Piatsa Gourounaki — Restaurant in Nicosia

Good Greek restaurant for meat lovers in the old town of Nicosia

N35°10.361' E33°21.737' Piatsa Gourounaki, translates as the place where little pigs meet and greet, is incredibly popular for Greek food. There is also a Piatsa Gourounaki Express on Leoforos Kostaki Pantelidi. The restaurant has tables inside, a covered and heated terrace to the right and tables at the front of the restaurant. There is no reservation policy. Many tables were already occupied when we entered. Piatsa Gourounaki’s menu is tailored for lovers of large, tender, sizzling pieces of meat as part of fresh, simple, delicious dishes in a casual, friendly environment.

In November 2021, we went sustainable by lowering our meat consumption and ordered the vegetarian platter dish for two: haloumi cheese with tomato, spicy cheese with mint bruschetta, falafelaki, aubergine & hummus with beetroot sauce (€18.90). At our discretion, we choose a bottle of Paraga dry white wine, Ktima Kür-Giannis, from Northern Greece (€16) and sparkling water. With so many guests, the kitchen worked in overdrive and soon a large tray was on our table. A kind of cheese tomato onion soup was offered free of charge.

We enjoyed the haloumi, the cheese soup (very nutritious), the falafel, bread and sauces. The Greek wine was fine but not special. The service from the Syrian waiter was friendly and fast. We had a nice chat with the chef, whom we did not recognise on the street the next day without a facemask.

Piatsa Gourounaki offers good traditional Greek dishes for meat lovers....

January, 2nd in 2025 with good luck we have got a table outside. Many other people also wanted to get a table but they needed to wait or to return. Soon we received the menu written in GREEK and in English. Our waiter with beard and wearing glasses was unfriendly from the beginning till the end. We ordered Zucchini Balls and Gyros with chicken. In addition we ordered Tsatziki ( served without garlic (!) ) and a bottle of water and one bottle of Beer without Alcohol. Fast Tzatziki was served ( good taste but we have missed garlic) and soon the Zucchini Balls were served. The Gyros was missed. When my Partner has finished her Zucchini Balls I have asked our unfriendly waiter that my Gyros is still missed. His answer was shocking: " You need to give it time to get ready"! There was no caring at all. After a while my Gyros arrived. It was well presented and the taste was perfect. It was prepared with French Fries (also good) cabbage and accompanied by mustard. Then we have tried to ask for the Bill. Our waiter has continued not to care about us. So we have asked another waiter to care about our Bill while he was caring about other guests searching for a free table. He has not answered but 5 minutes later we received the Bill. The final amount to pay for all was 26,10 € which is a good value for money. Except the Service I can recommend...

I read so many positive reviews about Piatsa Gourounaki before I visited Nicosia, so it was the first place to visit upon my arrival.

My order included a couple of wraps but I ended up with a full course meal, including a pligouri salad and graviera cheese saganaki, along with a desert and a shot on the house! Everything I tasted was delicious, portions were on the large side, and the staff was really friendly and kind - plus, service was fast. I would have gone for the meat platter but it was definitely for two or more people :-)

The place was cozy and well decorated, with a positive vibe; lots of wooden furniture and decorations that I like (compared to cheap, plastic ones which are used widely). In addition, you get to learn a lot about souvlaki from the stories on the walls, while waiting for your order.

Despite my small order, the staff and manager made me feel more than a welcomed guest than a customer, and this was outstanding. It may not be the cheapest souvlaki option around, but it was a great value for money - both for the quality and the atmosphere (and the treats, if they are a common practice) - I would definitely visit Piatsa Gourounaki when I next...