The Story of
Tutto Passa
In the busy streets of Nicosia, a small yet mighty pizza joint appeared seemingly overnight.
But, this wasn’t just a new spot to grab a slice of pizza — it was Tutto Passa, a place that quickly made waves through the city’s food scene.
Even though Tutto Passa came and went, it left behind more than just memories. It was a vibe, a story, and most importantly, a prelude to something bigger: The Agora Hotel.
A Foot Through The Door
A Kitchen in Storage
The story begins with a hotel still under construction. Major delays at The Agora left the owners with a kitchen sitting in storage but with an interesting opportunity. Aleks realised that putting the kitchen to use would not only offset some of the hotel’s expenses but would set the stage for them to introduce themselves and their vision to the market.
So, Tutto Passa wasn’t born out of a love of pizza alone; it emerged from a brilliant opportunity to create something much larger.
Nicosia became the testing ground— a satellite for the owners’ ideas, kitchen, and team. Hiring for Tutto Passa was the first step in building the team that would later bring The Agora Hotel to life.
Yet, this humble pizza spot served an even greater purpose.
The Agora Vibe
How do you explain a vibe? How do you market a feeling? For Aleks and Emilie, Tutto Passa was the answer to both. It was more than a space—it was the experience they wanted to create for guests, offering a glimpse of their vision in Lefkara.
The communal tables, the relaxed atmosphere, the curated music, and the simplicity of sharing food all came together to showcase what The Agora would be about.
Before Tutto Passa, Aleks recalls, “We were some guys building a hotel. But after it? We suddenly became those guys from Tutto Passa.”
The pizza place was a marketing stunt, putting the owners on the map, sparking conversations, and creating buzz for what was yet to come.
Breaking the Mould
A surprising aspect of Tutto Passa was the communal table set up outside for seating.
Aleks remembers, “People kept telling me that no one in Cyprus would want to sit next to each other on a communal table. But I didn’t buy into that mentality. I’d opened Joe & The Juice locations worldwide and seen how people from different cultures interacted with communal spaces similarly. So why would Cyprus be any different?”
Aleks was right. People embraced the concept: they sat together, shared pizza, and formed connections. Great friendships were born out of Tutto Passa.
There was nothing like it then, and it filled a gap in the market that many people had not even realised existed.
With its unique vibe and strong sense of community, Tutto Passa left its footprint on Nicosia’s scene.
All Good Things Come to An End
From the beginning, Tutto Passa was not meant to last forever. It was a temporary space with a clear purpose. Even as its popularity soared, shutting it down was a bold statement. The founders wanted to create waves, reminding people that great things sometimes do come to an end.
“I’ve been asked a thousand times why we didn’t keep it open, but closing it was more valuable than keeping it open. It was never just about the pizza; it was about showing people we were here to do something different. Closing Tutto Passa was part of that story,” Aleks recalls.
More Than Pizza
At the end of the day, Tutto Passa was about pushing boundaries and proving Cyprus could embrace something new and fresh. That’s not to say the pizza didn’t matter — it certainly did. When Tutto Passa opened, there weren’t many places serving Neapolitan-style pizza.
“We saw an opportunity to up the food and beverage game and produce something special. And since we closed, we’ve seen so many great pizza places open up. So yeah, mission accomplished,” Aleks reflects with pride.
The Legacy
After the pop-up closed, Tutto Passa became more than just a place that once existed—it left a lasting mark on the community, a memory filled with happiness and shared stories. In the process it paved the way for The Agora Hotel, setting the stage even before its doors opened. No introduction needed.
As for the rest? Well, as mentioned before—all good things come to an end, and the rest is history.