It's on 1 of my list. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Costnot cheap
- Address29-19 Broadway
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
Now the secret. When we wanted the food without the circus, we went to Aliada at 29-19 Broadway. It is Greek and Cypriot, it has been open since 2002, and it is everything Kyclades is not. Calm. Dim. You can make a reservation and actually sit down at the time you booked, which after enough sidewalk waits starts to feel like luxury.
The Cypriot side of the menu is the reason to come. This is a cuisine most New Yorkers never taste, and it is glorious. Grilled halloumi with its squeaky, salty bite. Mezedes that keep arriving until you wave the white flag. Fresh seafood that they take seriously, imported and local both. It is the meal where you slow down, order a bottle, and stop looking at your phone.
There is a tradeoff, and I will name it. Aliada is not cheap, and it is not the spot for a rowdy group that wants to yell over shared plates. It is a dinner-date room. But if you want to understand why people get misty about Cypriot cooking, this is where I would start.