Cypriot Cuisine – A Journey Through Traditional Flavours

What Makes Cypriot Cuisine Unique?

Good food is one of the cornerstones of the community spirit of Cyprus. With its seasonal produce, freshly made olive oil, locally grown herbs and vegetables and home reared meats, all tie together into the incredible Mediterranean diet and way of life. Typical food in Cyprus often reflects the island’s cultural roots, combining simple ingredients with bold flavours to create iconic dishes still enjoyed by the locals hundreds of years later. 

Halloumi - The Cheese Cyprus Is Famous For

A great source of national pride, halloumi is arguably the most famous food to come out of Cyprus. Infamously squeaky but beloved by the majority, there are no end of ways this unique dairy product is served up, from grilled up and served in a salad, to battered and plated up with a sweet chilli dip, the only limits to how you use it is your imagination.

And the best bit of all about halloumi - it’s the punchline of one of the cheesiest jokes going: What did the cheese say to itself in the mirror? Halloooumi!

Souvlaki and Sheftalia – Street Food Classics

Two of the most iconic meat dishes you can find around Cyprus, souvlaki and sheftalia are street food classics that you can find being sold around every city, town and village. Originating in Greece, souvlaki is a delicious meaty dish consisting of small pieces of meat (and sometimes vegetables) skewered and grilled. 

Sheftalia is a similarly delicious meaty treat - a traditional sausage made from caul fat and heavily tied to its Turkish origins.

Meze – A Feast of Flavours in Cypriot Cuisine

Far more than just a plate or two of food, meze transcends the simple act of eating and has become an entire experience, and an unmissable one at that. Consisting of multiple plates of anything from lamb koftas and meaty stews, to calamari, hummus, olives and halloumi, this iconic staple of Cypriot cuisine truly has something for everyone to enjoy. Much like a palate of paint, each dish adds a unique flavour to the canvas of your dining experience, whether that’s salty, sweet, sour or bitter. Perfectly painting the experience of an authentic Cyprus meal, every plate of meze is a must try.

Koupepia and Kleftiko – Traditional Village Recipes

When it comes to authentic Cypriot cuisine, look no further than koupepia and kleftiko, two delectable dishes proudly created by local village people for centuries all around Cyprus. Using up every ingredient that can be found, there’s no end to the creativity that goes into creating these famous foods. Koupepia, or dolomades, consists of a stuffed grapevine leaf, packed with rice, meats, herbs and spices, before being cooked and served cold as incredibly moreish finger food. 

For a more hearty meal, sink your teeth into kleftiko, a traditional lamb dish that falls off the bone. Ever so tender meat served up with potatoes, onions and herbs, it’s Cyprus’ own spin on a Sunday roast, and controversially, it’s an improvement!

Cypriot Desserts – Loukoumades and Baklava

For all the sugar lovers, now’s your time to truly tuck in and enjoy some of the best and most recognised sweet treats in the world. Fast becoming a viral sensation online, baklava is a sticky, flaky, nutty treat, fragrant with orange blossom water and incredibly moreish. You may have seen this dish served in some world renowned restaurants, carried over to the table with sparklers, coated in gold leaf and with a tableside performance slicing some ice cream - rest assured, the authentic Cypriot experience is much less exciting but twice as tasty. 

The pinnacle of Cypriot cuisine (in our opinion) has to be loukomades, aka doughnut holes. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, imagine all the joy of a doughnut but in one little bite. Drizzled in honey, dipped in nuts or coated in powdered sugar and cinnamon, these sensational confectionaries will keep you coming back for more.

When and Where to Try Cypriot Cuisine

With long lunches and late dinners, either midday or late evening is the best time to sink your teeth into some delicious Cypriot food. When it comes to at what point in the year however, that’s up to your own personal preference. During the hot summer months, Cyprus goes all out on its salad and seafood dishes, freshly harvested, caught and prepared to create a plate full of sensational flavours, and there’s really no better place to try these dishes than right by the sands, staring out over the Mediterranean Ocean. During the colder winter months, the menu at many Cyprus restaurants starts to feature hearty stews, perfect to keep you warm and full as you explore the incredible towns and cities.

Food Tours and Culinary Experiences in Cyprus

If you’re still unsure on what the best food is to try, or where the best places are to go, go on one of the local food tours, where trusted culinary experts share their favourite spots to eat, alongside the best vineyards to visit and which locally produced wines pair best with each dish. The professionals on Cyprus’ highest rated food tour will help you discover the culture and people of Cyprus through the traditional Cypriot cuisine and wine served in seaside tavernas to mountaintop vineyards.

Local Drinks to Pair with Cypriot Food

When it comes to wine, Cyprus is a paradise for intricate flavours, from bright and citrussy, to dark and fruity. The popular grape variety of Xynisteri is the culprit for some of the most delicious wines on the island, with citrus and apple notes pairing perfectly with salads and pasta dishes. 

When it comes to dessert, look no further than Commandaria, a popular dessert wine dating all the way back to the Crusades. Or if you’re looking for something with a bit more of a kick, the locally distilled bottles of the spirit Zivania are sure to match what you’re looking for, with a pure grape taste and sometimes even flavoured with fresh herbs and cinnamon.