Aphrodite Tavern

With a name like that, it’s pretty clear that the Aphrodite Taverna is not from the Real Greek school of re-evaluating culinary cliches – & that’s just how the locals like it. A sense of warmth pervades the dining room, decorated with the sort of knick-knacks – statues, copper pans – that look like cast-offs from the set of Jason & the Argonauts. The recent addition of some continental classics – monkfish provencal, beef stroganoff – has widened the kitchen repertoire, but it’s for the lovingly crafted Greek-Cypriot cooking that booking is recommended here, with textbook versions of kleftiko & stifado, moussaka & an assortment of mezze turned out to a reliably high standard, with anything involving lamb always to be recommended. Prices are reasonable & there’s Greek wine to wash it all down with.