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Piperia Taverna
Piperia Taverna, Pefki - The Pepper Tree. The cafenion on this spot has been here for hundreds of years. Originally it served coffee and raki to the village elders who would meet to discuss the affairs of Pefki. Family feuds would be settled here, marriages arranged, births celebrated and deaths commiserated.
One hundred years ago a twelve year old boy left the village to seek his fortune abroad. He stayed in Alexandria where he educated himself and became an apothecary - a pharmacist. In his late twenties he returned to his native village of Pefki bringing two gifts to the villagers - his skills as a healer and the seeds of the Pepper Tree.

Local people relaxing in the evening sunEach evening the cafenion would fill with families from Pefki and the neighbouring villages needing his lotions, rubs, cures and ungents. They would stay and take refreshment, exchanging news and stories, and in the summer evenings stand in the shade of the growing branches of the Pepper Tree and look down through the gardens and olive groves to the sea below.

The tradition of Piperia Taverna had begun - a friendly local place for both villagers and those from far away.

This is the atmosphere of Piperia Taverna today. Under it's patron, Fanis Ikosipentakis and his family it now serves an extensive traditional menu to local people and visitors from all over the world.

Fresh wholesome foodIt is renown for its good simple food cooked fresh from ingredients in most cases sourced locally and grown organically. The olive oil, wine and honey is produced by the Ikosipentakis family themselves and the bread is delivered fresh each day from local bakers. Each day special regional dishes are prepared and described on the 'menu of the day'.

Piperia Taverna has been awarded the seal of approval for the guidelines set down by CONCRED (the Cretan associated designed to maintain Cretan traditions in respect of the preparation, content and service of food and drink). The olive oil produced by the Ikosipentakis family and used in the preparation and cooking of all the dishes at the taverna has also been awarded the seal of approval by ACOM (the Association of Cretan Municipalities) as being grown and produced to the high standards required of Cretan virgin olive oil.

Enjoying the shade of the pepper treeShould anyone have a request for a special dish the staff will happily try to make it for you if you order the day before.

Large parties, family celebrations, wedding receptions or get togethers can be catered for.

Cretan dancingMost Fridays during the summer a traditional Cretan music and dance evening takes place with live music and delicious food served under the stars and the wide branches and pink blossom of the now mature Pepper Tree.

For further information or bookings please call Fanis on (00 30) 28430 51911.