Cyprus Bistro & Cafe

If you want a culinary orgasm, Cyprus is THE place. :) I can’t tell you how many times we moaned in delight over this incredibly delicious fare.
I love this restaurant. I haven’t enjoyed a restaurant as much as I did Cyprus in a long time. Ambiance, service and food were perfect.
The ambiance is warm, comfortable, and relaxed. The restaurant is very clean, nicely laid out and the décor is tasteful.
The food is amazing. My favorite cuisine is Mediterranean and Cyprus did not disappoint. The food was very flavorful, creatively presented and prepared with a great deal of thought and care. The chef clearly knows his/​her cuisine and was careful to select the choicest ingredients. All the food items that we ordered were skillfully prepared and seemed to be infused with culinary.
The only problem that we encountered was what to order because all the wonderful options made selection difficult. So, we ended up getting a number of platters to share. We started with their «cream» of asparagus soup. There is no cream in the soup; rather, the creamy texture came from the pulp purée. This soup was velvety, perfectly seasoned and scarfed down in seconds. I could have drunk a gallon of this stuff!
Then we moved on to the appetizers. We got the grilled veggie platter, mezze and stuffed Medjool dates. Dayum! There were so many moments where we each took bites and just had to stop talking to savor the flavor profiles. The veggie platter was abundant, super fresh and grilled to perfection with just enough olive oil to make it flavorful but not greasy.
The mezze was a fantastic combination of baba ganush, hummus, red pepper dip, tzadiki and tabbouleh. Squares of lavash bread were provided for dipping. Each dip was very well-​prepared and perfectly seasoned. I was raised with these foods and can eat them every day, especially the way Cyprus makes it.
The Medjool dates were phenom. Stuffed with creamy cheese and walnuts, the textures were creamy, chewy and crunchy which is just a great enhancement to the sweet & savory combination of flavors. My friend is not into dates, so I gleefully scarfed down both. Addicting!
Feeling rather full from the generously portioned appetizers, we decided to forgo a main dish and went with salads. Again, we had the selection dilemma since they all sounded great. We chose two and shared. The greens were crisp, the cheeses were creamy, salty and not overbearing but brought the right flavor. The citrus dressing was well balanced and expertly proportional to the salad so that it was neither too light nor too oily. We enjoyed a frise salad with goat cheese and tart, dried cherries as well as the other salad of greens, apples, Roquefort and nuts.
Though full, we couldn’t resist desert which was so worth it. We got perfect little chocolate truffles and a white chocolate flan with fresh raspberries. Perfect portions, elegant presentation and great flavors. Like all the dishes we enjoyed, you just really get the feeling that these folks looooove what they do and they infuse each dish with that ingredient.
I noticed some reviews bitching about the service. I couldn’t disagree more. I normally tip 15% but last nite, I tipped 25%. Eric, our waiter, was charming, incredibly attentive, very friendly and so in tune with our preferences, that he made spot-​on recommendations. He followed our pace; neither pushing nor delaying our meal. I couldn’t recommend him more — one of the best waiters bar none. In fact, I had to ask him if he owned the place since he seemed so committed to doing his work above and beyond what you typically experience.
Our glasses were never empty. Our table was never dirty. We were checked on regularly but not annoyingly. It was like being at someone’s home for dinner who really prides themselves on making you feel welcomed and appreciated.
Cyprus is now my new fave and I’m looking forward to introducing many friends to this little treasure. Enjoy!

Cyprus should be proud to wear the honor of making it to the rare 5 star business for me here in the San Jose area. I could see this establishment thriving back home in Portland, or San Francisco.
The atmosphere is very clean and intimate. Both stiff-​backed patrons and ones with tattoos and purple hair (like me) can comfortably enjoy their meals in the relaxing Mediterranean café, befittingly located in the midst of the Campbell neighborhood.
Don’t let the wait staff deceive you! Though they’re dressed to the nines in tuxedos and their teeth glimmer when they flip you a respectful smile, they will readily laugh and joke with you over an inappropriate comment made on their cute little patio. And they’re also spot on when it comes to recommending the right cocktail or organic brew for you to find. They didn’t have my first choice ale, but the one our server came back with was delicious!
And speaking of the patio, that’s the way to go for an early evening meal. People-​watching on Campbell avenue is a treat in itself. I had no idea until this dinner experience that the Campbell neighborhood was run by a ruthless gang of mafia Standard Poodles. You don’t want to mess with those dogs… Disregard the circus haircuts and stoic stances as they strut their stuff down the avenue: they’re dangerous! But not really. On a more serious note, the people watching and good vibe of the neighborhood really heightened the dinner experience.
And the food!
So many vegan options! I don’t know how I decided on one choice. But eventually, it came down to the lentil-​stuffed portobello mushroom, with a side of refreshing (and perfectly textured) purple grains, and exquisitely grilled carrots and asparagus. It was the best meal I’ve had in quite some time.
My date got the ragout dish as well as the Gazpacho. I will say the Gazpacho was a bit more pureed and a bit less stewy than my previous experiences. But every aspect of the meal was truly divine.

I guess this review is really more like a sad farewell.
Cyprus Bistro, I thought we’d have more time together. But Liquid Bread has officially claimed the address and is under construction.
Unfortunately, we discovered you a bit late in the game. But once we did, you became the place of celebration – for birthdays of family and friends, special occasions, our engagement. And you never disappointed; everyone we brought loved the food, the ambiance, and the experience.
Eric was a knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive partner in dining. We hope we’ll see him at another place in the area very soon.
We heard you might re-​open in Europe. If so, we wish you much success. But we hope you’ll consider returning to Campbell. Or even downtown San Jose.
Well, Cyprus Bistro, it’s been fun. It’s been delicious. And it’s been entirely too short a ride. We will miss you.
Bön chance, bon ami! Salut!

This place was Amazing!!!
Hurry and experience the lovely service, excellent food and great atmosphere this place has to offer.
Our server was Eric and he seriously rocked the house with his amazing descriptions of the food, knowledge of the menu and very helpful attitude.
Hurry and get there before the places is no more!!!

This place continues to rate among the top! We went last night. I ordered the Lamb Mousaka, which was full of veggies and wasn’t as heavy or rich as I was fearing. It was a hearty meal, and I have half for another meal today. My husband ordered the beef filet with the brandy mushroom sauce. Ohmigosh. The beef was prepared excellently… He said it was the best prepared meals he has had in a long time. The service continues to be par excellence.
Now the bad? They are closing in 30 days. WHAT? Just when Cyprus was hitting its stride and was an anchor for class on that strip of the block. Another group of people are coming in and calling it Liquid Bread? Hrmmmm. That doesn’t sound classy, charming, and service oriented like Cyprus has been.
If I can offer any advice to Liquid Bread, it would be:
Please recognize the phenomenal job that has been done with the food, wine list and service at Cyprus. The care and respect that they have given their food preparations and origins and to their customers will be surely missed if that quality slips…
Thank you, Cyprus…

We booked this via Open Table for a spontaneous dinner Friday night. We took the first booking at 5:30pm when the they opened. Our experience was slightly different than the other reviewers on Unilocal: our service was excellent; unfortunately the food was only so-​so.
My wife ordered the salmon; and I had the kebob combination (chicken, beef, lamb). We also ordered a salad to split as an appetizer.
The salad was lacking dressing (we understand dressing should be applied lightly; it was almost non-​existent); and our food was under seasoned. In the case of the kebobs, the steak was prepared correctly (med-​rare); but it was rubbery; the chicken was over cooked (dry). The lamb kebob was the only thing that was seasoned ok, but was still dry.
We love the location, outdoor seating (we sat outside); but unfortunately; it’s the food that will keep up from returning. Perhaps it was we were the first customers of the evening; but; with the number of excellent restaurants in Campbell; we’ll be passing on Cyprus in the future.

Everything our party of four ordered was excellent, perfectly seasoned and prepared. The vegetables in particular were excellent. The seafood I had was cooked exactly the right amount. The desserts were especially good.
Unfortunately, our service was very slow. The main problem I had with Cyprus Bistro was the noise level which I’m sure exceeded OSHA safety standards. We were literally screaming at each other trying to be heard the entire time we were there. I would recommend this restaurant only for people who go by themselves or for groups skilled at sign language who bring games with them to kill time between courses.

We just went to Cyprus for the first time the other day. I’m a little surprised that some of the experiences I read in other reviews are nearly precisely the same that we had. You’d think if employees from this restaurant are reading these reviews so intently, they wouldn’t make the same mistakes.
So, the food is delicious. We had the grilled cheese and it was delightful. The chicken and beef were cooked perfectly. What was most remarkable was the care with which the vegetables were cooked. Usually, veggies are just garnish, thrown on the plate after a short sauté in olive oil or something. Not at Cyprus. The vegetables were lovingly prepared by someone who knows how veggies should taste. We were way impressed. The only downside on the food at all was the spinach had some brandy poured on it, but I don’t think it was cooked much afterward. It was like the spinach had been doused in a half shot of brandy. Off-​putting, but not so much that it ruined anything.
If this were the end of my review, I would give it five stars. But, the service left a lot to be desired. Before driving to the Cyprus, I checked on Open Table and noticed that they had reservations available all night, so I didn’t bother to make one. We were hungry early and we arrived just after they opened. The restaurant was absolutely empty. The waitress asked if we had reservations, and I responded no. She said she would have to check to see if they had tables … in an empty restaurant. We almost walked out right then and there. Not only is that absolutely asinine, but it’s incredibly rude. Here’s an idea: check to see what the reservation sitch looks like BEFORE people arrive. That way, you don’t have to put customers off by «checking to see if there are enough tables.» It was a Twilight Zone moment.
But hey, we stayed and we enjoyed the food. But the staff come off as pretentious for the sake of being pretentious. It’s a Mediterranean joint. It’s done well. But it’s not Manresa. And it damn sure ain’t French Laundry. Take it down a few notches. The attitude and feel of the place actually belies the food. The cuisine is simple, authentic, and a lot of care is put into preparing it. And then the wait staff goes all James Beard in trying to sell it like Top Chef judges or something. Unnecessary and over-​the-​top.
Oh, and that busy, busy night that demanded the waitress check to see if there would be room in the empty restaurant for us? Maybe (MAYBE) one-​fourth of the spot was occupied when we left.
We might go back. If we do, it’s because the food is delicious. But the pretentiousness may keep us from returning again. Such a shame cause I’d like to try some of the other dishes. Perhaps if I have a reservation next time …

Im happy to see my little Campbell growing up a little…
Great restaurant, management, chef and especially waiter, are odviously trying, and it shows!
We tried to go to Naschmarkt across the street, but alas, they insisted that even though only two table were occupied they claimed to be booked, and more importantly they were rude about it… SO we went to Cyprus… glad we did…
It had that undiscovered gem feel to it… Our waiter may have tried a little too hard, but it worked out… he was excited about the food, and his descriptions were good.
Appatizers:
1. Stuffed Medjool Dates… definitely try these, and maybe get them again for dessert! This included two varieties, the one with a tiny dash of cumin on top was amazing…
2. Cyprus Mezze Sampler, this was fairly generic, hummus, Babaganoush, etc…
Entres:
I was hungry and for those of you that know me, this means the opportunity to try two entres… I went for surf and turf…
1. Seafood Kabob Sampler: this was really good, it was a special, and recommended by the waiter, and it was good. Prawns, a scallop, a very small salmon fillet. It was good.
2. Cyprus Kebab Platter: this was mediocre, EXCEPT, the filet mignon. It had Kefta (really good sausage shaped ground lamb patty thing). Chicked, completely uninspired. But the filet mignon was really exceptional… for little Campbell this blew my mind… The rice that was a side for both entres was a good black rice, but it benefited greatly from the sauces of the meat, which was a little lacking given the quantity of rice, but I like my food swimming in sauces and flavors.
Dessert: We got the Organic White Chocolate Flan, it was good, but fell short of expectations… it was flan-​cheesecake-​whitechocolatecoverrasberry. The very strong raspberry sauce tried to balance the thick sweet core but instead was just bitter and distracting… if it was a little liter maybe it wouldnt need as strong a sauce… It was good, but I would like to have tried the truffles…
Apéritif:
I tried a couple different Ports, the one I ordered was ok, but the one I was offered as an alternative was very good, so I had that, but I regrettably dont recall the name…
I also tried what I believe was:
2009 Montinore Riesling Sweet Reserve, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Which was not something I would order, but was refreshing and not as sweet as many similar varieties… I want to share this with the GF.
Excellent experience over all…

*disclaimer* So, Eric the waiter here seems to think my hubby and I are people that wrote a bad review about Cyprus on Unilocal.We are not. We are downtown campbellites that have been to Cyprus multiple times and have had excellent experiences!
On NYE, husband and I had neglected to make any plans for dinner. We decided on Cyprus because we love the food and excellent service. We walked on with no reservation and thought we were out of luck. Eric said he had been waiting for us, that there were no reservations, but he would take us anyway.
We had an excellent meal, excellent service, and will continue coming back.
And Eric, we are not any of the haters from Unilocal.We LOVE you guys!

Awesome food, great service, great atmosphere. I’m looking forward to going back tonight. It’s been a month afterall and I might just become a regular.
I love lamb and got a great plate of it here.
UPDATE: I had accidentally given 1 star! I meant to give it 5. The service here is stellar! Professional and very prompt. They read you well enough to hang out a little or leave you alone.

4.5 stars.
Reserved a table through Unilocal here for my mom’s birthday 30 minutes before we actually arrived. Pretty quick and easy. I looked up a good Greek/​Mediterranean restaurant to try and this popped up. Since it was a special dinner, we were trying to get fancy. haha.
I really enjoyed this place. Very rustic, and reminded me of Pottery Barn. Let me just warn you, the prices here are pretty high, but hey! They serve amazing, fresh, organic food! Our waiter was super friendly. We came at a good time because as we were leaving the restaurant started to get busy.
To start the dinner off we ordered the Mohammara appetizer. It was like a fig/​pomegranate paste with some honey/​syrup type of thing served with pita-​like chips. Different and unique! Loved it! My momma ordered the special of the day which consisted of seafood type items on a bed of greens, while my dad got the Lamb Lollichoops. Cute name and I think my dad’s dish was the best out of all of ours. I got the Kefta Kebab lambs in a sausage like form with veggies and rice.
Overall, great time with the fam bam. Great upscale restaurant to go to. Their food is served in good amounts and you feel healthy after you eat it because it is light and refreshing.

Inspiring! I had the scallops and vowed to make my own at home. I did!
After I proved to myself that I could, I no longer feel the need to slave over a food processor and stove. I’ll just come here for more.
I had dinner here on a whim a few months ago. We came before the dinner rush at about 6pm and were seated in a flash. Our waiter (s) were super attentive and helpful.
I also gave the Lamb chops a tiny taste but unfortunately I am allergic to baby sheep meat. Oh well. I will eat nothing but Lamb in another life. The flavors were fantastic!
Great restaurant. I hope they stick around… we need good eats in SJ.

**SO-​SO SERVICE BUT GOOD FOOD**
3.5 stars.
Opentable reservations.
Sat outside to enjoy the warm weather on a Thursday evening.
Our waiter, James, was friendly and used jargon such as «pardon my reach» and «my absolutely favorite dish» which seemed a tad bit too forced; especially for a casual bistro in Campbell.
I liked the modern woody wine bar atmosphere.
ORDERED:
*MEDITERRANEAN FAUX GRAS ($ 7) — It looked like hummus, but tasted better. Good starter.
*GRILLED HALOUMI CHEESE ($ 8) — The accompanied greens tasted better than the cheese. Texture-​wise, a bit too greasy and firm.
*LAMB CHOPS — TART CHERRY ($ 29) — Wonderfully cooked with some of the best vegetables (asparagus, spinach, tomato, etc.) on a plate I’ve had. Fresh, organic, and grilled. The lamb lollipop chops were flavorful, a bit fatty, but good.
We also had a glass of Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose ($ 11) which tasted well with the starters.
James and another waiter, Eric, were the only wait staff on hand.
The wait did seem long in between courses. 30 – 40 minutes too long. James forgot our ground pepper for example. He also forgot to hand us back the credit card (we waited for 15 minutes) in a timely manner. It was busy, we got it, but we’re impatient Americans, dammit.
RECOMMEND for downtown Campbell.

Fantastic! My wife and I dined here for Valentine’s Day.
The restaurant features itself as an organic Eastern Mediterranean fusion (Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt). The waiter said that no dish is of one particular cuisine, but each is a fusion of the flavors.
While we were reading the menu, we were served water infused with lemon and mint, and great bread with a dipping plate (olive oil and spices, arranged in a heart shape for Valentine’s day).
The waiter, Eric, was very knowledgeable about the menu of the day (ingredients, cooking methods, flavors, background, recommendations, etc) and of the wine list and recommendations for wine pairings. He was also friendly and provided attentive service.
For an appetizer, we had Grilled Haloumi Cheese ($ 8), This is a sheep milk cheese that was grilled (outside indicated grilling but it was not melted) on a bed of arugula, with mini tomatoes, pine nuts, and a delicious sauce. The cheese, even though it was grilled and served warm, was firm and had made squeaky sounds while eating it. The best flavor was when each bite consisted of a bit of each if the items on the plate. It was absolutely delicious!
I had the Truffle Filet Mignon & Scallops ($ 29). This was served over spinach leaves and covered with the Truffle sauce. The small, but right sized, Filet Mignon was cooked to perfection (medium rare, on the rare side). The flavor and texture of both the two medium scallops was excellent. The Truffle sauce was fantastic. The vegetables were grilled asparagus and carrots; cooked just right with great flavor. It was delicious, if you overlook the mashed potatoes, which were too ordinary in preparation and flavor to share this plate with the other magnificent items.
I had a glass of Silver Mountain Pinor Noir 2006 ($ 16 for a glass). This wine is made in the Santa Cruz mountains and was delicious. The waiter recommended this as the best pairing with the Filet Mignon and he was absolutely correct. It is expensive (it was almost double the per glass price for other red wines on their list), but worth it. When I mentioned that it was comparatively expensive for a glass he poured me a taste of this wine and also a taste of the also recommended 2007 Patianna Pinot Noir from Mendocino. After tasting both, the clear winner was the Silver Mountain. Both were very good, but the Silver Mountain had an incredible berry taste. I think that is a mark of a great restaurant where they will permit the customers to sample different wines to help make their choice, even though I was only interested in a single glass of wine.
My wife had the Saffron Salmon and Prawns ($ 27). It was accompanied by the same grilled carrots and asparagus as was my dish, but instead of potatoes, it had a very interesting wild rice (named «forbidden» rice by the waiter). My wife enjoyed the flavors of the seafood and wild rice together. She felt that it could have used a bit more sauce, but was otherwise very good.
For dessert, we had dark chocolate «flan» with hazelnut and homemade whipped cream ($ 8). It was delicious, even if the texture was a rich pudding and not a flan.
This is a great place to take a favorite person to share a special event. I highly recommend it.

It sounds to me that depending on the day, you may get great or lackluster service. Unfortunately, inconsistency is the bane of many a restaurant. I hope Cyprus irons out this as I think they’re overall a good place. The biodynamic wine list and the contemporary treatment of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food with local ingredients is a refreshing view point. Dishes had:
–Grilled Haloumi Cheese — On a Bed of Greens, Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
–Cyprus Kebab Platter –Lamb Fillet, Kefta Kebab & marinated Chicken Breast served with Basmati Rice & Tzatziki
–Fresh Ricotta with Golden Raisins, Pistachios & Orange Blossom Honey
I thought everything was flavorful though some of the kebabs may have been a bit on the dry side. Service was friendly and the space it quite nice. As I said, I hope they get into their groove cause inconsistency will kill them.

You know what makes me most sad about this???
The lame-​o hours.
EVERY time I want to eat here, I can’t because they’re not open. The hours are inconsistent too — so I can’t just KNOW that lunch is only available on certain days and closed on Mondays without looking. I don’t want to look when my belly is telling me to eat delicious Cyprus!
Put some more lunch hours on the calendar. Pretty please? I’d love to be able to come here with coworkers as we’re just up the street.
I mean, as it looks now:
Monday — closed
Tuesday — dinner only
Wednesday — dinner only
Thursday — lunch & dinner
Friday — lunch & dinner
Saturday — lunch & dinner
Sunday — lunch & dinner

I have found my new very favorite restaurant!
The food is beautiful. I has scallops, my spouse had the King Prawn rice pasta. Our dinners were extraordinary. The beet salad was very good, but the lettuce to beet ratio was off. I was hunting for beets! The flavor, though, was delicious.
On Saturday night they had live acoustic music and the chef came out and spoke with us about the origins of the food — Lebanese, Turkish, Cypurs inspired food.
One huge, wonderful surprise is that the restaurant is all organic, from the floor cleaner to the green-​friendly table cleaner and even the dishwasher. Allt he food, including the wine, is organic, wild and sustainable. This, of course is what makes it my new favorite restaurant.
The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that we waited FOR-​EVER for our orders to come out. It was over 40 minutes. They need to work on timing, but we loved the wine and music so the time went by faster.
Can’t wait to go back.

I’ve driven by and walked by this place several times. It was the only place in downtown Campbell we had yet to try.
It’s always very exciting when a new restaurant moves into our little downtown, and we had eagerly awaited their opening.
Some friends had raved about the food here, so we decided we’d stop and have a glass of wine and an appetizer on Friday night.
We had our pooch with us, so we needed to be seated outside. Since the only table outside was full, I went in and asked if another table could be brought out.
The server was very gracious, and brought out another table and set it up.
We decided to try the hummus with whole wheat lavash, and the beet salad.
I’ve had similar dishes at other places, and have always been pleased with them.
Not so much here… Although, before we got to try them we waited quite awhile.
It took a bit to get our wine, but I was ok with that since we had to ask the server to come back so we’d have more time to decide.
He told us that our apps had been fired. We expected to get them pretty quickly, (I was actually worried they’d come before our wine.) Both apps were cold, so really, how long can that take???
Apparently, quite awhile…
When we did finally get them, we were SO disappointed.
The salad was totally underwhelming. I could have made it better myself.
It consisted of: a few canned beets, a handful of plain walnuts, and a couple lumps of goat cheese, some greens, and a light dressing. It was healthy, and I liked that, but really for the price, I expected more.
The hummus was fine, but I’ve had better. The lavash that came with it was ok, but once again, nothing special.
They had also brought out some bread, and a mixture of olive oil and za’atar to dip it in. I liked the dip, but the bread was horrible. My guy and I tried it, and immediately decided it wasn’t worth eating.
I had high hopes for this place. I love the organic, sustainable concept, but the food just isn’t very good.
On the bright side, at least we didn’t waste a whole meal here.
We came, we tried it, know we know.

Finally something good in the old Tannins space!
We stopped in last night after driving by for a week and thinking it looked good. Well, we were right! Incredibly pleasant and attentive service (thanks, Eric!), even for the dog. Yes, Bella got water and was welcomed on the patio. Nice.
We were just looking for some wine and snacks, so we didn’t get to delve into the main courses, but our appetizer sampler was tremendous. Wonderful hummus, tabouleh, babaganoush, dolmas and something involving sumac that was very tasty. All served with homemade lavash. Yum! And don’t forget the baked halloumi cheese! Yay! Baked cheese is a good thing!
The thing that really struck me, though, was the wine list. All organic, many vegan and all very reasonably priced. I can see this being a great place to spend a few hours drinking wine and people-​watching.
Finally, we had to try the dessert. Ricotta with pistachios and orange blossom honey? Fig parfait with house-​churned vanilla ice cream? Holy smokes! We were happy enough already!
Yes, we will definitely be back!