Meze

A Cyprus Meze is certainly one of the most famous Cypriot delicacies. Or to put it another way: Mezedes are a great number of different Cypriot delicacies. Eating a Meze is one of the 'musts' on any visit to Cyprus, and is a great guide to understanding the Cypriot mentality. Take your time and share a Meze with friends; don't be surprised at how long it takes and how much food is offered, 'siga, siga!' 'Slowly, slowly!' as they say in Cyprus. Mezedes can include up to 20-30 dishes! Its a great way to enjoy a friend's company, have a few drinks and last but not least enjoy the many different tastes of Cyprus that a ‘Meze’ includes.

Fish

You should not miss the opportunity to eat Mediterranean fish in one of the many fish restaurants that you can find near the coast. There are lots of delicious fish dishes to discover, grilled or fried, salty or sour, spicy or plain. In many cases there will be no menu, the waiter will tell you about the catch of the day and how it will be prepared. In the mountain areas delicious freshwater fish can be ordered. Did you ever try a Cypriot trout?

Yemista

Yemista are stuffed vegetables all kinds, favourites in every Cypriot family. Especially in summertime you will appreciate the interesting taste of this Mediterranean speciality. You can order the great number of stuffed vegetables as starters or as main dishes. They can be hot or cold. Served. The famous stuffed wine-leaves are called "Koupepia". Not only children do fight for the last one! Also tasty are stuffed peppers, tomatoes, onions, courgettes, aubergines or stuffed petals from courgettes. The filling is made with rice and grated tomatoes. However the cook likes minced meat and different spices like parsley or mint can be added.

On the grill:

Souvla

Barbecues are very popular in Cyprus. "Souvla" can be translated with "skewer". Souvla are mainly pieces of Lamb or Chicken, grilled on charcoal grill The Cypriots love their Souvla and there can always be a reason to be invited for.

Shieftalies

Another tasty dish from the charcoal grill are the small sausages of minced meat, called "Shiftalies". Maybe you will try to find out the secret of that special taste, if you try them for the first time.

Kleftiko

Nowadays "Kleftiko" is a typical dish for every celebration. It is a piece of lamb or goat wrapped in foil and baked in special ovens, that in any case must be closed airtight, until the Kleftiko will be baked. The origin of this dish, as history tells us, goes back to the Cypriot freedom fighters of the 19th Century that lived in the mountains. They had to prepare their stolen meat, the Kleftiko, so that no-one could smell it or that it could be seen. So it was baked it closed in special earthenware pottery under the ground.

Mousakas

The famous "Mousakas" can be find on every menu. It is a typical summer meal and can be eaten warm or cold. Mousakas is prepared with minced lamb, potatoes and/or courgettes and aubergines, and covered with a bechamel sauce. Some vegetarians might be lucky; there are some restaurants that also serve "Mousakas vegetarian" though it is not made with the traditional sauce of minced meat.