Souvlaki Bar

Themistokli Dervi 24A,77777753, LEFKOSIA (NICOSIA)
Mon-Sun 12:00-23:00
Food: [rating:3] 3/5
Service: [rating:3.5] 3.5/5
Ambiance: [rating:3] 3/5
It is needless to give a big intro as the name says it all! This dine-in, take-away or delivery restaurant serves anything that has to do with Greek or Cypriot “souvlaki”. Casual, quick, convenient and pleasant was what I was the impression I was left with last Wednesday.
We went for lunch to find it packed. Even though most of the tables are inside, there a few outside at the front and on the side. Being quite casual it could be considered as a quick lunch place but apparently it gets packed at night as well…and why shouldn’t it as one could enjoy a traditional meal in the centre of the city in a cool environment?
Apart from a few dips, sides and starters including “halloumi”, sausage, and freshly cut fries with fetta cheese, there is a long list of kebab served in all kinds of ways. You can choose between Cypriot “souvlaki”, Greek “kalamaki” or “gyros” in a choice of pitta bread or served as a portion in a plate with fries and salad. If one wants to try something different the “sfinakakia” are quite cool, which are literally shot glasses with a mini Greek “kalamaki” (don’t be fooled however, the taste is the same as a normal one).
If you are a vegetarian or don’t feel like “souvlaki”, the whole concept could be pointless as there is no veggie dish apart from salads, and only lamb chops, sausage or grilled chicken apart from the kebab dishes.
We didn’t mind at all as we went prepared. The chicken “gyros” served as a portion was very good and of quite generous size. Being quite salty (as it should be) I would have preferred it in a pitta bread instead to get a better balance of flavours, which is what I plan to have next time (also 2.25€ cheaper without the fries and salad of course). The only thing I didn’t like about it was the fact that they put honey/mustard dressing on the salad, which completely destroyed it for me. The “mprizolakia” were also very good being quite tasty and tender, also in a generous portion.
Although the concept is simple and straight forward sometimes this is what we need-as Cypriots will never stop having the need for kebab. Souvlaki Bar is by no means a taverna substitute, but a complement to all the take-away or eat-in casual restaurants. I would definitely include it in my list for Greek souvlaki and “gyros”. The portions in a plate might be 7.95-8.95€ but it seems that a 10€ with a soft drink has unfortunately became a minimum price for a sit-down meal.