Restaurants in Cyprus
The Mediterranean cuisine is famous worldwide and enjoys great popularity. Cyprus is a wonderful place where one can enjoy it.
Restaurants in Cyprus
The Cypriots love not only to eat well but also to eat deliciously, leisurely, and always with wine. The island is full of tavernas, restaurants, cafes, and snack bars, and everywhere the food is amazing because Mediterranean products are of high quality, fresh, without chemicals, and flavor enhancers.
In tourist areas, seasonality is very pronounced — many establishments can be completely closed from November to April.
As for the cuisine, it is mostly Greek-Cypriot dishes, but in large cities and popular resorts, you can find international options: Asian, Eastern European cuisines, and even overseas varieties. There is a lot of Lebanese cuisine.
Local cuisine in Cyprus
It all starts with traditional meze — the legendary Cypriot appetizer, which is served at every table gathering. What it consists of and when it is served — read here.
After serving the meze, the waiter usually brings the main dish. Often — while the meze is still on the plates. It could be sheftalia (minced meat sausages), souvlaki (meat skewers), moussaka (minced meat with eggplant and potatoes), afelia (pork marinated in red wine with coriander), stifado (beef in wine with onions), and kleftiko (lamb minced meat with potatoes).
For desserts, you should try vasilopita, flaounes, and kourabiedes.
Best restaurants in Cyprus
We have several collections for the main locations in Cyprus to help you navigate the variety of options. We selected establishments that received the highest ratings on various resources such as Restaurant Guru, Tripadvisor, and Google.
- Best restaurants in Limassol
- Best restaurants in Ayia Napa
- Best restaurants in Nicosia
- Best restaurants in Paphos
- Best restaurants in Larnaca
- Best restaurants in Protaras
Frequently asked questions
What wine should I drink in Cyprus?
Cyprus has many local wines, and to explore all the varieties, you should go on wine tours on the island. But one wine that stands out is, of course, Commandaria. To read more about this famous Cypriot wine, click here.
Are there vegetarian and vegan dishes in Cyprus?
Although Cypriots love meat, many restaurants follow global trends and offer vegetarian and vegan dishes. However, such dishes are typically found in larger cities and modern establishments — in traditional tavernas, if there is no meat in a dish, there is almost certainly cheese.
Is tipping customary in Cyprus?
Tipping is appreciated in Cyprus but not mandatory. A tip of 5 to 10% of the bill is considered normal if you are satisfied with the service.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…