7 Best Restaurants in Cyprus

There is a large Arab community in Limassol and they come here for a taste of home. Traditional Lebanese dishes are well presented and are delicately spiced and meat and fish are expertly handled—grilled over charcoal, with a smoky perfume. Salads are fresh and herby, jeweled with pomegranate, and vegetarians are well catered for with a huge selection of dishes. The easiest option is to choose the full meze; a seemingly never ending series of plates showcasing the skill of the kitchen.

Legend has it that Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village in 1481 to purchase some lace and this pretty little eaterie keeps up the Italian connection. A shaded courtyard serves up Italian classics like lasagna, and spaghetti Bolognese, but also local salads and grills, as well as some more off-beat international dishes like Lebanese kebab. It would be a shame to miss the Pizza though—the fresh dough is handmade everyday and topped with the best ingredients, some local on the Cyprus Special.

If you're looking for a simple, inexpensive meal with pretty views and friendly service, you can't do much better than Matthaios, a tiny family-run lunch-only spot near Faneromeni Church. Relax in the square at one of their five or six tables or inside if the weather is poor, and choose from a short menu of fresh offerings that may include a vegetable plate (white beans, celery, parsley, potatoes, zucchini, and onion, or whatever is available) or tender lamb served with okra and spinach. The smiling family owners will bring you a complimentary dessert of the day as a final treat. Though tourists have definitely discovered Mattheos, it still remains a respite of calm within the often-frenetic Old City.

This meat-centric restaurant is popular with locals for both lunch and dinner; hidden away from the well-beaten tourist path, it serves up unassuming, authentic Cypriot food. You can't go wrong with the tavas—pieces of lamb and beef cooked with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and spices; the souvla (roasted pork in wine); or the moussaka, but best of all for those with hearty appetites is the mezedes—plate after plate of salad, olives, cheese, seafood, and meats, all for a reasonable fixed price. Sit on the terrace for lovely views of the sea.

Less picturesque than the restaurants ringing the harbor, this family-owned place serves better food with excellent grilled fare, including şeftali kebab (meatballs), a Turkish Cypriot specialty. The "Full Kebab" has been their star dish since 1949; a selection of mezes accompany lamb chops, doner, kofte, chicken kofte, and shish kebabs. There is also a surprisingly good selection for vegetarians.

The name translates as "the place where the pigs meet," and this street corner establishment is surely where they would end up in the search for the best grillhouse in town. Souvlaki is the name of the game—either chicken, pork, lamb, or even calamari. Throw in some kebabs, lamb chops, and pork belly, and accompany them with fresh traditional salads and you have a must visit. Centrally located, there are tables inside, under a covered terrace and at the front of the restaurant, and local bands often play impromptu concerts on the street outside.

If you're simply looking for a relaxing, well-designed place to lunch, eat a casual dinner, or get a quick snack, perhaps while checking your email, Pingouino Cafe fits the bill. This modern, airy café, a block in from the beach, offers free Wi-Fi and seating on cushioned wicker chairs and comfy couches. The menu features a mixture of international standards sprinkled with a few Mediterranean specialties, plus lots of veggie, gluten-free, and vegan choices. Try the halloumi salad, the poached eggs on toast topped with avocado and salmon, or the chicken tandoori wrap. Alternatively, dig into a scrumptious waffle or just order a cocktail and watch the world go by.