Top 13 Cyprus dishes: what you absolutely must try

Want to give yourself and your loved ones an unforgettable getaway? Head to Cyprus! Here you'll find gorgeous beaches, a wide variety of entertainment, interesting excursions, and, of course, wonderful food.

Cyprus's national cuisine

Cyprus... the island of Aphrodite, gentle sun, warm sea, and a hospitable local population... Guests are always welcome here and offered the very best. It is worth noting that most Cypriots have Greek roots, and this has shaped local culture and traditions. For them, lunch and dinner are not just meals but a genuine occasion for the soul. Cypriots don't eat on the run or rushed - they enjoy a meal in the company of loved ones.

Islanders know how to enjoy a long table and love to linger with friends at home or in taverns. It's practically impossible to find a group of locals gathered at a table without at least a couple of dishes on it. Cyprus has a culture built around meze - a spread of many different dishes to share with others.

As for traditional Cypriot cuisine, it is in many ways similar to Greek and Turkish cooking. Some even say local cuisine differs little from European cuisine in general. This is no surprise: the island has a long and quite complex history. In any case, each national dish carries its own particular character - so you are sure to enjoy a genuine culinary treat!

Main dishes

Meze

This is arguably dish number one in Cypriot national cuisine. It could well be classed as an "appetizer," since it is essentially several small dishes served together. Such a generous spread not only whets the appetite before the main course, but can fully satisfy hunger on its own, without soups or hot dishes. Tired after an excursion or a day at the beach? Order meze and you won't regret it. Meze can be anything: meat-based - with several servings of cutlets, kebabs and sausages; seafood-based - with battered shrimp and crab julienne; or classic - with pates, vegetables and cheeses. Either way, it's delicious and filling. Visiting Cyprus without trying meze is almost a crime!

Kleftiko

The dish's name comes from the Greek word κλέβω, meaning "to steal." A stolen piece of meat used to be given this name, cooked in a covered earthen pit so the smoke and aroma wouldn't give the thief away. Today, kleftiko is cooked in traditional round white ovens. Lamb is most often used, slow-cooked for many hours and seasoned with bay leaf, oregano and red wine.

Moussaka

Despite being a Mediterranean island, meat dishes are eaten here more than seafood. Among the most popular is moussaka, whose recipe differs from household to household and is traditionally passed down through the family from generation to generation. In every version, without exception, there are a few unchanging ingredients: ground meat, vegetables, and béchamel sauce. The components are layered in dishes and baked. For those who prefer vegetables, there is a vegetarian version of moussaka.

Stifado

Beef stewed in red wine appears on the menu of most restaurants in Cyprus. Stifado is cooked in special clay pots. Onions, and sometimes potatoes, are added to the meat, which is slow-cooked until incredibly tender. It's a great option for a large group, since stifado portions are never small!

Trahanas soup

This is one of the island's old traditional dishes, and for many local cooks it is a true lifesaver. The soup is made from wheat and soured goat's milk. First the milk is mixed with crushed grain, kneaded into a dough, and shaped into small dried sticks. The sticks are thoroughly dried and then added to the soup. The result is a hearty first course with a slightly tangy taste, rich in milk protein and beneficial bacteria.

Koupepia

Koupepia, dolmades, or dolma - all these are names for the same dish, which can be eaten either hot or cold. It's made from a mixture of meat and rice wrapped in vine leaves, with plenty of spices added. In appearance and substance, koupepia is similar to Russian-style stuffed cabbage rolls, only the flavor is spicier and richer.

Snacks

Gyros

This is one of the most popular fast-food dishes. You won't find it on restaurant menus, but you can't walk past it on the street. Gyros is a yeast-free flatbread with a wide variety of fillings: roasted pork, lamb, or spit-roasted chicken, French fries, vegetables, and, of course, the local sauce. If you spot gyros at a street stall or cafe, be sure to try it! This dish, simple as it looks, is prepared here quite wonderfully.

Kolokasi

This root vegetable, popular on the island, can be enjoyed year-round. There is even a kolokasi festival on Cyprus, where participants show off their skill in preparing it according to traditional family recipes. In flavor, the root vegetable is somewhat reminiscent of sweet potato. In the classic version, kolokasi is stewed with pork in a tomato-celery sauce, and it is incredibly tasty!

Halloumi

This variety of cheese is the island's most famous culinary landmark. Halloumi is known worldwide as a cheese invented by Cypriots. In the classic version it is made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, though today cow's milk is sometimes also used. This brined cheese is served in various forms: fresh and sliced, cut into pieces in a salad, or pan-fried or grilled. Fried, it is especially tasty. Halloumi doesn't melt easily, so when fried it develops a golden crust with a soft, layered texture inside.

Desserts

Baklava

This sweet is one of the most beloved among Cypriots. Thin sheets of pastry soaked in syrup, filled with honey and nuts, are known the world over. Greeks claim the recipe for this treat is theirs; Turks are just as sure it's theirs. Cypriots don't try to argue with their neighbors - they simply make baklava masterfully, constantly inventing new ways to make it even tastier.

Lady's fingers

This is a traditional Cypriot dessert, similar in taste to baklava. Essentially, it's a pastry made of puff dough, first fried in oil and then soaked in syrup. The syrup can be honey-based or a sugar syrup with cinnamon and flower water. The crispy, airy "fingers" practically melt in your mouth.

Cyprus spoon sweets

"Sweet from a spoon" is the literal translation of the name of this Cypriot preserve. It is traditionally served to finish off a lunch or dinner. The dessert is based on a clear sugar syrup with pieces of fruit or berries. Peach, pear, orange, fig, cherry, apricot - you can choose a spoon sweet to suit any taste.

Coffee

To finish your meal, be sure to try Cypriot coffee. Locals don't consider it strictly a morning drink - they drink it throughout the day. In Cyprus, Robusta is preferred, a slightly bitter variety with a sharp taste and rich aroma. But keep in mind that strong coffee is favored here, so it's best sipped slowly.

This is just a small selection of the dishes worth trying in Cyprus. Cooking is loved and mastered here, and you are sure to be pleased with the culinary creations of local chefs. Investment property options in Cyprus can be found via the link below.