LOCAL SPECIALTY
Halloumi
Grilled brined cheese; a starter or a filling in a pita.
Planning estimate: €6–10
Where to look: Cypriot tavernas and grill menus
Food & Drink ↗ / Cyprus
CYPRUS · FOOD & DRINK
Cypriot cuisine.
Start with a taste.
Explore local specialties here, or go straight to restaurants in your chosen city.
WHAT TO EAT
Local dishes, explained.
These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Sheftalia
Herbed minced-meat parcels wrapped in caul fat; normally pork-based.
Planning estimate: €8–13 in a pita
Where to look: Souvlaki shops and tavernas
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Kleftiko
Slow-cooked lamb, often with potatoes; availability can be limited.
Planning estimate: €17–25
Where to look: Traditional tavernas
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Afelia
Pork cooked with coriander and red wine.
Planning estimate: €14–20
Where to look: Traditional Cypriot restaurant menus
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Loukoumades
Small fried dough balls with syrup or honey.
Planning estimate: €4–7
Where to look: Dessert shops and occasional market stalls
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Souvlaki
Grilled meat skewers, often in pita or a plate; confirm salad, sauce and side portions.
Editorial planning estimate: 7–14 EUR
Where to look: Souvlaki Livadias or Stefanos Souvlakia
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Makaronia tou fournou
Baked pasta with meat and béchamel; a filling lunch rather than a light snack.
Editorial planning estimate: 10–17 EUR
Where to look: Home-style taverns
LOCAL SPECIALTY
Cypriot meze
A sequence of small plates. Ask about portion count, minimum diners and the fish/meat/vegetarian version.
Editorial planning estimate: 25–40 EUR per person
Where to look: Meze Taverna or Karatello
GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE
Find restaurants by city.
Larnaca
Balance a seafront lunch with cafés behind Saint Lazarus Church and a Cypriot taverna dinner. Order a few dishes to share, or check the per-person rules before choosing a full meze.
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko
Paphos
Use the harbour for an easy sightseeing lunch and the Old Town for a slower traditional meal. Paphos offers both seaside restaurants and family-run Cypriot cooking away from the waterfront.
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko
Episkopi
Discover the food around Episkopi village and ancient Kourion in the Limassol district: village grills, Cypriot tavernas and a coastal meal after sightseeing.
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko
Limassol
Limassol suits a meze dinner near the castle, a quick souvlaki lunch and a separate marina seafood meal. Order sharing menus only after confirming the minimum number of diners.
Halloumi · Souvlaki · Kleftiko
Different places. Different flavours.
Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.
Flavours around Larnaca
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko · Afelia · Loukoumades
Finikoudes · Saint Lazarus lanes · Mackenzie
Explore Larnaca food neighbourhoods ↗Flavours around Paphos
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko · Afelia · Loukoumades
Kato Paphos · Old Town / Ktima · Tombs of the Kings corridor
Explore Paphos food neighbourhoods ↗Flavours around Episkopi
Halloumi · Sheftalia · Kleftiko · Afelia · Loukoumades
Episkopi village · Kourion coast
Explore Episkopi food neighbourhoods ↗Flavours around Limassol
Halloumi · Souvlaki · Kleftiko · Makaronia tou fournou · Cypriot meze
Castle and Agiou Andreou · Saripolou Square · Marina and Old Port
Explore Limassol food neighbourhoods ↗Plan your food budget.
Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.
| City | Example dish | Price guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Larnaca | Halloumi | Planning estimate: €6–10 |
| Larnaca | Sheftalia | Planning estimate: €8–13 in a pita |
| Paphos | Halloumi | Planning estimate: €6–10 |
| Paphos | Sheftalia | Planning estimate: €8–13 in a pita |
| Episkopi | Halloumi | Planning estimate: €6–10 |
| Episkopi | Sheftalia | Planning estimate: €8–13 in a pita |
| Limassol | Halloumi | Editorial planning estimate: 6–12 EUR |
| Limassol | Souvlaki | Editorial planning estimate: 7–14 EUR |
Sources & guide notes
Compiled from our October 2026 city food guides. Sources, exact addresses, current-menu links and photo credits are available in the linked guides. Food photographs illustrate the named dish unless a specific venue is identified; display crops may differ from the original.
https://tokafetischrysanthis.com/
https://www.visitcyprus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/New-Guide-To-Cyprus-Booklet_web.pdf
https://www.lidl.com.cy/s/en-CY/storesearch/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/74494/where-to-eat-best-restaurants-in-larnaca
https://cyprus.oceanbasket.com/
https://www.gourmettaverna.com/
https://www.visitpafos.org.cy/pafos-region/
https://www.visitcyprus.com/el/el-anakalypste-ten-kypro/el-gastronomy/hondros-restaurant/
https://www.lidl.com.cy/s/en-CY/storesearch/pafos/
https://www.lidl.com.cy/s/en-CY/storesearch/pafos/leoforos-dimokratias-30/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/74342/where-to-eat-the-best-restaurants-in-paphos
https://www.visitcyprus.com/places-to-go/villages/episkopi-village-3/
https://pambos.wine/the-tasting-room/
https://www.top-rated.online/cities/Episkopi%2BMunicipality/place/p/13074157/all%2Baround%2Bgrill
https://wanderlog.com/place/details/3591672
https://wanderlog.com/place/details/3756330
https://wanderlog.com/place/details/2381025/chris-blue-beach
https://limassolbuses.com/tickets/
https://limassolbuses.com/fare-changes-2/
https://www.limassoltourism.com/where-to-go/
https://www.limassolmarina.com/
https://www.gov.cy/media/sites/26/2024/05/GASTRONOMY_LEMESOS_14.5.2025_EN.pdf
https://carobmill-restaurants.com/featured-item/karatello-tavern/