Pizzeria Caliano: Where Italian Flavour Meets the Tradition of Paphos

A heartfelt interview with the people behind the region’s most beloved pizzeria

For the past two decades, along the Pafos - Peyia road (in the Kissonerga area), there has been a place of taste and nostalgia. Pizzeria Caliano is not just a restaurant, it’s a story written daily with flour, basil, tomatoes, care, and passion.

The Cyprus Alive team had the chance to speak with the people keeping that story alive: George and Raul. The individuals behind the reputation and love Pizzeria Caliano has earned within the local community.

“We’ve been here, consistently, since 2004. Twenty years full of flavours, aromas, but above all, full of relationships. Relationships with customers who became friends, with children who grew up here and now bring their own children for pizza,” the restaurant's owners told us with emotion.

“The Caliano Pizza, our ‘house favourite’ as we call it, is a pizza made from the heart. It represents who we are, it carries our signature. The Prosciutto Crudo is also a big favourite, with the prosciutto added fresh right after the pizza comes out of the wood-fired oven, a detail that makes all the difference.”

“Amongst our pasta dishes, the standout is the Spaghetti Fantasia. It’s rich, full of aroma and flavour, and brings a warmth that reminds you of a family dinner. When we see customers try the dish and smile, we know we’ve achieved what we set out to do.”

“Our chef has over 20 years of experience in Italian cuisine. He’s someone who loves detail, who brings knowledge and soul to his cooking. He understands what it means to ‘build’ flavour. Our whole team works toward a common goal: to create food that has substance. We strongly believe in freshness and local sourcing. All our ingredients come from local producers. We want to support our community and know exactly what goes into every dish.”