Meze is a word that is difficult to avoid in Cyprus. It’s a concept that is almost synonymous with the island’s cuisine; a series of dishes that are gradually brought to the table until every inch of its surface is covered in exquisite food and you’re wondering how you are going to find any space in your stomach for whatever delicacy will arrive next.
At least, this is how I felt when dining in Paphos’ restaurants – I would often think a meal is over, my belly full and my belt buckle ready to be loosened, just to find that I have only finished the starters. From bread with sumptuous dips, stewed meats and sizzling kebabs, to freshly caught fish, grilled octopus and speciality cheeses, Cypriot food is a fantastic blend of both Greek and Middle Eastern cultures, with a smattering of historic recipes that remain from the Roman and Phoenician civilizations that once lived here.
Most notable is the ritual of sharing, which is where the Meze comes in. I’m told this is prominent at almost all festivals, celebrations and social events, and is the perfect way to sample as much of the nation’s food as possible in one sitting. Thankfully, Paphos is overrun with fantastic restaurants where you can get a taste for this wonderful example of the Mediterranean diet, whether you are wanting to eat at a traditional taverna or somewhere a little more upmarket.
The Best Restaurants in Paphos, Cyprus
Whether you are looking for somewhere to eat beside the harbour in the old town or heading further afield to the northern coast of the region, you’ll find an abundance of fantastic bars, tavernas and wineries dotted throughout Paphos and never have to look too far for a good meal. Here are some of my favourite dining spots.
Konia Tavern
A shower of napkins fall like confetti as the dancing diners stomp and weave across the dancefloor arm in arm, flinging the paper towels skyward in an exuberant act of revelry. On the stage, a group of musicians churn out traditional Cypriot classics, much to the delight of diners, who join in the words from their seats while tucking in to mezze. It’s raucous and joyful, and a typical Saturday night at Konia Tavern.
Sitting on the outskirts of Paphos, not too many tourists venture this far from the beachfront resorts or hotels, meaning that Konia Tavern is filled with locals looking for a great meal and a fun experience. This only adds to the atmosphere as the customers know every word sung on the stage and are always willing to join in or hit the dancefloor, giving you a true Cypriot experience.
Thankfully, the standard of the food is a match for the quality of the atmosphere. You certainly won’t leave hungry as a seemingly never-ending stream of plates make their way to your table, from carab coated cheese and braised mushrooms, to grilled pork shops, baked chicken, lamb skewers and bowls of the island’s famous chips. Even if you’re not a meat eater, there is the option for a vegetarian meze.
The Konia Tavern is a true classic, an old school taverna where you will always get a warm welcome and a taste for what Cypriot cuisine has to offer. This is a must-visit if you are in the Paphos area.
Where: Αρχιεπίσκοπου Μακαρίου Γ 19Α, Konia
When: Monday to Friday 5.30pm – 12am; Saturday 5.30pm – 1.30am
Baths of Aphrodite Restaurant
The stunning and pristine Akamas Peninsula the north-west corner of the Cyprus’ Paphos region is an idyllic area of natural beauty bounded by crystal clear waters and covered in almost 7,000 hectares of lush, state forests, stretching from the Baths of Aphrodite through to Agios Georgios Pegeia.
While many people come here to hike in park’s quiet natural surroundings, the Bath’s are possibly Akamas’ most well-known attraction, as this serene grotto in the shade of a fig tree and surrounded by wildflowers is said to be where the goddess met her beloved Adonis.
It seems fitting then, that the nearby restaurant of the same name is perfectly placed, perched on the cliffside just a short walk from the baths, to offer a romantic setting for a meal between two lovers.
Their fish mezze is a must, were plates of whole fish, grilled octopus and fried delights such as calamari and white fillets are brought out one after another alongside Greek salads, plump olives and creamy traditional dips. This is the ideal spot to sample real Cypriot and Mediterranean seafood in large portions at a reasonable price.
Where: Rigenis 126, Polis, Paphos
When: Daily 10.30am – 10pm
Nola
While most of the restaurants on this list sit firmly in the box of traditional Cypriot food, Nola has a more modern take on local delicacies. This is apparent from the moment you walk into the stylish, glass-fronted building on Municipality Square; a colourful, tiled artwork of Frida Khalo fills the wall behind the bar and the venue is stylish decorated with retro and industrial touches that are a far cry from a typical taverna.
The cocktails are expertly crafted and the menu offers, breakfast, brunch and burgers alongside the standard mezze dishes.
Where: Afroditis 12, Paphos
When: Daily 10.30am – 10pm
Eleni’s Farm
Halloumi is such an integral part of the island’s culinary tradition that you will find it on menu’s all over Paphos in various forms; grilled or fried in souvlaki, marinated in sweet honey sauces, or simply as it is, soft and salty with just a drizzle of carab syrup and a few herbs to cut through its savoury flavours.
But how is halloumi made? At Eleni’s dairy in you can get first-hand experience of the process. Not so much a farm as a small scale cheese workshop in Skarinou village, the dairy’s owners will shop you step by step how they produce the famous cheese from the milk gathered at their farm, from separating the curds and whey (which is later used to make the island’s other popular cheese, anari) to the boiling give a rich, creamy product that is completely different to the rubbery halloumi we are used to buying from UK supermarkets.
The visit ends with a chance to sample the cheese for yourself, along with a shot or two of Zivania, a local pomace brandy, that doesn’t go down quite as smoothly as the halloumi and is a little more of an acquired taste.
Where: Agiou Neofytou 31, Koili 8543
Antigo Mezedopoleio
Dimly lit but for the glow of fairy lights and candle flickers, with walls full of trinkets and antiques, Antigo Mezedopoleio oozes atmosphere and is a slightly modernised take on a traditional Cypriot Taverna.
As the name suggests, Meze is the main attraction here and you can expect to be fed plates of such local delicacies as Anari Cheese, Kolokythokeftedes, Loukaniko and Kleftiko.
Where: Πάφου Χρυσάνθου 46
When: Monday & Wednesday to Saturday 4pm – 11.30pm; Sunday 10am – 6.30pm
Minthis Hills Golf Club
I’m not normally one to recommend hotel restaurants in articles like this, let alone ones located in golf clubs. This may be because these are the kinds of places where I don’t dine very often – I have an aversion to stuffy surroundings or anything I deem too fancy as I’m not a particularly fancy person – and hotel restaurants usually aren’t the best dining experience that you will find in a destination when there are dozens of fantastic tavernas or local street food spots to find.
However, Minthis Hills isn’t your regular hotel. This luxury resort, set among the ancient olive groves, fragrant orchards and undulating hills of the wine producing region of Paphos, has a focus on holistic wellbeing and connecting to nature. The golf club’s restaurant continues this philosophy, with floor to ceiling windows giving a spectacular panoramic view across the neighbouring landscape.
Thankfully, the dining experience lives up to the restaurant’s opulent surroundings. Plate for plate, this was the best meal I ate during my time in Cyprus. We opted for a meze and each dish was spectacular, from the soft and tender grilled octopus tentacle and the 7-mushroom risotto, to the glorious houmous and short rib orzo topped with a creamy burrata.
Where: Minthis Street, Tsada
When: Daily 7am – 7pm
Ta Mpania restaurant
Sitting alongside Alykes Beach, just a stone’s throw from the municipal baths, Ta Mpania is a waterfront restaurant, cafe and lounge bar perfect for a quick beer or casual lunch stop where you can sit and watch the crashing waves.
The menu mainly consists of typical Cypriot dishes, such as grilled meats, fish and meze, but even if you aren’t eating, it’s a popular spot for a younger crowd that head hear for sundowner cocktails facing the harbour, or to hang around chatting and drinking until the early hours.
Where: Poseidonos Ave, Paphos
When: Daily 6am – 1am
Souvlaki Livadias
You can’t come to Cyprus without sampling souvlaki, whether it’s a classic pork souvlaki, succulent chicken, or tender lamb, this dish is a Cypriot institution and Souvlaki Livadias serve up some of the best that the island has to offer.
This isn’t a fancy dining spot, but if you are after a quick and easy meal after a day of exploring Paphos’s old town, there aren’t many places better to sample an integral staple of Greek-Cypriot cuisine.
Where: Arch. Makariou III 15, Paphos
When: Sunday to Thursday 12pm – 1am; Friday 12pm – 3am; Saturday 1pm – 3am
Vasilikon Winery
Cyprus has been producing wine for a long time. Although the exact origins of wine production on the island are unknown, it is thought that it has existed here since at least 2300 BC. The Paphos Region is renowned for producing some of the world’s most sought-after wines.
There are 3 different wine routes that connesoirs can follow, crisscrossing the west of the island and each taking in multiple wineries. Whether you choose to follow the Diarizos Valley Wine Route, the Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis Wine Route or the Laona Akamas Wine Route, you will become well-acquainted with the art wine production and have the chance to sample the absolute best of Cyprus in a beautiful natural setting, often surrounded by vineyards.
I opted to take a tour and tasting at Vasilikon Winery. Found in Kathikas Village and part of the Laona Akamas trail, a route that takes in 4 different wineries, it sits in an area renowned for its white wines created from the indigenous Xynisteri grape that grows in a climate tempered by the sea breeze, and beautiful reds produced from the ancient Maratheftiko.
Vasilikon was one of the first local wineries of Cyprus, established in 1993 by the brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides. Sitting high at 650-700 meters above sea level and surrounded by acres of vines, they grow Xinisteri, Lefkada, Morokanela, Maratheftiko, Yiannoudi, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Visitors are also able to visit the cellars, take a brief tour of the winery itself, or visit their on-site museum dedicated to the history of wine production on the island.
Afterwards, their stunning restaurant and tasting room is the ideal spot to stop and sample their wines. They also have an a la carte menu of both local and international dishes.
Where: Kathikas, 8573
When: Winery opening hours 8.30am – 6.30pm; Restaurant opening hours: 10am – 4pm
Food Tours to Take in Paphos
Although it is easy enough to explore the culinary scene of Cyprus by yourself using the above list, it’s always good to take recommendations from a local expert and have them guide you through the countless local delicacies.
