Mezes @ Kyrenia

[Graeme67]

Hi,

As Niazis is the place for kebabs, can anyone recommend 'the place' for mezes please? I did think about checking out the harbour...?

Many thanks.

[magalan]

Cenap in Alsancak

[libby]

YES I AGREE WITH CENAPS!
CLOSER TO KYRENIA - TANERS SECRET TERRACE - MEZE IS FAB..COOKED BY THE MOTHER OF THE BOY RUNNING IT
THIS IS NEAR THE SEA IN KARAKUM.
BELLAMOON - IN BELLAPAIS FOR FAB MEZE AND MAIN MEAL - 28TL - 33TL.....
ARCHWAY - ZEYTINLIK..
MAYBE THE KIBRIS EVI JUST OPENED AT THE CASTLE END OF THE HARBOUR FOR MEZE - ALTHOUGH I THINK THEY PRICE THEM INDIVIDUALLY SO IT COULD BE PRICEY!
SEEMS TO BE A GAP IN THE MARKET....MAYBE.....!!!!

[sundance]

good friends of mine went to Niazis in may this year and come away disappionted, and they have been many times. they said the cost was more and not as much food, but they just could of had a bad night,

Sundance

[andrew4232]

i think its like a lot of places they get a good name and then standards seem to drop

[cyprusishome]

Only been to Niazzis once, would never go again. Ramed in like sardines, food thrown at you and price is ridiculous. There are far better. It obviously lives on reputation and gullible tourists.

I agree with above, if you want traditional meze go to Cenaps. Always full of Cypriots and on a week end and you may need to book. But beware, you will need a doggy bag to take stuff home. One thing that nobody objects to here.

[karakum5c]

Niazis are over priced and the food bland best avoided unless you like throwing money away.

The further you get away from town the better the mezes become is the best rule of thumb.

[PoshinDevon]

Agree with the Cenap...but dont eat a thing before you get there and spend the night indulging!!

Bellamoon in Bellapais is good as well.

Tuncay in Yeri heading towards Esentepe is also good.

Never had a decent meze on the harbour - best avoided.

[mrsgee]

Ceggos in Bellapais......wonderful little place.....just around the corner from Tree of Idleness, heading up towards the Muhtar's office and Bitter Lemons house. Lutfi does all the preparation......you will not be disapponted, but best to let them know that you are coming so they can plan what you will get. One of the best mezes we have had in a long time, 40 TL, and we had to tell them to stop!!!! Every time we have been there has been some variation on the food, which is nice, as mezes do tend to get a bit 'samey'......

Agree with others, don't bother with the harbour if you want good quality food.

[woodspeckie]

Agree about Niazis for the price we were very disappointed, we were being ignored and we had to call a waiter over after about 20 mins to take our order then waited 15mins for our drink, the meal wasn't adequate even though we are not big eaters, never been so disappointed before after eating at various places, one of our favourites is the Stroll Inn in Karakum, you get what you ask for the way you want it cooked and very pleasant surroundings with excellent service.

[blackbird]

Have to agree with the comments about Niazis. Below average food and over priced....There is no shortage of places to eat over there.

[Graeme67]

Thanks for all the info folks - much appreciated! As it's our last night here tomorrow, we'll be sure to follow advice. One question though: is the food at the harbour restaurants really only so-so? I'd expect to pay a bit more because of location, but I don't know which one I'd choose; wonder if they're pretty similar...

Re Niazi's. I tried the legendary full kebap (40tl). The service was good. The food was very good (came with basic mezes), but it was less quantity than I expected, and it certainly wasn't worth fourteen quid. Consequently, I won't be back and I won't be trying Lagoon neither.

As we're nearing the end of our holiday, we're just about discovering where the locals eat (I reckon if they're more locals than tourists in the restaurant, that's a good measure); Sultans (good play area for the kids) seems popular as does Beyti behind The Colony.

Cheers everyone.

[Graeme67]

...Oh, and perhaps I ought to check out 'Stroll Inn'. I've passed it a few times but never bothered because it's British. However, a couple of people have recommended it so perhaps I ought to give it a try...

...have to say that after being here a fortnight, I'm pretty much 'kebabed-out' now

[sophie]

Graeme67, I know what you mean about being kebabed out. However that's what they eat here and it's our home, so you hve to learn to live with it. I'm not sure I could live in Beijing for the very same reason and I love Chinese food!!! I think Niazis lives on a very out of date reputation and gullible holiday makers who obviously (as do we all) read guide books. I love Bellamoon and if you live within a radius (don't know what it is though) they will pick you up and delivery you back in a taxi FOC. I am constantly disappointed with the lack of fish to chose from and as for The Lagoon and its supposedly fresh fish, the least said the better.

[Graeme67]

Sophie, don't get me wrong - I love kebabs! But it's my own fault for not varying my dining. Everytime I said 'no more', I ended up having one the next evening! I meant to eat a few fish dishes, and I actually haven't tried any. Not even Calamari. Niazis is recommended in 'Lonely Planet' as "achieving something of cult status amongst kebab lovers", but I guess it's all relative, including Trip Advisor charts...

[Graeme67]

OK, I'm going to try TANERS SECRET TERRACE...How do I find it please? What should I look for on the main road?

[harita]

TANERS SECRET TERRACE .. Coming from Girne turn left after Marshalls .. If travelling towards Girne Turn right the road before Marshalls ..
There is a sign on the main road pointing you in the direction .. Follow the road for 1km or so & it is on your left ..
Give the Stroll Inn a visit .. Don't think you will be disappointed ..

[niceone]

we all get kebabed out now and again, wherever I live I like a variety of different food, happily there are plenty of options in north cyprus
turkish, indian, chinese, thai, english,italian
Have I missed any?