Ouzeri Koutourou is a modern Cypriot restaurant in Paphos Old Town, located near the Town Hall and close to some of the area’s most charming streets, cafes, and local shops. Since opening in early 2020, it has become a favourite for visitors and locals looking for creative Cypriot food in a relaxed, contemporary setting.
What makes it special
Experience outstanding dishes like baked halloumi with honey and flavorful fava.
Enjoy a warm and unique atmosphere with attentive staff.
Try original flavor combinations including dishes with truffle oil.
This is not the kind of restaurant with an endless menu trying to please everyone. Ouzeri Koutourou keeps things focused, seasonal, and interesting, with a menu that changes regularly depending on fresh ingredients and kitchen inspiration. That alone gives it a lovely sense of confidence.
A Modern Cypriot Restaurant with Seasonal Character
One of the best things about Ouzeri Koutourou is its approach to food. The menu is usually small, thoughtful, and designed around quality rather than quantity. This gives the restaurant a semi meze feeling, where you can order several dishes to share and build a meal around different flavours, textures, and cooking styles.
The daily changing menu means that specific dishes may not always be available, but that is part of the appeal. You might find village salad, grilled olives, halloumi with honey, grilled vegetables, seafood, pork belly, prawns, duck, or other seasonal plates depending on when you visit.
It feels rooted in Cypriot cooking, but with a modern touch. Traditional ingredients are treated with a little more creativity, while still keeping the food familiar, generous, and easy to enjoy.
The Food at Ouzeri Koutourou
The food at Ouzeri Koutourou is best enjoyed by ordering a selection of dishes for the table. It works beautifully for couples or small groups who like to share and taste a little of everything.
A Cypriot village salad is a good starting point, especially when made with crushed fresh tomatoes, olive oil, rusks, feta cheese, and pickled caper leaves. It is simple, juicy, and full of local character, with the rusks soaking up the tomato and olive oil beautifully.
Grilled kalamata olives are another memorable dish when available. Warmed with olive oil, salt, and sweet onions, they offer a clever twist on a classic Mediterranean table snack. It is small, simple, and exactly the sort of thing that makes the restaurant feel different from a standard tavern.
Grilled Vegetables and Cypriot Flavours
Vegetable dishes are one of the quiet strengths of Ouzeri Koutourou. Grilled mushrooms, aubergine, and other seasonal vegetables are often treated with restraint, allowing the smoky flavour from the grill and the quality of the ingredients to stand out.
Grilled mushrooms with lemon juice and olive oil are a good example of how simplicity can work when the ingredients are right. Aubergine with tashi, the Cypriot tahini based sauce, brings a deeper, nuttier flavour and feels very much connected to local cooking.
These dishes make Ouzeri Koutourou a good choice even if you do not want a heavy meat based meal. The food still feels satisfying, especially when shared with bread and a drink.
Meat, Seafood, and Larger Plates
Alongside the smaller plates, Ouzeri Koutourou often includes larger dishes such as crackling pork belly, prawns, roasted duck, or grilled meats. These give the menu more depth and make it easy to turn a few starters into a proper full meal.
The roasted duck is a standout example of the restaurant’s more creative side. Duck is not the most typical meat in Cypriot dining, where pork and lamb are more common, but here it can be prepared in a way that keeps the spirit of local grilling while adding a more international touch.
When cooked well, the duck is rich, juicy, and balanced by a warm cabbage style slaw that catches the flavour from the meat and sauce. It is the kind of dish that shows Ouzeri Koutourou is willing to play with tradition without losing its Cypriot identity.
Drinks and Ouzo
As the name suggests, Ouzeri Koutourou is a natural place to enjoy ouzo with your meal. Ouzo, with its aniseed flavour, is not for everyone, but a good quality bottle can be smooth and enjoyable, especially when paired with salty, smoky, and grilled dishes.
Wine, local spirits, and other drinks may also be available depending on the day. The restaurant’s style suits long, casual meals where food and drink are part of the same easy going experience.
Atmosphere and Location
Ouzeri Koutourou sits in a lovely part of Paphos Old Town, making it a great choice before or after a walk around the area. Its location near the Town Hall places it close to the modernised old town, where new restaurants, shops, and bars continue to bring more life to the city centre.
The atmosphere is modern but relaxed, with a neighbourhood feeling that works well for both lunch and dinner. It is popular, so walking in can be risky during busy periods, although you may get lucky if there is a cancellation or no show. Booking ahead is the smarter move.
Best Time to Visit
Ouzeri Koutourou is a good choice for a relaxed dinner in Paphos Old Town, especially if you enjoy sharing plates and a slower meal. It is also a nice lunch option if you want something more thoughtful than a quick tourist meal.
Evenings tend to feel more atmospheric, while lunch can be a little easier if you prefer a quieter experience. Because the menu changes daily, each visit can feel slightly different.
Why Visit Ouzeri Koutourou?
Ouzeri Koutourou is a strong choice if you want modern Cypriot food that still feels connected to tradition. It is not overly formal, but it does feel considered. The short menu, seasonal ingredients, sharing style dishes, and creative touches make it one of the more interesting places to eat in Paphos Old Town.
It is especially good for diners who enjoy ordering several plates, trying local ingredients, and discovering dishes that feel familiar but not predictable. For a relaxed meal with flavour, character, and a bit of modern Cypriot confidence, it is well worth bookmarking.
Insider Tips
- Book ahead, as the restaurant can fill up quickly.
- Order several dishes to share rather than choosing one plate each.
- Ask what is best on the daily menu, as dishes change regularly.
- Try the grilled vegetable dishes if available, they are often simple but excellent.
- Leave dessert for one of the nearby pastry shops if the dessert selection is limited.
- Pair your meal with ouzo if you want a more traditional drinking experience.
Ouzeri Koutourou Reviews
Visitors often praise Ouzeri Koutourou for its seasonal menu, creative Cypriot dishes, and relaxed old town setting. The small menu is part of its charm, showing a focus on freshness and quality rather than trying to offer too much.
The restaurant is especially appreciated by people who enjoy sharing plates, grilled flavours, local ingredients, and modern interpretations of traditional Cypriot food. It feels stylish without being stiff, which makes it a lovely fit for Paphos Old Town.
Key Points
- Modern Cypriot restaurant near Paphos Town Hall
- Opened in early 2020
- Small daily changing menu based on seasonal ingredients
- Good for sharing plates and semi meze style dining
- Known for dishes such as village salad, grilled olives, halloumi, vegetables, pork belly, prawns, and duck
- Relaxed old town atmosphere
- Booking ahead is recommended
Final Thoughts
Ouzeri Koutourou is one of the most interesting places to eat in Paphos Old Town if you want Cypriot food with a modern edge. Its daily changing menu, seasonal ingredients, and sharing style dishes make it feel fresh and personal every time.
For visitors who enjoy relaxed meals, local flavours, and restaurants with a clear point of view, Ouzeri Koutourou is definitely worth adding to your Paphos food list.
