Food & Dining in Cyprus
Cypriot cuisine is a delicious fusion of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern flavors. The dining culture is social, generous, and centered around sharing.
Cypriot Specialties
Must-try dishes:
- Halloumi: Cyprus's famous squeaky cheese, grilled or fresh
- Souvlaki: Grilled meat skewers, served in pita
- Meze: 20-30 small dishes, the ultimate Cypriot experience
- Kleftiko: Slow-cooked lamb
- Sheftalia: Cypriot sausages in caul fat
- Koupepia: Stuffed vine leaves
- Moussaka: Layered eggplant and meat dish
- Taramosalata: Fish roe dip
- Tzatziki: Yogurt-cucumber dip
- Loukoumades: Honey-soaked doughnuts
Meze Culture
Meze is the quintessential Cypriot dining experience:
- 20-30 small dishes served progressively
- Start with dips and salads
- Move to grilled meats and seafood
- Finish with fruit and sweets
- Allow 2-3 hours
- Cost: €20-35 per person
- Best experienced with a group
Dining Costs
| Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Street food (souvlaki) | €4-8 |
| Casual restaurant | €12-20 |
| Meze dinner | €20-35 |
| Fine dining | €50-80+ |
| Coffee at café | €2.50-4.50 |
| Beer at bar | €3.50-6 |
| Wine at restaurant | €18-35/bottle |
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Budget: Lidl, Carrefour
- Mid-range: Alphamega, Papantoniou
- Premium: Marks & Spencer Food, Debenhams
Local Markets:
- Fresh produce significantly cheaper
- Limassol Saturday market
- Paphos Wednesday market
- Local village markets throughout
Monthly grocery budget: €250-400 single, €400-600 couple
International Food
All major cities have diverse restaurant options:
- Italian (abundant)
- Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian)
- Middle Eastern (Lebanese especially)
- British pubs and restaurants
- American fast food chains
Eating Out Culture
Meal times:
- Breakfast: 7-10 AM
- Lunch: 1-3 PM (often light)
- Dinner: 8-10 PM (later in summer)
Tipping:
- Restaurants: 5-10% (not obligatory but appreciated)
- Cafés: Round up or small change
- Delivery: €1-2
Reservations:
- Weekend dinners at popular places: Book ahead
- Meze restaurants: Definitely book, especially groups
- Casual lunch: Usually not needed
Dietary Requirements
Vegetarian: Good options - lots of vegetables, cheese, dips
Vegan: Growing scene, especially in Limassol
Halal: Available in cities with Middle Eastern populations
Gluten-free: Increasingly accommodated, ask at restaurants
Coffee Culture
Cypriots take coffee seriously:
- Cyprus/Greek coffee: Strong, served in small cup with sediment
- Frappé: Iced instant coffee, very popular
- Freddo: Iced espresso-based drinks
- Cafés are social hubs
- Sitting for hours is normal and expected
Wine
Cyprus has ancient winemaking tradition:
- Commandaria: Sweet dessert wine, oldest named wine in world
- Local varieties: Xynisteri (white), Maratheftiko (red)
- Affordable: €5-15 for good local wine at supermarket
- Wine villages in Troodos worth visiting
Pro Tips
- •Experience a full meze dinner at least once - it's unmissable
- •Local markets offer fresh produce at half supermarket prices
- •Halloumi is best grilled - try it at traditional tavernas
- •Lunch specials at restaurants offer great value
- •Try local Commandaria wine - it's unique to Cyprus
Have questions about food & dining in Cyprus?