Food in Cyprus - Enjoy the Delicious Health Benefits of Mediterranean Cooking

Food in Cyprus means everything to the locals. I’m not exaggerating when I say that food is one of the important things in life to the locals! Meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables – you will find all of it incorporated in the Cypriot diet.

Although locals are becoming more and more accustomed to modern fast food in Cyprus, authentic Mediterranean cooking remains the basis for most of their meals.

Because of the island’s location, Cypriot cuisine has developed an interesting blend of flavours mixed from Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Food in North Cyprus is usually very closely linked to dishes found in mainland Turkey, with some specifically Cypriot specialities thrown in.

In the south, you can also expect a mix of Cypriot dishes and recipes from mainland Greece; however they generally have their own twist and names of dishes are often different to those in Greece.

Many Cyprus recipes and ingredients are shared by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and infused with the same variety of herbs and spices. The most popular of these used in Cypriot cooking include rosemary, cumin, coriander, parsley and pepper. Cypriots also use mint in some specific ways. They tend to sprinkle a large amount of it onto pasta (along with some halloumi cheese).

This pasta as a meal in itself is very satisfying and tasty, but it is also used in cooking macaronia tou fournou – a dish which contains layers of pasta, cream and mincemeat. Since I became a vegetarian, my family has made this recipe omitting the meat and it works surprisingly well so don’t ever be afraid of experimenting with meals to adapt them to your own tastes and needs!

Vegetarian Food in Cyprus

Food in Cyprus is very adaptable. Plus there are so many local fish and vegetable dishes anyway. Even vegans should quite happily manage on a local diet of the vegetable meals (which are sometimes eaten as side dishes) if they take outthings such as the live yoghurt. Salads are popular with all meals.

Some of the specific meals that vegetarians and vegans can eat on their own are bamyes, which is okra cooked in tomato and olive oil, and the vegetarian version of what is known as koubebia in the south or dolma in the north.

This meal of stuffed vine leaves is made both with and without meat and served either by itself with rice or potatoes, or as a side to a barbeque or roast dinner. The non-meat version is an example of how food in Cyprus can be suitable for vegans!

It is one of the only dishes where the Greek and Turkish Cypriot names are noticeably different – with the Turkish name dolma sounding more like the name of Greece of dolmades.

Foods to Try in Cyprus

Don’t confuse the sheftalia with traditional meatballs known as keftes in the south or koftes in the north (if you have been to Greece you will know them as keftedes). These famous meatballs are often made slightly differently within different families but are always generally the same. Sometimes the meat is mixed with egg, and mint is usually included. Of all food in Cyprus, this is one of the most common dishes.

Of course meat and fish are very popular in modern Cyprus. Chicken is traditionally boiled or roasted, while red meat is generally grilled over charcoal. Cypriots love barbeques and kebabs! You can see Cypriot families enjoying barbeques all over the island in the evenings and at weekend.

As well as meat, halloumi cheese and vegetables are also placed on the barbeque and served on skewers. The best vegetables to use are aubergines, mushrooms, onions and courgettes. Prawns also work well.

You will not find pork in the north, although it is very popular in the south. Turkish Cypriot kebabs and barbeques tend to stick to lamb and beef. Other pork specialties to look for in the south include lountza, which is tenderloin often served in sandwiches with halloumi and loukanika, a sausage mixed with vegetables and herbs with a strong taste which may not be for everyone.

A meat dish to try in North Cyprus is the Turkish pizza known as Lahmacun. This is one of the most famous Turkish recipes and has plenty of spices. This, along with other meat meals is usually sprinkled with lemon before eating. Also try snails, which are popular on both sides of the border.

Roast dinners are eaten regularly with families all coming together as they do for barbeques. Any type of meat can be served with these, and the Greek lamb dish of kleftico is common. Cyprus potatoes are perfect for roasting and are usually boiled first before roasting until crispy in herbs such as rosemary and pepper. Cauliflower, broccoli and carrots usually complete the meal.

As well as main meals and the small dishes presented in a meze in Cyprus restaurants, don’t forget to enjoy the dips in Cyprus which are eaten almost daily. The most common dips are tzatziki, taramosalata (referred to by all Cypriots as tarama), and hummus.

As well as dipping pita bread, it's a common and refreshing snack serve to dip carrots, cucumber and celery sticks. As hummus is made from chickpeas, it is considered good to eat whilst on a detox diet.

This is a very small summary of food in Cyprus to enjoy. If you travel around the island you will discover wonderful stews, casseroles, soups, small local dishes such as black eyed beans cooked in spinach and olive oil and much, much more. Keep experimenting with Cypriot cooking and flavours, and look out for our new recipe section of the site, coming soon!

See Also:

Our Guide to Cypriot Cheeses
Our Cyprus Wine Guide
The Health Benefits of Olive Oil
How Cypriots Incorporate Pomegranate Antioxidants into their Diet

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