Famagusta Nautical Club

28th Oktovriou, 25879767, LEMESOS (LIMASSOL)
Mon-Sun 12:00-24:00
Food: [rating:3.5] 3.5/5
Service: [rating:3.5] 3.5/5
Ambiance: [rating:4] 4/5
When I hear the words “nautical club” what comes to mind is a simple café with plastic chairs that serves orange juice and “frappe”. This is probably why it took me 3 years to visit NOA (“Ναυτικός Όμιλος Αμμοχώστου”), despite Mr Proud Cypriot’s efforts to convince me otherwise. I certainly did not expect such a place (and Mr Proud Cypriot did not expect me to blame him for not taking me earlier). The only thing I can say is that dining under the eucalyptus trees right on the beach is something that you don’t often get in Cyprus.
While entering the restaurant one can tell that this is not just any nautical club. The décor is classic but elegant. The highlight, however, is the space at the back of the restaurant where the back yeard is situated and which is right on the beach under the eucalyptus trees. Beach and trees is not something we are used to in Cyprus (let alone in Limassol), and this is probably why I was so surprised. The ambiance created by the blue colour of the sea and the shade created by the high eucalyptus trees is truly relaxing, reminding more of a Greek island, and an ideal place for a tranquil lunch.
The food is international with a focus on seafood. Apart from the standard grilled fish selection one can find more creative dishes like stuffed calamari, shrimps “saganaki” and seafood pasta. In addition, the large salad selection and the platters available on the menu also make it possible for one to have a light meal as well.
We both ordered the prawn cocktail as a starter. For me it brought back flavours from my childhood as this used to be a very standard dish at Cypriot non-traditional restaurants in the 90s. It had a good blend of flavours with a slightly sour cocktail sauce, fresh avocado and refreshing lettuce together with a fair amount of prawns. Mr Proud Cypriot’s chicken salad was enough for two people as it was fairly large in size, served with fresh lollo rosso and a light balsamic dressing. My prawn linguini cooked “al dente” served without cream or tomato sauce, but solely with a light lemon dressing, pine nuts and parsley was truly tasty- just as I like it.
I thought NOA was an all-round great place that can be transformed into anything you want it to be: a casual place for lunch on the beach, a more “proper” place for a business lunch, a restaurant for a romantic dinner or a place to go during early evening for a glass of wine over a platter of oysters. This is why I plan to visit it again soon. Prices? From 7€ to 25€, expected for an elegant place by the beach that serves fish. I thought if we take everything into consideration, 55€ total for 2 starters and two main courses (no wine) was worth it.