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Savor the Delights of Cypriot Food with These 17 Dishes + 6 Recipes

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Editor’s note: Anastasiya Tikhonova, a foodie and writer living in Cyprus, shares with us all about the island’s cuisine and what local people eat.

With Greek, Turkish, and Italian influences, among others, there’s no doubt that Cypriot food is comforting and delicious.

The climate of this famous Mediterranean island also allows for some truly fresh and flavorful ingredients to be used in Cypriot cuisine.

So, prepare yourself for succulent meats and plenty of fusions as we take a closer look at eighteen rich and tasty foods to try in Cyprus.

Halloumi (Cheese Made from Goat’s and/or Sheep’s Milk)

Grilled halloumi slices on a white platter
Halloumi © Nomad Paradise

Out of all their traditional foods, the Cypriots are most proud of their very own Halloumi cheese.

Its soft texture and white color match the juicy anticipations of anybody who will be enjoying it with wine or eating it with watermelon.

Halloumi is almost always served in traditional taverns as an appetizer, either raw or grilled.

Also, it is served as a snack along with almonds, dried apricots, and olive bread dipped in virgin olive oil in wineries (during wine degustation).

Don’t worry if you see pieces of green weeds on the cheese’s surface, locals love adding mint when making halloumi!

Halloumi Recipe

Kleftiko (Roasted Lamb Meat)

Kleftiko
Kleftiko, Konstantin Kopachinsky / Shutterstock

‘Ofton Kleftiko’ is a traditional dish cooked from lamb leg meat. It is marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and onion.

It’s cooked in baking paper (parchment paper) to save the rich aromas and liquids of the juicy meat.

Kleftiko is sometimes cooked in portable white ovens with or without potatoes, and sold on the streets as an alternative to sandwiches or ‘Souvlakia.’

One of the undoubted advantages of Kleftiko meat is that it is way healthier than barbecued meat because it is not cooked on an open flame.

It is common to see the elderly enjoy “Kleftiko” instead of “Souvla” because many elderly people in Cyprus believe lamb meat reduces the risk of heart and artery disease.

Souvlaki (Barbecued Meat)

Chicken Souvlaki
Souvlaki © Nomad Paradise

‘Souvlaki’ or Souvla is a true blessing for anyone who is a fan of barbecued meat.

Usually grilled outdoors for special occasions (bank and Greek Orthodox holidays), small (Souvlaki), and/or big (Souvla) chunks of meat are marinated the night before the ‘big’ day.

Meat is grilled on an open flame while family members and close friends gather.

While waiting for the souvlaki, people usually drink Ouzo (local liquor) or Zivania (traditional Cypriot spirit) and dance Sirtaki or Zembekiko.

Souvlaki can also be eaten in local ‘fast-food’ restaurants, where you can buy a portion of souvlaki in pita bread with salad, yogurt spread (‘tzatziki’), and fried potatoes.

Souvlaki in Pita
Souvlaki in Pita © Nomad Paradise

If you visit Cyprus, be prepared to make a lot of new friends who will invite you to taste the best souvlaki or souvla in town.

Chicken Souvlaki

Tarhana (Dried Mixture of Yogurt, Milk and Wheat)

Tarhana
Tarhana, Ebru Uskan Akacali / Shutterstock

Unlike all the other foods, ‘Tarhana’ or Trahanas cannot be consumed on its own.

Usually, Trahanas is used to make soup (‘Trahanosoupa’), which is considered to be one of the healthiest foods in the Mediterranean region due to its positive effect on the digestive system.

The soup consists of trahanas, halloumi cheese, and milk.

Trahanas are usually made at the end of the summer so that the light breeze and moderate warmth allow the tiny pebbles of flour, wheat, and bulgur to dry and form small chunks.

Trahanas is arguably one of the world’s oldest fast foods because it can be stored and used anytime to create a breakfast porridge or a base for soups in as little as just 5-10 minutes.

Moussaka (Eggplant Filled with Meat and Potato)

Moussaka slice
Moussaka © Nomad Paradise

Moussaka is as sacred to the Cypriots as lasagna is to the Italians. It is a main dish that mainly consists of eggplants, beef (or lamb) meat, spices, and cheese.

All the ingredients are carefully layered in the baking dish, topped with Béchamel sauce, and baked until golden.

Sometimes, locals also add tomato sauce in order to make the meat softer and juicier.

Moussaka Recipe

Sheftalies (Meatballs)

Sheftalies
Sheftalies, Alexander Narraina / Shutterstock

Another popular Cypriot, ‘sheftalies’ can become your all-time favorite dish if you eat it the right way.

This aromatic mixture of spices and meat is wrapped in omentum and cooked on a barbeque grill rack.

You can eat your ‘sheftalies’ stuffed in pita bread with salad, lemon, and dips like ‘tzatziki,’ ‘hummus,’ or ‘tahini salad.’

Another option is to eat the meatballs with a side of pickles and roasted vegetables. The word “sheftalia” comes from Turkish, and it literally means ‘peach’.

This is not surprising because ‘Sheftalies’ do look like juicy peaches and taste best when they are fresh!

Koupepia (Grape Leaves Stuffed with Minced Meat)

 Koupepia
Koupepia (Grape Leaves Stuffed with Minced Meat), Africa Studio / Shutterstock

Similar to the ‘Dolma,’ ‘Koupepia’ is a must-have in a meat meze as its mouthwatering smell cannot leave you indifferent.

A mixture of meat, onion, rice, and spices is stuffed in fresh grape leaves and cooked in an oven with water and virgin olive oil.

Apart from koupepia, you can be also offered ‘gemista’ (from Greek: “stuffed”), which is an alternative to those who may not like grape leaves.

Gemista consists of the same stuffing ingredients, but the ingredients are stuffed in hollowed-out tomatoes, peppers, or other similar vegetables.

If you visit a wine village up in the mountains, be sure to try ‘koupepia’ with white yogurt and finish off your meal with a sip of delicious, homemade wine.

Louvi (Beans)

Louvi beans
Louvi, Bill Warry / Shutterstock

Traditionally, all sorts of greens and beans are considered to be ‘life-savers’ during periods of fasting (Wednesdays, Fridays, and the “Greek Lent”).

‘Louvi’ or black-eyed beans can be cooked with cabbage and/or taro potatoes, spices, and onions.

Occasionally, louvi can be served with tuna fish. One of the exceptional advantages of louvi is that it is very easy to make.

Pilafi Pourgouri (Cooked Bulgur)

Pilafi Pourgouri
Pilafi Pourgouri (Cooked Bulgur), CatchaSnap / Shutterstock

‘Pilafi Pourgouri’ can be used to make a variety of breakfast dishes and side dishes.

One way to make breakfast from pourgouri is to boil it with semi-skimmed milk so that it blends into a mild porridge. After that, sugar or honey may be added.

A very popular recipe amongst Cypriots is to cook “Pourgouri” with tomato puree, onions, and chopped macaroni and serve it as a side dish with souvlakia, shieftalies, or seafood.

One portion of “pourgouri’” (1 cup cooked bulgur) contains about 150 calories and 8 grams of fiber, so it is a great option for those who want to keep up with their nutrition plans on holiday!

Makaoronia Tou Fournou (Oven-Baked Pasta)

Makaoronia Tou Fournou
Makaoronia Tou Fournou (Oven-Baked Pasta), aksim Denisenko / Shutterstock

Pastitsio is cooked by neatly layering out the ingredients: macaroni, minced meat with spices, and Béchamel sauce.

Then, this masterpiece is sprinkled with halloumi cheese and put straight into the oven.

It can be served as a side dish (in a meat meze) or as a main dish during weekdays.

Children adore this Cypriot-baked pasta dish due to its soft texture, rich smell, and delicious taste!

Loukoumades (Honey Dough Balls)

Loukoumades (Honey Dough Balls)
Loukoumades (Honey Dough Balls), GorNatalya / Shutterstock

Just like every Mediterranean nation, Cyprus must have the ‘cherry’ on the top of the pie!

After enjoying a mouth-watering portion of ‘souvlaki’ or ‘sheftalies’ during a local celebration or an outdoor festival, you will be thrilled to try out these golden honey dumplings.

Their history goes back to the First Olympic Games of 776 B.C. when these fluffy honey ‘donuts’ were served to the winners.

Unlike ‘baklava,’ Loukoumades are deep-fried in oil and served hot.

In order to preserve their juicy taste and round form, make them in batches and eat them fresh!

Stifado (Red Wine Beef Stew)

Stifado beef stew
Stifado (Red Wine Beef Stew), Mahara / Shutterstock

Are you craving wine, but you are the driver? Then this dish is exactly what you need! Small chunks of meat that will literally melt in your mouth, stifado is a must-have dish on the local table.

Cooked with peeled potatoes, spices, red wine, and cognac, ‘stifado’ will impress you with its soft texture and notes of “Maratheftiko” wine.

Stifado is served in clay pots, which are designed to maintain the temperature of the food that will warm not only your stomach but your heart too!

Tzatziki or Talatouri (Yoghurt Spread)

Tzatziki (served with pita)
Tzatziki © Nomad Paradise

Being one of the most famous spreads in Cyprus, ‘tzatziki’ will win a special place in your heart for its light and creamy taste.

The spread is made out of white Greek yogurt, cucumbers, mint, olive oil, and a little bit of garlic.

It is usually served with bread as an appetizer in local taverns, and it can be a perfect companion for your souvlaki or sheftalies if you don’t like salad.

In villages, people sometimes refer to it as “talatouri” so be sure to use this term if somebody doesn’t understand “tzatziki.”

Read more: Tzatziki (with Dill) Recipe and Talatouri (with Mint) Recipe

Baklava (Sweet Filo Pastry)

Baklava
Baklava © Nomad Paradise

One of the all-time favorites, ‘baklava’ is a sweet dessert served at the end of a meal with coffee or tea.

It is made from a few layers of phyllo dough and crushed nuts (mostly pistachios), which are bonded with honey and/or syrup.

The first baklava recipe goes back to Roman times, and it is a famous dessert in the Middle-Eastern countries. Each country has its unique way of cooking Baklava.

For example, Cyprus is known to add lemon juice and cinnamon to their recipe in order to enhance the rich scent of the treat.

Baklava

Kotopoulo me Kolokassi (Chicken with Taro Potatoes)

Taro
Kolokas, colocasia, or taro root – rafik beshay / Shutterstock

Due to the heavy consumption of pork, Cypriots sometimes cook chicken and Taro potatoes in the oven in order to give their stomachs a rest.

The combination of chicken and Taro potatoes is considered to be very healthy due to the high content of protein, vitamins, and fiber.

Chicken is marinated with spices and put on an oven platter with a full lemon (which is known to soften the white meat).

An alternative way to cook chicken (if you only cook the chicken breast) could be to fry it on a saucepan until golden.

Taro potatoes are peeled and sliced (approx. one and a half cm thick) and cooked on a pan with celery, onion, and tomatoes (or tomato puree).

Tirokafteri (Spicy Spread)

Tirokafteri feta dip with a drizzle of olive oil on top
Tirokafteri © Nomad Paradise

Just like ‘tzatziki,’ ‘tirokafteri’ (from Greek: cheesy and spicy) is a spread served as an appetizer with bread in local taverns.

It is made from feta cheese, garlic, yogurt, chili peppers, and olive oil.

It is a great alternative for vegetarians or those who don’t like ‘lountza’ (local pork ham) but would want a snack to keep them full.

Unlike some other spreads, tirokafteri is not preferred as often because of the presence of chili pepper and/or chili flakes.

For a unique experience, “tirokafteri” should be enjoyed with a slice of bread and a shot of Zivania before the main dish.

Tirokafteri

Taramosalata (Smoked Spread)

Taramosalata and bread
Taramosalata, Studiovd / Shutterstock

One of the most unusual yet delicious spreads is Taramosalata, which is made from ‘Tarama’ and Cod’s roe. ‘Tarama’ is a sauce like mayonnaise, but it does not contain any eggs.

Taramosalata can have either a pink or white color, depending on the type of fish caviar (roe) used.

The spread is made out of virgin olive oil, lemon juice, almonds, and bread (or potatoes).

Just like Tirokafteri, it is served as a part of Greek Meze with bread, and it can serve as a great appetizer if you try it with a shot of Ouzo.

During the Greek Lent (40-day fasting period before Easter), Orthodox Christians are allowed to consume seafood (with no blood), and taramosalata becomes a frequent guest at the Cypriot table.


A world of ripe, fresh ingredients and Mediterranean fusions await you when you dine in Cyprus.

It’s no surprise that Cypriot foods are so tasty when you consider the famous cuisines that surround this beautiful island.

Greece, just across the sea, is known and loved for its kebabs, sauces, and innovative meat dishes.

Again, just across the water, you also have Arabic influence. Bread and wine-making have been happening in the Levant region for thousands of years.

And finally, world-famous Italian cuisine has also found its way over to Cyprus, in the form of delicious bread, pizza, and pasta.

For a real treat, be sure to visit some of the food markets in Cyprus. The vibrant, juicy fruit and vegetables make for some wonderful cooking.

All the stapes of Mediterranean cuisine are ever-present in the foods of Cyprus. This makes for a truly underrated cuisine.

Being surrounded by so many world-famous cuisines, like Greek and Italian, has meant Cypriot foods have largely gone under the radar.

Cyprus is more than a holiday-maker’s island. When you visit, step away from the heavy tourist spots and see our local bakeries and restaurants.

The food of Cyprus is prepared with so much love and passion. There are so many great dishes to discover and fall in love with.

Save and Pin for Later

Want to keep all of these delicious Cypriot foods in a safe place? Save this article to one of your food or travel boards on Pinterest. That way, you’ll also be able to find this amazing list of foods to try in Cyprus.


Foods popular in Cyprus

Authors

  • Anastasiya Tikhonova is a Russian-Greek multilingual translator and writer, living in Cyprus. She writes on a range of Cypriot, Greek, and Russian topics, including cuisine and culture.

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  • Hey there! We are Dale and Doina, the founders of Nomad Paradise. We traveled full-time for over three years, and while we now have a home base in the U.K., continue to take trips abroad to visit new places and try new cuisines and foods. Our food guides are curated with the guidance of local foodies, and their contribution is indicated under each article. We also cook the foods we try abroad, and you can discover how to make them in our 'recipes from around the world' category.

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