Food

Traditional Food

Cypriot cuisine can be described as a very interesting merge of Greek, Turkish and Arabic culinary influences, a result of the island's geographical position and its history. As with most typical Mediterranean food, recipes are based on locally grown produce, namely root vegetables, citrus fruits, fresh fish, vine leaves, cheese, olives, aromatic spices and fresh herbs.

The best way to get acquainted with Cypriot food is to order meze, in a Cypriot "taverna". Meze means mixture and it consists many small dishes (up to 20 dishes) with a little of everything that is available on that day at that taverna.

Although Cyprus is an island, the price of seafood is quite high as this part of the Mediterranean is not rich in fish. In a fish tavern, you should definitely try sea bass, red mullet, sea Bream, silverside, swordfish and of course octopus, squid and calamari.

Another good way to try traditional goodies is by going to the many bakeries of the island. Bakeries in Cyprus are like the English corner shops and usually are open until late in the evening. Each bakery produces its own variety of the delicious traditional savouries, cakes and pastries. It's a good place to buy something for lunch.


Cypriot traditional dishes


  • Afelia: Pork in a wine and coriander sauce
  • Pastourmas: Smoked Cyprus sausage flavoured with pepper or laurel
  • Kleftiko: Lamb roasted in a traditional clay oven
  • Tavas: Veal, onions and herbs served in small earthenware dishes straight from the oven
  • Suvlakia: Kebabs with pork meat cooked on a slow charcoal fire.
  • Seftalies: A sausage made of two kinds of mince-meat and seasonings covered with the membrane that surrounds the stomach of a pig or lamb.
  • Souvla: Pork, chicken or lamb roasted on a spit
  • Ravioles: Similar to the Italian Ravioli pasta dish filled with halloumi cheese and mint
  • Pourgouri: Bulgar (cracked wheat) pilaf
  • Koupepia: Stuffed vine leaves
  • Talattouri (Tzatziki): Yogurt prepared with cucumber, peppermint and garlic
  • Haloumi cheese: Traditionally made with sheeps' milk

Cypriot Sweets


  • Souzoukko: It is made by dipping strings of nuts in heated grape juice.
  • Glyko tou koutaliou (spoon sweet): Are sweet preserves made by almost any fruit or vegetable (or even walnut) booked with sugar to create syrup. They are traditionally served to guests.
  • Loucoumi: Turkish delight
  • Loukoumades: Deep-fried balls of choux pastry served in syrup. They are crunchy outside and soft and juicy inside.
  • Pourekia: Deep-fried pastry stuffed with anari, sugar and cinnamon.
  • Kadeifi, Baklava and Galaktopureko: Rich oriental syrup desserts.
  • Daktila ("Ladies' Fingers"): Finger-shaped strudel pastry filled with a nut-cinnamon mixture and soaked in syrup.
  • Mahalepi: Rose-flavored summer sweet made by maize powdered starch (Niseste).
  • Ice-cream & Sorbet: There are ice-cream kiosks almost in neighborhood in Cyprus. Try the different flavours of local brands such as Pahit-Ice and Heraclis.

Cypriot Drinks


The local beer is Keo. However, Carlsberg is very popular among the locals since Cyprus was the first country outside Denmark to be granted a Carlsberg brewing licence.

Wine in Cyprus dates back to Biblical times when the story of Solomon stated that Cyprus wines were the best in the world. Cyprus produces a wide range of red, white, sweet and dry wines as well as sherries, vermouth, and ports.

Commandaria, the rich, sweet dessert wine of the Crusaders, is consider to be the oldest wine known in the world (similar to Madeira).

Ouzo is a strong distillation of grape juice taken with water and sometimes ice. It is high in alcohol content and tastes like an aniseed liqueur.

Zivania is the local firewater, made from the last of the grape pressings

Home-made Lemonade is something that you will find in every Cypriot house and coffee shop.

Frappè is the Greek version of ice coffee and is made from instant coffee. Frappè is available in three degrees of sweetness, sweet (glikis), medium (metrios) and plain-without sugar (sketos). All varieties may be served with milk.

Cypriot traditional coffee (a.k.a. Greek coffee or Turkish coffee) is prepared by boiling finely powdered roast coffee beans in a pot ("briki") and serving it into a small cup where the dregs settle. It is also available in three degrees of sweetness. Always accompanied with a glass of water and some 'gliko' (traditional preserved fruit in suryp).

Recommended places to eat


Nicosia

There are a lot of good places to eat in Nicosia. Since you will probably stay one night in Nicosia we are suggesting 5 places in the old town area. Booking is recommended so ask your hotel to book a table for you.

To steki tis Loxandras tavern: It's a tavern in the old part of the town, next to the church that we are getting married. You can easily walk from the hotel that we are suggesting. The address is 67-69, Faneromenis street.

Souxou mouxou mantalakia: A new alternative tavern with a Greek touch (45-47, Onasagorou Street)

Kathodon: Greek Tavern next to the 'Green line'. Also close to the suggested hotel, located at the end of Ledras street (62 D Ledras Str).

Il forno: An outdoor Italian bistro like restaurant with amazing pasta and pizza (216 Ledras street)

Plato's bar: An old and classic bar in the old town. Great atmosphere with a big beer selection and good food (mostly kebabs). You will find it on Platonos Street (No. 8-10). Check out its website

In addition, there are a lot of fast food chains, donner, kebab and sandwich places in Ledras street.

Lastely, there are many traditional coffee shops in the old town area. An example is the Kala Kathoumena which is next to the church that we are getting married

Protaras

We advise you to avoid the touristy restaurants and taverns on the main road of Protaras. They can be very pricey and usually they don't serve traditional food.

Alati: A gourmet tavern by the sea side of Pernera area. We are planning to be there for dinner on the 2nd of July. Let us know if you would like to join us through the RSVP form. Check out its website

Knights Pub: If you would like a British experience in Protaras then visit the Knight's Pub. This is a good gastro-pub open until late: Check out its website