Hondros - The oldest traditional tavern — Restaurant in Paphos Municipality

A recommendation and the online reviews took us to Hondros for lunch on a Monday.

We ordered grilled halloumi, kleftiko and chicken kebabs.

The halloumi was fine - there’s not much to go wrong there. However, the bit of salad they put on the side was dry and tasteless - a bit of dressing wouldn’t have gone amiss.

But the main courses were awful. The chicken was horribly overcooked - extremely dry and tasteless.

I came here for kleftiko - a dish I’ve eaten many times and even cooked myself. Cyprus is apparently the home of this dish of lamb leg or shanks, marinated with herbs then slow roasted in a clay oven until it is very tender and delicious.

Or at least that’s what I thought kleftiko was meant to be because at Hondros, they served me a chunk of plain meat that had been boiled to destruction.

It was soft (rather than what could be described as ‘tender’) yet managed to be dry (almost powdery in places) and totally tasteless. And it had that unpleasant aftertaste cooked lamb gets from being stored in the fridge too long.

The meat sat in a small puddle of the unappetising, greasy water it had been boiled in.

I forced myself to eat it because I have a moral objection to throwing meat away but I wish I hadn’t had to.

The potatoes it came with were fine - nothing special but probably the best part of the entire meal.

I find all the glowing reviews baffling - did we visit Hondros on an exceptionally...

Awesome fish mezza, extremely filling. Was plenty of food for 2-4 though is meant for 2. As a 2 we finished it, but was a tight squeeze but we rose to the challenge.

The food was amazing, hot tasty, and v fresh. Great service and hospitality from the waiters & waitresses.

It's not on the main promenade or restaurant area just off a main road further at end of harbour.

However it is highly worthwhile, we got their 1830-1900 before a mad rush (mostly locals - good sign of good food). Not that many tourists there.

Definitely worth a visit 😋

Update Oct 2023: We visited again and everything stands ... consistent! Awesome food and service. Really authentic! We went twice this time and they catered well for our 4 year old too. The octopus as part of the mezze (it's a grilled then stewed version in a red wine sauce with loads lovely herbs and spices( is a MUST! the fish mezze again for us. The 1st time this year we had some 5 dip starter and a calamari to share. Wine was lovely again too. Must have reccomended the place to another dozen people at our hotel. I would happily eat there 5 days out of 7. Will be back next...

Last meal before Airport..worst food I've ever had in the Med. How this place rates high I will never know.. The staff looked like we as customers were annoying their gang & the staff couldn't be bothered to be civil We had starters which were OK...then the flies came ..the staff in their collective huddle could see me batting and swiping but did nothing. I got lamb chops and chips. My partner got chicken kebab. Her chicken was dry. My chops were the driest pieces of thin meat I've ever had. I raised an annoyance at the flied, eventually someone came over with a candle, I then said " these chops are dry " ( see photo ) I was told " that is the way we cook them." They were crisp , tastless & full of gristle. I promptly asked for the bill... not one of the senior staff had the guts to come over , the bill was 60euro for an awful experience & dire, inedible food. AVOID THIS PLACE & THE RUDE,CANT BE BOTHERED STAFF. FAR BETTER PLACES WITH NICE STAFF , FOOD...