A New Greek Taverna for Cranbrook, Kent
Call 0800 0219 444 to book a table

The Hive has expanded and opened their Kypseli Taverna at No15 Stone Street on Valentine’s Day 2022.

Serving authentic Ionian food from dawn ’til dusk; a patisserie, deli and barista bar by day, serving mouth-watering breakfasts and light lunches, transforming into a Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar by night.

Open seven days a week from 9am to 10.30pm Mon-Sat and 10am-5pm on Summer Sundays (dates to be advised).

Kypséli (κυψέλη) means Hive in Greek and Kypseli is also one of the trendiest part of Athens, famous for its art, wellbeing, cool music and laid-back cultural vibe.

We will be reflecting that in our approach and ethos. Our guests will enjoy a vibrant atmosphere and authentic culinary experience, as we combine Kent and Sussex produce and locally sourced meat & fish with organic Greek ingredients and Ionian recipes. We will serve some of the healthiest and tastiest food in the world.

Dimello Coffee

Kypseli will be serving the delicious Dimello Coffee range. This family run business was founded in 2002 in the suburbs of Athens, amongst the vibrant coffee culture of Greece. This quintessentially Greek brand’s mission is to select, roast & craft the finest cultured & well-balanced espresso and filter coffees, that can be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

We hope you come and enjoy them at Kypseli.

The owner of Dimello, Alexandros Apostolopoulos, popped in recently and sampled our Kypseli menu and said “The food is delicious! As a Greek person with high expectations in Greek cuisine, I can say that the food served here is amazing! In addition, the environment is pleasant and the staff friendly and polite. An excellent place to visit. Great job, guys!”

The Kypseli Background

Kypseli in the heart of Cranbrook is being established by an Anglo-Greek family to meet demand for a relaxed space where friends and family can meet for a coffee, a chat and a bite to eat; as well as provide a food shop and educational space. Originally from Cranbrook, marriage to a Corfiot has resulted in dual heritage children and grandchildren who live and work locally and attend schools in the town and the surrounding area.

We are passionate about the Mediterranean model of family supporting other another, working alongside one another and making a contribution to community.

Tavernas are relaxed community spaces usually found in a village square or town centre in Greece, but the concept has now been re-created around the world. The word ‘taverna’ derives from Latin meaning shop and they usually combine food retail, food service and a space to privately talk or for public meet-ups and conversation. Having established a taverna in Corfu in the 1980s, which still trades to this day, the family has first-hand experience of the vibrant atmosphere and human connection that offering a welcoming space for all ages can create. Good hearty healthy food, multi-generational dining and bringing people together is what can be expected in a taverna.

What makes Kypseli Unique?

1. Open 7 days a week (during the summer – dates to be advised). Mon-Sat during the winter months.
2. Employing 10 local residents
3. A food retail shop selling Kent, Sussex and Greek products from oils, vinegars and teas to honeys, chocolates, beers and wines, including an eco-friendly herb and flora-fauna tea refill centre.
4. A delicatessen counter offering pots and platters of olives, dips, cheeses, peppers and an array other locally sourced and Greek produce.
5. A patisserie counter offering exquisite savoury and sweet pastries, cakes and warm pita breads.
6. Taverna tables for families to enjoy freshly produced, mostly oven-baked and one-pot specialities from our Greek kitchen with meat being supplied by butchers in the town and fresh produce from farms in the parish and the Weald.
7. A rear terrace for guests to be able to sit outside
8. Small foodie talks, demonstrations and workshops.
   1. Nutrition and diet
   2. The science behind healthy Mediterranean food
   3. Recipes to try at home
   4. Talks and tastings by local producers

The Hive Group

The family also owns a multi-purpose co-work and community space three doors down the street at Number 19 Stone Street which also has a small Greek meze kitchen and licensed bar, but due to overwhelming public demand we cannot fit all of our functions into one space, hence the decision to open the taverna..

The two venues combined will employ more than 15 local residents and in Spring 2022 both will become NVQ workplace training sites where staff will be learning and qualifying through their work in catering, hospitality and management.