• +
• -
• Text size

Related content

Topic tags

ayia napa, Restaurant review: Oriental Cuisine, Reviews

Follow the mail on Twitter.

An explosion of tastes

Put together the flavours of some of the great recipes of the Asia region and you have all the ingredients for a taste explosion – and that's what I experienced at Oriental Cuisine in Ayia Napa.

This relatively new restaurant offers a memorable dining experience, with a focus on fine authentic food and wine, service and style. In recent months it has cut out a name for itself by preparing exquisite dishes from Thailand and China and unlike many fine Asian restaurants, the food is sensibly priced – so a family or group can eat here without breaking the bank.

Oriental Cuisine is operated by the owners of Hokkaido, who have just celebrated being awarded the coveted badge of being voted the number one restaurant in Cyprus on Trip Advisor.

The chefs came to Cyprus from the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok and are masters at creating Thai and Chinese culinary specialty delights like their delicious Oriental Platter for starters, which includes smoked duck rolls, BBQ spare ribs, chicken satay, chicken wings, aromatic crispy vegetables, Shangai Noodles with chicken, and a crispy duck salad (€13.50).

The platter of starters was a great way to sample different dishes, although it is quite filling – so you either need to pace yourself, or order a lighter starter such as the Prawn Rolls served with Red Onion Sauce (€5.50).

There is a freshness and vibrancy to the cooking with a mixture of traditional dishes featured on the menu alongside some more modern takes such as the Duck Breast Curry, which is divine – it is a beautiful symphony of delicious flavours from cherry tomatoes, coconut, grapes and pineapple (€11.50). 

To get a taste of everything that’s on offer, we worked our way through several other dishes including Grilled Giant Prawns with spicy sauce (€15.50) and Beef with Mushrooms and Black Bean sauce (€13.50), all of which are beautifully presented.

The décor of restaurant welcomes you to a typical Oriental world with the subtle, soft coloured, mood lighting, hand painted wall-designs with the overall ambience of the restaurant adding to the dining experience.

The restaurant, which has had several different guises over the years, is situated at the start of the Town Hall Street, and is within easy walking distance of the square.

In among the hustle and bustle of Ayia Napa, it is close enough for you to still be part of it but is conveniently positioned, discreetly tucked away from the main strip and the noise of the bars. Excellent service, no PRs outside trying to get you in, friendly staff…

Before you leave, try the chocolate soufflé, it is one of the best you’ll taste in the region.

If you, like me suffer in the humidity, it’s best to take a table inside as sitting in the open air in Ayia Napa at night can be an uncomfortable challenge, especially when eating spicy food.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALITY Oriental cuisine

WHERE Oriental Cuisine, Yianni Ritsou, Ayia Napa

CONTACT 23 721568

PRICE Mains from €11.50