It's a simple storefront, a former news agency on High Street in Thornbury with a roof that still features the scratched signage of its previous life. But don't let the exterior lead you astray, the inside of Capers is a completely different aesthetic altogether.
Modelled after owners Christian Evripidou and Anastasios Konnari's Yiayia and Papou's house in Cyprus, the late-night bar and diner is filled with 80s vinyl cushioned chairs, veneer tables and even a few plaid fabric couches.
"Basically, we are just trying to recreate their house here, the food they cook, the atmosphere, the furniture and the way it feels and we wanted to offer that to the community," says co-owner Christian.
What began as a cafe before lockdown has now shifted into a beloved destination for Thornbury and surrounding residents. Fitted out with its very own bar and in-house restaurant Capers focuses on the type of Greek and Cypriot cooking that both Christos and Anastasios grew up eating.
"We're doing stuff that you'd typically eat at home that your mum or that Yiayia would cook."
The menu is concise but sizeable in flavour, kicking off with small plates of pickled calamari and grilled Cypriot sausages. The mains divert from your classic 'Tavern-style' Greek food and focus on more regional specialities be it the 'Bizeli', a comfort-food favourite with slow-cooked beef and a rich tomato sauce that's served with peas. There's also a vegan moussaka and a crowd-favourite Spanikopita on the go.
Imbuing the late-night culture of southern Europe, Capers is a spot where you can roll in well past most of the restaurants on High Street have shut and grab a Frappe or a coffee, or a late-night Greek tea like 'Tsai tou vounou' (mountain tea).
"We don't want our customers to only have the option of drinking alcohol, we want people to come hang out without having to order a cocktail," Christian explains.
Alongside being a destination for its lesser-discovered Greek and Cypriot cuisine, Capers is also a haven for local selectors, with rotating DJs, friends of friends, and special guests taking over the decks both inside and in the back garden.
"We've both always been involved and gotten our hands dirty in our local music scenes."
On any given night you can walk into Capers and be met with Greek pop music, Middle-Eastern tracks, dnb, jungle and even disco and house.
"It's a merger of our culture and our interest in the music scene, I guess that's kinda how it's taken off as a place where people would like to party."
Capers is located at 843 High Street Thornbury. Find out more here.
Image credit: Capers (supplied)