Top 5 Cypriot Dishes you have to try

It’s far trickier to get away to travel at the moment, and for good reason. We hope you are all staying safe and taking care of each other during these difficult times. While you might not be able to explore the world, there’s nothing stopping us all from bringing the flavours of the world into our home.

To help you out with your culinary travels, we’ve got together and decided on 5 Cypriot dishes that we would love for you all to be able to experience. Think of it as bringing a little bit of Cyprus home with you!

1. Souvlakia

An absolute classic of Mediterranean cuisine, souvlaki consists of small chunks of meat and vegetables cooked on skewers over a charcoal grill and eaten in pitta breads. While the Cypriot and Greek souvlakia are similar, the Cypriot pittas are thinner, and the filling tends to be put inside the bread itself rather than being wrapped. Souvlaki can easily be turned into a vegetarian dish by only using vegetables or halloumi as a filling. If a Cypriot ever asks you which version of souvlaki you prefer, there’s only one right answer!

2. Kolokouthkia me ta afka

A more traditional dish that you’ll find in most family run restaurants in Cyprus, Kolokouthkia me ta afta, or courgette with eggs, tends to be a part of a larger mezze platter of dishes. It’s a fairly simple dish too, with spiced and shallow fried courgettes served with some good old scrambled eggs. It’s a great dish to have as the healthy part of a bigger feast or even a good breakfast to start the day on the right foot.

3. Trachanas

One of the few soups and traditionally meat-free dishes of Cypriot cuisine, trachanas is usually made with dried and cracked wheat and soured goat’s milk. This is definitely a dish to find in a family run shop or a traditional restaurant, as different recipes and ingredients are passed down the generations. Some include meat stocks, some add halloumi chunks, and some mix it with ingredients of different cuisine for a fusion dish.

4. Lokoumades

Now this is definitely not a healthy option, but it is a delicious one. Lokoumades are deep fried balls of dough, then covered in honey, nuts, and cinnamon. They’re great in the summer and are a perfect light dessert for a heavy Cypriot meal. They’re sometimes called honey doughnuts, which isn’t too far from the truth, and they’re a firm favourite across the eastern half of the Mediterranean.

5. Glyko tou koutaliou

To finish off our list we’re going with the perfect way to finish off a meal. These little sweets are made by boiling fruits, vegetables and nuts, sugaring them, and storing them in the syrup. They go great with a little black coffee or as a little treat at the end of a meal. They’re delicious and easy to make at home, we recommend getting started with cherries or walnuts for a classic taste of Cyprus.