Sushi is not the first thing people expect from a fish tavern on the Oroklini seafront, and that is exactly why ours is worth a mention. We have been landing fresh fish here since 2004, so when we decided to roll sushi, we already had the one thing a good sushi kitchen cannot fake: fish that came off the boats that morning. This is our Blue Aegean sushi, made a few steps from the water and eaten with the sea in view.
Why sushi from a fish tavern tastes different
Most sushi in the Larnaca area comes from dedicated sushi kitchens and delivery shops, and plenty of it is good. What we do is a little different. The same fish that goes on the grill for our fish meze also goes to the sushi counter, so the sashimi and nigiri are cut from the day's catch rather than from a standing order. Freshness is the whole game with raw fish, and a kitchen that already buys from the morning boats starts a long way ahead.
It also means our sushi leans Mediterranean. Sea bream, sea bass, local prawns and octopus find their way onto the rice alongside the usual salmon and tuna, and that is where the Aegean part of the name comes from.
The Blue Aegean signature rolls
Our signature rolls are where the kitchen has fun. They pair the technique of a maki roll with the flavours of this coast, so you get combinations you will not find in a standard sushi menu. If you are the kind of person who orders the thing named after the restaurant, start with the Blue Aegean selection and let the kitchen show off a little.
For a first visit, a mixed platter is the easy call. It brings a spread of nigiri, maki and a few signature pieces, which is the best way to taste the range without deciding everything up front.
Sashimi and nigiri from the day's catch
If you like your fish plain and pristine, the sashimi and nigiri are the place to look. Because the fish is fresh in each morning, the raw cuts change a little with what the sea gave us, and that is a good thing. Ask what is best that day and the kitchen will point you at whatever came in looking perfect.
Wasabi, ginger and soy are there as they should be, but the honest advice is to taste the first piece on its own. Good fish this fresh does not need much help.
Sushi platters, good for sharing
Sushi is at its best shared, and our platters are built for a table. They suit a group who cannot agree, a couple who want to graze slowly over a bottle of cold white, or anyone who simply wants a bit of everything. Pair a platter with a few grilled plates from the main menu and you have the best of both worlds, raw and charcoal, on the same table by the sea.
Where to eat it, and when
You will find us on the Oroklini seafront, about ten minutes east of Larnaca town and fifteen from the airport, on the Dhekelia road coastal strip. The sushi is dine in, made to be eaten fresh on the terrace rather than boxed up, and the tables at the edge sit a few steps from the water. Sunset is the moment to aim for. A platter, a cold glass, and the light going gold over Larnaca Bay is hard to beat.
Browse the full menu to see the sushi sections in detail, read about our fish tavern and fish meze, or book a table on the seafront.
Questions people ask us
Where can I eat sushi in Larnaca?
Mer Bleue Beach Restaurant serves fresh sushi on the Oroklini seafront, about ten minutes east of Larnaca town. It is a family run fish tavern, so the sashimi and nigiri are cut from the daily catch and eaten dine in with a sea view.
Is there sushi in Oroklini?
Yes. Mer Bleue on the Oroklini seafront serves Blue Aegean sushi, sashimi, nigiri, maki and sushi platters, made from fish landed fresh each morning and served on the terrace over the water.
What is Blue Aegean sushi?
Blue Aegean is our own sushi range at Mer Bleue: signature rolls that pair Japanese technique with Mediterranean fish like sea bream, sea bass, prawns and octopus, alongside the usual salmon and tuna.
Can I get sushi with a sea view in Larnaca?
Yes. Mer Bleue is directly on the Oroklini seafront, so you can eat sushi on a terrace a few steps from the water, which is the main thing that sets it apart from delivery sushi shops. Sunset is the best time.
Is the sushi fresh?
Very. Mer Bleue is a fish tavern that buys from the morning boats, so the same fresh fish that goes on the grill is used for the sashimi and nigiri. The raw selection changes a little each day with the catch.
Do you have sushi platters?
Yes. Mer Bleue serves mixed sushi platters with a spread of nigiri, maki and signature rolls, which are the easiest way to taste the range and are made for sharing at the table.
Do I need to book for sushi?
On summer evenings and weekends it is worth booking, especially for a table at the water's edge. Midweek you can usually walk in. Sushi is dine in and served fresh on the terrace.