of burgers.

Also well worth a visit is Pizza Venetto serving home-made cheesy pizzas and great value family favourites.

When you fancy something a little more spicy, book a table at Saffron whose menu offers contemporary Indian cuisine, including authentic dishes, traditional curries and tandoor specialities.

West to Mandria

Close to Paphos airport, the compact centre of Mandria village has some interesting restaurants. We recommend booking at any of these options to ensure you have a table reserved…

Il Vesuvio is a good quality Italian trattoria and pizzeria where you will find plenty of choice on the menu and indulgent desserts.

Kentroikon has a unique offering with an extensive menu including Cypriot, Mediterranean and – surprise, surprise – Chinese dishes, meaning this restaurant could be the perfect answer to your dining dilemmas. And it’s not a case of jack of all trades, master of none… as you can see from their online reviews, satisfied customers confirm that all the cuisine options are good, making this restaurant well worth a visit.

No visit to the area is complete without dinner at Mandria Fish and Chips. Great service, generous portions, quality ingredients and always perfectly cooked. We love it!

Kalí órexi !

Happy Frappe Day!

Nikki Salter Dining, Food and Drink October 7, 2018April 3, 2019frappe 0 Comment

Quite a lot of Greek and Cypriot food and drink specialities were happy accidents, and here’s another…

In 1957, Nestle representative Dimitris Vakondios – attending a conference in Thessaloniki – found himself without access to a kettle to make himself a fortifying coffee. After seeing his boss demonstrating a shaker for mixing milk and chocolate powder to make the Nesquik drink for children, Dimitris borrowed the device. He wondered whether he could use it to blend instant coffee with water. When this successfully created a foamy mixture, he added more water and a few ice cubes to create a tall cold coffee drink – the first Frappe.

Now 7 October has been designated Frappe Day. If you’ve never tried one of these Greek / Cypriot iced coffees, we recommend adding them to your holiday wish list. Somehow although they’re easy to make at home, they never taste quite the same.

Authentic Recipe

Mix 1-2 teaspoons of Nescafe instant coffee granules, a little sugar and water to a foam in a cocktail shaker or with a whisk. Add ice cubes and top up with water or a water and evaporated milk mixture. Serve with a straw.

Our Variation

We like adding a little cocoa powder to make our own mocha version. For an even more creamy version, add a little Greek yogurt – yum!

Photo taken at Muse in Paphos… one of our firm favs. One frappe with milk, the other without.

Love Afternoon Tea? Try the Elysium, Paphos

Nikki Salter Dining, Food and Drink June 3, 2018April 3, 2019afternoon tea, paphos 2 Comments

Not only is this a wonderful afternoon tea, but it’s only €13.00 per person!

We love getting 5-star reviews. We also love giving them.

Here’s our latest posted to Google Maps and Facebook:

★★★★★ Afternoon Tea at the Elysium Hotel, Paphos…

Beautifully presented and delicious afternoon tea in lovely surroundings.
Great service and excellent value.
Highly recommended.

Over The Top to Melanda

Nikki Salter Activities, Dining, Nature September 4, 2017April 3, 2019melanda, nature walk 0 Comment

Scenic coastal walk to Melanda - satellite map

A Scenic Coastal Walk for Nature Lovers

If you are feeling energetic, this is a beautiful local walk to Melanda beach at Avdimou – the next bay to the east of Pissouri. Or drive as far as the road takes you, then choose a cross-country walking route from there.

The First Part of The Route

Our development – ‘Vineland Pissouri Bay’ is nestled at the base of a rocky cliff. If you head inland a little, then turn right at Ampelohori, you’ll find a road snaking up the hill to the top of the plateau (see map). On foot the climb is quite strenuous, as the ridge elevation tops 100 metres, so this is not something to be tackled in summer’s midday heat. No problem in a car, of course!

The pay off is some lovely views looking down into Pissouri Bay, and across to Cape Aspro on the opposite headland.

A Beach To Yourself

Once the tarmac road runs out, a variety of clearly defined vehicle tracks lead you eastwards cross-country. This is where you can leave your car and continue on foot. There are plenty of more direct routes, but we suggest following the cliff edge coastal path as shown on the satellite map, to take advantage of the fabulous seascape views.

Over the top to Melanda unmade track through fields

Hugging the coastline rewards you with a choice of deserted coves where you could enjoy the seclusion of your own tiny beach.

Stone and Crop Circles

A fascinating surprise was some circular artwork lovingly created on the cliff top.

We saw this pebble design and some traditional-looking crop circles in the tall spring grass.

All The Way to Melanda

If you keep going, (for an hour or so beyond the end of the paved road), eventually you’ll arrive at Melanda beach. Using a smart phone with Google maps set on satellite view can help you to navigate.

Near Melanda you cross into the British ‘Sovereign Base’ area – officially UK territory. Although development on this land is restricted, there are two permitted beach restaurants – Melanda Beach Restaurant specialising in fresh local fish dishes, and further along another favourite for traditional Cypriot fare – Kyrenia Beach Taverna.

Indulge in a leisurely lunch and a few drinks – you’ll thoroughly deserve it!

Over the top to Melanda Beach Restaurant

And if the prospect of walking back is too daunting, other options include a taxi or boat pickup… just remember to copy the numbers from the villa handbook into your phone before you set off.

Happy exploring!

This article was originally posted on our old website blog by Nikki 9/5/2017

Some Insider Tips on Cyprus Food and Drink

Nikki Salter Activities, Dining, Food and Drink August 16, 2017April 3, 2019brandy sour, food, muse, wine 0 Comment

Choosing Restaurants: Old Favs vs New?

Maybe it’s because we’ll be travelling to Cyprus soon, but thoughts have turned to some of our favourite Cypriot dishes and tipples. Mouth-watering prospect! This led to thinking about the restaurants and tavernas we prefer, and why. It’s always a dilemma when you’re only on a short visit about whether to go for tried and trusted, or to brave somewhere new. Guest recommendations are not only useful for fellow guests, but they keep us up-to-speed too. Summaries of this feedback appear in the website guestbook, with printed versions in the villa.

Muse Café Kitchen, Paphos

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Muse in Paphos. So many things combine to make a good (or bad) experience, including expectation, that it’s tricky to recommend places. Having said that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed every meal we’ve had at Muse (and there have been quite a few!) But our enthusiasm for Muse is not just about the food… we love the decor, the terrace, the lighting, the amazing views, the prices, and the service – phew! As it is a little tricky to find, we supply a map route and directions for our guests.

Dining in Pissouri Bay

Not that you need to venture to Paphos for a great dining experience. In Pissouri Bay we are incredibly lucky to have so much choice close by… something regularly mentioned by new visitors. At the last count there were 15 places to dine in the bay itself, not including the hotel’s restaurants. You can see a complete list of the resort amenities on our maps page. Plus there are more restaurants up the hill in Pissouri village too. How many other places this size have so many dining options?

Cypriot Specialities

There’s plenty of interest in Cypriot cuisine. Our Cyprus Food and Drink G+ board is by far our most popular, having amassed a staggering 41,000 followers. And learning the stories behind Cypriot favourites such as Kleftiko and the Brandy Sour cocktail is fascinating.

Wine Tours

With 51 wineries, if you’re interested in doing a behind-the-scenes tour, along with a tasting, there are lots of options. This newly launched winery website has lots of useful information about what each winery offers.

The CTO has also published a series of seven wine-routes taking you on scenic country drives around Cyprus’ wine-producing regions.

Our Top Ten Suggestions

For our free insider tips of Cypriot food and drinks, along with our fav places to try them, please sign up for our newsletter.

This article was originally posted on our old website blog by Nikki 13/3/2017

Moon’s Vietnamese Kitchen – Vineleaf, Pissouri, 24 Aug

Nikki Salter Ampeli Villa, Dining, Pissouri August 1, 2017April 3, 2019moon's vietnamese kitchen, pissouri 0 Comment

Enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine ‘under the vines’, as recommended by the B family.

Tickets €17
Be quick – booking needed on 25221053 | moonsvietkitchen@gmail.com

Or if that date doesn’t suit, you can order a tailored ‘by the pool buffet’ from Moon delivered directly to the villa.

More info: http://www.moonsvietnamesekitchen.com

Mr & Mrs N Recommend: All in Pissouri Bay

Nikki Salter Activities, Ampeli Villa, Dining, Pissouri July 28, 2017April 3, 2019bay jewellery, diving, pissouri bay 0 Comment

We love it when guests share tips about their favourites. Since their first visit in 2015, these guests have returned twice a year, and are planning for 2018 – to enjoy more diving, rest and relaxation.

Extracts from their review:

“G did a diving course with Pissouri Bay Divers – they were fab – very friendly and incredibly professional. So much so we are returning in October for him to continue to the next level.

For me the holiday was a crash and chill so I only ventured out to wander along the beach eat and visit the local shops in the Bay for supplies. I did however happen upon Bay Jewellery, Gemma is very talented and her jewellery is lovely, she is also very keen to make any pieces bespoke.

Kastros and Artemis remained our favourites from last year. With Yialos being added this year – the fish was amazing.”

More guest feedback

New in Pissouri: Steakhouse by Michael

Nikki Salter Dining, Pissouri July 28, 2017April 3, 2019pissouri, steakhouse 0 Comment

Since opening last month, the restaurant has already collected twenty-five 5★ reviews and heaps of praise for the food, service and ambience. The building looks great too… Looking forward to an early visit!

Where: 28 October Street, Pissouri (formerly Olympus Palace)

To book: 25 221766 or 99 185717

More: facebook.com/steakhousebymichael/ and steakhousebymichael.com