Pafos
This family-run restaurant (for four generations) is a green oasis, with trees, statues and trickling waterfalls. Owner Georgios is passionate about his…
Must-see restaurants in Cyprus
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Troödos Mountains
This fashionable spot, with its minimalist dining room and fabulous valley views, has a refreshingly short menu of primarily grilled choices, including…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Cyprus
Calamari cooked to perfection, superfresh fish and well-spiced sheftalia (grilled sausages wrapped in caul fat; şeftali kebap in Turkish); Alevkayalı is a…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
