Cuisine in Cyprus

Signature dishes

Halloumi Cheese

Elastic cheese from sheep/goat milk aged with mint and brine, grilled before eating

Region: Nationwide
Main ingredients: Sheep milk, Goat milk, Mint, Salt

Meze

Banquet-style dining with successive small dishes

Region: Nationwide
Main ingredients: Olives, Taramasalata, Grilled meat, Seafood

Kleftiko

Lamb slow-cooked in a clay oven or pot

Region: Troodos Mountains
Main ingredients: Lamb, Lemon, Oregano

Sheftalia

Pork or lamb sausage with herbs wrapped in caul fat and charcoal-grilled

Region: Larnaca
Main ingredients: Pork, Lamb, Parsley, Onion

Talattouri

Cold soup of yogurt and cucumber similar to Greek tzatziki

Main ingredients: Yogurt, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic

Lountza

Traditional cured pork marinated in red wine and coriander

Region: Near Polis
Main ingredients: Pork, Red wine, Coriander

Loukoumades

Fried doughnuts glazed with honey syrup

Main ingredients: Flour, Yeast, Honey

Octopodi Stifado

Octopus braised in red wine

Region: Coastal areas
Main ingredients: Octopus, Red wine, Tomato, Cinnamon

Keftedes

Cypriot-style meatballs with mint and cumin

Main ingredients: Ground beef, Ground pork, Mint, Cumin

Gligoles

Spring home cooking of wild greens sautéed with lemon

Region: Rural areas
Main ingredients: Wild greens, Olive oil, Lemon