Location: Pervolia
Top Restaurants in Pervolia
Pervolia Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Pervolia
Pervolia (Greek: Περβόλια; Turkish: Bahçalar), also spelled Perivolia (Greek: Περιβόλια), is a village located in the Larnaca District of Cyprus.
Restaurants in Pervolia
1. Pervolia Faros Beach Bar
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By no1paultaylor1975 - London, United Kingdom
We visited the beach bar here for lunch with our young children. Our experience with the food suggests endemic problems with the way they deal with food and customers.
Stunning location. Elevated on the edge of a peninsula. Great what they have done with it. Beds and loungers, and white fabric blowing in the wind. Dance music slightly loud but good for it I thought.
The menu looked promising. We were very engouraged that this might be a quality experience. It wasn’t.
Due to the location we thought we would treat ourselves to a glass of prosecco. My wife ordered this, and was told initially that they didn’t serve prosecco. My wife pointed out that it was on the menu and then the waitress eventually bothered to go and find out. She bought out two wine glasses of dark rose prosecco, which were completely flat. I took them back to the waitress and explained that they were flat. She wanted to know more what was wrong. I explained “no fizz, no sparkle, no gas”. Eventually she understood and said, as if it was obvious “well I’ll open a fresh one then”. Having sniffed it, and been put off seeing it flat, we decided to switch to beers instead. As you will see, this establishment forces you to have to complain about everything, just in order to get something barely acceptable.
From the menu we ordered (1) a “traditional Cyprus Village Salad” as a starter, and two main courses: (2) Spaghetti Napolitana with pork meatballs and (3) a steak Sandwich with mozzarella.
1. Salad
This was described as containing fresh greens, mint, feta cheese, onion, and olives, as well as cherry tomatoes and chicken (?).
Firstly, a salad arrived which was far more like a caesar salad. After a slightly difficult converstion with the waitress (who I’d guess wasn’t Cypriot but Eastern European), it was confirmed that there had been a misunderstanding: it was a caesar salad (hence the presence of the croutons, and lack of ingredients in the village salad description. The Cyprus salad would be out soon were told. Not before my main of Spaghetti though. Anyway, when the “correct” salad arrived it was as follows:
-No olives
-No feta cheese – very soft and strong tasting goats cheese instead.
-No onion
-No mint – a little basil though
-No explanation for any missing elements.
2. Pasta
This was described as being in a “fresh tomatoes sauce, with pork meatballs”.
Firstly the pasta was seriously lacking any sauce whatsoever. Perhaps the large plate had been shown a level teaspoon of tomato puree, but I very much doubt any of that pasta was touching anything that had been made up of fresh tomato within the last 12 months. As well as being generally lacking in any sauce, and not seasoned, the pasta was also lacking the promised pork meatballs. In their place appeared to be quarter pieces of tough, dry, leftover beefburger! I brought this to the attention of our not very concerned, slightly amused waitress, who brought out the chef to speak to me. The chef explained, slightly ashamedly but not very apologetically, that they had no meatballs, so intead they had used (not beefburger, she insisted!) bistecci! She then insisted, amazingly that the only difference between what I had and what was on the menu was the shape (not round, but flat). As most people will know Bistecca is beef steak. I assure everyone it was not steak, it was beef of a processed and minced variety. She offered me a free desert. I said no as we did want to return to our apartment for our childrens nap times. It was only once I got back to our tables that my wife helped me realise the very obvious point: whether it was tough beefburger, or tough "bistecci", it was very clearly beef and not pork! I had decided on this dish because I was planning on steak in the evening. This meal was an offensive disaster!
Steak Sandwich
The only significant complaint about this was that it clearly wasn’t mozarrella cheese. It was something more like Cheddar.
After seeing all this I went and got the menu just to check what was described there. Looking at the menu produced a very clear picture of just how rubbish everything had actually been and what it was fair for us to expect. I told the waitress that I wanted to speak to a manager. She replied, superconfidently, that “no, if you have something to say, then you can talk to us”. I repeated myself and she then very happily (apparently) said she would call for the manager.
The manager eventually arrived. She was the manager of the restaurant (within the hotel I expect) and her name was Barbara. Barbara listened to our description of what was wrong with the meal, and seemed to agree with everything that was said. She seemed to take everything seriously, and wanted to replace dishes and offer us free Deserts. We didn’t really have time for Deserts. The end result was that we didn’t pay for the pasta, or the salad, and received two free ice creams. I realise opinions will vary but personally I don’t think that was enough, but we left reasonably happy.
While I think Barbara agreed with us regarding our complaints, I honestly she will have the resources to fix most of it. I wonder, is somebody going to now say “Ah, lets train / learn how to produce a pasta sauce made of fresh tomatoes”. It is hard to imagine such a significant shift will happen as a result of our complaint. Is somebody going to make sure they always have meatballs, olives, feta cheese (yes, we know this is Cyprus!) mint and onions in the kitchen…and that they are are always used appropriately in the right dishes? I somehow struggle to imagine this will happen overnight. I can’t speak for the hotel as a whole, or the main restaurant, but it strikes me that if this place is going to deliver on its menu, and it’s visual appeal, and potential, then it needs a real injection of new leadership. The staff need training. This place could be a real destination for people with decent taste and enough money to pay for quality. Instead as it stands it is just disappointing those people and sending them away with bills. The only other customers in at the same time as us were also complaining.
These people could sort this out, and they should. I was talking to a reputable head chef on Cyprus about this a day or so later, and he said that he was sure the German owner of the hotel would be appalled by the standards I describe here. I hope he reads this and does something about it.
2. Kokos Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
This is a tavern one of many in this town just outside Kite and near Lanarca. It is typical of taverns and street names are difficult to find even if they exist
Reviewed By brpauli85 - Leics
eat there but be prepared for doggy bag if not eating in a group or a least 2 of you. The food is so good and they give you so much at a very reasonable price. I ate alone and never managed to finish, nearly did once, its a must to go and owners and staff are so friendly
3. Soutsos Tavern
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
4. Italia Spaghetteria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By njolin - Ostuni, Italy
We discovered this place in our small but nice trip around Cyprus. After being in an other 2 italian restaurants in Larnaka (which we didn't like at all), we decided to give the last chance to try some decent italian food in town...we ended up in this place and from the first moment it was like being in our country! I couldn't believe they have fresh pasta!!! The food we had was simply amazing and soo rich of flavours! The family that owns the place and the all staff are very friendly...such of nice people. Ah, the chefs are even all italian. Thank u so much for the nice experience guys we'll come back next year to see u again!!
5. Dipato Artcafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By Helen B - Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Visited to see the sunset and were not disappointed with the setting. However, the service was abysmal. We had one drink and were never offered another. The food came and we were told we had eaten very quickly when the server removed the plates. We were not offered a dessert menu and had to ask 3 times for the bill, waiting over 30minutes until it arrived. Very disappointing as the food was ok.
6. POGO Snack Bar pervolia Larnaca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By MackenzieJan - Southport, UK
The breakfasts are fantastic value at around 5 euros for a full English serving with toast and a coffee or tea included. They are served all day as well.
Nothing is too much trouble for the owners who really try to do their best to make you happy with their food.
You can sit inside or outside depending on the time of year.
They sell delicious ice creams and desserts as well.
They have a barbecue once a month and the food and atmosphere was great.
7. Shanghai Chinese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Cyprella
Terrible food. We have ordered take away last weekend. Great disappointment. Lemon chicken was simply warmed up from freezer, as it was cold inside, crispy seaweed is not a seaweed at all, but crispy lettuce, noodles had a taste of cheapest noodles they could find, duck... kind of smocked with strange taste. Every thing in the end was shared between the dog and dustbin���
8. Maqam Al Sultan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Maqam Al-Sultan represents a culture. Lebanese cuisine epitomizes the best of the Mediterranean diet. The heart-healthy ingredients such as fresh vegetables, grains, herbs and spices, lamb, beef, fish, poultry, yogurt and olive oil make a meal replete with robust earthy flavors. At Maqam Al-Sultan we immensely love, enjoy, respect and appreciate our food. Our Lebanese chefs cook the way mama cooks at home. When you fancy a real meal, fine wine, a cup of coffee or tea, to smoke a nargileh or when you're in the mood to entertain yourself, your friends and loved ones, welcome to Maqam Al-Sultan!
Reviewed By Alexandra M - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Went for lunch and split a baba ganoush and hummus among 2. Best hummus I've ever had served in very big portion. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Very customer oriented.
9. Diatiriteo - THE LANDMARK Traditional Taverna
Overall Ratings
5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By 2travelersLondonUK - London UK
Brilliant taverna/restaurant. So good, our group eat there twice during a short stay in the village. Very attractive interior, very friendly and efficient staff, and really lovely food, all representing very good value. A very varied menu is on offer. Strongly recommended.
10. Old Market St.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By roberrschutte
Set just off the business of the finikoudes finds old market street nestled on a corner, high wooden bench seats outside all lit with tea lights creates a really intimate setting. Inside is very well designed the cocktail menu is very extensive, the glass size and alcohol poured are very generous, we didnt eat but other peoples food looked of a high standard. Next time im in Larnaca i will be sure to go back and visit for more high level cocktails.
