taverna

For a genuine traditional Cypriot dining experience, you're probably better off venturing into a village and looking for a local taverna. Many of the tavernas in Larnaca town are mostly geared towards tourists and as a result, quality and tradition is often lacking.

There are restaurants, buffets, snack bars and tavernas, catering for even the pickiest of eaters.

Over the course of his career, which spans more than 20 years, Koutsoumbaris teamed up with Chef Michael Psilakis to open several Greek tavernas in New York City, including Kefi, MP Taverna and Anthos.

The multitiered alley of Mnisikleous, a kind of Spanish Steps on steroids, thrums with rooftop bars, trendy garden tavernas and gin-thirsty scenesters mingling in a heady swirl of kephi, the Greek word for joyful energy.

There, a larger than life statue of the Greek billionaire stands on the promenade between lines of ocean-going yachts and dozens of beach bars and traditional tavernas.

The hillside location, a five-minute walk from the bars, tavernas and shops, ensures peace and quiet and a lovely cooling breeze.

Best setting award goes to Agni, famous, by word of mouth, for its beautiful backdrop of lush vegetation stretching down to the shore and for its clutch of waterside tavernas.

Most bars and tavernas across the town offer pints of Mythos beer for between [euro]2 and [euro]3 during the early evening.

It has a small harbour lined with fishing boats, a lovely little beach, plenty of tavernas and a couple of good food shops - all surrounded by olive groves.

ey o er a choice of restaurants and tavernas with fresh sh widely available.

There, seaside tavernas grilled the day's catch of fish and octopus.

And so it does until in the middle of the evening the local people and the handful of visitors meet in the village square or at one of the seaside tavernas to eat and drink and talk together.