Ocean Basket sits right on the fishing harbour in Ayia Napa, with views across Limanaki and the busy stretch of Pantachou beach. It’s the Cyprus branch of the well known Ocean Basket seafood and sushi chain, and its harbourside position makes it one of the easiest places to drop into after a walk along the front.
What makes it special
Diverse menu offering fresh seafood dishes like grilled calamari, prawns, sea bass
Attentive and friendly staff enhancing the dining experience
Delicious food options including sushi and Greek specialties
The restaurant has built a strong following for its seafood and sushi, and has picked up several awards along the way. With both an open-air terrace and an air-conditioned dining room, it works well whatever the weather, and it’s a popular choice for anyone after a proper sit down meal rather than a quick bite by the harbour.
What Makes It Worth Visiting
The main draw is the combination of fresh seafood, a proper sushi selection, and that harbour setting. Few restaurants in Ayia Napa let you watch the boats and the beach while working through a plate of calamari or a sushi platter, and the view does a lot of the work here. The menu leans on Mediterranean style seafood alongside the sushi, so there’s a fair bit of choice if your group can’t agree on seafood versus something lighter.
The fish and chips has its own following, and the calamari, cooked both grilled and fried, gives you a way to try two textures from one dish. Mussels come with a lemon garlic sauce that regulars tend to order again on return visits, and the sushi is made fresh on site rather than pre-prepared.
What to Expect
Ocean Basket is open every day from midday until 11pm, so there’s flexibility whether you fancy a late lunch or a proper dinner. The setting is relaxed and breezy, with the open-air seating good for people watching along the harbour, and the air-conditioned hall a better bet on the hottest days or when the wind picks up.
It’s a family friendly restaurant with a kids’ menu, so it suits groups with children as well as couples or larger parties. Portions are generous, and there’s a decent wine list including Cypriot and South African options, plus cocktails and other drinks from the bar if you want to make an evening of it.
As with most harbourside restaurants in Ayia Napa, it can get busy during peak summer months and at weekends. It’s worth confirming current opening hours, menu prices and whether booking is recommended directly with the restaurant before you go, especially in high season.
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If you can, time your visit for early evening, when the light over the harbour softens and the terrace is at its best before the dinner rush properly sets in. The open-air side gives you the better view of the boats and the beach, while the air-conditioned room is the more comfortable option in the height of summer.
Order a mix from the seafood menu rather than sticking to one section. A starter of calamari done both ways, followed by a sushi platter to share, gives you a good feel for what the kitchen does well without committing the whole table to one style of food. Allow a good hour and a half for a full meal with drinks, longer if you want to make the most of the view.
If you’re staying nearby, Ayia Napa’s wider harbour area and beaches are an easy distance away, and pairing a harbour dinner with an afternoon by the sea makes for a relaxed day out.
Ocean Basket is a solid choice for a proper seafood or sushi meal with a harbour view in Ayia Napa, and it fits easily into a day spent around the town’s beaches and waterfront. For more local recommendations on where to eat, swim and explore around Ayia Napa, the ElloCyprus Discover Guide is worth a browse, and if you need somewhere to stay nearby, ElloCyprus offers professionally managed villas and apartments across the area.
