For Nicosians, enjoying good food is second nature, and the city is quickly transforming into a renowned culinary destination. The Taste Nicosia campaign, launched by the Nicosia Tourism Board, celebrates this love of food by showcasing local flavours and multicultural influences that make the city’s gastronomy scene unique.
With its recent award for Best Beverage Experience for Culinary Travellers, Nicosia is having a main character moment. Especially as it has just become the first European Culinary Capital certified by the World Food Travel Association, celebrating the city’s excellent food experiences.
Taste Nicosia offers locals and visitors alike the opportunity to explore a city rich in traditional and international recipes and award-winning beverages, all united by a deep appreciation for Cypriot ingredients.
From Cyprus’ pride and joy – halloumi cheese – to smashed green olives with coriander, dishes infused with dark carob syrup, and meals cooked in the famous Cypriot Commandaria wine, each taste is rooted in Cypriot heritage.
Age-old recipes passed down generations, multicultural tastes, with traces of Nicosia’s past, and emerging flavours that have travelled the world, tell the ever-changing story of life in the Cypriot capital. Whether you’re after traditional delights, or contemporary gastronomic innovation, Nicosia’s culinary scene has it all, and it’s paving the way for new delicious experiences.
Time to taste Nicosia
The user-friendly digital brochure of the Taste Nicosia campaign not only celebrates both the food and drink milestones of Nicosia, but also supports local businesses. Through beautiful illustrations and text, it showcases a selection of places to eat, drink and be merry in Nicosia.
From microbreweries and awarded cocktail bars that honour the island’s plants, herbs and aromas, to innovative Cypriot flavours and recipes from afar, the Taste Nicosia brochure provides a starting point for exploring the city through your taste buds. It is a guide promising a feast for all the senses, and an encounter with what makes Nicosia an inclusive culinary hub.
During a casual stroll in the City, for example, you can sip Cypriot coffee prepared on heated sand in the manner of the old coffeeshop masters, travel back in time with the legendary Cypriot Brandy Sour cocktail, or savour grandmother’s mouthwatering recipes.
A self-guided tasting route of central Nicosia
Tasting your way through the capital city is easy to do. You can track the aromas, go where the locals go, or embark on your own journey following our suggested itinerary, created by local experts (and foodies).
9am: Coffee aroma
Every day begins with a great coffee. Set off from Eleftheria Square and stroll along Onasagorou Street. Taking a right on Mouson Street leads you to Faneromeni Square. Here, you’ll find tables and chairs spread around the square; they belong to the traditional coffee shop and confectionary Tria Fanaria. Linger for a Cypriot coffee and sample their traditional sweets and savoury treats – their cheese pie is renowned.
Take your time as you taste your way through Nicosia — eating and drinking is much like a ceremonial ritual here. Siga siga, as Cypriots say (“slowly, slowly”). From here, you’re in the ideal location from which to explore Nicosia’s historical centre, dotted with dozens of charming coffee shops. For more suggestions, explore the selection on the Visit Nicosia website.
11am: Time for a snack
Hurricane Confectionery near Faneromeni Church is well-known and beloved of all generations, having been in operation for almost a century since 1942. The aroma of warm butter and fresh pastries welcomes you in, and trays of cheese pies, almond croissants, biscuits and more traditional goodies wait to be devoured.
1pm: A traditional lunch
After a few hours of walking discoveries, it’s time for lunch – a favoured part of the day for Nicosians. Try Cypriot dishes, tiny meze plates that fill the table at St. George Restaurant – Tavern, opposite the new AGORA CYENS Centre of Excellence on Dimarchou Lellou Demetriadi Square.
Alternative: If you want to taste a local’s kitchen, head back to Faneromeni Square (don’t worry, it’s only 300m away) and drop in at Matthaios Restaurant, to enjoy one of its daily home-cooked lunches.
3pm: A caffeine boost
To welcome the afternoon and enjoy (another) caffeine boost, do like Nicosians do – have a post-lunch coffee. Swimming Birds is a specialty coffee place, right opposite the new Town Hall. Freshly-roasted coffee beans are used to make the local favourite – Freddo espresso – or hot coffees such as flat whites and cappuccinos.
Alternative: In a tiny alley off Ermou Street, To Apomero serves fresh lemonade, orange and citrus juices, as well as Cypriot herb teas. Feeling peckish? Try Mrs Androulla’s excellent orange pie — it might be Old Nicosia’s best-kept secret!
6pm: Drink and be merry
Delicious and unique cocktails can be found all over the city, as local bars and events such as the Mediterranean Bar Show and the Cyprus Cocktail Festival place Nicosia on the world beverage map. When it’s time for an aperitif, a popular after-work hotspot is Silver Star Bar. A drink here from its extensive list of local and international wines or classic cocktails is a chance to explore central Nicosia beyond the Old City. It’s just a 20-minute walk from Ermou Street.
Alternative: To try the Brandy Sour, Cyprus’ most famous cocktail, head to two Nicosia venues – Haratsi Kafeneio and Prozak Kafeneio – renowned for their recipes. That said, several Nicosia bars proudly feature this historic cocktail on their menus, a factor that contributed to its recent award as Best Beverage Experience for Culinary Capital 2024. For local craft beer and related expertise, BrewFellas Beer Bar is a favoured hotspot, right in the heart of the Old Town.
8pm: Taste the world on a plate
Award-winning restaurant Tocayo is a feast for your taste buds, blending Latin American and Asian flavours. Here, you’ll find exquisite cocktails, and meat and raw fish sharing plates served in innovative ways. Dining is truly a gastronomic delight – just be sure to book in advance.
Alternative: More international flavours are found in the Old Town. The African House Restaurant and Tonantzin Mexican Cuisine, for example, are both run by women serving authentic dishes from their home countries.
Bonus tip
If you’re still standing tall at the end of the evening, there are yet more excellent bars and watering holes to explore. Lost + Found Drinkery, right by the Pediaios River, is an award-winning bar. Nearby, Granazi serves an extensive gin selection, sometimes infused with grapefruit, lemongrass or geranium perfume, amongst other cocktails and wines. Plus, just 15 minutes away on foot, is Vino Cultura, a low-lit wine bar that has knowledgeable staff and wines for every taste, accompanying a tapas-style menu.
One thing is certain – you won’t go hungry or thirsty in Nicosia. And to truly get to know its residents and history, its food and beverage scene really is the gateway to discovering the City’s heart and pulse.
Download the Taste Nicosia brochure here, and explore more suggestions on the Visit Nicosia website.
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