The Cyprus kitchen offers a variety of exciting dishes. Some things are familiar to the Greek kitchen, such as Greek salad and Tzatziki. Look out for the small tavernas in the villages, they will serve you the best traditional Cypriot food.
The Cypriot food is very simple and generous with olive oil, lemon and salt. Creamy sauces and butter does not occur at all in the Cypriot cuisine. Since potatoes are one of the nation’s largest export commodities, most people eat their potatoes fried or baked.
The love of carbohydrates in Cyprus may be a bit tricky for the GI-conscious visitor who will get a large serving of fries and rice together with the main meal.
The portions in Cyprus is more than generous, do not be surprised if you get food served on an oblong serving dish. Bread is compulsory with every main meal in Cyprus.
Enjoy the traditional food in Cyprus.
Tzatziki
As a starter, many people choose to dip their bread in Tzatsiki which is the white dip based on yoghurt, garlic and cucumber.
Tahini
Tahini is a sesame dip and it’s texture slightly rough, you either love or hate Tahini .
Taramosalata
The pink dip sauce based on fish roe. You can enjoy these dips with bread or as a sauce together with your main course.
Melinzanosalata
Another great dip sauce based on aubergines.
Halloumi cheese
Halloumi cheese reminds us most of Camembert as the Halloumi is mostly eaten fried. However, the taste is quite different from Camembert cheese. Halloumi cheese is made of sheep’s milk and it is wonderful as an appetizer, in sandwiches or as a snack.
Feta cheese
Feta cheese is the grainy cheese made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, the best way to enjoy feta cheese is in a traditional salad.
Kleftiko - a specialty of Cyprus.
Moussaka
Moussaka – The Greek version of lasagne, instead of pasta aubergine and potatoes are used as a base combined with minced beef and bechamél sauce.
Stifado
Stifado – a beef stew with onions, vinegar and tomatoes.
Afelia
Afelia – a stew based on pork in red wine.
Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a bit of a speciality, tender lamb stew is cooked in traditional clay oven for several hours.
Keftedes
Keftedes – Cyprus’ answer to meatballs, but served without any sauce.
Sheftalia
Sheftalia is a kind of grilled sausage without skin, Sheftalia contains pork or lamb with plenty of onions and parsley.
Souvlaki
Souvlaki, Cyprus’ best fast food. Small pieces of grilled pork is usually served in a pita bread together with salad and Tzatziki.
Swordfish
Swordfish – this dish does not need much explanation. Grilled swordfish together with a Greek salad and a glass of wine – could life be better then that?
Kalamari
Kalamari – deep-fried Kalamari rings many have learned to love.
If you want to try a little bit of everything, try a Meze, which is Cyprus’ equivalent to a smorgasbord served in small portions on the table. All in all, you should have about 23 small dishes, so eat slowly and enjoy.
For dinner, try one of Cyprus’ tasty wines. There are both red, white, rosé and sparkling local wine to choose from.
An Ouzo before dinner might taste good? Ouzo is strong liquor flavored with anise, the drink is perfectly clear but when you add ice or water, it looks like skimmed milk.
Do you like strong drinks? Try the Zivania it is guaranteed to give you hair on your chest. Zivania is made by distillation of the residue from pressed grapes mixed with local dry wine.
Keo beer, the local beer in Cyprus.
Leon and Keo beers are manufactured in Cyprus.
For dessert, you should try yogurt with honey. Simple and plain.
Baklava is a kind of sweet cake which is best eaten with a small fork. The cake consists of filo dough with chopped walnuts, almonds or pistachios, which is baked and soaked in a liquid of honey, sugar, spices and rose water. It is sweet but heavenly delicious.
