Which is the best harbourside restaurant?

Izzet



Joined: 01/12/2006
Posts: 920

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 21:27

Which is the best harbourside restuarant?



I need to choose one to be featured in an important project about Kyrenia, North Cyprus.



Thanks,

Izzet

Stonehousepub


Joined: 21/05/2009
Posts: 755

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 21:39

In my opinion none of the harbourside restaurants are anywhere near good enough to be a feature of Kyrenia...

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 21:47

Izzet, do you mean in an aesthetic way or the quality of the food?

moonmelon1


Joined: 31/12/2008
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 21:55

I found carob to be the best. Although I'm told by a friend who lives here that for the most part they have 2 grades of food- ie: chicken breast for locals , scrag end for tourists!

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 22:09

can never remember the name but it is the one right next to the castle, chiminea or something similar, no doubt there are plenty of people who know the correct spelling, their Moussakka is second to none, although have been told Tanners do a pretty good one so need to come back soon to compare................

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 22:12

The one that does not 'buyrun' the tourists,



really stopped us going down to the harbour

Izzet



Joined: 01/12/2006
Posts: 920

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 23:27

Yes, I am really looking for the honest one which won't rip off the tourists.

It should be a fish restaurant I guess.



No1Doyen - I am not sure. What would you suggest to a close friend?

Mertbalin



Joined: 09/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 23:30

I am sorry but I would suggest NONE of the old harbor restaurants.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 23:32

Good to see you making a terribly important post like this a sticky Izzet!



Keeps it at the top and separate from all those pesky charity threads!



Maggie x

Izzet



Joined: 01/12/2006
Posts: 920

Message Posted:
18/10/2011 23:34

I found this thread but not much useful.

http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/17201.asp



So, we have:

1. Carob

2. Canli Balik

3. Harbour Delight

Cherinis (which is closed)





I'll definitely emphasize that you should eat for the scenery and expect to pay high.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 01:07

I gave up eating in the Harbour a long time ago - the restaurants are overpiced and too touristy and as a resident I can get better food elsewhere. Also I got food poisening at one there - the only time in l5 years in N. Cyprus I have had problems with the food.



If visitors want to sit in the Harbour I suggest just a drink or coffee - for which I recommend Chimera - pleasant ambience comfortable chairs and probably the best of a bad lot for service.

crofter


Joined: 16/12/2008
Posts: 1035

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 07:35

We agree with BizziLizzi......always make a visit to Chimera when we have friends and family here. Just for a drink and then eat elsewhere.



It really is a tragedy that the Harbour is not the Jewel of Kyrenia.

turkan


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 954

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 09:49

i hear the fish restaurant with the tables up top

dearie


Joined: 08/03/2011
Posts: 142

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 09:56

Yes agree CHİMERA - the guys there always give a good service - I have eaten there - and it was tasty and not extremely overpriced. But as someone living here there are other places I would RATHER GO

frankedad


Joined: 21/11/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 10:37

message 4 sounds like negative bullshit .. i look for the good in most things but sadly agree with most of the posts above.. i love the harbour .. dont mind paying a bit more for a drink there (high rents to pay) but lets get someone to sort out a decent restaurant down there . i want to eat there ..

frankedad


Joined: 21/11/2008
Posts: 346

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 10:44

Izzet , it could be better, but we reakon probobly cherinis is the best of what is available at the minute.



maybe someone should do a survey down there and give them some direction to improve , this harbour is a great place , but it needs some direction how to improve .

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 11:04

Be bold Izzet, tell it like it is, suggest a drink in he harbour but hopefully find another restaurant not too far away to recommend. Might even shake up the harbour restaurants to raise their game (me being ever the eternal optimist)

davpat


Joined: 23/08/2011
Posts: 225

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 11:23

We have been to the Chimera,10 times over the past 5 years,always great service,the meals are good quality,but a bit pricey,however overall well recommended!

smooth


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 156

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 11:35

Izzet



Agree with post 17 Hector. If it is an important project you should not mislead anyone

davedee



Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 479

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 11:47

Chimera for me good service reasonable cost quality food!!

tyalgin


Joined: 10/03/2009
Posts: 54

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 12:09

They are all quite bad. Anatolian waiters who are (despite sometimes goodwill) clueless, worn out dirty cushions, menus that have all imaginable dishes in them, below average taste, below average freshness and hygiene... Not even mentioning price...



I would not recommend any of the restaurants for anything except a very basic meal (like chips or maybe an omelette) and maybe beer/coffee...

tsmlion


Joined: 17/08/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 12:36

The harbour suffers from a lack of competition. Half the restaurants are owned by the same company. The harbour establishments are ok for daytime snacks but you wouldn't eat your main evening meal there.



Why the likes of Niazzi's haven't moved round there is puzzling........closed shop? Can you imagine a crescent of top restaurants fronting the harbour?



Of the current crop, Harbour Delight for lunch and Carob, at a push, for dinner simply because you can't really mess up pasta.



Basically, anywhere but the 6 bs.

Izzet



Joined: 01/12/2006
Posts: 920

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 13:05

Thanks a lot everyone for the feedback!



I am going to be really honest in the publication, suggest a drink in the harbour not a meal, but if for a meal, then Chimera and Carob will be the two. Thanks!



It's just sad that the harbour is now being seen as the tourist trap place. It is actually like that.

Like tsmlion said above, if only a brand restaurant like Niazis open up, then we might see some competition and increase in standards...

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 13:13

IZZET,, Fish restaurants in the TRNC , let me see, usually a choice of "Farmed Sea Bass",Bronze Head Bream or a mixture of the two.. unfortunately fresh Trout,Cod,Whiting, Mackerel,Conger,Place,Dover Sole,Lemon Sole,Wild Sea Bass,and Skate are rarely on the Menu.....But have a nice Meal...

moonmelon1


Joined: 31/12/2008
Posts: 38

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 15:24

Frankedad

Not negative bullshit - thank you!



Firstly I recommended carob - hardly negative

Secondly I have had a couple of bad experiences with food in the harbour and when I mentioned it to a tc friend they told me about the "tourist food" service

not bad for 15 years experience of eating in kyrenia I'd say

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 16:21

The Harbour Group now own most of the restaurants there so it will never improve as they have a monopoly

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 16:36

izzet as you are doing a piece on harbour restaurants maybe go down there and see waht is on offer? a truly acurate report can then be written

essexgirl


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 87

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 16:38

Izzet

If you're looking for an excellent fish restaurant in the harbour, I'm surprised no-one has suggested the Blue Lagoon, opposite Niazzi's, and near the Dome.

Have been there several times with Turkish Cypriot friends of ours who are quite choosy about their food, and have never been disapointed.This is an air-conditioned restaurant with lovely views out to see, but no outside seating to my knowledge.

Both the quality of the Fish Meze and the delicious, varied and interesting selection of main fish dishes, and the attentive service are exceptional.

The main course is followed by a trip to the sweet trolleys with a great selection of gateaux, local suites, and fresh fruit (much like Niazi or Ambiance, which isn't surprising as I understand the place is actually owned by Niazis.)

I'm afraid I can't comment on the prices as I didn't pay much attention, but I'm sure you get what you pay for, so it won't be the cheapest -but a meal to die for every time.

Why not try it !

Susie

fatboy



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 244

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 17:07

It isn't in The Harbour

re msg.28

cavalryman


Joined: 08/11/2010
Posts: 314

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 17:39

I live in the harbour and know most of the restaurants the best is just average i agree with the lagoon but as for in the harbour overpriced dross.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 18:45

Go to the one in the new harbour - honest food well cooked service with a smile no hassle you can even watch fish there.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 19:04

Set Fish in the middle of the harbour is a great restaurant. Best location overlooking the harbour from the middle and the staff are all very very good (no touting etc). It is always busy there with both local and tourist custom. They bring out a tray of Fresh Fish for you to choose and the way you want it cooked. It is always excellent fresh food. and I have never considered it overly expensive considering the food, location etc. They also have great Fish Kebabs. I am amazed nobody has suggested this place ! We visit pretty much every time we are in Kyrenia (quite a few times a year).

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
19/10/2011 23:12

how on earth can everyones personal taste be a solid ground for a publication ??? would you like my extremely hot curry? probably not............its so personal , he now has the gist , let him, as a reporter ? find out for himself...surely ???





Personally i like rubber prawns, and soggy veg!! so if i slag off a place for serving me soft prawns and hard veg, i will say its S..T!!!,hardly a fair evaluation

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
20/10/2011 00:41

I last used the harbour in 2008 when I visited there with wife and 3 visitors from UK being my sister in law and her two very atttractive daughters. The intention was to have a meal and drinks there but I asked them not to sit down until I had studied the menu. The waiter tried and failed to get us to sit down then asked my wife and I if we were resident (I guess he noted our heavy suntans). The menu price for a beer was 7 TL but the waiter said 50% discount for residents and when he saw that we would walk he said and also for your holiday guests. I indicated that we intended to eat in a restaurant so asked if there was a discount on the food prices and did it also apply to the non residents. Again, he offered a 50% discount on the food, but I had to press him to include the visitors before he relented. We were so incensed that he blatantly admitted that tourists would be charged double the rate for locals that we decided to eat other than at the harbour ever since.

tyalgin


Joined: 10/03/2009
Posts: 54

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 00:41

"no competiton" explains it all...



I wish we had an "El Sabor", "Archway", "Niazi's", "Morelli's", "Manipeni Pizza", "Bellapais Gardens" and a Gloria Jeans down at the harbour. Heck, I'd even settle for an Ezic...



That wont happen till policymakers (or policyfailers here in N.Cyprus) decide to open up that area to competition.

stubbs1


Joined: 07/08/2011
Posts: 174

Message Posted:
25/10/2011 01:10

Rip off area stay away!!