Whereas the seashores are a number of 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 totally different dishes and finest locations to eat in Cyprus loads 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 making an attempt 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 normal dishes in Cyprus is certainly one in all my favourite issues to do while there.
Greatest Meals in Cyprus
I used to be lucky sufficient to have my associates, who have been raised in Cyprus, present me round and suggest totally different dishes to me throughout my time on the island. From this, I obtained a terrific perception into the frequent dishes in Cyprus, in addition to what the locals cook 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 under.
1. Souvlaki (Most Well-known Meals to Attempt 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 preferred, which can be marinated and grilled on a skewer.
The meat is normally tender and spiced to perfection and the preferred method to eat it’s in a pitta, with numerous salad and lemon. You’ll virtually actually be served souvlaki for those who order a meat meze too.
Souvlaki is totally 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 scale of the meat, the size of time it’s cooked, and the space from the grill. Primarily, souvlaki is the mini model of souvla!
You’ll discover souvlaki in all places – it’s most likely the preferred 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 flawed.
Souvlaki.gr Info
Deal with: 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 produced from 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 regionally 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 extremely enjoyable method to spend a day.
By way of the place to strive it, it’s one other a type of meals in Cyprus that you simply’ll discover in each restaurant or taverna serving native dishes because it’s one other of the preferred substances 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 suggest including it to your order!
Forsos Tavern Info
Deal with: 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 standard Greek recipe that includes marinating lamb in olive oil, onion, garlic, and lemon after which cooking in greaseproof paper to ensure 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.
When you’re staying in Nicosia, you could 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 Info
Deal with: 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 recent 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 totally different from a standard 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 somewhat salt and a very good 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 have been from Aristos & Kikis. I like to recommend that you simply get a pitta, with souvlaki and sheftalia. They’re crispy however juicy they usually have simply the precise stability of herbs.
Aristos & Kikis Info
Deal with: 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 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-about the Greek means of constructing 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 present it a barely cheesier, saltier style.
Moussaka is without doubt 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. When you’re staying in Paphos, Argo serves a incredible Moussaka. The serving is completely big so make sure to arrive with an urge for food.
Argo Info
Deal with: 21 Paphias Aphrodites, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +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 much like dolmades, stuffed vines, or cabbage leaves. Nonetheless, 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, in contrast to dolmades that are normally served heat.
When 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 strive Koupepia, and also you’re in Larnaca, head to To Sieradiko. It’s a incredible tavern that serves unbelievable Koupepia in addition to different meze dishes.
To Sieradiko Info
Deal with: 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 really like this dish. It’s actually easy, but in addition fairly tough to get proper – (I converse from expertise!). This dish is produced from bulgar (wheat), tomato purée or sauce, and onion.
It’s normally a facet dish that goes properly 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 method to discover it cooked is as a breakfast cereal. Typically it’s boiled with milk to type a form 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 Info
Deal with: 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 in all my favourite conventional meals in Cyprus.
It’s produced from macaroni pasta, minced meat, spices, and béchamel sauce. It’s an oven-baked dish that appears somewhat like moussaka when it’s achieved.
The Cypriot model differs from the Greek model resulting from using halloumi cheese and mint which supplies it a recent and creamy style. It’s a massively fashionable meals in Cyprus and types a part of a typical meal throughout the week.
At eating places, it’s usually a part of a meat meze, which is a wonderful method to order this alongside a wide range of different scrumptious and conventional dishes in Cyprus.
When 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 Info
Deal with: E601 a1 Omodos 50225, Omodos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2542 1366
Working Hours: Each day, 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Common Value of Dish: €10
9. Stifado
Stifado is an unbelievable beef stew cooked in a purple wine and tomato sauce. It’s a preferred and well-known major meal in Cyprus and it’s straightforward to see why – it’s scrumptious.
The stew normally consists of potatoes, chunks of beef, entire, small onions, greens, spices, purple wine, and cognac. The purple wine is commonly Maratheftiko, a neighborhood, fashionable purple 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 a terrific choice within the winter and shoulder months in Cyprus, when the temperatures are somewhat cooler; it’s positive to heat you up and maintain you happy.
When you’re in Paphos, do this dish at any of the native, Cypriot tavernas. Hondros, (claimed because the oldest conventional taverna in Paphos), presents this scrumptious specialty down by the harbor.
Hondros Info
Deal with: Apostolou Pavlou Ave, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2693 4256
Working Hours: Each day, 12 pm to 9 pm
Common Value of Dish: €15
10. Tzatziki
Once I consider typical Cyprus meals, Tzatziki is high of the checklist. It’s fashionable world wide and particularly so in Cyprus, the place it’s served with most meals.
Tzatziki is a must-try dish in Cyprus for those who haven’t tried it earlier than. It’s a deliciously gentle 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 for those who’re feeling puckish. When you’re ordering a meze, there’ll virtually 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 giant meze within the glorious Meze Taverna Restaurant in Outdated City Limassol.
Meze Taverna Restaurant Info
Deal with: 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 in all my favourite snacks in Cyprus and it’s scrumptious with some pitta bread and a chilly beer.
Tirokafteri is a cheese dip or unfold produced from feta cheese, yogurt, garlic, chili pepper, and olive oil. It has a sure degree of spice to it which might be why I prefer it a lot.
Tirokafteri is usually 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 into one in all my favourite meals in Cyprus.
When you’re in Protaras, I’d suggest the classically named, Conventional Cypriot Taverna Protaras which serves Tirokafteri as a starter or as a part of a meze.
Conventional Cyprus Tavern Protaras Info
Deal with: Leoforos Ksenodoxeion 26, 5289, Protaras, Cyprus.
Working Hours: Each day 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 substances like mahlab, cardamom, and vanilla. It’s a scrumptious, smooth 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 for those who’re visiting round Easter, you’ll be capable of 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 suggest a go to for those who’re in Limassol and fancy a scrumptious brunch.
Pier One Info
Deal with: 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 produced 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, after all, makes use of halloumi along with feta.
Each are extensively obtainable in Cyprus and are sometimes present in bakeries and occasional 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 seaside street in Limassol. Take a drink, and a slice of pie, and revel in some people-watching.
La Croissanterie Info
Deal with: Vasileos Georgiou, 95 Germasogeia, 4048, Cyprus, (and plenty of others obtainable 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, usually eaten on the finish of a meal accompanied by Cypriot tea or espresso.
It’s a extremely candy dish, produced from layers of filo pastry and crushed nuts (normally pistachios) which can be then soaked in syrup or honey. It units to make a scrumptious, sticky chew. Baklava is commonly 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 loads of baklavas have cinnamon and lemon juice added to present it its personal distinctive taste.
When you’re in Limassol, you’ll be able to strive a spread of various and scrumptious flavors of baklava on the unbelievable Zorbas Bakery. This native chain has a terrific collection of every kind of candy treats which is able to maintain you coming again for extra.
Zorbas Bakery Info
Deal with: Georgiou Griva Digeni 109, Avenue 3101, Cyprus, (but in addition discovered throughout Limassol).
Telephone: +357 2536 0031
Working Hours: Open 24 hours a day, daily
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 in all my favourite dessert meals in Cyprus. An indication of excellent loukoumades is after they have a tough exterior and a smooth, doughy inside.
They’re normally 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 high them with all kinds of scrumptious toppings together with melted chocolate, ice cream, pâtisserie cream, cinnamon sugar… actually any deal with you could possibly think about. You need to do this place you probably have a candy tooth.
My Candy’s Loukoumades Info
Deal with: 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
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 presumably the easiest way to strive a number of the finest fashionable meals in Cyprus, in addition to some native wine. An unbelievable 1-day mountain tour during 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 desirous to get again to fundamentals and actually perceive the artwork of constructing what’s fairly presumably essentially the most well-known dish in Cyprus.
The incredible 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
When you’re visiting Nicosia, then this unbelievable 3-hour meals tour alongside the Inexperienced Line is a singular and unforgettable expertise. Guided by the wonderful 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 standard 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 wonderful method to expertise native traditions.
You’ll go to a neighborhood smokehouse for home-smoked meats, a chocolate manufacturing facility in Platres, cease at a number of 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 a number of 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 usually served and eaten between noon and a couple of.30 pm. It will 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 elements of Europe, tipping is appreciated, nevertheless it’s optional. Typically, a tip of 10% for a restaurant meal is the norm and is enormously appreciated by the employees.
Grilled kebabs similar to souvlaki are arguably the preferred meals in Cyprus, along with their well-known halloumi cheese, stifado beef stew, and scrumptious baklava desserts.
A conventional cooked Cypriot breakfast consists of eggs, halloumi cheese, lountza meat (pork), cucumber, and tomato. You could discover figs and jams on raw variations of breakfast.
Cyprus has unbelievable meals. For me, Cyprus meals is a number of the finest within the Mediterranean due to its distinctive geographical location which presents a mixture of recent Med seafood and Center Jap influences.
In Conclusion
There’s some superb meals in Cyprus to be tried, examined, and devoured. Cyprus delicacies is numerous with numerous superb flavors, and my favourite factor about it’s that you’ve tastes from all around the world.
There are such a lot of totally different dishes to strive; my recommendation is to order just a few totally different mezes from some native tavernas. It’s a incredible method to strive numerous the totally different meals in Cyprus that function on this checklist 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 determine what to eat in Cyprus and provides you a place to begin on the place to start with all of the scrumptious meals!