Food and Drinks to try in Cyprus

Food in Cyprus is inspired by the cuisines in neighboring Greece and Turkey. In the south of the island you’ll find that the dishes are very Mediterranean, while in the north, the cuisine has a distinctive Middle Eastern edge. Dishes are often served with rice and accompanied by sauces created from yoghurt and tomato.

Starters

Like Greek cuisine, Cypriot food comprises a series of appetizers, main dishes and desserts. But the best way to sample the island’s cuisine is to start with a series of appetizers called Mezedhes, or ‘mezze’. This way you can sample a variety of delicious Cypriot tastes and flavors.

These include dips like Tzatziki, which is made from yoghurt, garlic and cucumber, or hummus, which is a blend of chickpeas and tahini. Cyprus is famous for its Haloumi cheese, a soft cheese made from either sheep or goat’s milk that is served grilled and can be flavored with mint.

flickr/Albertas Agejevas

Hummus

Main Courses

The most popular main dishes in the south of Cyprus are Afelia, a pork dish slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms, potatoes and coriander, and Kleftiko, melt-in-the-mouth lamb cooked slowly for 24 hours and flavored with cinnamon and lemon juice.

Throughout the island one finds a number of delicious main courses, especially Souvla, which is kebabs of lamb, pork or chicken garnished with salt, lemon and oregano and roasted on a charcoal fire. Another favorite dish is Loukanika, a dish of pork sausages marinated in red wine and seasoned with pepper and coriander. A specialty in Cyprus is Tsamarella – dried goat meat in coriander seeds and wine.

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souvla

Desserts and Drinks

The Cypriots love their desserts and have a number of favorites, including Loukoumades, which are small and very sweet doughnuts made with honey, walnut cakes called Finikia, and Soutzouko which is made from nuts and grape juice.

flickr/Tanya

Loukoumades

Wherever you go in Cyprus, you’ll enjoy an abundance of strong black coffee and wine. Cypriot coffee is freshly prepared using finely ground coffee beans and traditionally served in small cups accompanied by a glass of cold water. The island is famous for its excellent wine, beers and spirits. A very popular wine is Commandaria wine, a sweet dessert wine. Ouzo is also a very traditional drink in Cyprus.