Lazaris Bakery Bar
En route to Larnaca, storm clouds gathering thunderstorm forecast.
On arrival I find Nick’s Coffee Bike packed up and about to depart. He feared the weather. No coffee. Lemonade? I tried the lemonade. Excellent lemonade, but probably not a wise choice when not feeling well. Within minutes, stomach pains.
I walked along the seafront to the Medieval Castle, then headed to Church of St Lazarus.
Once behind the seafront shops of corporate chains, a run down derelict area.
I poked my head in Church of St Lazarus but did not explore the tomb of St Lazarus. He was brought to life, then when died a second time, was entombed in Cyprus.
In the Square surrounding the Church, three coffee shops, at least two of which are bakeries.
Silo I did not like, lacking in ambience, awful music playing.
The Secret Garden, unfriendly signs, not a pleasant reception, walked out.
The third, Lazaris Bakery Bar, in an old building. Pleasant ambience, but sadly not good coffee. Caffeine did not seem wise, did not ask for a coffee. I settled for water. I then asked for tea. Only herb tea. It was ok, but I did not dare drink.
I sat outside, but had to retreat indoors, traffic pollution and smoke from smokers.
Why is Cyprus so backwards? Why are these street not pedestrianised, the norm in any European city?
Millions of euros to redevelop Mackenzie Beach, a gravy train for contractors and an appalling waste of public money. Instead, invest in an electric shuttle bus Larnaca Marina to Mackenzie Beach with stops en route and pedestrianise the seafront and the back streets around St Lazarus Church.
Water available to drink, the norm in coffee shops in Athens, a rarity in Cyprus.
At first, not feeling well, I helped myself to water and sat outside. I was not harassed to purchase anything.
Too many chains, too many indie coffee shops made to look like chains serving bad coffee.
Lazaris Bakery Bar has character, an excellent renovation of an old building.
Potentially Lazaris Bakery Bar could be an excellent indie coffee shop serving specialty coffee. The emphasis, from the breads, cakes and tea, and from conversation, appear to be on quality.
Now need to source quality specialty coffee, either from England or Athens.
Note: Several days later with a friend we stopped en route to Larnaca Airport and had something to eat. The food was excellent.
