The Best Taverns in Troodos: Where to Try Cypriot Cuisine in the Mountains

A trip through Troodos can easily be combined with lunch at a traditional tavern. In the mountain villages, they cook meat over charcoal, kleftiko, afelia, sheftalia, homemade sausages, trout, and seasonal dishes made from local produce. This selection includes family-run establishments in Platres, Pelendri, Agros, Foini, Kakopetria, and other villages. Before setting off, it is recommended to check opening hours and book a table: some mountain taverns open only on certain days or change their schedule depending on the season.

• Tavern in Kalopanayiotis
• Taverns in Pelendri
• Taverns in Platres and Nearby
• Taverns in Agros
• Taverns in Foini
• Taverns in Other Troodos Villages
• How to Choose a Tavern
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tavern in Kalopanayiotis

Morokanella Taverna

Morokanella Taverna is located in Kalopanayiotis and overlooks the Marathasa Valley. The establishment specializes in Cypriot meze and local wine. The name is connected to Morokanella — a rare Cypriot white grape variety.

It is worth coming here for the combination of traditional food and panoramic views of the mountain villages.
A visit can be combined with a walk around Kalopanayiotis, the old Venetian bridge, and the Monastery of Saint John Lampadistis.
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Taverns in Pelendri

Symposio Tavern

Symposio operates in a restored stone house in the wine-producing village of Pelendri. The concept of the establishment is built around Cypriot recipes, seasonal produce, and ingredients of its own production.

The tavern aims to bring local flavors and dishes back to the menu, dishes that are rarely found in standard tourist restaurants.
Pelendri is also known for the Church of the Holy Cross with frescoes, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Polydendri Tavern

Polydendri is a family tavern in the green part of Pelendri. Its main focus is Cypriot meze and homemade dishes made from local produce, including village sausages and seasonal mushrooms.

In summer, tables are placed on the terrace among the greenery, while in winter the main spot becomes the hall with a large fireplace.
It is a suitable option for a leisurely lunch after a walk around the village or a trip through the wine-growing areas of Troodos.
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Taverns in Platres and Nearby

The Village Restaurant

The Village Restaurant is located in Pano Platres and serves traditional Cypriot dishes. The menu includes moussaka, stifado, afelia, grilled meat, and other familiar village-style dishes.

The location makes it possible to combine lunch with a walk around Platres or a trip to the Millomeris and Caledonia waterfalls.
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Kalidonia Rotis Taverna

The family-run Kalidonia Rotis tavern has been operating in Pano Platres since 1975. The establishment preserves the format of home-style Cypriot cuisine and is known for kleftiko, meatballs, and fresh trout.

It is one of Platres’ long-established venues. The tavern is located in the center of the village, so it is convenient to stop by after a walk or before visiting natural trails.
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Agios Demetrios Tavern

Agios Demetrios Tavern is located in Kato Platres. It is a mountain tavern with Cypriot cuisine, local wine, views of the surroundings, and a fireplace that creates a particularly cozy atmosphere in winter.

The establishment is suitable for those who prefer quiet village places away from the busiest part of Platres. It is better to book a table in advance for the weekend.
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Kouka Tavern

Kouka Tavern operates in the small village of the same name, not far from Pera Pedi and Platres. The menu features Cypriot cuisine: you can order a set of dishes in the meze format or individual portions.

One of the establishment’s specialties is meat stew cooked with aromatic spices.
The tavern is also interesting for its location: Kouka is one of the smallest villages in the area, near the Church of the Holy Cross.
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Strofi sti Gefsi

Strofi sti Gefsi is located in the village of Mandria on the road between Pera Pedi and Kato Platres. The family tavern has been operating for more than 30 years, and its development is handled by representatives of three generations of one family.

The name can be translated as «turn to taste» — it fits well with its location on a winding mountain road. Cypriot dishes and meze are prepared here, and on certain days lunches and evenings with live music take place. The schedule of music programs should be checked in advance.
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Psilo Dendro

Psilo Dendro is a well-known stop on the road to the Caledonia waterfall in Pano Platres. The place combines the format of a tavern and a mountain café and is especially famous for trout dishes.

A popular nature trail starts nearby, so the establishment is convenient for lunch before or after a walk to the waterfall. In warm weather it is especially pleasant to sit among the trees by the stream.
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Taverns in Agros

Linari Tavern

Linari Tavern is located in the center of Agros and specializes in Cypriot meze and fresh meat cooked over charcoal. The establishment has been operating for many years and maintains the format of a small traditional tavern.

Agros is known for rose products, smoked meats, and sweets, so lunch can be combined with a visit to local workshops and production sites. For a large group or a trip on a weekend day, it is better to reserve a table in advance.
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Seven Hills Restaurant Tavern

Seven Hills is located in Agros and stands out for its open mountain views. The menu includes meat and fish meze, grilled dishes, pasta, and traditional Cypriot items, including moussaka, afelia, pastitsio, and stifado.

It is a convenient option for a group in which guests want to order different dishes rather than limit themselves to meat meze only. In good weather, it is worth choosing a table on the open terrace.
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Taverns in Foini

Phini Tavern & Restaurant

Phini Tavern has been operating in the village of Foini since 1983 at an altitude of about 910 meters above sea level. It is a small tavern with traditional Cypriot cuisine and a homely atmosphere.

The menu includes souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, and meze.
Foini is known for its pottery traditions and is located not far from the Chantara waterfall, so a visit to the tavern can easily be included in a route through the southern part of Troodos.
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Neraida Family Restaurant

Neraida is a family restaurant in Foini serving traditional Cypriot dishes. The establishment is located in the green part of the village and is suitable for a quiet family lunch.

It is another option for a trip to the Chantara waterfall or a walk around Foini.
The schedule on weekdays and weekends may differ, so the time of visit should be confirmed in advance.
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Taverns in Other Troodos Villages

Chrysanthis

Chrysanthis should be considered as a stop during a route through the mountain villages rather than as a large resort restaurant.
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Platanos Tavern

Platanos offers Cypriot dishes and grilled meat.
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How to Choose a Tavern in Troodos

• For panoramic views: Morokanella Taverna and Seven Hills Restaurant Tavern.
• For a modern interpretation of traditional cuisine: Symposio Tavern.
• For kleftiko and homemade dishes: Kalidonia Rotis Taverna.
• For meat cooked over charcoal: Linari Tavern.
• For trout: Psilo Dendro or Kalidonia Rotis Taverna.
• For a family lunch: Polydendri Tavern, Neraida Family Restaurant, or Phini Tavern.
• For a village atmosphere: Kouka Tavern and Strofi sti Gefsi.

In traditional taverns, meze is usually intended for at least two people and consists of several successive servings. The number of dishes, composition, and price depend on the establishment, so it is best to clarify these details before ordering.

On Sundays and public holidays, mountain taverns fill up quickly. Reservations are especially important for large groups, tables with a view, and establishments with a small dining area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to book a tavern in Troodos?

For weekends and public holidays, booking is advisable. Some establishments are small, and popular taverns in Platres, Pelendri, Agros, and Kalopanayiotis can be fully booked.

Are all taverns open every day?

No. The schedule depends on the season and the day of the week. Some establishments in winter operate only on weekends or close on certain days.

What should you order at a mountain tavern?

You can start with meat meze or choose individual dishes: kleftiko, afelia, souvla, sheftalia, village sausages, stifado, or trout. The menu composition varies by season.

Are taverns suitable for visiting with children?

Most establishments have a family-friendly format. When booking, it is worth asking about the availability of a high chair, space for a stroller, and dishes without spicy seasonings.

Can you come without a car?

Buses run to some larger villages, but routes between villages are limited and not always convenient for an evening return. For a trip to several taverns and attractions, using a car is more practical.

When is the best time to go to Troodos taverns?

In summer, it is cooler in the mountains than on the coast, and in autumn the season of local fruit, grapes, and wine-related events begins. In winter, establishments with a stove or fireplace are especially atmospheric.