The history of Kyparissos Tavern
The tavern took its name from the century-old Kyparissos
The story begins with Agios Nikolaos when he came to Cyprus. One day, walking to the area of Polis Chrysochous, he sat down to rest. On the spot where the cypress is now. On leaving he left his walking stick there and when he returned to pick it up he found the cypress tree in its place.
Today it is a 1778-year-old cypress and is the only one whose seed does not reproduce.
So we couldn’t help but name the tavern after the cypress tree that is right outside the tavern.
Kyparissos Tavern has its own history
1960
It all started in 1960. It was a Sunday, around 12:00 noon. Grandpa lit the coals, started putting the meat through the chisel, after Grandma had first salted it and I had added plenty of oregano for flavor.
The coals were prepared and he put the spit on. The guests began to arrive slowly. As always, they all gathered around the barbecue with the zivania and beers flowing abundantly.
At one point, our grandfather made the announcement that he was going to open his own tavern. We didn’t pay much attention to him, we thought he was joking.
But he wasn’t joking. Monday comes and Grandpa starts looking into it.
After 2-3 weeks he opened the tavern. He found a 4×6 space (a baraka) in Kathikas, Paphos and started serving spit and ofto kleftiko.
And that’s how Kyparissos Tavern started.
1993
Grandpa in 1993 passed the baton to dad and mom.For a few months, the tavern remained closed. He renovated both the space and the menu.
He transformed the 4×6 barrack into a 1500 square meter tavern and revamped the menu with authentic Cypriot dishes and tidbits to take you on a journey to nostalgic memories of this place.
Meraklidiki spit and grandfather’s ofto kleftiko remained on the tavern’s menu.
2013
In 2013 I took over the baton from my dad along with my sister, Rafaella.
Somewhere here traditional Cypriot cuisine started to meet the new generation. We gave Cypriot dishes a modern, creative touch, based on the demands of today’s gastronomy.
Regardless, the spit and grandfather’s ofto kleftiko remain on the tavern’s menu.
In 2020, Kyparissos got its own bar so you can enjoy the Akamas sunset, along with your refreshing cocktails or hot coffee.
In 2023, Kyparissos Tavern received a sponsorship from the European Union to be renovated.