Courtyards, gardens and pedestrian streets across the island offer a relaxed setting for summer evenings, with good company and a selection of meze from Cypriot cuisine. Here are some spots worth trying.
Taverna Irini
Set on a hill in Plati Aglantzias, this taverna looks out over the capital and serves Cypriot dishes, including souvlaki. Book ahead and eat outdoors, overlooking the city. On the menu: afelia (pork cooked in wine and coriander), spare ribs, and kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb), served every Tuesday and Thursday.
Assias 28, Aglantzia, Plati. Tel: 96 646457.
O Kipos tis Chrysaliniotissas
Tables are set up inside Chrysaliniotissa Park, serving souvlaki, sheftalia (grilled minced-meat sausages) and other grilled meze. A traditional Cypriot taverna with plastic chairs and tablecloths, set in a green, park-side location. There’s a children’s playground with slides and swings next to the taverna.
Athinas, Nicosia. Tel: 22 343447.
Taverna “To Istorikon”
A traditional-style taverna known for its meat, starters and stews, and for its spacious courtyard, lit up in the evenings. The menu includes a range of grilled dishes, along with kleftiko, lamb liver with onions, eggs and rocket, aubergines with feta, and homemade focaccia.
Markou Drakou, Agios Dometios. Tel: 22 780555.
Agios Epiktitos
Named after the occupied village of Agios Epiktitos, reflecting the owner’s attachment to the village. After 40 years working in hotels, he opened this taverna in Armenochori, in an outdoor space just outside central Limassol. The menu is made up of home-cooked dishes prepared by the owner’s wife, along with charcoal-grilled meat, and the taverna looks out over Limassol, the city and the coastline.
Ammochostou 18, Armenochori, Limassol. Tel: 99 346529.
ESOBGA Terrace
Run by the English School Alumni Association, this taverna is inside Agios Dimitrios Park, the largest park in Strovolos, with walking paths, seating areas, fountains, ponds and greenery. Recently renovated, it serves Cypriot meze, including pork souvlaki.
Agios Dimitrios Park, Strovolos, Nicosia. Tel: 96 505060.
Palea Elia
Set in Strovolos, with iron figures of athletes in the windows alongside modern architectural touches. Palea Elia was designed with regulars of Keravnos Strovolou in mind, while also drawing a younger crowd, and updates traditional recipes. An old olive tree stands in the small square outside.
Stadiou 44, Strovolos. Tel: 22 252600.
Forsos
A long-running Limassol taverna with a large courtyard, known for its food and range of meze. It keeps a village character despite being close to the seafront. Many of the ingredients are grown in an orchard near the taverna, and it regularly hosts live music nights.
Agiou Eleftheriou 49, Mouttagiaka. Tel: 25329490.
