Yes you must go to the Pegeia Tavern but will probably need to book in advance as it's very small but also very busy.

We have eaten there a few times and it's always been excellent. Great value for money too!

Michael is the waiter and his wife does all the cooking, it's all home made.
Their son helps out as well.

Wish I was there now...

I am... sorry..

Ok Micheal is the owner of the taverna and all his helpers are his family, son's and wife.

You must book and this is the number 26621077 or 26621747 you will speak to Micheal, he always seems to answer..

By the way as a point of adjustment we call it Peyia, I have recently moved from the village. Although it is spelt on some roads signs as Pegia. I am off there in a mo!!

I thought that the Cypriot version was Pegeia and the English version Peyia.

Even though both are pronounced the same. I can't do Greek letters on this keyboard but I thought that it was because in Greek it is spelt with a Pi (not the meat kind even though I do live quite close to Wigan) and gama in the middle which makes a y sound. Peyia is more simple to read.

Whatever, it is a lovely village even if it is full of ex pats!

My parents have a house there and one of the old farmers (who has sold most of his land) and his wife travel around the village on a tractor and always say Kalimera or Kalispera when they pass.

Another old lady from the village always brings bananas to my dad and has a chat.

Love that place.

Correct, but we never spell it the Greek way also it is signposted in both spelling's, as Peyia is now over two thirds British owned by ex-pats, I guess they can call it what they want to now..

Agia Napa - Ayia Napa same place.

The locals pronounce Larnaca/Larnaka as Larnaga

Various words have different spellings or pronunciations.

Mark

Have to agree with Keswick, you must visit the Last Castle. I'm not a great lover of salads but there's something about the village salad produced here that is outstanding.

On the outskirts of Kathikas you can find the Sterna Vinery, they used to produce a lovely meze there, but the local restaurants kicked up a fuss and the owner had to stop.

You can do the Viklari/Last Castle with a normal car, (I do) although quite a bit of care is needed and you would have to walk the last 1/4 mile (uphill).

Mark

Back over to Paphos in a couple of weeks, cant wait

This time, I am determined to try something different rather than the usual places, have been to Cyprus many times but never had a meze.

Does anybody have any recommendations we could try either within Paphos itself or at a local village within the area.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank You

hi please see this thread and all will be reveald inc pictures

wizard

Not unusual for us to have a Meze, in fact the norm if we go out..but if you can get over to Peyia village then do try Michaels Peyia tavern..best for a Meze..

Merged with existing topic.

luci

You do not need a 4X4 for the Viklari/Last Castle, but it does need care when driving up the hill.
We (in a Rav4) followed an ex-pat in his Toyota Corolla. He says he does the trip frequently.

Mark

Mezedes (little dishes)

In Cyprus like many of the Greek Islands and Mainland, if you are offered a drink you will always be given a little something to eat as well (and vice-versa). A good traditional household inviting you in for company would almost always offer you a drink and a small selection of finger/snack food (as drink shouldn't be taken without food). This is almost certainly the origin of the Meze as it has become known in modern restaurants.

Restuarants have taken this idea and developed it into an experience not to be missed if you want to try their wares. You will usually be given things like Olives, Pitta, Humous (a tahini flavoured chickpea paste), Tahini (a sesame paste), taramasalata (fish spread) and salad. These are brought out for you to pick at, like a Buffet in the Uk or Tapas in Spain. More often than not you will also be treated to a portion of several of the house main meals like "stifado" (a rich stew with baby onions), "kleftiko" ( a slow oven roasted lamb dish), "Afelia" (Pork with redwine, vinegar and corriander) as well as oven roasted potatoes, pasta and any other things that they might like to showcase on the meze.

Different restaurants will have variations, some will do vegetarian and fish versions, some will have more courses, some less... you pay's your money, you takes your choice. You will find its a very good way of being introduced to the local foods and being able to see what that restuarant is like. From this you may find you don't like one thing but another sharing might love it, you eat a bit more of one thing, they eat a bit more of another etc.... By the end of the "meal" (I use the word meal lighlty as its more like a banquet) you will have made some choices about what you might like to try again (even if its at a different restuarant next time)...

Steve