Arsinoe Fish Tavern — Restaurant in Polis Chrysochous

I don't usually leave reviews, but I have to make an exception for this place. Just to clarify first, we didn't eat at this restaurant, we just tried. We got there with 20-30% of the tables occupied. Tried to sit on a large table my son and I, and a few seconds later an older man sitting at another same size table smoking a cigarette asked us in sign language and with a disgusted look if we are 2 ppl only. We said yes and he started some sort of rant/moral lesson telling us to move to a tiny 2 person table that won't even fit a couple of dishes. Another person came (His son? The manager?) asking if we had a reservation, to which we said we didn't and if he has some space. We were still very smily and affable, and asked him if we can get a double table as we haven't eaten since breakfast and are starving and planning on ordering many dishes. He refused and said to sit at the tiny table and that he will arrange another table to fit the dishes. He the came back asking if we are ready to order, to which we asked for the extra space. He refused in as blunt and aggressive way as can be. We politely said thank you and started to get ready to leave. He gave us this killer stare and it felt as he was ready to kitterlay physically aggress us. I held out my hand to say thank you, and refused to shake! I kept my hand held out saying that I'm thanking him for his time, and since people were looking he felt obliged to shake my hand still with the most aggressive look and tone as can be. That's when we left. We went to another place 2min away where the owner came to greet us with a smile, all friendly, and had dinner there. This arsinoe place reminded me of a Seinfeld episode called 'the soup nazi'. It doesn't matter if the food they serve might be great, it's not an excuse for such bullying and disrespectful behavior. If they don't like tourists, then better not to open a restaurant in a touristic area. And if they're just wanted to squeeze all the money they can by filling all the tables to the brim, they could have still done that as more than half the place was empty, and we were just going to be there for half an hour, they could have just mentioned that we can have the larger table but would have to vacate within half na hour, which would have been ok for us. But they're just greedy and a dictionary description of impoliteness. Please be aware of this in case you're thinking of having a meal in this unfriendly place. There are plenty of alternatives nearby with excellent food and that don't make you feel unwelcome, and that they're doing you a godly favor by...

Each year in October we come to Cyprus and spend a few weeks in the Paphos area. Driving up to Polis to have dinner in restaurants like The Old Town, Finikas and Arsinoe has always been a pleasure. These all have their particular charm.

Arsinoe had its host/owner who always made time for a friendly chat and gave advice on what type of seafood was really good that day. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2019. Since then we were disappointed with the food a few times. Last year (2021) half of the grilled prawns were mushy and this year (2022) the grilled octopus was neither fresh nor recently grilled. What we also do not like is the rushed service. On two occasions the main course came to our table while we were still on our starters. Dinner over in less than 30min!

After being loyal and enthusiastic customers for more than a decade we have now decided to go elsewhere...

Three of us ate here last night.two had swordfish the other sea bass.ordered two half litre carraffes of local white house wine.before the fish arrived we were given pita bread and a mixed salad. The fish arrived with thick cut chips and a bowl of couscous. The fish was all fresh and delicious and cooked to perfection and the salad we ordered was perfect. We were given another half litre of wine on the house together with a nice apple. The staff were friendly and the service very good. I know it is difficult to recomend restaurants as personal tastes differ but we all found the arsino excellent in every respect and plan to...