5 Best Restaurants in Cyprus

In what is surely one of the most convivial atmospheres in Limassol, with a wide patio attached to the Limassol Nautical Club and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, take your pick from an extensive menu of seafood. The set-menu lunch is always great value, but there are also a handful of catches of the day to choose from. It's the perfect locale for gawking at the scene around you—both the other enthusiastic diners, often celebrating birthdays and other special events, and the beautiful sea. Spend time perusing the fantastic wine list with over 250 labels from wineries both within Cyprus and around the world.

Cyprus celebrity TV chef Roddy Damalis serves up small plates of Cypriot fusion cuisine—Ta Piatakia translates as "little plates"—in a lively atmosphere with festive colored tassels dangling from the soaring ceilings and a young, mainly local crowd. Sample house specialties—many featuring local products—like duck in green walnut sauce, grilled halloumi (the local Cyprus cheese) drizzled with honey, and prawn souvlaki. Round out your meal with a Cypriot wine pairing from a well-stocked upstairs cellar.

The pairing of food and wine is a challenging craft to master, but this wine and tapas bar has managed to balance the two perfectly. Inventive, international, and modern, Vino’s array of mouthwatering tapas caters to the fussiest palate. From fish tacos, hearty bruschetta, to tasty tagliata (sliced) steaks, Vino serves up platters that cater to every palate, including vegetarians. A wine selection that perfectly enhances the flavor of each dish is offered by the bottle and by the glass.

A classic meze tavern, which opened in 1938, Zanettos is tucked into a side street in Nicosia's atmospheric Old City and filled with a mix of tourists and old-timers. With no menu the restaurant dishes up plate after plate of fresh and tasty food for a low, fixed price. Pictures of Cypriot celebrities embracing the chef and his son stare down at you from the walls as you devour super-fresh salads, salty halloumi cheese, and tangy olives; hearty veggies like beets, potatoes, and mushrooms; tender meat dishes such as chicken kebabs and veal; and even succulent snails. Be sure to save room for dessert: Lebanese mahalembi, a unique rose-flavored creamy concoction.

The fare is Italian at this well-regarded and distinctly friendly spot, and those who dine here will also find no shortage of advice available on any topic relating to Cyprus. Choose from an extensive selection of pasta, fish, and meat dishes, and enjoy service in the lush courtyard outside in nice weather (which is most of the time in Cyprus). Complimentary antipasti such as proscuitto and vegetables are offered every day from 6 to 8 pm when you order wine or a cocktail. It's open from 12 pm until late for drinks.