"The Art of Taste: Popular Cypriot Dishes Worth Trying".".
The local cuisine in Cyprus combines the best culinary traditions of Greece and Turkey, but the island also has many unique local recipes. Dishes from this maritime nation mainly consist of seasonal products such as vegetables and legumes, which are paired with various meats or seafood. A distinctive feature of the cuisine is the use of a wide variety of spices and olive oil. We have gathered the most popular dishes of Cyprus that embody the local flavor.
Meze | Meze
A popular dish served in all the restaurants on the island for tasting national appetizers. The recipe is presented as a large portion with a variety of products. Along with the mezze, restaurants often serve ouzo vodka as a compliment from the chef.
In many establishments, you can choose and order different types of dishes.
Meat platter. Small portions of meat appetizers are offered, including Cypriot patties, shish kebabs, and smoked meats.
Seafood. It consists of many items, such as battered shrimp, crab julienne, and so on.
Vegetables. A classic set of salads, seasonal vegetables with sauces.
The local cuisine doesn't favor mixing ingredients, so you need to order each popular dish separately.
Souvlaki
In Cyprus, this dish is considered a popular street food. Souvlaki is served as skewers of lamb, chicken, or pork. The recipe originally comes from Greek cuisine, but for many years it has been regarded as traditionally Cypriot.
Delicious skewers are served in both casual eateries and more upscale establishments. Along with the souvlaki, the portion comes with vegetables, French fries, pita or lavash, as well as sauces.
Sheftalia
Popular Cypriot meatballs shaped like plump sausages. They are usually served in restaurants with lemon to enhance their unique flavor. The best pairing with sheftalia is fresh vegetables and tomato sauce.
This juicy dish is made from minced pork or lamb in a natural casing. The patties can be grilled or baked in the oven. You can confidently try sheftalia in local eateries: the taste in such places is no different from that of expensive restaurants.
Gyros | Gyros
A famous snack option reminiscent of the popular classic shawarma. In Cyprus, Gyros is a quick and affordable snack choice. Many believe that the dish came to the island from Greece or Turkey. Tourists often don't pay much attention to its origins, so they frequently order Gyros to taste the local cuisine. The snack, made with chicken or pork, French fries, red onion, and sauce, is wrapped in pita.
Halloumi
This type of cheese is considered a national cultural heritage of the island. In Europe, halloumi is known as a product from Cyprus. Brined cheese is somewhat similar to mozzarella.
Since the 16th century, halloumi has been made from goat or sheep milk. Over time, locals began experimenting with cow's milk.
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Octopus in wine sauce
To try a dish like this, you need to go not to local traditional restaurants, but to fish restaurants. There is a story on the island that for a long time, the residents of Cyprus would regularly fall into the water while fishing, which is why they couldn't boast unique catches. This is precisely why the local cuisine is not characterized by a variety of seafood dishes.
The octopus dish is an exception to the rules. It is served as an octopus that is simmered in wine for a long time until the meat becomes incredibly tender. The locals suggest pairing the mollusk with a light side dish – salad and potatoes.
Souvla
A complete dish made from kebabs, prepared according to a popular Cypriot recipe. Often, chefs use chicken, pork, and lamb meat. The unique flavor and unmatched juiciness are achieved thanks to a marinade based on wine.
Typically, in Cyprus, the meat for souvlaki is cut into larger pieces than for traditional shashlik. It is grilled on skewers over coals until a crust forms, while being brushed with a marinade of spices.
Kleftiko
A distinctive feature of this national dish is the cooking process, which takes place in a clay oven. The lamb with potatoes simmers for no less than 4 hours. During this time, the root vegetable absorbs the broth, while the meat itself is infused with the aromas of various spices – bay leaves, oregano, and thyme. Traditionally, kleftiko is served in a large portion in Cyprus, accompanied by sauces and a glass of red wine.
Afelia
The dish is popular not only among tourists but also among locals. It is made with meat, particularly pork, which is marinated in red wine with spices and herbs. Small pieces are sautéed in a pan until golden brown, and then stewed again in the red wine marinade. Afelia is served with a side dish, most often bulgur.
Sujuk lokum | Sudzucos
A traditional dessert that can be found in various establishments in Cyprus. Externally, the dish resembles the popular Georgian churchkhela, but the island's residents have managed to combine it with Turkish delight. Sujukos is served in the form of a long sausage made from a syrup based on rose water. Inside the dessert, there is a delicate nut filling.
Thematic tours
You can learn more about the unique Cypriot cuisine through gastronomic tours. This option will give tourists the opportunity to learn more about the traditions and history behind various dishes.
The tour includes visits to mountain villages where you can get to know Cypriot culture and cuisine more closely. A unique opportunity is presented in the form of a master class, where tourists will learn to prepare traditional delicacies. The excursion may include a visit to the Troodos region with the island's memorable sites and important attractions. Booking a one-day tour will allow tourists to immerse themselves in the history of Cyprus and learn about the ancient customs and traditions of the local people.
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