Street food is here to stay

With a new taste for all the family, street food is cheap accessible and enjoyable. And it is a growing trend in Cyprus finds ALIX NORMAN

Gone are the days of greasy burgers and slimy sandwiches. Street food today is Very Different: exotic new tastes, organic ingredients and an interactive experience – all at a fraction of the price you’d expect to pay in a restaurant!

This is up-market food at a down-market cost. And it’s finally (years after hitting the streets of LA and London) trending in Cyprus. But this isn’t just a passing passion say those who sell their wares on the plazas, in the parks, and along the paths of the island’s cities: street food may have been a long time coming, but it’s here to stay.

Fork Food Market was among the first to bring street food to the island. Launched in 2014, the sibling-run venture focuses on healthy variety; its growing number of vendors all chosen for the flavour, freshness and quality of their wares.

“When we first launched our events, there were only a handful of people on the island who knew what street food was!” reveals Christiana Pyrishi, one of the Fork founders. “When we first spoke to the municipalities, we had a hard time getting them to understand what it was we had planned,” she recalls. Today, along with sister Katerina and brother Andreas, Christiana has turned Fork Food Markets into an established happening: an event that takes place several times each year, and draws foodies in their thousands.

“More and more people on the island are enjoying street food all the time; it’s really taken off. We get a lot of people attending our events, and there’s always a huge amount of interest from new vendors, which proves how the street food scene has evolved over time.”

Burgers and hot dogs are always the bestsellers, she adds. But you might find anything from momo dumplings to Taiwanese Bao buns or vegan falafel and mushroom giros – “we’ve noticed,” she adds, “that vegan cuisine is becoming increasingly popular, and we ensure that several of our vendors offer meat substitutes or purely plant-based fare.

“But whatever you’re eating, street food is as much about the experience as nourishment and taste,” she acknowledges. “You’re enjoying food outside, in the open air; you’re directly in contact with those who prepare your food, and can often watch it being made; and there’s a simple joy in connecting with others who are enjoying the experience – there’s always a great atmosphere at Fork.”

With the next market taking place at the Nicosia Municipal Gardens on June 24 (and a September sojourn to Larnaca in the works), Fork continues to exemplify the joy of street food: “Street food should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience, that allows you to try different cuisines without overspending. The concept may have taken a while to arrive in Cyprus, but it’s here to stay!” Christiana concludes.

Far more recent though similar in concept, the Street Food Fest Cyprus is capitalising on this burgeoning trend. Launched in September 2021 with an event in Potamos Germasogeia, attended by in excess of 18,000, this pop-up event will be back mid-August at the Ayia Napa Municipal Stadium.

“Over the last few years, street food has become a real trend here in Cyprus,” suggests festival founder Marina Ioannidou. “And it’s certainly not what it used to be! Street food today is about quality, variety and artisanal fare: the kind of thing you’d find in expensive restaurants, but at a much more affordable price. You’ll find people actually visiting other countries purely to attend street food festivals!”

While street food tourism is definitely on the rise, it’s yet to hit Cyprus, Marina admits. “But it will come: the beauty of street food is that there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.”

At the upcoming festival – a three-day extravaganza of food, music, and entertainment – 35 vendors will be offering cuisines as varied as Mexican, Arab, Chinese, Argentinian, and Spanish, alongside the more usual burgers (made from rib eye steak) and hot dogs (loaded with mouth-watering ingredients). “We’ll also have loads of vegan options, as well as artisanal cocktails and sweet treats,” says Marina. “In fact, we have a well-known dessert food truck coming all the way from Crete!”

Food trucks, the very epitome of street food, are currently springing up (and moving round) the whole island – though the majority seem to be concentrated in Nicosia and Limassol. No longer purely purveyors of toasted sandwiches, this new generation of trucks focuses on delivering a quality foodie experience: think artisanal burgers, wood fired-pizza, and hipster hot dogs!

Among those on the go, we get Urban Soul Food from Nicosia’s Messy Kitchen, genuine Neapolitan pizza at Limassol’s Rafael’s, and craft beer and burgers from Little Monkeys – also in Limassol. There’s more pizza (and pasta) from the Quattrino food truck (recently spied at the Larnaca Street Food Festival); a unique Philly Steak Sandwich courtesy of Liberty Diner’s mobile effort; and Grill n Roll’s excellent Korean chicken and Fish Taco Rolls wherever there’s a street food festival.

There are even a few sweeter offerings – though mostly from abroad. Crete’s Candyland and Thessalonica’s Jerry’s will both be in Cyprus in the coming months, serving up everything from blue raspberry candy apples to marshmallow-coated donuts!

“I remember, back in 2014 when we first launched,” concludes Christiana, “that we had such a hard time finding vendors for our event, that we had to make half the food ourselves! Now, we have to turn away hopeful chefs: times have definitely changed. And so has Cyprus’ perception of street food!”

Fork Food Market will be at Nicosia’s Municipal Gardens on June 24. For more information, visit https://www.forkfoodmarket.com/

Street Food Fest Cyprus will be in Ayia Napa’s Municipal Stadium from August 19 to 21. For more information, visit https://m.facebook.com/streetfoodfestcyprus/