NEARBY FACILITIES

(see map at foot of this page)

SHOPS

Mini-Markets etc

There are four mini-markets in the village of Esentepe, just 2-3 minutes drive up the hill stocking all your basic holiday needs - groceries, fruit and vegetables, water, alcohol, etc. The petrol station on the main road -  just 300 metres walk from the villa – sells some very basic food and drink items including water, limited wine, bread, fruit juice, canned drinks, crisps, and bread (open 7am to 9pm).

Supermarkets

There is an H. Gül supermarket (about 2-3 minutes’ drive from the villa on the road to Bahçeli going east. This has a good range of food, drink and household/personal items. There is also a medium sized supermarket (Ügemar) about 3 minutes’ drive from the villa on the road to Girne (Kyrenia) going west. About 5 minutes' drive to the east, near the Bahçeli crossroads is the new (2024) Sengün supermarket.

Butchers

There is a butcher's shop in the village of Esentepe and a pork butcher in Çatalköy.

Hairdressers

There is a ladies hairdresser's salon up the hill as you enter Esentepe village and another in the village centre. A barber’s shop is also in the centre of the village.

RESTAURANTS & BARS

There are a number of good restaurants within a few minutes drive of the villa. Most have free wifi. Here are our comments on some of them (as at 25 November 2024):

Tumba Restaurant - Located near the entrance to Esentepe village, the restaurant offers local dishes at reasonable prices. A small meze selection comes within the price. There is also a small bar. Fish & Chips Night (Friday) (bookable)

Remzi's Restaurant - This is a friendly family restaurant located in the centre of the village up on the second floor and roof terrace of the building. Local dishes and fish are on offer - all served (except pizzas) with cold and hot mezes within the meal prices which are good value for money. Takeaway pizzas also available. Chicken nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays (bookable), and clay-pot night on Fridays (bookable).

Esentepe Restaurant - Found up the hill at the entrance of the village, the restaurant has great views of the mountains and sea. While it has a limited menu, the food is good and represents good value for money.

Hati Café & Restaurant - This can be found on a small quiet rural road (Kayseri Sokak) leading east out of the village. Rated highly by many ex-pat residents but we have found it only average. Limited and basic menu but more extensive if you order more elaborate meals the day before. Good food but a little on the expensive side for what is a quite a basic restaurant. Closed Sundays.

Cengiz's Restaurant & Bar - (previously at Stone Castle). This is located in the centre of Esentepe village to the side of the Beledeyesi (Council) offices. Large varied Turkish & European dishes plus vegetarian and children's menu. More up-market than some village restaurants with prices commensurate with this. Occasional entertainment. Free taxi service for diners. Closed Thursdays.

The Old Barn Restaurant & Bar - (Opened 2021) Beautifully restored building in the centre of Esentepe village opposite the Belediyesi (Council) offices with terraces and garden. Limited Turkish menu but good food and mezes and good value for money, Friendly atmosphere and already popular with both locals and ex-pats. Open for breakfasts, afternoon teas (and cakes) and dinner. Closed Mondays

Diiva Restaurant & Bar – This friendly restaurant is just 2 minutes' drive from the villa - to its east - adjoining the Alkan Holiday Village. Medium priced but good fare. This is a basic Chinese restaurant with a few Turkish dishes - don't expect crispy duck and pancakes!. Occasional entertainment.

Moonshine Restaurant & Bar - This is about 3 minutes' drive away from the villa heading towards Girne (Kyrenia) and located about 300m up from the main road on the road to Karaagaç (near the speed camera). Much improved with good medium priced food. Breakfasts also available. (Tuesdays - Sundays from 10am).

Tuncay'In Yeri Restaurant & Bar - This friendly restaurant with good table linen is situated on the opposite side of the road to the Sençag supermarket about 3 minutes drive away from the villa heading towards Girne (Kyrenia). While not having a vast menu, the quality is very good and reasonably priced. Try the excellent 5 meats kebab dish and superb home-made mezes!

Biggies Restaurant & Bar –Located at top of hill just before village.  Basic English fare.  Entertainment or quizzes normally weekly. Bar billiards and Sky Sports football. 

Taro Brasserie - Located on the Sun Valley development 5 minutes' west of the villa. Mainly Italian menu. New attractive upstairs restaurant and lighting. More expensive than average.

Civil Defence Training Centre Restaurant - This is located 3 minutes' drive from the villa (40m further on and opposite sideof road to the Diiva Restaurant). This is a friendly government-run facility - open to the public. No great atmosphere but good Turkish food including selection of desserts. Extremely reasonable prices but good portions representing great value for money.

Raika Restaurant / Eesentepe Beach Bar- Located on Esentepe public beach - about 4 minutes' drive east of the villa near H. Gul supermarket. Smart up-market restaurant, beach bar/café, sunbeds, and pool. Restaurant not tried yet but international cuisine and more expensive than average. Open 9am to 11pm.

Chef Restaurant & Bar – Modern establishment located on the Sea Magic site (behind Ügemar) supermarket) - 5 minutes west of villa. Extensive and imaginative Á la Carte menu from the highly respected owner/chef, Idris, who previously ran The Almond Tree and Up The Hill. Various meats (and superb steaks), fish and vegetarian menus. Expect to pay a bit more but still good value for the quality on offer. Recommend booking in advance.

Spice Garden (previously Jashan's) Indian Restaurant - This is located 7-8 minutes drive from the villa near Bahçeli to east. The menu includes Indian, European dishes and children's dishes. Small restaurant indoors but caters for 80 outside during summer months.The food is very good, well served, and moderately priced. Takeaways available with free delivery. Live Premiership football in adjoining bar.

Satin Bay Restaurant & Bar - (New for 2024) - About a 14 minutes' drive east of the villa through The Resort Development. Very attractive large restaurant located on headland above new beach with great sunset views. Á la Carte menu with prices slightly higher than average but good food and friendly and attentive service.

Down the Hill Restaurant & Bar - Set next to a pool on the Crystal Bay Village development, about 8-9 minutes drive east of the villa. Small restaurant with Á la Carte menu with prices slightly higher than average but good food and friendly and attentive service. Suggest advance booking.

Eagles Nest Restaurant & Bar – Near Kuçukerenköy, about 10 minutes' drive from the villa off the main road going east. Á la Carte menu. Arguably a gastro restaurant with quality fare and friendly and attentive service, but expect to pay a bit more for this. Great views over the coast and sea. Regular live entertainment. Need to book.

Juleyman's Restaurant and Bar – (previously Stevie's) - Located at Kuçukerenköy, about 10 minutes' drive from the villa off the main road going east. European, Asian, and vegetarian/vegan food menu with some traditional Turkish dishes.  Good medium-priced food. Closed Mondays.

Joya Restaurant - This restaurant is located at Kuçukerenköy, about 10 minutes' drive from the villa off the main road going east. Rather bizarrely, it is set in an area of apartments with no great views but notwithstanding that, it is a good restaurant with an extensive menu (much Indian) offering good food and service. Lacks atmosphere. Expect to pay a bit more but still good value for the quality on offer.

Sea Breeze Restaurant – Located by the sea at Kuçukerenköy, about 10 minutes’ drive away, this is a favourite with many people in the area but has mixed reviews. Average menu and prices. Regular quiz and music nights. Closed Thursdays.

Double Geminii Restaurant & Bar– Located in the far east of Kuçukerenköy, about 13 minutes' drive from the villa on the main road going east. Have not tried food to date. Seems to be orientated towards the watching of TV sport.

Benoz Restaurant – About 14 minutes’ drive away in Alagadi village to the west. Modest restaurant with attractive Turkish décor. Menu principally fish and kebabs. Has had good reviews from Alagadi locals but we personally found it disappointing. Maybe best during summer months when diners can sit outside.

Hurma Restaurant – Close to the Acapulco Hotel about 15 minutes’ drive from the villa. Extensive menu with many authentic Cypriot dishes. Good quality Turkish-style restaurant. Moderate prices. Children’s play area.

Korineum Golf & Country Club - This is found only 4-5 minutes drive from the villa going west. Up-market restaurant with an à la carte menu. Expect to pay more accordingly but enjoy wonderful views over the golf course and the mountains. Alternatively, drop in for a drink on the terrace.

Murat's Pizza Place – Opened 2019 - About 2 minutes' drive from the villa - to its east. Takeaway with a small restaurant attached. Good range of Italian and Turkish pizzas offered in small, medium and large sizes.

Califorian Restaurant – Set in very attractive grounds by pool in the Maldives Homes' development, 9 minutes' drive east of the villa at "Bahceli on Sea". Wide menu including steaks, pizzas pastas, burgers, meat variations, desserts, etc. Moderate prices. Very popular modern up-market restaurant providing meals throughout the day, but service could be improved.

Haweli Restaurant & Bar – About 20 minutes' drive from the villa to its east at Tatlisu. Indian restaurant with extensive menu. Also has a lunchtime menu and some European dishes. A very welcoming attractive restaurant with well dressed tables. Moderate prices.

Green House Café & Restaurant – - Opened 2022 - This new establishment is about 9 minutes' drive to the east of the villa next to the Royal Green Garden Centre. It is modern and airy with comfortable furniture but has no great atmosphere. It is open for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, afternoon tea and cakes, and evening dinners (closed Mondays). We had afternoon tea there one day and an evening meal. It is unlicenced (but you can bring your own alcohol) and, although friendly, they still had something to learn about service. It is a rarity that hardly any dish comes with chips! They serve most dishes with mashed potato which is about the best I have ever tasted. Notwithstanding that, I would describe the establishment more accurately as a 'super café'. Slightly more expensive than some village restaurants. Open 9.00am to 9.30pm.

Cafe Paris & Bakery – - This is a very smart café and pool & sunbeds area that opened in Autumn 2022 at Caesar Cliff - the housing development accessed east of Jasmine Villa on the right of the main road, about 400m from the bottom of the hill. Superb croissants, cakes, and specialist breads (including sourdough). Well worth a visit but not cheap. Open 8am to 8pm but does not do evening meals.

BANKS

There is a branch of the Limasol Turkish Cooperative Bank, complete with ATM, in the centre of Esentepe village. This is a friendly bank with few queues where you can also exchange your currency with ease. There is also an ATM booth dispensing Turkish Lire in the garage forecourt, 400 metres away from the villa. There is a money exchange bureau about 400m up the hill to Esentepe village, and another just before the Ügemar supermarket and the pharmacy.

PETROL STATIONS

A petrol station is located on the main road, just 400 metres from the villa. Other petrol stations can be found at Çatalköy and on the road into Girne (Kyrenia).

MEDICAL

There is a medical centre in a road up from the centre of Esentepe village. In the case of emergencies and an ambulance is required, there is a Red Crescent station (equivalent to the Red Cross), up the hill by the entrance to the village. There is a chemist (pharmacy) next to the Sençag supermarket about 3 minutes' drive away from the villa towards Girne (Kyrenia). It is well stocked with baby and cosmetic products and owners speak excellent English. A defibrillator is sited on the wall outside the pharmacy and another on the wall of the Council Offices (Belediyesi) in the village centre. There is another pharmacy up the hill in the centre of Esentepe village. Supermarkets also stock basic medical items.

INTERNET

Apart from free internet access in Jasmine Villa, if you have your own laptop/tablet/smartphone, free wireless internet connections are available at most of the local bars and restaurants.

GOLF

The Korineum Golf & Country Club ( website ) is situated just 4 minutes drive westwards. This beautiful lush 18-hole championship course uses the Besparmak mountain range as a stunning backcloth. Visitors can enjoy either the complete 18-hole course, or just 9 holes, or the driving range. A golf shop and tuition are also available as well as a bar and restaurant. Further, spa and various massage & body treatment services are available, the latter including facial and nail care.

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment in the Esentepe area largely consists of periodic live music, singers, karaoke evenings, quiz nights and live TV sport. This takes place in bars and restaurants within a few minutes drive of the villa. Consult "What's on Where" (internet guide) to tell you what's coming on at the various establishments.

ACAPULCO HOTEL RESORT

This Resort is situated approx 15 minutes' drive from the villa going towards Girne (Kyrenia). For a daily fee, visitors can enjoy the private sandy beach, extensive heated pools and water slides for children and adults, casino, and other facilities. Additionally, the Resort contains probably the most luxurious spa and wellness centre in Northern Cyprus with a menu over 80 different treatments and therapies for both sexes in tranquil surroundings (separate charges apply).

ELEXUS HOTEL RESORT

This Resort is situated approx 12 minutes' drive from the villa going towards Girne (Kyrenia). For daily fee of about 200TL each, the Elexus offers a private sandy beach, heated pools and a fantastic water park, casino, & other facilities, including a buffet lunch and drinks.