If you’re planning a trip to the island and wondering what the best food to try in Cyprus really is, consider this your shortcut to eating like a local. Cyprus isn’t just about beaches and ancient history. The island’s heart is found in its kitchens, in the smell of grilled meats, fresh herbs, and slow-cooked dishes passed down through generations. At Tochni Tavern, our menu is built around exactly that feeling: honest traditional Cypriot food made with local ingredients and served in a village setting overlooking the hills of Tochni.
Below is a guide to help you discover the best food to try in Cyprus, with real dishes you can enjoy right here at our taverna.
Cypriot cuisine blends Greek, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences, yet it has its own identity. Fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, charcoal grilling, and slow cooking define the island’s table. If you’re searching for the best food to try in Cyprus, you’ll find that the magic lies in simplicity done perfectly.
No list of the best food to try in Cyprus would be complete without mentioning the island’s iconic starters. They’re simple, but when made well, they reveal what traditional Cypriot food is all about.
Our Grilled Halloumi Starter is a guest favourite, served with rocket and cherry tomatoes. It’s a perfect introduction to Cyprus dishes because halloumi is one of the country’s culinary symbols.
Try tzatziki, tahini, hummus, eggplant dip, or taramas. Our Dips Trio lets you combine three. All are made fresh, using local olive oil and herbs. These are foundational flavours of Cypriot cuisine.
If you ask locals about the best food to try in Cyprus, someone will almost always mention kolokithokeftedes, the famous zucchini fritters.
At Tochni Tavern, ours are light, crispy, and served with a yogurt-dill dip. They appear in our starters and meze menus and are one of the first plates to disappear from the table.
Charcoal grilling is at the heart of Cypriot cuisine, and Tochni Tavern keeps this tradition alive with some of the best grilled plates in the region.
Marinated in local herbs, grilled over charcoal, and served with salad or dips. You cannot explore the best food to try in Cyprus without trying souvlaki.
Sheftalia is a signature Cyprus dish made from seasoned minced meat wrapped in caul fat and grilled. It’s rustic and deeply flavorful. Paired with pork souvlaki, it’s one of our most popular selections.
For a richer option, our lamb dishes bring out the herbal, earthy flavours that make traditional Cypriot food so inviting.
Cyprus does slow cooking exceptionally well. These dishes rank among the best food to try in Cyprus for anyone who loves deep, comforting flavours.
Oven-baked for hours with oregano and thyme until the meat falls apart. This is one of the most iconic Cyprus dishes and a favourite in villages across the island.
Rich, tender beef cooked with onions, wine, and vinegar. It’s hearty, warm, and full of character.
Slow-cooked pork in a smoky BBQ glaze. It’s one of the most satisfying dishes on our menu and regularly requested by guests returning to Tochni Tavern.
If you ask visitors about the best food to try in Cyprus, moussaka is always on the list. At Tochni Tavern, our version is layered with zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, minced meat, and creamy béchamel. We also offer a vegetarian version with roasted vegetables.
Cyprus is an island, so seafood is naturally part of the best food to try in Cyprus. At our tavern, we serve dishes that highlight freshness without overcomplicating things.
One of our signature seafood plates, combining tender octopus with a smooth fava puree.
Prawns cooked in tomato, ouzo, and feta. It’s aromatic and comforting, and a staple of Cypriot cuisine.
Served pan-fried with caper butter sauce or grilled with lemon-olive oil dressing. Fresh, simple, and very Cypriot.
If you want to taste everything in one sitting, meze is truly the best food to try in Cyprus for that purpose.
Our Meat Meze, Seafood Meze, and Mixed Meze offer 12–14 dishes, including:
Cyprus Salad
Traditional dips
Zucchini fritters
Pastry cheese rolls
Grilled halloumi
Pork meatballs
Chicken kontosouvli
Pork kontosouvli
Beef stifado
Local fish, calamari, and king prawns in the mixed and seafood options
It’s the ideal way to explore a full range of Cyprus dishes in one relaxed meal.
With more than 30 years of history, a hilltop terrace overlooking the village, and a menu built around freshness and tradition, Tochni Tavern gives guests a true taste of traditional Cypriot food. Whether you’re here for grilled meats, slow-cooked dishes, seafood, or meze, you’ll find the best food to try in Cyprus right here in Tochni.
If your journey through the island includes exploring authentic flavours, we’re ready to welcome you.
