Restaurants

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
21/07/2007 21:38

I am making a little list of good restaurants to visit when we come over in October - can anyone name some please and their location! Have two children as well so need to be a little kid friendly! The kids are a little restaurant friendly too!! (....I think!!!!)

Oknala


Joined: 29/05/2007
Posts: 60

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 00:11

Most restaurants here, the majority, of restaurants here, very child friendly. The only piece of advice I will give is, when you are given the menu, make a note of the prices, because menu will be taken away, and the price they charge might be v different (this is just for a few rouge restaurants) and do not get caught out as we did, when ordering a fish dish, recommended to have the 'catch of the day' - not on menu, and cost us, for a crappy meal, just over £100 (UK money). Leaves a bad feeling. If it feels a bid dodgy, ask to pay in advance. If you are anywhere near Bogaz, go to the Hilltop Bar/Cafe - children can play in the pool, and what you will be charged is exactly what you see on the menu.

desert rose


Joined: 18/06/2007
Posts: 64

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 09:25

I went to a great open air restaurant on a hill in the middle of nowhere overlooking the sea in Paphos, where they did spit roast chicken/pork, salad and jacket potato. It was all local, not your typical Brit pie & chips sort of place. It was truly lush.....



What id like to know is, are there restaurants like this in North Cyprus???



x

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 10:39

Boredhousewife

A lot depends on where you are going to stay, east or west of Girne. Most are child friendly, it's a holiday destination.

P & J

renelapin



Joined: 19/05/2007
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 11:03

On http://www.nordzypern-insider.net you find lots of north cyprus restaurants critizised by people who tried them - but in german. The restaurants have been rated there by stars, so the site can be helpfull for people not speaking german, too.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 11:57

We are near Esentepe (East).

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 21:02

Most restaurants seemed full of children and I got the distinct impression they welcomed families.Peanuts in Kyrenia is excellent and has a very child friendly menu. This is something still alien to many English bars and restaurants. My husband and I have just returned from a local pub and our meal was ruined by the attitude and complete lack of thought and understanding displayed by the manageress. When we first arrived the weather was lovely and the sun for a change was shining. Hence many families were having meals outside. Within minutes the weather changed and suddenly with little warning the heavy rain that we are now becoming so accustomed to began to fall. A family with a young daughter of about 11 years old moved into the pub carrying what was left of their meal. They sat in the corner away from the bar and at the side of the door. The manageress aware that there was now a child in the bar sent a very young bar staff to ask them to leave. The mother very calmly said that they would just finish their meal and would be out in 5 minutes. To which the reply was you will have to take the meal outside and finish it there. The Father then became firm but not angry and told the waiter they would be as quick as possible and that this approach was not necessary. The waiter left and was replaced by a manageress who spoke to the family so that the whole pub was party to what was being said and with no compromise, demanded they leave. At this stage the parents and the manageress started to become very verbally aggressive and the whole pub was subjected to this for about 10 minutes, before the parents left with their poor daughter in tears. The manageress then sent a bar staff to offer a complimentary drink to all who had been upset by the argument. My husband and I sharply declined disgusted at the poor treatment this family had experienced.It reminded me of why family holidays were always taken abroad. So BHW hope you find some good restaurants and where ever they might be I'm sure you'll get more of a welcome than many of the restaurants back home.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 21:58

Thanks Bradus. You are right there I think. I know when we have been away before with our children they have always been very welcoming and chatted to the boys and even given them colouring pens (even though my bag no longer contains nice lipsticks, perfume, but dummies, wipes, nappies, colouring pens and anything else childlike!!!). Will make a note of Peanuts in my little book!!



Are there any restaurants down on any beaches that are open at night?

jimbo


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 23:12

Try the garden restaurant on the nicosia road bahceler near iskele they use there own fruit and veg picked fron the garden that day.Emil and his family run the restaurant.The steaks are the best i have ever tasted anywhere in the world

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
22/07/2007 23:29

jimbo you are making me hungry!!!

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 11:02

Hi

Without a doubt the best restaurant we have been in is Niazzis. It is in Kyrenia between the Rocks and the Dome. Established over 60 years the menu, service, food and prices beat the rest by a mile.

Another good one which I think is called Altinkaya is next to Escape beach.

On a lesser scale the Antique on the main road past Esenteppe offers good cooking at a good price. I find the harbour restaurants all similar all have good nights and bad nights but none as good as Niazzis.

Bon appetit

BB

DONTY


Joined: 07/06/2007
Posts: 534

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 12:48

my faves



Bahceli:

Nazar restaurant- on the old road between Bahceli and Kucuk Erenkoy, go thru the 'glass bay view' development to find it. part of the guys house so really localy feel to the place (doesnt look special but the food is nice and so is the service).



kyrenia area:

Hot Chick, Catalkoy - fab chicken wings



Mersin Tantuni - near Pia Bella - this is a little greasy spoon that specialises in Tantunis which are like ...hmmm ..beef wraps that are traditional Turkish food (also do Pides (turkish pizzas) and lahmacuns (poor mans pizzas). this place doesnt look much and im sure some will be afraid to venture in but i love it (the food and the people)!



Courtyard, Karakum - Indian, sorry Pakistani restaurant, perennial fave of expats and locals alike. Mo and the boys are great, so laid back, charming, if a little tatty setting.



Niazi - as above



Lagoon - new fish restaurant opposite Niazis, lovely food, overlooking water.



Dragon - Chinese - attached to Rocks hotel - one of the nicest chinese meals i have had - not cheap!



Roxannes - again next to/part of Rocks hotel - best burgers in town + pasta dishes and pizzas



Karaoglanoglu

Ambience and Address - two restaurants next door to one another - traditional Full Kebabs etc - great waterside setting - great food.



Di Figaro - highly rated - grandiose operaesque decor! - personally wasnt so impressed but everyone else seems to be.



Kervansaray

Kervan restaurant - overlooking nice beach - great place to watch sunset and eat - not posh but great all the same (they do more than pizzas).



other than Mardin restaurant in Gemikonagi (west coast) which does excellent food i dont really go any further west..sorry

Kitty1


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 683

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 14:47

Here's another vote for the Kervan Pizza Garden. We go there a lot.



My sister and brother-in-law came out last Autumn with an 11 month old baby and 3 year old. The restaurants in Kyrenia Harbour are all very nice with children and most have proper kids menus - just keep away from Marti's or the Brothers or whatever they call themselves these days. Worst meal I think I've had in a very long time. Really terrible service. Carob, Canli Balik, Harbour Delight, Chimera were all nice and great with the kids. Of course, because its the harbour, you will pay a little more.



I can tell you that the food at the Grove on the main road from Girne to Catalkoy is nice and very reasonable - they've got a swimming pool out back as well. The restaurant actually on Catalkoy beach is pretty good too.

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 19:36

Just got back last night after 3 weeks of sheer indulgence ( put on a stone!!!) and have to say that I have tried most of the restaurants already mentioned here and all of them are excellent. I would like to add to that list Oleander which is now owned by Riaz (Jashans) we had terrific meals there in nice surroundings and it didn't burn a hole in our pocket either. Also Buffavento at the very top of the mountain road well worth a visit for the lamb kebab and the coooool breeze!! I suppose its slim-fast for tea again.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 20:57

Thanks to everyone - please keep adding to the list. My little book is getting full up!!! Wackyjim where are the restaurants you mention?

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
23/07/2007 22:41

Some excellent restaurants in Famagusta Area.

Garden Restaurant as mentioned,

Genko The Square Old City marvellous, best we,ve visited

Rusty Pelican, Plaza, both excellent and great value (famagusta)

Cyprus House good traditional fair great surroundings ( famaagusta)

Minta, Moon over the water both good (Bogas)

Bon appetit

wackyjim



Joined: 04/06/2007
Posts: 760

Message Posted:
24/07/2007 17:05

Hi Boredhousewife,



Oleander is on the right hand side of the road as you leave Alsancak and before you enter Karaoglanoglu almost opposite the Fatisa supermarket. It has a swimming pool to keep the kids happy.



The Buffavento restaurant is located at the peak of the main mountain road approx 4-5 miles from Catalkoy

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 09:30

Hi

We like the following:

Bell Tower, Bellapais

Kybele, Bellapais

Rafters, Ozankoy

Bella Moon, Bellapais

Set Fish - Harbour (All Fresh Fish daily caught)

Set Italian - Behind the harbour



All really nice - little more for the tourist - but hey you are on holiday and the food is great at all of these.

HarryHornet



Joined: 18/07/2007
Posts: 291

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 11:16

ARCHWAY NEAR ZEYTINLIK. ALWAYS BUSY NEED TO BOOK FULL MEZE A MUST.FERMANS NEAR ROUND TOWER IN GIRNE PART OF NOSTALGIA HOTEL

stevie-d



Joined: 13/07/2007
Posts: 1420

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 15:12

Halfway House halfway up the mountain to Karakum Kleftico is fantastic, stunning views. Hachi Ali or is is it Ali Hachi on seward side as you drive in to Lapta from Alsancack, Veni Vichi Lapta, Saffron Lapta.

Kitty1


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 683

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 15:42

Oh, I forgot one...my personal favourite...Al Shaheen on the main road just opposite the speed camera between Girne and Karakum. Fab, fab, fab and the guys there are lovely.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 17:31

My little book is getting fuller by the day - just hope my husband realises how much money I intend on spending on dining when we come over!!!!



Thank you everyone - keep them coming!

stevie-d



Joined: 13/07/2007
Posts: 1420

Message Posted:
25/07/2007 17:39

Opps sorry that was meant to be Karaman not Karakum.

Stevie-d

gottheyips


Joined: 28/12/2007
Posts: 444

Message Posted:
08/02/2008 23:11

China Garden Ozankoy,

I have been about four times since the opening and have never had a bad meal, that is until tonight, my wife and I had a thoroughly unpleasant meal, I complained and had a zero response.

Found it to be expensive, and I compare that to UK prices.

Was it just a bad night for us or has anyone else had a recent similar experience?

li n lee


Joined: 09/10/2007
Posts: 144

Message Posted:
09/02/2008 00:50

hi bored house wife li n i strongly recommend erols in ozankoy great food reasonable price........ just take some ear plugs erols wife is very vocal but lovely with it cant fault the food and they dont eat children ( well i cant find them on the menu) scampi is a must there

Lanrick


Joined: 21/01/2008
Posts: 135

Message Posted:
09/02/2008 01:57

Gottheyips ; We have only been to the China Garden once, and don't intend to return. Over priced and undernourishing !! Not a patch on the Jade Garden Karakum (now closed), whatever happened there ??

Barrovian1



Joined: 16/11/2007
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
09/02/2008 04:04

gottheyips

My wife and myself, have been to the China Garden 3-4 times, we have found the meal to be good, but a bit on the pricey side.

One of our favourites is Peanuts, I have seen a Mexican restaurant near to the Dome on the harbour, we will give that a whirl at the end of this month when we go back, any feed-backs?.



Bob.