Must-see restaurants in Cyprus

  • Kiniras Garden

    Pafos

    This family-run restaurant (for four generations) is a green oasis, with trees, statues and trickling waterfalls. Owner Georgios is passionate about his…

  • A tsipouro drink with meze and great view to the Aegean, in Tinos island, Greece

    Zanettos Taverna

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    When you've been in business since 1938 you must be doing something right. This is the real-deal meze experience and locals lap it up. We recommend you…

  • Piatsa Gourounaki

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    Incredibly popular, and for good reason: this contemporary-style souvlakeri dishes up some of the freshest Greek tastes in town, with charming service to…

  • Imogen’s Inn

    Cyprus

    For something different, head to Imogen’s, located at the entrance to the village and resembling a French bistro, with the sounds of jazz and blues…

  • Kanalli Fish Restaurant

    Cyprus

    Kanalli has as its main draw the stunning holiday-brochure view from its terrace: the turquoise bay and the small, upgraded harbour with forested…

  • Kastro

    Cyprus

    This long-standing family-owned restaurant started life as little more than a beach shack several decades ago. It's a lot smarter today, yet still…

  • To Stekki Tou Panai

    Cyprus

    Despite its modern-looking exterior, this small taverna dates back over 200 years and is the family home of owner-cum-cook Maria; a lavishly embroidered…

  • Almond Tree

    Pafos

    Almond Tree serves contemporary Asian-inspired flavours to titillate the palate. Try the crab cakes with Thai coconut curry, a speciality, or one of the…

  • Stou Kir Yianni

    Troödos Mountains

    Head for the courtyard with its cool colour palette of limestone and whitewash and local art on the walls. The menu includes fattoush (salad with fried…

  • Mandra Tavern

    Pafos

    Many Pafos restaurants claim to serve authentic Cypriot cuisine but sneak in some international dishes. Not here. The speciality is a glide-off-the-bone…

  • Loutraki

    Troödos Mountains

    This fashionable spot, with its minimalist dining room and fabulous valley views, has a refreshingly short menu of primarily grilled choices, including…

  • Mimi’s Restaurant

    Troödos Mountains

    This may not be the most atmospheric spot to eat in town, but ask any local where they like to dine and this is the place they will probably cite. You won…

  • Argo

    Pafos

    Located in a relatively quiet part of Kato Pafos, this place oozes rustic charm with its natural stone, original wooden shutters and walls washed in warm…

  • Mayirio Sykaminia

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    This is an unwaveringly authentic local restaurant with a daily menu chalked up on the wall (in Greek only), paper tablecloths and faded pics of…

  • Mylos Restaurant

    Troödos Mountains

    This excellent restaurant at the Mill Hotel is ideally situated next to the river, with a slow-turning mill wheel and a shady terrace offering superb…

  • Dino Bistro Cafe

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    Now in a new venue, Dino’s continues to attract a loyal local following thanks to its smart but unpretentious decor, friendly owner Dino Kosti and palate…

  • Elyssia

    Troödos Mountains

    The moussaka here is so good that it apparently attracts regulars from Pafos; the fresh trout is another winner. The meze – comprising 20 different small…

  • Karatello

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    A modern take on Cypriot classics is the name of the game at this stylish restaurant with a vast outdoor terrace, part of the Old Carob Mill complex. The…

  • Kyrenia Beach Restaurant

    Cyprus

    You won't have to push the boat out too far to enjoy superb catch-of-the-day seafood at this long-standing, popular restaurant. Its stunning beachside…

  • Trata Fish Tavern

    Lemesos (Limassol)

    This is arguably one of Lemesos’ best fish restaurants, particularly famed for its seafood meze. Despite the plain decor and unassuming atmosphere, the…

  • Syrian Arab Friendship Club

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    The meze spread (minimum two people) gives your taste buds a tour of Levantine cuisine's greatest hits, but if you know your Arabic dishes, you can go à…

  • Alevkayalı Restaurant

    Cyprus

    Calamari cooked to perfection, superfresh fish and well-spiced sheftalia (grilled sausages wrapped in caul fat; şeftali kebap in Turkish); Alevkayalı is a…

  • Petek Confectioner

    Cyprus

    Famed throughout Northern Cyprus, Petek is a temple to all things sugary, with towers of lokum (Turkish delight), syrupy baklava, and what might be the…

  • İkimiz

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    The mother-and-daughter duo behind this cute-as-a-button restaurant dish up Cypriot soul food. The small menu (which changes regularly) features hearty…

  • Niazi’s Restaurant & Bar

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    A carnivore’s heaven, Niazi’s is the inventor of the 'full kebab' – don't even think about ordering one unless you're seriously hungry. Luckily, if you're…

  • En Yevo

    Agia Napa

    Typical Cypriot favourites get cooked up in the blue-and-white interior of this traditional taverna, where the ceiling is hung with creeping vines…

  • Corner Restaurant

    Kyrenia (Girne)

    The seafood menu here is a cut above other offerings on the harbour, in quality as well as quantity. Succulent grilled king prawns, octopus and a bundle…

  • Saraba

    North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

    The kind of hearty village food that's kept farmers tilling fields for centuries is served at this modest restaurant half-hidden at the side of the…

  • Shiantris

    Nicosia (Lefkosia)

    Soul food at its best, Shiantris serves traditional dishes just like a Cypriot mama makes. It's named after its ebullient owner, who cooks up a fantastic…

  • Zephyros

    Larnaka

    It's been around for more than 40 years, and although the big dining-hall-style surroundings lack any inspiration whatsoever, Zephyros' high-quality fish…

  • Tervetuloa Restaurant

    Cyprus

    If you like your meze, don’t miss Tervetuloa. It’s a casual place with little pretension that serves up a parade of some of the tastiest meze dishes in…

  • Art Cafe 1900

    Larnaka

    With art prints and photos covering the walls, and shelves weighed down with bric-a-brac, Art Cafe 1900 is by far Larnaka’s most atmospheric dining choice…

  • Limelight

    Agia Napa

    This well-established and family-run traditional restaurant excels at what it does best: chargrilled dishes. It also serves pasta and steak, lobster and…

  • Bella Moon

    Cyprus

    Head through the arch to the leafy courtyard to dine on meals of simple grilled-meat dishes which all come loaded down with plenty of homemade meze. This…

  • El Sabor

    North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

    Tired of kebabs? El Sabor mixes things up with generous dishes of pasta, Asian noodles and plenty of steaks. There's a kid's menu, a decent wine selection…

  • Militzis

    Larnaka

    This tavern serves up Cypriot soul food at its best, with soft, succulent lamb baked in the domed fourno (traditional ovens). As well as all the usual…

  • Othello's Meyhanesi

    Cyprus

    It may not look fancy but this joint is where the locals go when they want to indulge in full meze blow-outs. Pace yourself; this is the real-deal 30-plus…

  • La Cultura del Gusto

    Cyprus

    This fashionable and highly popular restaurant is known for its steaks and a menu that's more innovative than others in the area. Dishes such as monkfish…

  • Voreas

    Cyprus

    Ten minutes north of Larnaka in Oroklini village, this house with a courtyard offers traditional foods, surrounds and hospitality. The aroma of herbs, the…

  • Asmaaltı Bereket Fırını

    North Nicosia (Lefkoşa)

    This rough-and-ready kiosk, run by İlker, is the place to go for pide and lahmacun (thin-based pizza topped with minced lamb and parsley) served up from…

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