A highly regarded family-run Cypriot restaurant with generous meze, strong vegetarian and vegan choices, warm hospitality, and occasional service or preparation inconsistencies; reserve ahead and expect roughly €25–35 per person for a full meal before drinks.
The Windmill earns its standing through strong food quality, particularly its meze, traditional dishes, and seafood, paired with warm, attentive hospitality that dominates diner accounts. Its atmospheric side-street terrace is charming rather than a landmark panorama, and modest speed and comfort keep it from reaching the very top tier.
The Windmill is a characterful, family-run taverna tucked into a side street in Kato Paphos, with a covered terrace that shifts from calm early dinners to a lively, celebratory bustle. Hospitality is the headline: diners describe being welcomed like family, receiving small complimentary bites, and occasionally watching plate-smashing celebrations. One recurring sensory memory is the warm lentil-and-rice welcome dish, praised as good enough to inspire a recipe request. The cooking is rooted in Cypriot tradition but broad enough for international tastes, with the meze format doing most of the heavy lifting. Kleftiko, keftedes, halloumi, seafood, homemade desserts, and especially the vegan meze are repeatedly singled out, while the current menu adds generous choice across pasta, steaks, fish, and traditional dishes. Most diners find the portions and experience worthwhile, although a minority report dry meat, bland dishes, reheating problems, or slower service during busy periods. This is a destination-worthy choice for local flavors and convivial hospitality, not a harbor-view restaurant. Families are particularly well served: the current menu has chicken nuggets, fried fish, fish fingers, chips, garlic bread, and children’s linguini at €4–8, while reviews describe toddlers enjoying bread and pasta and even picky children trying the complimentary lentils. Vegan and vegetarian families also have substantial options. Reserve ahead, and remember that the terrace can become hot on humid evenings.
Area vibe: Tourist-oriented seaside city with historic sites, beaches and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening footfall in central and harbour areas, quiet residential streets at night.
What's nearby: Near Paphos Old Town, archaeological sites, harbour, shops, hotels and local tavernas.
The €24 meze, Lamb Kleftiko, Keftedes, and the warm lentil-and-rice welcome dish are the clearest bets
Book ahead, especially for busy evenings, and expect the covered terrace to feel hot on humid nights
The covered terrace delivers a lively, family-run Cypriot experience, especially when plate-smashing celebrations begin