Food & Culture
Cypriot meze, village markets, local products, harbour boat trips, and the best shopping in Paphos.
The Cypriot Table
Understanding Meze
Meze is not just a meal — it's a social ritual. Expect 15–25 small dishes served over 2–3 hours, progressing from cold dips to grilled meats to dessert. Order for the table, share everything, and pace yourself. A full meze typically costs €18–30 per person.
Dips & Starters
Hummus, tahini, tzatziki, taramosalata, halloumi, olives, village bread
Vegetables
Grilled mushrooms, louvia (black-eyed beans), kolokasi (taro), pickled capers
Meat & Fish
Sheftalia (sausages), souvlaki, kleftiko (slow-baked lamb), grilled sea bass, calamari
Mains
Moussaka, stifado (beef stew), afelia (pork in red wine and coriander)
Dessert
Loukoumades (honey puffs), galaktoboureko (custard pie), fresh fruit, Commandaria
Must-Try Dishes
Cypriot Meze
A traditional Cypriot dining experience consisting of a large number of small dishes, shared among a group of people.
Halloumi
A semi-hard, unripened brined cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, and sometimes also cow's milk. It has a high melting point and so can easily be fried or grilled.
Souvlaki
Small pieces of meat, usually pork or chicken, grilled on a skewer. A popular fast food in Cyprus, often served in a pitta bread with salad and a dip.
Kleftiko
A traditional Greek and Cypriot dish of slow-cooked lamb, marinated in garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. The meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
Moussaka
A layered oven-baked dish, similar to lasagna, made with sautéed aubergine (eggplant), minced meat, and topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
Sheftalia
A traditional Cypriot sausage made from minced pork and/or lamb, mixed with onion and parsley, and wrapped in caul fat before being grilled.
Loukoumades
Small, fluffy, deep-fried dough balls, soaked in honey syrup and often sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts. A popular sweet treat in Cyprus.
Commandaria Wine
An amber-coloured sweet dessert wine made in the Commandaria region of Cyprus. It is one of the oldest named wines in the world, made from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes.
Where to Experience It
Recommended Traditional Restaurants
The best places to experience authentic Cypriot cuisine in the Paphos area.
7 St. Georges Tavern
A family-run tavern in Geroskipou, renowned for its authentic Cypriot meze made from local, organic ingredients.
The Windmill Restaurant
A family-run restaurant in Kato Paphos, serving traditional Cypriot cuisine, including a popular meze, since 1977.
Take Home
Local Products
Carob Products
A range of products made from the pod of the carob tree, including carob syrup (charoupomelo), a healthy and sweet alternative to chocolate or sugar.
Cypriot Olive Oil
High-quality extra virgin olive oil, a cornerstone of Cypriot cuisine. The island's climate and soil produce a distinctive and flavorful oil.
Loukoumi (Cyprus Delight)
A traditional Cypriot sweet, also known as Cyprus Delight. It is a soft, chewy confection made from starch and sugar, often flavored with rosewater or citrus and containing nuts.
Markets & Shopping
Paphos Municipal Market
A traditional covered market in the heart of Paphos' Old Town, offering a variety of goods from local produce and souvenirs to clothing and leather goods.
Papantoniou Supermarket (Ellados Avenue)
A large, popular supermarket chain in Cyprus, offering a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, and household items.
Alphamega (Dimokratias Street)
A major supermarket chain in Cyprus, known for its wide selection of local and international products, fresh produce, and in-store bakeries.
Alphamega (Apostolou Pavlou Avenue)
A convenient branch of the Alphamega supermarket chain, located on a major avenue in Paphos.
Kings Avenue Mall
A large, modern shopping mall in the heart of Paphos, featuring a wide range of international brands, restaurants, a cinema, and an arcade.
The Place
A cultural centre in Paphos Old Town where you can find a wide variety of local handmade crafts, traditional products, and even attend workshops.
Harbour & Boat Trips
Ocean Vision - Vision Day Cruise
A 4-hour day cruise on the largest glass-bottom boat in Cyprus, exploring the Paphos coastline with swim stops and a buffet lunch.
Ocean Vision - Show & Dance Night with Fireworks
A 4-hour evening cruise with a live show, dancing, a full course buffet dinner, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Sea Star - Full Day Blue Lagoon
A 6-hour cruise from Paphos to the famous Blue Lagoon in the Akamas Peninsula, with swim stops and a buffet lunch.