Whereas the seashores are among the finest options of this beautiful 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 quite a lot 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 beloved making an attempt all the most effective meals in Cyprus. From sheftalies (meatballs) and souvlaki (grilled meat) to scrumptious cheeses. Cypriot meals is actually superb, and tasting the normal dishes in Cyprus is certainly certainly one of 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 suggest totally different dishes to me throughout my time on the island. From this, I acquired a terrific perception into the widespread dishes in Cyprus, in addition to what the locals prepare dinner at house.
They offered some glorious suggestions for what to eat in Cyprus and the place to go. So, let me share what I discovered beneath.
1. Souvlaki (Most Well-known Meals to Strive in Cyprus Total)
Souvlaki is likely one of the hottest meals in Cyprus. Souvlaki contains cubes of meat, of which rooster and pork are the preferred, which are marinated and grilled on a skewer.
The meat is normally tender and spiced to perfection and the preferred option to eat it’s in a pitta, with numerous salad and lemon. You’ll nearly actually be served souvlaki if you happen to 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 gap from the grill. Primarily, souvlaki is the mini model of souvla!
You’ll discover souvlaki in every single place – 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 massive parts. You actually can’t go unsuitable.
Souvlaki.gr Data
Deal with: 67 Archiepiskopou Makariou Street, 7550 Larnaca, Cyprus.
Telephone: +357 24 650670
Working Hours: 11 am – 11.30 pm (Mon-Fri)
Common Price of Dish: €7
Web site: View their Fb web page here
2. Halloumi
Halloumi is in style in a lot of Europe however originated in Cyprus. It’s a cheese constructed from a mix of goat and sheep’s milk, and typically cow’s milk too. Halloumi is usually known 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 option to spend a day.
By way of the place to attempt it, it’s one other a type of meals in Cyprus that you just’ll discover in each restaurant or taverna serving native dishes because it’s one other of the preferred 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 suggest including it to your order!
Forsos Tavern Data
Deal with: Αγίου Ελευθερίου 49, Mouttagiaka, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 329490
Working Hours: 7.30 pm – Midnight (Mon-Solar)
Common Price of Dish: €7
Web site: View their Fb web page 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 could 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, you could attempt the Kleftiko at Kyriacos. It’s one of the vital 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
Deal with: 6 Vernardaki St, Palouriotissa, Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22 432750
Working Hours: 7 pm – 12:30 am (Mon-Solar)
Common Price of Dish: €15
Web site: View their Fb web page 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 typically a little bit of each. What actually makes this dish particular and totally 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 little bit salt and a very good squeeze of lemon on them. This cuts by means of 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 just get a pitta, with souvlaki and sheftalia. They’re crispy however juicy and so they have simply the appropriate steadiness of herbs.
Aristos & Kikis Data
Deal with: Αριάδνης, Germasogeia, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 323769
Working Hours: 12 pm-12 am (Tues-Solar) closed Mondays
Common Price of Dish: €6
Web site: View their Fb web page here
5. Moussaka
Moussaka is a casserole or lasagna-type dish that’s product of layered minced meat and eggplant. The dish turned extremely popular in Greece after the chef Nikolaos Tselementes topped moussaka with a layer of béchamel sauce, which is now thought-about the Greek method of creating it. It’s completely unimaginable.
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 likely one of the hottest meals in Cyprus, and also you’ll discover it in every single place, whether or not in vacationer eating places or native taverns. In case you’re staying in Paphos, Argo serves a implausible Moussaka. The serving is totally large so make sure to arrive with an urge for food.
Argo Data
Deal with: 21 Paphias Aphrodites, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 26 933327
Working Hours: 6-10 pm
Common Price of Dish: €10
Web site: You possibly can view their Facebook Page right here
6. Koupepia
Koupepia are just 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 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 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 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 implausible tavern that serves unimaginable Koupepia in addition to different meze dishes.
To Sieradiko Data
Deal with: Pavlou Valsamaki 14-16, Larnaca Cyprus
Telephone: +357 99 314723
Working Hours: 5 pm – 11:45 pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Price of Dish: €5
Web site: View their Fb web page here
7. Pilafi Pourgouri
I really like this dish. It’s actually easy, but additionally fairly tough to get proper – (I converse from expertise!). This dish is constructed from bulgar (wheat), tomato purée or sauce, and onion.
It’s normally a aspect 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 widespread option to discover it cooked is as a breakfast cereal. Typically it’s boiled with milk to kind 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 explicit dish in Cyprus is Militzis Tavern in Larnaca. You will get this on the aspect of some scrumptious grilled meat or select it as a starter with some yogurt dip.
Militzis Tavern Data
Deal with: Piale pasha 42, Larnaca 6029 Cyprus
Telephone: +357 24 655867
Working Hours: 12:30 – 11:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
Common Price of Dish: €6
Web site: View their Fb web page here
8. Makaorionia Tou Fournou
Makaronia tou Fournou, or Cypriot Pastitsio, is certainly one of 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 little bit like moussaka when it’s performed.
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 vastly in style meals in Cyprus and types 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 option to order this alongside quite a lot of different scrumptious and conventional dishes in Cyprus.
In case you’re exploring the unimaginable Cypriot village of Omodos then pop into Ambelothea Tavern to attempt 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
Deal with: E601 a1 Omodos 50225, Omodos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2542 1366
Working Hours: Day-after-day, 12 pm to 10.30 pm
Common Price of Dish: €10
9. Stifado
Stifado is an unimaginable beef stew cooked in a purple wine and tomato sauce. It’s a well-liked and well-known fundamental meal in Cyprus and it’s straightforward to see why – it’s scrumptious.
The stew normally consists of potatoes, chunks of beef, complete, small onions, greens, spices, purple wine, and cognac. The purple wine is usually Maratheftiko, an area, in style 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 a terrific choice within the winter and shoulder months in Cyprus, when the temperatures are a little bit cooler; it’s positive to heat you up and maintain you glad.
In case you’re in Paphos, do that 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 Data
Deal with: Apostolou Pavlou Ave, Paphos, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 2693 4256
Working Hours: Day-after-day, 12 pm to 9 pm
Common Price of Dish: €15
10. Tzatziki
After I consider typical Cyprus meals, Tzatziki is high of the checklist. It’s in style world wide and particularly so in Cyprus, the place it’s served with most meals.
Tzatziki is a must-try dish in Cyprus if you happen to 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 if you happen to’re feeling puckish. In case you’re ordering a meze, there’ll nearly 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 beloved it as half of a giant meze within the glorious Meze Taverna Restaurant in Outdated City Limassol.
Meze Taverna Restaurant Data
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 Price of Dish: €2 – €4
Web site: www.mezetaverna.com
11. Tirokafteri
One other widespread meals in Cyprus, and one other dip. Tirokafteri is certainly one of 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 degree 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 into certainly one of my favourite meals in Cyprus.
In case you’re in Protaras, I’d suggest the classically named, Traditional Cypriot Taverna Protaras which serves Tirokafteri as a starter or as a part of a meze.
Conventional Cyprus Tavern Protaras Data
Deal with: Leoforos Ksenodoxeion 26, 5289, Protaras, Cyprus.
Working Hours: Day-after-day throughout summer time, 10 am till 11 pm
Common Price 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, delicate bread that’s historically eaten at Easter.
It’s additionally known as Lambrosomo or Lambrojouloura with Lambri meaning Easter. It’s completely scrumptious and if you happen to’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 suggest a go to if you happen to’re in Limassol and fancy a delicious brunch.
Pier One Data
Deal with: Limassol 3042, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 022375
Working Hours: 9am-11:30pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Price 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, after all, makes use of halloumi along with feta.
Each are broadly 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.
One among 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 Data
Deal with: Vasileos Georgiou, 95 Germasogeia, 4048, Cyprus, (and lots of others obtainable throughout Cyprus).
Working Hours: 6 am – 11 pm each day
Common Price of Dish: €3
14. Baklava
Baklava is a vastly in style 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 (normally pistachios) which are then soaked in syrup or honey. It units to make a scrumptious, sticky chew. Baklava is usually 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 instances. Most nations add their very own aptitude to this tasty dish and in Cyprus, you’ll discover quite a lot of baklavas have cinnamon and lemon juice added to present it its personal distinctive taste.
In case you’re in Limassol, you’ll be able to attempt a variety of various and scrumptious flavors of baklava on the unimaginable Zorbas Bakery. This native chain has a terrific choice of every kind of candy treats which can maintain you coming again for extra.
Zorbas Bakery Data
Deal with: Georgiou Griva Digeni 109, Avenue 3101, Cyprus, (but additionally discovered throughout Limassol).
Telephone: +357 2536 0031
Working Hours: Open 24 hours a day, every single day
Common Price 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 certainly one of my favourite dessert meals in Cyprus. An indication of fine loukoumades is after they have a tough exterior and a delicate, 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 Sweet’s Loukoumades in Limassol.
They high them with all types of scrumptious toppings together with melted chocolate, ice cream, pâtisserie cream, cinnamon sugar… actually any deal with you could possibly think about. It’s a must to do that place in case you have a candy tooth.
My Candy’s Loukoumades Data
Deal with: Kitiou Kyprianou 51, Limassol 3041, Cyprus
Telephone: +357 25 762555
Working Hours: 2-11 pm (Mon-Solar)
Common Price of Dish: Between €3-€8 (relying on topping and amount).
Web site: View their Fb web page here
Meals Excursions in Cyprus
Among the best methods to attempt the unimaginable meals of Cyprus is by taking a tour. These unimaginable day journeys take you into the guts of Cyprus to expertise really 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 in style meals in Cyprus, in addition to some native wine. An unimaginable 1-day mountain tour wherein you’ll go to conventional Cypriot villages.
You’ll attempt selfmade halloumi, honey, village bread, and wines, and also you’ll take pleasure in a full meze lunch too.
Halloumi Making Tour
That is the last word traditional food tour for these eager to get again to fundamentals and really perceive the artwork of creating what’s fairly probably essentially the most well-known dish in Cyprus.
The implausible 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 varied different locations for olive oil, honey, conventional sweets, wine, and extra.
Inexperienced Line Meals Tour
In case you’re visiting Nicosia, then this unimaginable 3-hour food tour along the Green Line is a novel and unforgettable expertise. Guided by the wonderful Eleni, you’ll find out about life on this divided capital metropolis and the distinctive mixture of cultures and meals it produces.
You’ll attempt 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 wonderful option 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 best local villages in Cyprus, and go wine tasting at an area vineyard – the total 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 couple of.30 pm. It will probably both be a lighter snack, as a result of 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, however it’s non-compulsory. Typically, a tip of 10% for a restaurant meal is the norm and is enormously appreciated by the workers.
Grilled kebabs comparable to souvlaki are arguably the preferred meals in Cyprus, along with their well-known halloumi cheese, stifado beef stew, and scrumptious baklava desserts.
A standard 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 unimaginable meals. For me, Cyprus meals is among the finest within the Mediterranean because of its distinctive geographical location which presents a mixture of recent Med seafood and Center Japanese influences.
In Conclusion
There’s some superb meals in Cyprus to be tried, examined, and devoured. Cyprus delicacies is various with numerous superb 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 attempt; my recommendation is to order a number of totally different mezes from some native tavernas. It’s a implausible option to attempt 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!
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