Whereas the seashores are among the finest options of this pretty Island, the meals in Cyprus is fairly superb too. A mix of Arabic, Turkish and Greek flavors makes exploring the completely different dishes and finest locations to eat in Cyprus lots of enjoyable, whether or not you’re a foodie or not.
I traveled round Cyprus as a digital nomad for round 4 months, and I liked attempting all one of the best meals in Cyprus. From sheftalies (meatballs) and souvlaki (grilled meat) to scrumptious cheeses. Cypriot meals is really superb, and tasting the standard dishes in Cyprus is unquestionably one among my favourite issues to do while there.
Finest Meals in Cyprus
I used to be lucky sufficient to have my pals, who had been raised in Cyprus, present me round and advocate completely different dishes to me throughout my time on the island. From this, I received an ideal perception into the frequent dishes in Cyprus, in addition to what the locals prepare dinner at dwelling.
They supplied some wonderful suggestions for what to eat in Cyprus and the place to go. So, let me share what I discovered under.
1. Souvlaki (Most Well-known Meals to Strive in Cyprus Total)
Souvlaki is without doubt one of the hottest meals in Cyprus. Souvlaki contains cubes of meat, of which hen and pork are the most well-liked, which can be marinated and grilled on a skewer.
The meat is often tender and spiced to perfection and the most well-liked technique to eat it’s in a pitta, with a number of salad and lemon. You’ll nearly actually be served souvlaki in the event you order a meat meze too.
Souvlaki is completely different from souvla which is one other fashionable dish consisting of bigger items of meat cooked over a charcoal barbecue. The distinction between the dishes is the dimensions of the meat, the size of time it’s cooked, and the space from the grill. Basically, souvlaki is the mini model of souvla!
You’ll discover souvlaki all over the place – it’s in all probability the most well-liked dish in Cyprus. For lunch, my favourite place to eat souvlaki is Souvlaki.GR in Larnaca. It serves scrumptious tender souvlaki (together with different native dishes), at inexpensive costs, and in giant parts. You actually can’t go incorrect.
Souvlaki.gr Data
Handle: 67 Archiepiskopou Makariou Road, 7550 Larnaca, Cyprus.
Telephone: +357 24 650670
Working Hours: 11 am – 11.30 pm (Mon-Fri)
Common Value of Dish: €7
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
2. Halloumi
Halloumi is fashionable in a lot of Europe however originated in Cyprus. It’s a cheese constructed from a mix of goat and sheep’s milk, and generally cow’s milk too. Halloumi is usually referred to as squeaky cheese due to its texture.
It’s made regionally in Cypriot villages, and taking a tour to look at the locals making the cheese, having a go at making it your self, and all importantly tasting some samples, is a extremely enjoyable technique to spend a day.
When it comes to the place to attempt it, it’s one other a kind of meals in Cyprus that you just’ll discover in each restaurant or taverna serving native dishes because it’s one other of the most well-liked components on the island.
Whereas it’s often grilled and finest eaten as a part of a meze, I as soon as had it in pasta at Forsos Tavern in Limassol. It was tremendous scrumptious – I’d positively advocate including it to your order!
Forsos Tavern Data
Handle: Αγίου Ελευθερίου 49, Mouttagiaka, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 329490
Working Hours: 7.30 pm – Midnight (Mon-Solar)
Common Value of Dish: €7
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
3. Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a conventional Greek recipe that includes marinating lamb in olive oil, onion, garlic, and lemon after which cooking in greaseproof paper to verify the meat takes all the flavour and moisture from the liquid.
Cypriots make Kleftiko utilizing a leg of lamb, which may be very tender. Usually, you’ll discover that the dish comes with potatoes which were cooked along with the meat and soaked up the scrumptious aromas and flavors from the minimize.
In the event you’re staying in Nicosia, you have to attempt the Kleftiko at Kyriacos. It’s probably the most well-known locations in Cyprus to eat Kleftiko and is a well-liked place within the metropolis. It’s near Famagusta gate, their meats are melt-in-your-mouth, and the potatoes are undeniably scrumptious.
Kyriacos Data
Handle: 6 Vernardaki St, Palouriotissa, Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22 432750
Working Hours: 7 pm – 12:30 am (Mon-Solar)
Common Value of Dish: €15
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
4. Sheftalia
Sheftali or sheftalia (singular) or Sheftalies (plural) are a must-try meals in Cyprus. Sheftali goes completely with souvlaki and is finest served with a contemporary salad.
The sheftali is a straightforward however tasty sausage made with pork or lamb shoulder, or generally a little bit of each. What actually makes this dish particular and completely different from a traditional sausage, is the herbs and spices used.
Often, they function parsley, cinnamon, and mint which makes for a really fragrant and flavorful sausage.
The key to consuming sheftalies, is to sprinkle a bit of salt and an excellent squeeze of lemon on them. This cuts by way of the oil and actually brings out the flavors.
Once more, you’ll discover sheftalies in most taverns and native eating places, however one of the best sheftalies I’ve ever eaten had been from Aristos & Kikis. I like to recommend that you just get a pitta, with souvlaki and sheftalia. They’re crispy however juicy and so they have simply the best steadiness of herbs.
Aristos & Kikis Data
Handle: Αριάδνης, Germasogeia, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 323769
Working Hours: 12 pm-12 am (Tues-Solar) closed Mondays
Common Value of Dish: €6
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
5. Moussaka
Moussaka is a casserole or lasagna-type dish that’s manufactured from layered minced meat and eggplant. The dish grew to become extremely popular in Greece after the chef Nikolaos Tselementes topped moussaka with a layer of béchamel sauce, which is now thought of the Greek approach of creating it. It’s completely unimaginable.
In Cyprus, the minced meat is often floor pork which is cooked with salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Halloumi or anari (one other native Cypriot cheese) can be added to the béchamel too to present it a barely cheesier, saltier style.
Moussaka is without doubt one of the hottest meals in Cyprus, and also you’ll discover it all over the place, whether or not in vacationer eating places or native taverns. In the event you’re staying in Paphos, Argo serves a unbelievable Moussaka. The serving is completely big so you should definitely arrive with an urge for food.
Argo Data
Handle: 21 Paphias Aphrodites, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 26 933327
Working Hours: 6-10 pm
Common Value of Dish: €10
Web site: You may view their Fb Web page right here
6. Koupepia
Koupepia are much like dolmades, stuffed vines, or cabbage leaves. Nevertheless, the Cypriots have modified the recipe barely.
Along with the rice, minced meat, and spices that you just discover in dolmades, tomato paste, lemon juice, and onions are sometimes added to make Koupepia. Koupepia are sometimes served chilly too, not like dolmades that are often served heat.
In the event you go for meze at a neighborhood tavern, you’ll be served Koupepia. They’re a extremely popular meals in Cyprus, which regularly function in a Sunday lunch with household in Cyprus.
If you wish to attempt Koupepia, and also you’re in Larnaca, head to To Sieradiko. It’s a unbelievable tavern that serves unimaginable Koupepia in addition to different meze dishes.
To Sieradiko Data
Handle: Pavlou Valsamaki 14-16, Larnaca Cyprus
Telephone: +357 99 314723
Working Hours: 5 pm – 11:45 pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Value of Dish: €5
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
7. Pilafi Pourgouri
I like this dish. It’s actually easy, but additionally fairly troublesome to get proper – (I communicate from expertise!). This dish is constructed from bulgar (wheat), tomato purée or sauce, and onion.
It’s often a facet dish that goes nicely with souvlaki or sheftalies, and also you’ll discover it in lots of mezes. It’s a typical meals in Cyprus and one which locals make typically.
A much less frequent technique to discover it cooked is as a breakfast cereal. Generally it’s boiled with milk to type a type of oatmeal and eaten with honey or sugar.
You’ll discover the tomato model of this dish in most native tavernas. One which sticks in my thoughts for this specific dish in Cyprus is Militzis Tavern in Larnaca. You may get this on the facet of some scrumptious grilled meat or select it as a starter with some yogurt dip.
Militzis Tavern Data
Handle: Piale pasha 42, Larnaca 6029 Cyprus
Telephone: +357 24 655867
Working Hours: 12:30 – 11:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
Common Value of Dish: €6
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
8. Makaorionia Tou Fournou
Makaronia tou Fournou, or Cypriot Pastitsio, is one among my favourite conventional meals in Cyprus.
It’s constructed from macaroni pasta, minced meat, spices, and béchamel sauce. It’s an oven-baked dish that appears a bit of like moussaka when it’s executed.
The Cypriot model differs from the Greek model as a consequence of using halloumi cheese and mint which provides it a contemporary and creamy style. It’s a massively fashionable meals in Cyprus and varieties a part of a typical meal through the week.
At eating places, it’s typically a part of a meat meze, which is a wonderful technique to order this alongside a wide range of different scrumptious and conventional dishes in Cyprus.
In the event you’re exploring the unimaginable Cypriot village of Omodos then pop into Ambelothea Tavern to attempt Makaronia tou Fournou. It’s positioned simply off the principle sq. and is an genuine taverna to do this typical meals in Cyprus.
Ambelothea Tavern Data
Handle: E601 a1 Omodos 50225, Omodos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2542 1366
Working Hours: Day by day, 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Common Value of Dish: €10
9. Stifado
Stifado is an unimaginable beef stew cooked in a purple wine and tomato sauce. It’s a preferred and well-known major meal in Cyprus and it’s simple to see why – it’s scrumptious.
The stew often contains potatoes, chunks of beef, entire, small onions, greens, spices, purple wine, and cognac. The purple wine is usually Maratheftiko, a neighborhood, fashionable purple wine. There’s typically a sweetness to the sauce from using cinnamon and cloves.
Initially, it’s believed that Stifado was introduced over to Cyprus by the Venetians. The Cypriots then added tomatoes to good their tackle this hearty dish.
Stifado is historically served in a clay pot, straight from the oven. It’s served with rice or bulgar wheat and is a scrumptious staple meals of Cyprus.
It’s an ideal choice within the winter and shoulder months in Cyprus, when the temperatures are a bit of cooler; it’s certain to heat you up and preserve you glad.
In the event you’re in Paphos, do that dish at any of the native, Cypriot tavernas. Hondros, (claimed because the oldest conventional taverna in Paphos), provides this scrumptious specialty down by the harbor.
Hondros Data
Handle: Apostolou Pavlou Ave, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2693 4256
Working Hours: Day by day, 12 pm to 9 pm
Common Value of Dish: €15
10. Tzatziki
After I consider typical Cyprus meals, Tzatziki is prime of the listing. It’s fashionable all over the world and particularly so in Cyprus, the place it’s served with most meals.
Tzatziki is a must-try dish in Cyprus in the event you haven’t tried it earlier than. It’s a deliciously gentle yogurt dip mixed with cucumber, garlic, salt, oil, and often lemon juice.
In Cyprus, it’s served with pitta bread and makes a scrumptious starter or perhaps a bar snack in the event you’re feeling puckish. In the event you’re ordering a meze, there’ll nearly positively be Tzatziki as a part of the procession of conventional Cypriot meals delivered to your desk.
You’ll discover Tzatziki on each menu of each Greek and Cypriot restaurant in Cyprus. I liked it as half of a big meze within the wonderful Meze Taverna Restaurant in Outdated City Limassol.
Meze Taverna Restaurant Data
Handle: Agiou Andreou 209, Limassol 3036, Cyprus.
Telephone: +357 2536 7333.
Working Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12 pm to midnight, closed on Sundays
Common Value of Dish: €2 – €4
Web site: www.mezetaverna.com
11. Tirokafteri
One other frequent meals in Cyprus, and one other dip. Tirokafteri is one among my favourite snacks in Cyprus and it’s scrumptious with some pitta bread and a chilly beer.
Tirokafteri is a cheese dip or unfold constructed from feta cheese, yogurt, garlic, chili pepper, and olive oil. It has a sure stage of spice to it which might be why I prefer it a lot.
Tirokafteri is often eaten by itself as a snack with pitta bread, or as a part of a meze meal. It’s finest when unfold on heat pitta bread and has turn out to be one among my favourite meals in Cyprus.
In the event you’re in Protaras, I’d advocate the classically named, Conventional Cypriot Taverna Protaras which serves Tirokafteri as a starter or as a part of a meze.
Conventional Cyprus Tavern Protaras Data
Handle: Leoforos Ksenodoxeion 26, 5289, Protaras, Cyprus.
Working Hours: Day by day throughout summer season, 10 am till 11 pm
Common Value of Dish: €2 – €4
12. Tsoureki Bread
Tsoureki is a candy bread, like a brioche, that’s flavored with components like mahlab, cardamom, and vanilla. It’s a scrumptious, tender bread that’s historically eaten at Easter.
It’s additionally referred to as Lambrosomo or Lambrojouloura with Lambri which means Easter. It’s completely scrumptious and in the event you’re visiting round Easter, you’ll have the ability to discover it simply in all of the bakeries.
I attempted Tsoureki bread at Pier One in Limassol. It’s served as a breakfast dish with feta and scrambled eggs. Whereas I wouldn’t have put it collectively myself, I’m so glad they did, because it’s unimaginable. I wholeheartedly advocate a go to in the event you’re in Limassol and fancy a scrumptious brunch.
Pier One Data
Handle: Limassol 3042, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 022375
Working Hours: 9am-11:30pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Value of Dish: €4 from a bakery, €16 for brunch
Web site: http://pierone.com.cy/
13. Spanakopita
Spanakopita, or spinach pie, is a scrumptious, baked delicacy in Cyprus. This pie has been impressed by Greek cusine and is constructed from layers of buttery filo pastry with a spinach and cheese filling.
The normal Greek recipe makes use of feta cheese whereas the Cypriot model, in fact, makes use of halloumi along with feta.
Each are extensively out there in Cyprus and are sometimes present in bakeries and low retailers. They arrive in both squares or rolls and are scrumptious with espresso as a mid-morning snack.
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Limassol is to go to La Croissanterie for a frappé espresso and a slice of Spanakopita. There are many Croissanterie cafes in Cyprus, however my favorites are alongside the seashore highway in Limassol. Take a drink, and a slice of pie, and luxuriate in some people-watching.
La Croissanterie Data
Handle: Vasileos Georgiou, 95 Germasogeia, 4048, Cyprus, (and plenty of others out there throughout Cyprus).
Working Hours: 6 am – 11 pm each day
Common Value of Dish: €3
14. Baklava
Baklava is a massively fashionable meals in Cyprus, typically eaten on the finish of a meal accompanied by Cypriot tea or espresso.
It’s a extremely candy dish, constructed from layers of filo pastry and crushed nuts (often pistachios) which can be then soaked in syrup or honey. It units to make a scrumptious, sticky chunk. Baklava is usually served in small squares for simply the correct quantity of sweetness.
Baklava is fashionable all through the Center East and dates again to Roman instances. Most international locations add their very own aptitude to this tasty dish and in Cyprus, you’ll discover lots of baklavas have cinnamon and lemon juice added to present it its personal distinctive taste.
In the event you’re in Limassol, you may attempt a spread of various and scrumptious flavors of baklava on the unimaginable Zorbas Bakery. This native chain has an ideal choice of all types of candy treats which can preserve you coming again for extra.
Zorbas Bakery Data
Handle: Georgiou Griva Digeni 109, Avenue 3101, Cyprus, (but additionally discovered throughout Limassol).
Telephone: +357 2536 0031
Working Hours: Open 24 hours a day, on daily basis
Common Value of Dish: €1 – €6 (relying on whether or not you’re in a restaurant or a bakery).
Web site: www.zorbas.com.cy/en
15. Loukoumades
Loukoumades are small spherical doughnuts served with honey, syrup, cinnamon, nuts, or simply plain in Cyprus. It’s one among my favourite dessert meals in Cyprus. An indication of fine loukoumades is once they have a tough exterior and a tender, doughy inside.
They’re often served as a dessert in native tavernas, however there are additionally retailers and bakeries that promote them throughout Cyprus. My favourite is My Candy’s Loukoumades in Limassol.
They prime them with all kinds of scrumptious toppings together with melted chocolate, ice cream, pâtisserie cream, cinnamon sugar… actually any deal with you possibly can think about. You must do that place in case you have a candy tooth.
My Candy’s Loukoumades Data
Handle: Kitiou Kyprianou 51, Limassol 3041, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 762555
Working Hours: 2-11 pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Value of Dish: Between €3-€8 (relying on topping and amount).
Web site: View their Fb web page right here
Meals Excursions in Cyprus
The most effective methods to attempt the unimaginable meals of Cyprus is by taking a tour. These unimaginable day journeys take you into the center of Cyprus to expertise actually conventional meals and wine that maybe you wouldn’t discover in any other case.
Troodos Village Meals and Vineyard Tour
Fairly probably the easiest way to attempt among the finest fashionable meals in Cyprus, in addition to some native wine. An unimaginable 1-day mountain tour during which you’ll go to conventional Cypriot villages.
You’ll attempt selfmade halloumi, honey, village bread, and wines, and also you’ll get pleasure from a full meze lunch too.
Halloumi Making Tour
That is the final word conventional meals tour for these eager to get again to fundamentals and actually perceive the artwork of creating what’s fairly probably probably the most well-known dish in Cyprus.
The unbelievable native Cypriot hosts will information you into the Troodos Mountains and to a cheese-making workshop. You’ll make your personal cheese in addition to stopping at varied different locations for olive oil, honey, conventional sweets, wine, and extra.
Inexperienced Line Meals Tour
In the event you’re visiting Nicosia, then this unimaginable 3-hour meals tour alongside the Inexperienced Line is a singular and unforgettable expertise. Guided by the superb Eleni, you’ll study life on this divided capital metropolis and the distinctive mixture of cultures and meals it produces.
You’ll attempt Armenian road meals, go to one of many oldest bakeries in Nicosia and luxuriate in lunch in a conventional Taverna. A extremely rated and wonderful tour.
Style of Cyprus Tour
If you wish to mix attempting some conventional native meals in Cyprus with an introduction to Cypriot artwork and wine, then this 1-day cultural tour from Paphos is a wonderful technique to expertise native traditions.
You’ll go to a neighborhood smokehouse for home-smoked meats, a chocolate manufacturing facility in Platres, cease at among the finest native villages in Cyprus, and go wine tasting at a neighborhood vineyard – the total works and a very good cultural expertise!
Cyprus Meals FAQs
Listed here are some generally requested questions on Cyprus meals.
Halloumi, olives, and souvlaki are among the most conventional (and scrumptious) meals in Cyprus.
Cypriots, like many within the Mediterranean, are inclined to eat dinner later as soon as the solar has set. Anticipate eating places to open from round 7 pm and to get busy from 8 pm onwards.
Lunch is mostly served and eaten between noon and a pair of.30 pm. It might probably both be a lighter snack, because of the warmth, or a full meal.
Breakfast is taken anytime between 7 am and 10 am in Cyprus.
As with many components of Europe, tipping is appreciated, nevertheless it’s non-compulsory. Typically, a tip of 10% for a restaurant meal is the norm and is significantly appreciated by the employees.
Grilled kebabs resembling souvlaki are arguably the most well-liked meals in Cyprus, along with their well-known halloumi cheese, stifado beef stew, and scrumptious baklava desserts.
A conventional cooked Cypriot breakfast contains eggs, halloumi cheese, lountza meat (pork), cucumber, and tomato. You might discover figs and jams on raw variations of breakfast.
Cyprus has unimaginable meals. For me, Cyprus meals is among the finest within the Mediterranean because of its distinctive geographical location which provides a mixture of contemporary Med seafood and Center Japanese influences.
In Conclusion
There’s some superb meals in Cyprus to be tried, examined, and devoured. Cyprus delicacies is numerous with a number of superb flavors, and my favourite factor about it’s that you’ve tastes from everywhere in the world.
There are such a lot of completely different dishes to attempt; my recommendation is to order just a few completely different mezes from some native tavernas. It’s a unbelievable technique to attempt a number of the completely different meals in Cyprus that function on this listing in a single sitting. Completely different tavernas will embody completely different dishes and takes on every plate, so that they’re nice enjoyable to check out.
I hope this helps you resolve what to eat in Cyprus and provides you a place to begin on the place to start with all of the scrumptious meals!