Alley — Restaurant in Limassol Municipality

After seeing all the 5-star reviews I was a bit disappointed by what my own experience was.

Service: 4/5 Food: 3.5/5 Prices: 1/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Value for money: 2/5 Is it really fine dining? No

We went there last week for dinner. The first thing I noticed was that the tables were too small, especially for reservations larger than two people. This is a really important observation and I will come back to it later. There were also some larger tables, but these were either for larger parties or for sharing with others. The tables and the chairs do not give the vibe of a fine dining restaurant at all, it's more like a 'taverna-vibe', but it is still a cute place.

Even though the tables weren't comfortable or fancy at all, upon looking at the menu we could see fine-dining restaurant prices. These guys were charging €5 for a few olives and some pieces of bread, or (I don't remember the price) for a plate for a few green peppers. All of the dishes had jacked up prices for what you were getting (i.e., no sides at all!).

The service was okay. Nothing to add here.

On top of the extreme, outrageous prices for the food, the plates were also kind of sad. They looked like starters with prices for main dishes (except the Cod dish which seemed reasonable to me). Now, regarding the size of the tables, it is very hard to buy into the sharing concept of this place when there is no room at all to share on the table. This is why I mentioned the tiny tables at the start. The whole menu is built around the concept of buying a lot of small plates, yet it is not a pleasant experience at these tiny tables.

The food tasted okay, but it was nothing extraordinary. The cooks and the chef can definitely cook and it was all prepared nicely, but I found some dishes to be a bit boring. Also, when you serve a dish with 2 main components (I'm talking about the sea bream here) it is a big no-no to have the fish overcooked, and ours was overcooked.

As a last remark, I want to say that I have been to a lot of fine dining restaurants over the years, in a lot of different countries. Fine dining does not mean small tiny portions. It means the whole experience, from the moment you enter the establishment, to the moment you oay and leave. Some of your portions were borderline sad to look at. And most of your ingredients don't cost that much, so you can definitely afford to enlarge the portions. Maybe look at different dishes, like bowls. But I could tell that the chef/cooks are a bit inexperienced. Keep up the good work, I hope you improve and succeed. As-is, without anything changed, I wouldn't want to come back to your...

Nice atmosphere and quite popular spot in the city for alfresco dining. It's a hidden gem and tucked away from the crowded or touristy area. The service was good and the outdoor setup was fabulous.

About the food, I love the fact that the ingredients were fresh, local and seasonal. The menu was well curated and designed for sharing, meze/tapas style.

Some of the dishes were good and some were just passable. Let's say the crushed potatoes were under seasoned, borderline bland. The chicken thighs were tender and juicy and had potential, it need some extra accents to excite the flavour buds. The deep-fried aubergine needed some sauce or dips. However, the lamb meatballs were quite nice, the hummus with sardines was a good combo, and the stuffed courgette flowers were good too.

The highlight of the dinner was the humble appetizer. They add some citrus zest and coriander seeds in the olive served with sourdough bread, it was a fantastic blend. The cauliflower with almond sauce and sumac was great too, I could imagine it would be better if the cauliflower was smoked to add a touch of complexity in the taste profile.

Overall, it was a decent dinner and would come back...

Nestled discreetly on the seaside part of the city, Alley is a hidden gem for culinary adventurers seeking unique flavor fusions. With limited seating, the ambiance exudes exclusivity, offering an intimate dining experience that feels like a well-kept secret.

What sets Alley apart is its fearless approach to combining unexpected ingredients, resulting in dishes that tantalize the taste buds and ignite the imagination. From savory-sweet pairings to bold culinary experiments, each plate is a work of artistry and innovation.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of indulging in few of their signature dishes, each one leaving me eager to explore more of their menu.

Despite the limited seating, the attentive service and airy atmosphere only enhance the overall dining experience, making it feel like a cherished rendezvous with culinary excellence.

Overall, Alley is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts craving bold flavors and innovative combinations. With each visit promising new discoveries, I eagerly anticipate returning to sample more of their...