When we want to point guests towards a proper night out, these are the tables we keep coming back to. This is our pick of the best fine dining across Protaras, Kapparis and Ayia Napa: five restaurants we happily recommend for a special occasion, an anniversary, or simply a meal you want to linger over rather than rush.
They are not all the same. Some are about the view, some about the theatre at your table, and some about a quiet room and a plate of pasta done properly. Here is what each one does well and how to get the best out of it.
Folio Restaurant, Protaras
Folio is the one we point couples towards when they want an evening with a real sense of occasion. It sits at the end of the Protaras Strip and has been going since 1997, which tells you it has kept people coming back. The signature is the tableside flambe, where some steaks are cooked and flamed in front of you, so the meal becomes a bit of a show.
The dry-aged steaks are what we would order, though the creative sushi selection is worth a look too. The room is contemporary and there is step-free access, which is handy if anyone in your group needs it. It gets busy at weekends, so book a couple of days ahead.
Glasshouse Lounge Restaurant, Ayia Napa
For a special occasion with a view, this is our first suggestion. Glasshouse sits on the sixth floor of the Adams Beach Hotel on Nissi Avenue, and the outlook stretches from Cape Greco across to Ayia Napa Marina. The food is Mediterranean, the cocktails are properly made, and the wine list runs from local bottles to international names.
Our advice is simple: time your booking for around sunset and reserve early, because those tables go first. It is the kind of setting that makes an anniversary or a milestone feel like one.
Sage Restaurant, Ayia Napa
Sage is where we send anyone after a good steak in a smart but relaxed room. Sage Restaurant and Wine Bar sits in the centre of Ayia Napa, with a strong wine list and a menu built around grills, steaks and international dishes.
We would sit outside on a warm evening, ideally at one of the sea-facing tables, and order a steak, as the portions are generous. It is popular with couples and books up in high season, so reserve ahead. It is also worth asking the staff about any specials that are not on the printed menu.
Just Italian Ristorante, Kapparis
When we want Italian done properly rather than for show, Just Italian is our choice. The flagship is in Kapparis, near Paralimni, and it has been running since 2006, with a Time Out Eating Award to its name from 2007. Expect thin-crust pizzas, proper pasta and desserts made with care, with both indoor and al fresco seating.
It is a little more relaxed than the others here, which is exactly why we like it for an easy, good-value evening. Book during busy periods. A simple tomato-based pasta is a reliable order, and the Espresso Affogato is a lovely way to finish.
Elia Restaurant, Cape Greco, Protaras
Elia is my personal favourite of the five, and the one I keep going back to when a group wants to share and settle in for the evening. It sits over towards Cape Greco, on the Protaras side, within a seafront hotel, and serves Mediterranean food with a clear Greek influence under Chef Panagiotis Zois.
I would start with something like the feta mousse with truffle oil, then move to the grilled classics such as kontosouvli, lamb and octopus, with seafood and a few vegan options also on the menu. The portions are large, so it suits a table of friends.
Whichever you choose, these are five we are happy to put our name to for a special occasion, so pick the mood first: a rooftop view, tableside theatre, a proper steak or a plate of pasta done well. Book early in the season, and if you are still sorting where to stay nearby, we manage holiday villas and apartments across this part of the island and share more of our favourite spots in the ElloCyprus Discover Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
The five we recommend are Folio in Protaras, Elia at Cape Greco on the Protaras side, Just Italian in Kapparis, and Glasshouse Lounge and Sage around Ayia Napa. Between them they cover rooftop dining, tableside flambe, quality steaks, honest Italian cooking and Greek-influenced Mediterranean food, so the right one depends on the sort of evening you are planning.
We would book at all of them, and it becomes important at weekends, in high season and for sunset tables. Folio, Sage and Just Italian get busy in peak periods, and the sunset slots at Glasshouse are the first to fill, so reserving a day or two ahead is the safer approach.
Most lean towards couples, celebrations and special occasions, particularly Folio, Glasshouse and Sage. Just Italian and Elia tend to suit families and groups a little more, helped by generous portions that are easy to share. If you are dining as a family, it is worth mentioning that when you book.
Elia lists vegan choices alongside its main menu, and Italian menus like Just Italian usually include vegetarian pizza and pasta. Options at the others can vary, so if you have specific dietary needs it is best to confirm the current menu with the restaurant before travelling.
For a sunset dinner, Glasshouse Lounge is our standout thanks to its rooftop position. Sage suits a romantic evening with its refined setting and sea-facing tables, while Folio adds a sense of occasion with steaks flambeed at the table. Any of the three works well for a celebration.
All five sit within easy reach of Protaras, Kapparis and Ayia Napa, so a base anywhere along that stretch keeps them close. ElloCyprus offers professionally managed holiday villas and apartments across the area, and the ElloCyprus Discover Guide has more of our local recommendations for planning your trip.
