Vasiliki

Digeni Akrita 28A, 22349803, LEFKOSIA (NICOSIA)
Mon-Sat 11:00-16:00
Food: [rating:4] 4/5
Service: [rating:4] 4/5
Ambiance: [rating:2.5] 2.5/5
One of the best, (if not the best) and oldest “magirio” in Nicosia is Vasiliki, named after the cook herself. The fact that she looks like the average Cypriot grandmother makes the food taste even better!
Situated at the back of the Agios Antonios market (recently renovated after a roof collapse), is this tiny restaurant in a small alley that could have easily been my grandmother’s patio. One should be intrigued rather than discouraged by the simplistic and casual looks of the place as the food is truly fantastic. This is also shown through the fact that on any given day you can see all types of people dining there: from the workers of the market to the Minister of Finance.
The menu contains around 10 dishes a day (including vegetarian), and it is fixed as the food takes long to prepare. A typical day would include “gemista” (peppers, tomatoes and zucchini stuffed with minced meat and rice), “ospria” (beans, lentils or black eyed peas), slow cooked lamb, Vasiliki burger and often, fish. The term “home made” is an understatement!
We like almost everythign about Vasiliki, and especially the food, the casual atmosphere and the fact that a lot of local people will prefer to go here and eat grandma’s food, than to a posh and happening lunch place in the center.