Laona Restaurant is one of those places in Paphos that feels quietly confident from the moment you find it. Tucked away on Votsi Street, just off Makarios Avenue, this traditional Cypriot restaurant has built its reputation not through flashy presentation, but through honest food, warm hospitality, and the kind of cooking that feels deeply connected to local family life.
What makes it special
Discover authentic Cypriot cuisine cooked with passion.
moussaka, beef stifado., with enjoy delicious dishes like lamb kleftico.
Warm and friendly atmosphere with outstanding service.
Open since 1986 and still under the same management, Laona has become a much loved name for visitors and locals who want to taste real Cypriot dishes in a relaxed, old style setting. It is family run by Chris, Koulla and Andreas, bringing decades of restaurant experience and a genuine enthusiasm for traditional Cyprus cuisine.
A Traditional Cypriot Restaurant with History
Laona Restaurant has long been known as one of the most recommended traditional restaurants in Paphos. Over the years, it has been praised by local and international publications for its authentic home cooked meals, hearty stews, friendly welcome, and excellent value.
The restaurant has been described as a hidden gem, a hidden delight, and a place where the food tastes just like something cooked by a Cypriot mother or grandmother. That reputation is not difficult to understand. Laona keeps things simple, seasonal, and rooted in the flavours of Cyprus.
The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, with an old style charm that suits the food perfectly. This is not a restaurant built around trends. It is a place built around tradition, consistency, and a love for proper Cypriot cooking.
The Food at Laona Restaurant
The food at Laona is prepared in the same spirit as the dishes cooked by generations of Cypriot families before. Fresh meats, local vegetables, herbs, spices, and seasonal ingredients are at the heart of the kitchen.
Rather than relying on a large fixed menu, Laona usually offers a short daily selection of freshly cooked dishes, displayed on the boards. This gives the restaurant a homely, fresh, and personal feeling, as if you are choosing from whatever has been prepared with care that day.
The restaurant is especially known for traditional Cypriot stews, home cooked meals, and generous meze. Guests can enjoy the special meze, small meze, and vegetarian meze, with the vegetarian option available by order.
Meze and Seasonal Cypriot Dishes
For many visitors, the best way to experience Laona Restaurant is through its meze. A Cypriot meze is not just a meal, it is a slow and generous introduction to local flavours. Small plates arrive one after another, giving you a chance to enjoy different textures, sauces, meats, vegetables, dips, and traditional recipes.
Laona’s meze reflects the restaurant’s wider philosophy: genuine Cypriot food, cooked simply and properly. The dishes change with the seasons, keeping the experience fresh for regular customers while giving new visitors a true taste of local cuisine.
The vegetarian meze is a useful option for those who prefer meat free dining, although it should be ordered in advance. This is a nice example of Laona’s personal, family style approach, where the kitchen prepares food with care rather than simply offering a standard tourist menu.
Why Visit Laona Restaurant?
Laona is a great choice if you want traditional Cypriot food in Paphos without the overly polished tourist feel. It suits travellers who enjoy local restaurants with character, family history, and proper home cooked dishes.
Its location in a side street gives it a slightly hidden feeling, which is part of the charm. You are not going there for sea views or dramatic decoration. You are going for the food, the welcome, and the feeling of eating somewhere that has earned its reputation over many years.
For lunch in Paphos, especially if you want something hearty, local, and authentic, Laona is one of the names that continues to stand out.
Opening Hours
Laona Restaurant is usually open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00. The restaurant also opens on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
As opening hours can change, especially around holidays or quieter seasons, it is always a good idea to call ahead before visiting.
Location and Contact Details
Laona Restaurant is located at Votsi 6 Street, 8010 Paphos, Cyprus.
For reservations or enquiries, you can contact the restaurant by telephone on 26937121, 99548026, or 99541249. You can also email laonarestaurant@hotmail.com.
Laona Restaurant Reviews
Laona Restaurant has attracted praise for many years from travellers, locals, guidebooks, and international publications. Comments often highlight the restaurant’s genuine Cypriot character, warm service, excellent traditional dishes, and strong value for money.
Much of its appeal comes from the fact that it has stayed loyal to what people loved about it in the first place. The food is traditional, the setting is welcoming, and the experience feels personal rather than commercial.
Key Points
- Traditional Cypriot restaurant in Paphos
- Family run since 1986 under the same management
- Located on Votsi Street, just off Makarios Avenue
- Known for home cooked Cypriot dishes and hearty stews
- Offers special meze, small meze, and vegetarian meze by order
- Short daily selection of freshly cooked dishes instead of a fixed menu
- Warm, old style atmosphere with a genuine Cypriot welcome
- Good choice for lunch in Paphos
Final Thoughts
Laona Restaurant is one of Paphos’ classic traditional dining spots, loved for its honest Cypriot cooking and long standing family character. It is the kind of place that reminds you why simple food, cooked well, can leave a stronger impression than anything overly complicated.
For visitors looking to experience authentic Cypriot cuisine in Paphos, Laona is a restaurant worth finding.
