Gregoris Loizou: The Cypriot success story behind one of Spain’s best cafés

Local Spain Gregoris Loizou: The Cypriot success story behind one of Spain’s best cafés Gregoris Loizou The Cypriot Success Story Behind One Of Spain's Best Cafés Relevant News Gregoris Loizou: The Cypriot success story behind one of Spain’s best cafés 20 June 2026 Christodoulides meets US congressional delegation at Presidential Palace 20 June 2026 Overnight pharmacies on Saturday, June 20 20 June 2026 Diana Aza 20 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A burnout in London, a move to Alicante, and a wild business idea that became reality led to the creation of Swallow — the café run by Cypriot Gregoris Loizou that was recently named one of the best in all of Spain. How did a Cypriot end up in Alicante? I was living and working in London for years after university. Then, during the pandemic, my wife and I decided to leave. We spent a year in Cyprus and eventually landed in this city, which has seen a lot of growth in recent years. We ended up staying for good. Alicante has a strong Mediterranean and Spanish character, with a lot of things that remind me of Cyprus — the warmth of the people, the lifestyle, the habit of going out late for dinner and taking time with friends, really enjoying life. It all feels familiar, and that’s why we fell in love with it. And how did the idea for Swallow come about? I wanted to start something of my own. Then one morning I woke up and told Laura I wanted to open a specialty coffee shop. I’d always been drawn to the coffee culture I’d discovered in London, even though at the time I knew next to nothing about it. So I started reading, training, and learning as much as I could about the world of coffee. At the same time, I was looking for the right space — somewhere that would inspire me and allow me to bring the vision I had in my head to life. That’s where it all began. What’s coffee culture like in Spain? Like in Cyprus, there’s a real love of coffee. You see it everywhere — from the morning, when people pick up their coffee with something light to eat, to the breaks during the day, when they sit outside and take their time with it. In the specialty coffee space, though, things were different. While the scene is growing fast in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, in Alicante there was a clear gap. I’d watched it grow in London and other places I’d visited, but back in our city there were only three cafés working with specialty coffee at the time. That’s where the idea came from — to create a warm, welcoming space with real attention to aesthetics and a genuine passion for coffee that would fill that gap. What were your first steps to make it happen? I spent about a year looking for the right space. Every morning I’d wake up, walk the streets, spot signs, make calls, and start over again. Eventually I found this place in the historic centre, in a passageway that leads up towards the city’s castle, which overlooks the sea. It was operating as a bar and club at the time, so it needed serious work. It didn’t even have windows, and the ceilings were low — but it had what it needed to become what I’d imagined. My designer and I wanted to create a modern Mediterranean space, full of plants, that gave off a sense of calm. It took months of work, but the result justified it. Alongside that, I was taking courses, working short stints in other cafés, and trying to surround myself with people who shared the same passion for coffee. The more I learnt, the more I realised that quality in the cup isn’t enough on its own — the experience and the environment you enjoy it in matter just as much. At Swallow, we’ve tried to bring both together. The name “Swallow” hides a rather personal story, doesn’t it? I’ve had a swallow tattoo for years. When I was working at a startup and we were trying to build our own company, just after we managed to launch the product, I burned out completely. The next day I couldn’t even open my laptop. That went on for about a year — I was utterly exhausted. When I started looking for a way to do something completely different, Swallow was, without a second thought, the name I wanted for the business — because of that new beginning, and the life I wanted to build. What does being ranked among the top 100 cafés in Spain mean to you? More than anything, it’s recognition of the hard work and effort that went into creating this place. I’ve put a huge part of myself into it, along with the team that keeps it going every day. We’re talking about a massive market — around 4,500 candidates, including some of the best-known cafés in Europe. When you find yourself up against all those names and you manage to stand out, it gives you even more drive to keep going. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, especially when you’re trying to build something special in a smaller city. But moments like this give you the validation and the energy to take the next step. How did you react when you heard the results? When we got the message on Instagram telling us about the award, I struggled to believe it. Even on the day of the ceremony I hadn’t fully taken in what had happened. It was only when we sat down and the announcements started that I really felt the tension and the excitement of the moment. It was a wonderful feeling — not just for me, but for the whole community we’ve built around Swallow. For someone who started out in Cyprus and ended up in Alicante building something from nothing, that moment meant a great deal. Seeing the effort recognised — while also carrying something of Cypriot hospitality and our own coffee culture with me — was genuinely special. How does the judging work? Seventy per cent of the score comes from industry professionals who visit the venues anonymously and assess every aspect of the experience, from the quality of the coffee and food to the service and the overall atmosphere. The remaining 30 per cent comes from a public vote, combining expert assessment with the views of the customers themselves. Is there a Cypriot element you carry with you into Swallow? I think it comes through mainly in the philosophy and the way I approach the space and the people in it. When I walk in, I feel like I’m in the Mediterranean. The hospitality, and the passion for this project — those are things I’ve brought with me from Cyprus. I also try to introduce customers to Cypriot coffee, explaining the process and the culture behind it, but using specialty coffee. It’s a way of combining Cypriot tradition with the specialty coffee world. I’m also planning to bring in a traditional Cypriot sand cezve — something I’d really love to have in place by the end of the year. Where did you grow up? Do you keep in touch with the island? I grew up in Latsia, Nicosia, and even though my life is in Spain now, I keep a very close connection with Cyprus. These days, when we come back to the island, we stay in Larnaca, and I try to come as often as I can — I want to stay connected to home, and of course to my family. Now that I have an eight-month-old son, that’s become even more important. I want him to visit Cyprus often, to spend time with his grandparents, and to grow up with a connection to his culture and his roots. What are your dreams for Swallow? I’d love for it to grow from a successful café into a recognisable brand with an international presence. I’m not interested in rapid expansion or opening dozens of locations — I want to build a complete identity around it, with a clear philosophy and aesthetic. We’re already working in that direction, developing our own coffee and a range of products tied to the café experience, gradually building a lifestyle brand. In the long run, I’d love to see it have a presence in different cities around the world — places like London and Berlin, and maybe one day Cyprus too! 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