Old Simos Tavern

I’ve been visiting Cyprus for about four years, often staying for extended periods, and have tried many different restaurants and styles of cuisine. Old Simos Tavern remains my absolute favorite. I wholeheartedly recommend it—you simply won’t find the same authenticity and hospitality anywhere else. The service is wonderful, the people are genuinely welcoming, and every year I’m greeted by the same friendly family faces, which makes it feel extra special. The cozy interior and inviting atmosphere add to the charm every single time. As for the food—nothing compares. The quality is consistently excellent year after year, unlike other places where it can vary. The owner clearly values top-notch ingredients and preparation, so even the most discerning guest will be impressed. The meat meze is outstanding, and the best part is that you can customize it to your taste—add the dishes you love, skip anything you don’t, and even combine it with fresh fish. You won’t find such flexibility anywhere else. The kleftiko is also so delicious that I look forward to it on every visit. If you want to experience the very best of Cypriot cuisine, just go to Old Simos Tavern—you won’t be disappointed.

- Yana Bankova -

Amazing food and a lovely atmosphere! The kleftiko was tender and full of flavor, and the lamb chops were some of the best I’ve ever had. The place feels very home-like and original, with a warm and welcoming vibe. A great spot to enjoy traditional Cypriot cooking!

- Aleksandra Pekala -

Quality of food, service, atmosphere are of the top level, the tavern enjoys an immaculate reputation. Usually hard to find a free table but this is of good reason. An original Cyprus village tavern.

- Nicos Attas -

It's pretty much all you can ask for in Cyprus - great atmosphere, service and food. We usually eat "meze" but what I liked here is that the owner comes to your table and gives you all the options in the meze and you choose exactly what you want so that you don't get dishes you don't like. There are interesting dishes such as the "Dubai saganaki", fried halloumi etc. House wine is excellent too. Totally recommend it!

- Radostina Tsirkova -

Funny and warm owners greeted us from the beginning, made jokes, and made us feel really welcome. They took time to explain the menu and choices. We had the meze menu and lots of delicious food for only around €25 (we choose a lot almost 3-4 main dishes) per person. Come hungry! Authentic taste, popular with locals, and honestly the best restaurant we tried during our stay in Cyprus since the food was delicious and authentic. Thinking to go back again!

- zeynep balyalı -

This taverna was recommended by a couple of people so expectations were high. It did not disappoint! This is a gem of a taverna doing traditional mezedes the proper way capturing exactly the wants of the customer and reducing food waste in the meantime.You can find a wide range of traditional cypriot foods from “mpastounaki” halloumi to slow cooked rabbit and even the popular greek saganaki. Overall an amazing experience with a fantastic dessert as well.The service was fast and polite also. The watermelon in the end could have been a bit colder but that’s obviously a tiny negative observations compared to the delightful overall experience we had and at a very good price also.I would say this is a must do for anyone.

- Andreas Stamatiades -