Cafe Central is an all day cafe and restaurant in the heart of Ayia Napa, next to the monastery and part of The Napa Plaza Hotel. It is a useful choice if you want somewhere central for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee, cocktails, desserts, or a relaxed drink while watching the town go by.
What makes it special
Experience quality food served in a modern, well-decorated space.
Create your own pancakes for a personalised meal.
Enjoy cocktails and burgers that are full of flavour and reasonably priced.
The location is one of its biggest advantages. It sits close to Ayia Napa Square, near Arch Bishop Makarios III Road, and is easy to include in a day or evening around the centre of town. It is not a quiet countryside escape, and that is not really the point. Cafe Central works best for visitors who want atmosphere, choice, and convenience in a lively central setting.
What Makes It Worth Visiting
The main appeal of Cafe Central is variety. The menu covers savoury meals, light meals, burgers, salads, pasta, seafood, mains, desserts, coffees, teas, cocktails, wines, spirits, imported beers, and cold drinks. This makes it especially useful when you are with a group and everyone wants something different.
It is also open from morning until late, so it can work for a quick coffee, a proper meal, a sweet stop, or evening drinks. The setting feels stylish but still easygoing, which suits Ayia Napa well. It is central, busy, and social, with enough menu choice to make it more than just a simple cafe stop.
What to Expect
Expect a lively cafe restaurant atmosphere in one of the most central parts of Ayia Napa. Cafe Central is described as cosy and stylish, with a reputation for generous portions, good hospitality, and a diverse menu.
It is the sort of place that can feel different depending on when you visit. In the morning, it works for coffee or breakfast. During the day, it suits lunch, light meals, sweets, and cold drinks. In the evening, it becomes a good option for dinner, cocktails, wine, or shisha with friends.
Because of its central location and broad menu, it can get busy, especially at weekends. For a more relaxed visit, weekdays may be easier. If you are planning to go at a popular time, booking ahead is a sensible idea.
Food and Drinks
The food menu at Cafe Central is broad, with separate menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The kitchen offers everything from lighter options to more filling mains, so it works well whether you want a snack, a salad, a burger, or a full meal.
Some of the dishes mentioned include Halloumi Sticks served with grape compote, Macho Nachos with cheddar cheese, tomato sauce and jalapeno peppers, and Sweet Potato Puffs with halloumi, mint, and apple tomato jam.
For salads and lighter meals, options include the Signature Salad with blanched tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peppers, feta cheese mousse, capers, and black olive dust. There is also a Chicken Tempura Salad with selected greens, carrots, mango, crispy tempura chicken, and teriyaki sesame sauce. Pulled Pork Bao Buns are also mentioned as part of the menu.
The burgers are homemade, with seven options listed. These include the Central Burger, Mexican Burger, and Black Angus Burger with cheddar cheese, tomato, and lettuce. Extras such as bacon, egg, and cheese are also available.
The pasta and seafood choices include Linguine Carbonara, Shrimp Orozotto with fresh parmesan cheese, Citrus Salmon caramelised in citrus juice, grilled Tuna Steak marinated in soy sauce and spring onion, and deep fried Calamari with lime tartar sauce.
For mains, Chicken Central is described as a top seller. It is made with succulent corn fed chicken fillet strips sauteed in butter with mushrooms and Mediterranean sun dried tomatoes, finished with white wine and cream, and served with rice and vegetables. Another main dish mentioned is the Signature Pork Chop, a French cut 2 bone pork chop glazed with smoky barbecue sauce, served with roasted potatoes and verde dipping sauce.
There is also a selection of side dishes, including rice, salad, French fries, potato wedges, roasted baby Cyprus potatoes, grilled or sauteed vegetables, and royal quinoa. A vegan menu is also mentioned.
Desserts are a big part of the experience at Cafe Central. The menu includes waffles, crepes, vanilla ice cream, banana, praline, pastry cream, almond nuts, homemade sweets, and exotic flavoured ice creams. One dessert mentioned is the Strawberry Crunch, made with homemade strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries marinated with basil and rum, pistachio biscuit, pastry cream, strawberry praline, and strawberry sauce, served with either freshly made waffles or crepe.
The drinks menu is extensive, with over 100 hot and cold drinks. Visitors can choose from alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails, wines, Champagnes, premium spirits, imported beers, coffees, teas, and hot and cold chocolates. Signature cocktails are also part of the menu, made with imported spirits and fresh local ingredients.
Useful Things to Know
- Cafe Central is located at 12, Arch Bishop Makarios III Road, 5330 Ayia Napa.
- It is next to Ayia Napa monastery and close to Ayia Napa Square.
- It belongs to The Napa Plaza Hotel.
- It is open all year.
- Summer opening hours are 9 am until 2 am.
- Winter opening hours are 9 am until midnight.
- Another provided opening time notes 10:00 till late, so visitors should check directly if timing is important.
- Reservations can be made by calling +357 23816585.
- Credit cards are accepted.
- Free WiFi is available.
- There is ample on and off street parking nearby.
- It can get busy at weekends, so booking ahead is recommended.
ElloCyprus Recommends
Cafe Central is a good choice if you want one place that can handle different plans. It works for coffee, brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails, desserts, and relaxed evening drinks, which makes it especially practical if you are in a group and everyone has a different idea of what they want.
For a full meal, Chicken Central is one of the strongest options mentioned, especially if you want something rich and filling. If you prefer something lighter, the salads, sandwiches, and bao buns are worth looking at. For a sweet stop, the waffle, crepe, homemade sweets, and ice cream options make it easy to visit just for dessert and coffee.
If you want a calmer experience, try visiting during the week. If you are going on a weekend or planning dinner in the evening, it is better to book ahead.
Insider Tips
- Book in advance if you plan to visit at the weekend.
- Visit during the week if you prefer a less busy atmosphere.
- Consider Cafe Central when your group cannot decide between coffee, cocktails, food, or dessert.
- Leave room for dessert if you enjoy waffles, crepes, ice cream, or homemade sweets.
- Check the current opening hours directly, especially outside the main summer season.
Key Points
- Cafe Central is an all day cafe and restaurant in central Ayia Napa.
- It is located next to Ayia Napa monastery and belongs to The Napa Plaza Hotel.
- The menu includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, burgers, salads, pasta, seafood, mains, desserts, and drinks.
- Chicken Central is described as one of the top selling dishes.
- The drinks menu includes over 100 hot and cold drinks.
- Signature cocktails, wines, spirits, imported beers, coffees, teas, and chocolates are available.
- It is open all year, with longer hours in summer.
- Reservations are available by phone.
- Free WiFi and credit card payments are available.
Final Thoughts
Cafe Central is a strong option if you want a central Ayia Napa spot with plenty of choice and a lively but comfortable atmosphere. It is especially useful for mixed groups, long relaxed meals, cocktails, coffee stops, and dessert cravings. The menu is broad, the location is practical, and the setting makes it easy to settle in for anything from a morning cappuccino to a late evening drink.
