Onar in Paphos offers a unique culinary experience blending traditional Cypriot architecture with modern design. Guests can enjoy a menu rich in Hellenic gastronomy, featuring shared dishes like aromatic dips, fresh salads, diverse sausages, quality meats, and daily fish specials, along with an extensive selection of local Cypriot and Greek wines.
What culinary experience does Onar in Paphos offer?
Onar, a restaurant in Paphos, offers a unique culinary experience blending traditional Cypriot architecture with modern interior design. Guests can enjoy a menu rich in Hellenic gastronomy, featuring shared dishes like aromatic dips, fresh salads, diverse sausages, quality meats, and daily fish specials. Noteworthy dishes include the Cretan Skioufikta pasta and Charred Oyster Mushrooms. Onar also boasts an extensive selection of local Cypriot and Greek wines.
The Birth of Onar: A Fresh Concept by Seasoned Restaurateurs
When the creators of the acclaimed Oniro by the Sea ventured into their next gastronomic project, they shied away from simply cloning their initial success. Onar emerged in Paphos’ charming old town, showcasing a departure in both ambiance and culinary offerings. True to its name, which means “dream” in Greek, Onar is a fusion of traditional Cypriot architecture and contemporary interior aesthetics. Guests can dine comfortably within its spacious indoor setting or choose the more intimate outdoor tables, smartly positioned away from the bustling street activity.
As regular patrons of Oniro, diners might walk into Onar with towering expectations. The restaurant opened its doors towards the year’s end, presenting a menu that breathes new life into less common Cypriot and Greek fare. Yet, the concise descriptions on the menu could potentially hinder diners from discovering the rich flavors of Hellenic gastronomy without prior knowledge.
A Menu Designed for Discovery and Delight
Onar invites its guests to journey through taste with a variety of shared dishes. The menu is a treasure trove, brimming with intriguing choices such as aromatic dips, fresh salads, delectable starters, various sausages, choice cuts of meat, and the daily fish fillet special. Vegetarian diners will find themselves particularly well-catered to, with an abundance of appealing options.
The dining experience kicks off with a rustic wooden box containing thick slices of fragrant bread, seasoned with virgin oil and oregano, accompanied by a side of olives. This prelude paves the way for the first standout dish, the Cretan Skioufikta. Described on the menu with just a few words like posirti, Amphilochian pecorino, and a poached egg, those not in the know might overlook this extraordinary pasta dish.
Dining at Onar can be a reminiscent adventure, akin to revisiting a cherished meal from yesteryears. A memorable pasta dish from an Italian restaurant in Florence can find a nostalgic echo in Onar’s pasta, rich with hand-rolled pasta, succulent bacon, a generous shower of pecorino, and crowned with a poached egg. Such dishes perfectly encapsulate Onar’s philosophy: a commitment to superior ingredients and genuine, time-honored recipes.
Unexpected Delicacies and Local Wine Treasures
The dishes arrive in an unhurried sequence, maintaining an element of surprise with each course. One might next savor the Charred Oyster Mushrooms, served with Metsovone cream, a mushroom demi-glace, and cashews—a combination fitting for the mushroom’s newfound reputation as a superfood. Another shared favorite, the Beef and Lamb Meatballs, are artfully plated with handmade pitta triangles, yoghurt, horn pepper, and pastirma harissa, delivering a medley of Middle Eastern essences.
Dessert is not to be skipped, even after a filling meal. The shared Rum Baba—a delicate sponge cake infused with rum syrup and filled with Chantilly cream—proves to be an exquisite finale. Moreover, wine enthusiasts will be thrilled with the extensive list of indigenous Cypriot and Greek wines, many of which are offered by the glass.
The Practicalities of Dining at Onar
For those enchanted by the allure of Onar, here are some practical details to aid in planning a visit.
Location: Nestled on the corner of Archbishop Makarios and Ayiou Kendeas in Old Town, Paphos.
Hours: Open from 1pm to 11pm, Onar welcomes guests daily except Mondays.
Reservations: Highly recommended; it is advisable to book several days in advance, especially for evening dining.
Contact: Phone bookings can be made at +357 26 322444.
Pricing: Sharing Plates start from €7, and can go up to €35, while desserts also begin at €7.
In sum, Onar is not just another dining venue; it’s an invitation to savor Cypriot and Greek culinary artistry, enveloped in a space that melds tradition with modernity. Whether one returns for the enchanting pasta dish or the plethora of other taste sensations, Onar promises an epicurean experience that beckons for repeated enjoyment.
What kind of dishes can guests expect at Onar in Paphos?
Guests at Onar in Paphos can expect a menu rich in Hellenic gastronomy, featuring shared dishes like aromatic dips, fresh salads, diverse sausages, quality meats, and daily fish specials. Noteworthy dishes include the Cretan Skioufikta pasta and Charred Oyster Mushrooms. The restaurant also offers an extensive selection of local Cypriot and Greek wines.
What is the concept behind Onar in Paphos?
Onar in Paphos is a fresh concept by seasoned restaurateurs who aimed to offer a departure from their previous success at Oniro by the Sea. The restaurant blends traditional Cypriot architecture with modern interior design, creating a fusion of ambiance and culinary offerings. The menu features less common Cypriot and Greek fare, designed to bring new life and rich flavors of Hellenic gastronomy.
What makes the dining experience at Onar unique?
The dining experience at Onar is designed for discovery and delight, with a menu that invites guests to explore shared dishes that include a variety of starters, sausages, meats, and daily fish specials. Vegetarian options are also available. Dishes are served in an unhurried sequence, offering surprises with each course like the Charred Oyster Mushrooms and Beef and Lamb Meatballs. The restaurant also offers an extensive list of indigenous Cypriot and Greek wines.
How can guests plan a visit to Onar in Paphos?
To plan a visit to Onar in Paphos, guests should take note of the following details:
– Location: Nestled on the corner of Archbishop Makarios and Ayiou Kendeas in Old Town, Paphos.
– Hours: Open from 1pm to 11pm daily, except Mondays.
– Reservations: Highly recommended; it is advisable to book several days in advance, especially for evening dining.
– Contact: Phone bookings can be made at +357 26 322444.
– Pricing: Sharing Plates start from €7, and can go up to €35, while desserts also begin at €7.
