Budget
Goody's
Eleftheria square, city center. tel. +357-22681888. (http://www.goodys.gr/) the balkan answer to mcdonald's. don't expect more, don't expect less. safe fastfood option, some dishes have a local flavour. less than cypâ£5 for a meal.
Toronto Pizza
(http://www.torontopizza.c...). the first local pizza chain created by a cypriot returning from canada. now has over a dozen outlets, some of which have seating but some are only for home delivery/takeaway. chose this over pizza hut or dominoes.
Kebab houses
The epitomy of cyprus fast food. there is no neighbourhood without its local 99% of these are family-run businesses so follow the bbq smoke or smell. try a traditional mixed kebab aka souvlakia/sheftalia with a cold keo beer. that should set you back €12 at the most.
Sandwich kiosks
Several line regina str in central nicosia close to eleftheria square. some also offer doner kebab gyros. should cost less than cypâ£5 including a soft drink, but you might have to stand whilst eating.
Midrange
Erodos
Erodos patriarhou gregoriou 1, old town lefkosia, +357 22 752250, [email protected] (http://www.visiterodos.com/) erodos cafe-restaurant within the venetian walls and in the heart of old town nicosia, cyprus â live music, fine wines, good beers and traditional, yet eccentric gastronomy.
Zanettos
65 trikoupi street +357 22 765501. (http://www.zanettos.com/). hidden away in the narrow streets of the old city, this can be difficult to locate alone. ask any cab driver though and it's as much as a landmark as the eiffel tower is to paris. around since 1938, it serves traditional greek-cypriot meze at €14 a head. booking is essential.
Eirinia
64a arch kyprianou str, 2059 strovolos, tel +357-22422860. this tavern has a colourful past. legend has it that the local prostitute called eirinia cooked so well, that customers came more for her food than her services the other version claims her services were so bad. hence she switched to a restaurant. her descendants still run one of the most successful and well known amongst locals taverns. eat till you drop. €20-30/head.
Plaka Tavern
65 poseidonos ave., 8042 engomi, nicosia. tel. +357-22352898, +357-22590944 (http://www.3ds.com.cy/plaka/). the quintessential cypriot taverna, set in the middle of old engomi a nicosia suburb with tables spilling out on the street offering a strong meze. €15/head.
Xefoto
Aischylou 6, laiki yitonia, nicosia. tel. +357-22666567 (http://www.xefotorestaura...) traditional food in a traditional setting. serves mezes too. the tables spill onto the pavement for the al-fresco months of the year. live music on weekend nights. open daily from 11am till late. â¬15-20/head.
Akakiko
9a archbishop makarios avenue +357 77778022. nicosia's newest asian-japanese sushi restaurant. part of an austrian franchise and not much different to a benihana. average €20-30 a head.
Pizza Marzano
27 diagorou street, 1097 nicosia tel: +357-22663240 +357-22663740 fax: +357-22663786 [email protected] (http://www.pizzaexpress.com.cy). safe choice, but unadventurous. part of the pizza express empire. offers a similar menu to the uk version with a couple of extra pizzas with a local twist. cypâ£10-15 a head including drink.
Traditional Cypriot cuisine is a melting pot of south European, Balkan and Middle Eastern influences. You will find most Greek, Turkish and Arabic dishes, often with a local name or twist. It is now decades since Cyprus has established itself as a tourist hotspot and as a consequence many of the local chefs have trained in Europe and elsewhere, bringing their experiences back home with them. As such most international cuisines are well represented but unfortunately so are McDonalds (http://www.mcdonalds.com.cy/ & gang). In summary good food is not difficult to come by and most westerners will find dining quite affordable.
The shopping district is dotted with local tavernas and the likes of KFC and Pizza Hut. Virtually all restaurants allow smoking, and unfortunately some don't even have a non-smoking area, and most restaurants with the non-smoking area don't enforce it. Al fresco dining is a luxury that can be enjoyed for over half the year. It would be a crime not to try at least once a mixed pork kebab with a chilled local KEO or Carlsberg which is brewed locally and tastes different to the same brand overseas beer. Carnivores are spoilt for choice, whilst vegetarians might find it a tad difficult.
The food is high quality and somewhat cheaper than in the most Western capitals. Snacks should be available from €2-4, kebabs from €7 and whole meals from €15-20. Local KEO beer costs around €4 a pint in bars, local wines starting from €10 a bottle. Hygienic standards are followed and even foods that usually are not recommended in the Mediterranean destinations, such as mayonnaise and salad-based foods, can be safely eaten.
Seiko
26-28 stasikratous str., tel: +357-77777375. nothing to do with mass production japanese watches, this is an expensive by cyprus standards design conscious japanese restaurant. boasting 132 different dishes including a variety of sashimi and sushi. €60 a head.