Exploring the best restaurants & bars on Cyprus: A Food Lover’s Guide to Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, and Ayia Napa.
Cyprus is an island full of culinary delights, with unique dining experiences in each city that reflect the island’s rich culture. From beachfront eateries to sophisticated rooftop bars, Cyprus’ gastronomic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Here I share my must-visit places to eat and drink in Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa, each promising an unforgettable feast for the senses.
Paphos: Coastal Cuisine and More
- Vardas Seacret is tucked away along the beautiful coastline of Paphos. Vardas Seacret is a beach restaurant that combines stunning views with delectable food. Whether you choose to enjoy the sun or relax in the shade, the ambiance is perfect. We enjoyed the steak sandwich, which was incredibly delicious, and the black ink squid linguine with shrimp – both dishes were absolutely amazing. Pair your meal with one of their delicious cocktails and you have the perfect combination for a fantastic lunch.
- Chloe’s Chinese Restaurant Chloe’s Chinese Restaurant offers a delicious array of Chinese dishes, with options ranging from large plates to tasty snacks. We feasted on spring rolls with duck meat, duck pancakes, lettuce leaves with minced pork, bang bang shrimp and bao buns with succulent pork. Every bite was bursting with flavor, making it a must for lovers of Chinese food. Absolutely 1 of the best Chinexe restaurants I have eaten at.
- To Eklekton For the true taste of Cyprus, you have to be at To Eklekton. With a 28-piece mezze dinner (with actually 28 unique flavors) for only €19.50 per person, the quality and variety are exceptional. The service is great and even the chef came to check if we liked the food. Although one dish was not quite our thing, the rest of the dishes were fantastic and the meal ended with a generous plate of fruit.
- Panini’s Sandwich Cafe Perfect for a budget-friendly breakfast or lunch, Panini’s Sandwich Cafe operates like a Subway, with fresh crepes, waffles and customizable sandwiches. You can choose from a variety of proteins, sauces, vegetables and cheeses, or their own creations.
- Flintstones This Flintstones-themed bar offers a fun atmosphere and a wide range of cocktails. We tried their special creations, which were good, although we didn’t get around to sampling the classic cocktails.
- The Commissary A coffee and juice bar with air conditioning, The Commissary offers high-quality Kenyan and Costa Rican coffees and a variety of juices. They also serve top-grade salmon, making it a great spot to cool off and enjoy a refreshing drink.
Limassol: Culinary Elegance and Diversity
- Dionysus Mansion Set in a beautiful garden, Dionysus Mansion is a traditional Greek restaurant that offers a 10/10 dining experience without breaking the bank. We enjoyed the stuffed ravioli with porcini mushrooms, bone marrow from Uruguayan black Angus beef, and lamb-stuffed tavas dumplings. Every dish was superbly crafted and flavorful.
- BAO PAU Bao Pau in Limassol serves up fresh, delicious sushi and exceptional bao buns. We tried the soft shell crab and duck bao buns along with some sushi rolls. The bao buns were incredibly filling and the sushi we tried was top-notch as well.
- Uluwatu Specialty Coffee Known for its excellent Thai coffee, Uluwatu Specialty Coffee offers both iced lattes and V60 brews. It quickly became our go-to spot for coffee in Limassol.
- The Shopkeeper & Co The shopkeeper & co, Although we couldn’t try their home-brewed coffee due to the restaurant being full, we did enjoy two brunch items: an outstanding cheeseburger and herb waffles with wasabi cream cheese, fresh salmon, poached eggs, and creamy avocado. Both dishes were phenomenal.
Larnaca: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
- Noesis Restaurant & Lounge Bar With a wonderful sea view, Noesis offers creative and tasty dishes. We sampled dry-aged black Angus carpaccio, beef tartare with truffle, prawn tagliatelle, lobster in prawn sauce, and grilled flap steak. The lobster was slightly overcooked for my taste, but the rest of the dishes were superb.
- Vinaria A wine bar with over 200 wines from around the world, Vinaria also serves fresh charcuterie. We enjoyed tasting Cypriot wines and a full-bodied American wine, choosing between tasting glasses and regular pours.
- The Potbelly For high-quality street food, The Potbelly is unbeatable. Everything is freshly prepared, and you can either customize your burger or wrap or choose from their menu. Their selection of Cypriot beers is also excellent.
- La Boulette Bakery A must-visit for cheese lovers, La Boulette Bakery offers cheesy delights like the four-cheese boulette—filled dough with sesame seeds, perfect for lunch or a snack.
- Mystic Lounge Bar & Restaurant Known for its high-quality, flavorful dishes, Mystic Lounge Bar serves exceptional sashimi, grilled octopus, grilled duck breast and more. The fresh ingredients and perfect seasoning make it stand out.
- Paul’s Coffee Roasters A great spot for specialty coffee, Paul’s Coffee Roasters offers both regular and iced V60 brews and ofcourse all other kinds of coffees as well. Enjoy your coffee in their lovely garden setting.
Ayia Napa: Vibrant and Varied
- Cafe Central Ideal for a tasty brunch, Cafe Central serves dishes like greek pita’s with chicken kebab and koullouri with poached eggs and avocado. The koullouri, filled with Greek cheese, is especially delightful.
- River Rock Cocktail Bar & Shisha Lounge Known for its excellent cocktails and shisha, River Rock offers great service and even asks to take photos for guests. Their cheese board, filled with cheeses, meats, and fruits, was delightful and the cocktails where perfectly balanced.
- Roof Burger Bar The roof burger bar offers city and sea views along with delicious burgers, including a unique crispy tuna burger. The burgers come with salad and fries, and you can order homemade sauces and local rosé wine.
- Cliff Bar Located in the five-star Grecian Hotel, Cliff Bar offers perfectly balanced cocktails with stunning views. The complimentary chips and nuts were a nice touch.
- Nubila Rooftop Close to Ayia Napa, Nubila Rooftop offers beautiful views and exceptional dishes like table-cut Chateaubriand and cacio e pepe prepared in a Parmesan wheel. The pork bao buns and mozzarella pesto balls were also outstanding. The Cacio e pepe, was litterly the best pasta I ever had.
Cyprus is a food lover’s paradise, and these spots in Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, and Ayia Napa each offer unique and unforgettable dining experiences. Whether you’re looking for casual beachside dining, sophisticated fine dining, or the best coffee spots, Cyprus has something to delight every palate.
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