Whereas the seashores are among the finest options of this pretty Island, the meals in Cyprus is fairly wonderful too. A mix of Arabic, Turkish and Greek flavors makes exploring the totally 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 cherished making an attempt all the most effective meals in Cyprus. From sheftalies (meatballs) and souvlaki (grilled meat) to scrumptious cheeses. Cypriot meals is really wonderful, and tasting the normal dishes in Cyprus is certainly one among my favourite issues to do while there.
Greatest Meals in Cyprus
I used to be lucky sufficient to have my buddies, who have been raised in Cyprus, present me round and advocate totally different dishes to me throughout my time on the island. From this, I obtained an excellent perception into the frequent dishes in Cyprus, in addition to what the locals prepare dinner at residence.
They offered some glorious suggestions for what to eat in Cyprus and the place to go. So, let me share what I realized beneath.
1. Souvlaki (Most Well-known Meals to Attempt in Cyprus Total)
Souvlaki is likely one of the hottest meals in Cyprus. Souvlaki includes cubes of meat, of which hen and pork are the most well-liked, which are marinated and grilled on a skewer.
The meat is normally tender and spiced to perfection and the most well-liked solution to eat it’s in a pitta, with a lot of salad and lemon. You’ll virtually definitely be served souvlaki when you order a meat meze too.
Souvlaki is totally different from souvla which is one other in style 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 in all places – it’s most likely 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 reasonably priced costs, and in giant parts. You actually can’t go incorrect.
Souvlaki.gr Data
Handle: 67 Archiepiskopou Makariou Road, 7550 Larnaca, Cyprus.
Cellphone: +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 in style in a lot of Europe however originated in Cyprus. It’s a cheese made out of a combination of goat and sheep’s milk, and generally cow’s milk too. Halloumi is commonly known as squeaky cheese due to its texture.
It’s made domestically in Cypriot villages, and taking a tour to observe the locals making the cheese, having a go at making it your self, and all importantly tasting some samples, is a very enjoyable solution to spend a day.
When it comes to the place to strive it, it’s one other a kind of meals in Cyprus that you simply’ll discover in each restaurant or taverna serving native dishes because it’s one other of the most well-liked elements on the island.
Whereas it’s normally 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
Cellphone: +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 entails 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 have been cooked along with the meat and soaked up the scrumptious aromas and flavors from the lower.
In case you’re staying in Nicosia, it’s essential to strive the Kleftiko at Kyriacos. It’s one of the crucial 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
Cellphone: +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 recent salad.
The sheftali is an easy however tasty sausage made with pork or lamb shoulder, or generally a little bit of each. What actually makes this dish particular and totally different from a standard sausage, is the herbs and spices used.
Normally, they characteristic parsley, cinnamon, and mint which makes for a really fragrant and flavorful sausage.
The key to consuming sheftalies, is to sprinkle just a little salt and an excellent squeeze of lemon on them. This cuts via the oil and actually brings out the flavors.
Once more, you’ll discover sheftalies in most taverns and native eating places, however the most effective sheftalies I’ve ever eaten have been from Aristos & Kikis. I like to recommend that you simply get a pitta, with souvlaki and sheftalia. They’re crispy however juicy and so they have simply the precise stability of herbs.
Aristos & Kikis Data
Handle: Αριάδνης, Germasogeia, Cyprus
Cellphone: +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 product of 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 method of creating it. It’s completely unbelievable.
In Cyprus, the minced meat is normally floor pork which is cooked with salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Halloumi or anari (one other native Cypriot cheese) can also be added to the béchamel too to provide it a barely cheesier, saltier style.
Moussaka is likely one of the hottest meals in Cyprus, and also you’ll discover it in all places, whether or not in vacationer eating places or native taverns. In case you’re staying in Paphos, Argo serves a unbelievable Moussaka. The serving is completely enormous so be sure you arrive with an urge for food.
Argo Data
Handle: 21 Paphias Aphrodites, Paphos, Cyprus
Cellphone: +357 26 933327
Working Hours: 6-10 pm
Common Value of Dish: €10
Web site: You possibly can view their Fb Web page right here
6. Koupepia
Koupepia are just 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 simply 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 normally served heat.
In case you go for meze at an area tavern, you’ll be served Koupepia. They’re a extremely popular meals in Cyprus, which frequently characteristic in a Sunday lunch with household in Cyprus.
If you wish to strive Koupepia, and also you’re in Larnaca, head to To Sieradiko. It’s a unbelievable tavern that serves unbelievable Koupepia in addition to different meze dishes.
To Sieradiko Data
Handle: Pavlou Valsamaki 14-16, Larnaca Cyprus
Cellphone: +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 in addition fairly troublesome to get proper – (I converse from expertise!). This dish is made out of bulgar (wheat), tomato purée or sauce, and onion.
It’s normally a aspect dish that goes effectively 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 usually.
A much less frequent solution to discover it cooked is as a breakfast cereal. Typically it’s boiled with milk to kind a sort 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 aspect 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
Cellphone: +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 made out of macaroni pasta, minced meat, spices, and béchamel sauce. It’s an oven-baked dish that appears just a little like moussaka when it’s finished.
The Cypriot model differs from the Greek model attributable to using halloumi cheese and mint which supplies it a recent and creamy style. It’s a massively in style meals in Cyprus and kinds a part of a typical meal through the week.
At eating places, it’s usually a part of a meat meze, which is a superb solution to order this alongside quite a lot of different scrumptious and conventional dishes in Cyprus.
In case you’re exploring the unbelievable Cypriot village of Omodos then pop into Ambelothea Tavern to strive Makaronia tou Fournou. It’s situated simply off the principle sq. and is an genuine taverna to do that typical meals in Cyprus.
Ambelothea Tavern Data
Handle: E601 a1 Omodos 50225, Omodos, Cyprus
Cellphone: +357 2542 1366
Working Hours: On daily basis, 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Common Value of Dish: €10
9. Stifado
Stifado is an unbelievable beef stew cooked in a pink wine and tomato sauce. It’s a preferred and well-known primary meal in Cyprus and it’s simple to see why – it’s scrumptious.
The stew normally contains potatoes, chunks of beef, complete, small onions, greens, spices, pink wine, and cognac. The pink wine is commonly Maratheftiko, an area, in style pink wine. There’s usually 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 excellent 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 excellent choice within the winter and shoulder months in Cyprus, when the temperatures are just a little cooler; it’s certain to heat you up and hold you happy.
In case you’re in Paphos, do this 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
Cellphone: +357 2693 4256
Working Hours: On daily basis, 12 pm to 9 pm
Common Value of Dish: €15
10. Tzatziki
Once I consider typical Cyprus meals, Tzatziki is high of the record. It’s in style 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 when you haven’t tried it earlier than. It’s a deliciously mild yogurt dip mixed with cucumber, garlic, salt, oil, and normally lemon juice.
In Cyprus, it’s served with pitta bread and makes a scrumptious starter or perhaps a bar snack when you’re feeling puckish. In case you’re ordering a meze, there’ll virtually positively be Tzatziki as a part of the procession of conventional Cypriot meals dropped at your desk.
You’ll discover Tzatziki on each menu of each Greek and Cypriot restaurant in Cyprus. I cherished it as half of a giant meze within the glorious Meze Taverna Restaurant in Previous City Limassol.
Meze Taverna Restaurant Data
Handle: Agiou Andreou 209, Limassol 3036, Cyprus.
Cellphone: +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 made out of 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 develop into one among my favourite meals in Cyprus.
In case 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: On daily basis throughout summer time, 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 elements like mahlab, cardamom, and vanilla. It’s a scrumptious, tender bread that’s historically eaten at Easter.
It’s additionally known as Lambrosomo or Lambrojouloura with Lambri that means Easter. It’s completely scrumptious and when you’re visiting round Easter, you’ll be capable 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 unbelievable. I wholeheartedly advocate a go to when you’re in Limassol and fancy a scrumptious brunch.
Pier One Data
Handle: Limassol 3042, Cyprus
Cellphone: +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 made out of layers of buttery filo pastry with a spinach and cheese filling.
The normal Greek recipe makes use of feta cheese whereas the Cypriot model, after all, makes use of halloumi along with feta.
Each are extensively out there in Cyprus and are sometimes present in bakeries and low outlets. They arrive in both squares or rolls and are scrumptious with espresso as a mid-morning snack.
One in all 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 street in Limassol. Take a drink, and a slice of pie, and revel in some people-watching.
La Croissanterie Data
Handle: Vasileos Georgiou, 95 Germasogeia, 4048, Cyprus, (and lots 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 in style meals in Cyprus, usually eaten on the finish of a meal accompanied by Cypriot tea or espresso.
It’s a very candy dish, made out of layers of filo pastry and crushed nuts (normally pistachios) which are then soaked in syrup or honey. It units to make a scrumptious, sticky chunk. Baklava is commonly served in small squares for simply the correct quantity of sweetness.
Baklava is in style all through the Center East and dates again to Roman occasions. 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 provide it its personal distinctive taste.
In case you’re in Limassol, you possibly can strive a spread of various and scrumptious flavors of baklava on the unbelievable Zorbas Bakery. This native chain has an excellent number of every kind of candy treats which is able to hold you coming again for extra.
Zorbas Bakery Data
Handle: Georgiou Griva Digeni 109, Avenue 3101, Cyprus, (but in addition discovered throughout Limassol).
Cellphone: +357 2536 0031
Working Hours: Open 24 hours a day, day by day
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 normally served as a dessert in native tavernas, however there are additionally outlets and bakeries that promote them throughout Cyprus. My favourite is My Candy’s Loukoumades in Limassol.
They high them with all kinds of scrumptious toppings together with melted chocolate, ice cream, pâtisserie cream, cinnamon sugar… actually any deal with you can think about. You must do this place if in case you have a candy tooth.
My Candy’s Loukoumades Data
Handle: Kitiou Kyprianou 51, Limassol 3041, Cyprus
Cellphone: +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
Among the best methods to strive the unbelievable meals of Cyprus is by taking a tour. These unbelievable day journeys take you into the guts 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 strive among the finest in style meals in Cyprus, in addition to some native wine. An unbelievable 1-day mountain tour through which you’ll go to conventional Cypriot villages.
You’ll strive do-it-yourself halloumi, honey, village bread, and wines, and also you’ll get pleasure from a full meze lunch too.
Halloumi Making Tour
That is the last word conventional meals tour for these eager to get again to fundamentals and actually perceive the artwork of creating what’s fairly probably essentially 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 individual cheese in addition to stopping at numerous different locations for olive oil, honey, conventional sweets, wine, and extra.
Inexperienced Line Meals Tour
In case you’re visiting Nicosia, then this unbelievable 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 strive Armenian avenue meals, go to one of many oldest bakeries in Nicosia and revel in lunch in a conventional Taverna. A extremely rated and glorious tour.
Style of Cyprus Tour
If you wish to mix making an attempt some conventional native meals in Cyprus with an introduction to Cypriot artwork and wine, then this 1-day cultural tour from Paphos is a superb solution to expertise native traditions.
You’ll go to an area 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 an area vineyard – the complete works and a very good cultural expertise!
Cyprus Meals FAQs
Listed below 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. Count on 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 could possibly 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 akin to 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 standard cooked Cypriot breakfast contains eggs, halloumi cheese, lountza meat (pork), cucumber, and tomato. It’s possible you’ll discover figs and jams on raw variations of breakfast.
Cyprus has unbelievable meals. For me, Cyprus meals is among the finest within the Mediterranean because of its distinctive geographical location which provides a mix of recent Med seafood and Center Jap influences.
In Conclusion
There’s some wonderful meals in Cyprus to be tried, examined, and devoured. Cyprus delicacies is various with a lot of wonderful flavors, and my favourite factor about it’s that you’ve got tastes from all around the world.
There are such a lot of totally different dishes to strive; my recommendation is to order a number of totally different mezes from some native tavernas. It’s a unbelievable solution to strive a lot of the totally different meals in Cyprus that characteristic on this record in a single sitting. Totally different tavernas will embody totally 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 offers you a place to begin on the place to start with all of the scrumptious meals!
