Psarou Fish Tavern- Pafos — Restaurant in Κοινότητα Χλώρακα

I am a local from Paphos, and I feel the need to warn both tourists and locals: Ψαρού was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had in Cyprus. For your own sanity, your pocket, and your evening, avoid this place.

First red flag: As soon as we arrived, no one greeted or assisted us. When we finally sat down, the waiter was unfriendly and quite rude. We ordered 3 fish meze (€32 per person) and 2 portions of fried calamari. We also asked about a salad but were told it wasn’t necessary since it was already included in the Food started arriving painfully slowly. After 40 minutes we still hadn’t received the fried calamari (one of them ordered specifically for a hungry 6-year-old who ended up eating only bread). Small dishes eventually appeared: a tiny piece of octopus tentacle, very small grilled calamari, and a salad clearly not enough for 3 adults . At 50 minutes, I asked again about the fried calamari and chips, since the meze dishes were being served without any sides. Instead of an apology, the waiter rudely told us to “look around” because the place was busy and we should “bear with them" without an apology. Completely unacceptable.

The portions: According to the menu, the meze included various small fish and one sea bream per person. When the “main” finally came, it was just one fish. After asking, they eventually brought a second one, but when I questioned the third, they told me the meze is actually for two people minimum, despite charging €32 per head! For what we received : 3 tiny fishes, 3 prawns, a single small portion of chips, a spoonful of risotto, and two sea breams for three meze orders. The value was shockingly bad.

The worst part was the owner’s behaviour: At the end of the meal, I went to pay (€153) secretly as a gesture for my friends. While paying, I politely gave some constructive feedback, saying that as a local I truly felt the portions were too small for the price, and that I was not satisfied. Instead of listening, they became aggressive. Without me realizing, the owner marched to my table and started loudly yelling at my friends, accusing me of “complaining about the price” and saying to my friends "come and take her away, she is complaining about the price" boasting that he serves thousands of people and I am one of the few that complained (Just checked the rest of the reviews and NOT to my suprise I'm one of many!) . This was humiliating, other diners were staring, my friends were shocked, and the atmosphere was ruined. My husband calmly told him that yes, the food was overpriced and that his rudeness was unacceptable, but the owner kept escalating.

Food: Below average and extremely overpriced.

Service: Rude, dismissive, zero hospitality.

Atmosphere: Ruined by the owner’s aggressive behaviour.

We paid, of course, but we left in shock and embarrassment. This is not how Cypriot hospitality works. Cyprus is known for warmth, generosity, and good food and this place represents the opposite. They care only about money, not their customers.

If you want to enjoy fresh, generous, and authentic seafood, avoid Ψαρού. There are plenty of other places in Paphos that will give you value for money and treat you with respect. This was a trap, not a taverna. An if you still contemplating to go, eat prior something otherwise you will...

If you aren’t local I wouldn’t bother!

I never write reviews but this restaurant was the first one in my life that I couldn’t wait to leave!

You walk in to the place which is predominantly locals dining so I thought I was in for a treat. I spotted a fish counter so had a look, with half of it looking relatively fresh and the other not so much and a smell of fish. It seemed the locals at the counter was getting talked through it and explained over a good friendly chat and anyone who wasnt local wasn’t bothered about.

I spotted that the mussels were still live so I thought I would try them and looked forward to nice supple mussels

On ordering I ordered sea bass and mussels with the plan to try a few more things. As I was ordering the waiter wasn’t even looking at me but rather over the restaurant and clearly not listening! This was annoyed us.

20 minutes later and sea bass and prawns came out. I said I didn’t order the prawns, the guy just looked at me and tried putting them down a second time and then a THIRD time! I told him the waiter wasn’t listening and I ordered mussels There was only guy there who seemed to have basic manners, I’m assuming the main guy, but the rest of the staff need some lessons in manners and hospitality!

The food was really bad!

€21 euro for 8 mussels, these were NOT even the ones in your fish counter but rather green lipped mussels. Not only that, they were fishy and chewy! Definitely not fresh. How can a seafood chef not cook a mussel?!

I also got seabass which was overcooked

Nobody come round to check if food was ok. When finished, the guy clearing our table then asked why I only ate one mussel, I said they were really not good and chewy and he just removed them from the table, didn’t come back, didn’t apologise, nothing! Not a care in the world that a customer was unhappy

As I say the food wasn’t good and very expensive so that alone I strongly wouldn’t recommend but it was mainly the staff that served us were very rude and made us feel very unwelcome. When we saw Cypriots walk in they were laughing and chatting with them! We felt we was a total inconvenience

Just do not come here in you...

Psarou Fish Tavern is a true gem for anyone who loves authentic, fresh fish and seafood served with warmth and genuine hospitality. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed with the kind of care that makes you feel more like a guest at a friend’s seaside home than a customer.

The food is nothing short of excellent. Every dish reflects the freshness of the catch and the skill of the kitchen. The grilled fish is cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and seasoned just right to let the natural flavours shine. The dishes are impressive, with each plate offering a taste of tradition, from perfectly fried calamari to delicate octopus, and dips that pair beautifully with warm bread. There is an extensive wine list that perfectly complements the dishes.

What makes Psarou stand out is the professional staff and the atmosphere. With its charming setting near the sea, you enjoy your meal to the sound of the sea and a relaxed, authentic island vibe. It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and excellence. Service is attentive yet unpretentious—the staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about what they serve. You feel that every recommendation comes from the heart.

Overall, Psarou Fish Tavern is the kind of place that lingers in your memory long after you leave. It did in mine, and that's why I went back time and again, and I shall do so in the future. It combines exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and the joy of eating by the sea.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Highly...