Restaurant review: Peggy’s Secret Garden Café, Paphos

By Sarah Coyne

I am not sure if everyone is the same at this time of year, but with the warmer weather, large-sized meals, especially at lunchtime, do not have quite the same appeal. A great place to go for a light lunch in Peyia is Peggy’s Secret Garden Café. You certainly have to know about this place to experience it. You will find it on the main road up to the village centre, housed in a traditional village house and so small from the front that you will miss it if you blink! However, once around the back in the secret garden, you realise why it is such a popular place for breakfast, coffees, lunches and afternoon teas.

The garden is accessed from the side road and is abundant with pecan, mulberry, lemon, pomegranate and fig trees. Since the owners took charge three years ago, the size and number of tables have dramatically increased. This has resulted in an oasis away from the madness of the present-day world. In addition, they have completed a considerable renovation of the property and the garden, making it suitable for all guests, including the disabled, with ramp access to the tables and toilet. There are excellent sea views from the far end of the garden, and it is undoubtedly the perfect place to watch the sun go down. Possibly the best tables are under the shade-giving mulberry tree.

Peggy’s starts the day with breakfast, which is served until 11.30am and offers an extensive selection of English, Scottish, vegetarian or Cypriot cooked versions. In addition, they have snacks varying from a bacon roll to healthy yoghurt with fruit and granola, porridge or sweet crepes. They also serve excellent coffee from Beanhaus Coffee Roasters.

There are always daily sweet and savoury specials and a regular main menu. On the day we visited, the specials included a sauteed rib-eye steak with mushrooms and onions or roast pork with stuffing and apple sauce in a ciabatta, or a tortilla wrap with coronation chicken or falafel with mint yoghurt. In addition, there are meat and fish burgers together with other tempting wraps, platters and sandwiches to enjoy on the main lunch menu. There are plans in the summer to increase the salad options currently available. One of the most popular items on the menu, which I have enjoyed many times, is their homemade quiches of cheese and caramelised onion or ham and roast peppers.

My colleague and I decided to share a rib-eye steak ciabatta and a cheese and caramelised onion quiche. These are served with a salad garnish, potato salad and coleslaw. All homemade, the quiches at Peggy’s are always excellent, full of taste, great pastry and served warm. Due to the size of the quiche, it can be easily halved. The steak ciabatta was superb with a very generous portion of steak, which blended very well with the mushrooms and onions.

We shared a portion of the signature delicious homemade lemon meringue pie as a dessert. There is a large selection of cakes, including chocolate cake, scones, carrot cake and coconut cake. The cake menu changes on a daily basis. Peggy’s is also very well known for its excellent value afternoon tea, which, in addition to tea or coffee, comes with a flute of prosecco, buck’s fizz or house wine.

On the Drinks List, in addition to the speciality coffees, they have a great selection of very well priced milkshakes and smoothies, and a choice of beers and wines. Service is both very friendly and efficient.

So, if you are looking to meet friends, or just working on your computer at a table, Peggy’s certainly has you covered as the ideal spot to spend some peaceful time away from everything. The secret garden is just that, but remember to look for it as you go up the hill, and do not let the empty appearance of the inside of the building put you off. As the adage goes, looks can be deceiving when it comes to size – as everyone is having a ball behind this little façade.

SPECIALTY Lunches and afternoon tea

WHERE Peggy’s Secret Garden Café, Chrysomilias Street, Peyia, Paphos

WHEN Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm

CONTACT 96 780211

HOW MUCH Lunche dishes from €8.95, Afternoon Tea €15