7 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, as well as a daily-changing tartare. 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, filled with interesting picks—many organic—from wineries both within Cyprus and around the world.

At Ladas, you will enjoy an elegant lunch and dinner in a historic carob factory sitting smack in the center of Limassol's Old Port; where the pleasant waitstaff bring you the freshest fish and seafood on offer that day. You'll always start off with a fresh Greek salad tossed tableside and a selection of dips served with warm pita, followed by an appetizer like grilled calamari with lemon, before reaching the main course of a simply prepared yet succulent fish, such as whole sea bass for two, already deboned. Ladas's sophisticated air and polished presentation provide a welcome break after a morning of shopping and strolling on Agiou Andreou, just a block away.

This restaurant has not only the most delicious food in Paphos (with some vegan options), but it is also the most charming place to dine. Everyone from locals to tourists in the know come to experience owner George's inventive Cypriot cooking, which includes a preponderance of fresh, seasonal, and often organic ingredients, and lots of options for vegetarians. St. Georges has no written menu, just a prix-fixe offering of mezedes—a seemingly endless parade of small plates from cheeses to vegetables from the restaurant's own garden to meats smoked in-house, along with tasty homemade wine. The friendly servers will keep bringing the food until you tell them to stop.

If you're looking for a simple, inexpensive meal with pretty views and friendly service, you can't do better than Mattheos, a tiny family-run lunch place near Faneromeni Church. Relax in the square at one of their five or six tables (or inside, if the weather's poor, though the atmosphere isn't as lovely), and choose from a short menu of fresh offerings that may include a legumes plate (white beans, celery, parsley, potatoes, zucchini, and onion, or whatever is available) or tender lamb served with okra and spinach. The smiling owner will bring you her 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; it's well-known for its homemade mezedes and other Cypriot specialties. If you're daring, opt for the liver and intestines of lamb, the salted pork, or the lamb's head. To play it safe, 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.

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 and even gluten-free 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 cool off with a milkshake made with your choice of 20 different kinds of ice cream, including a Cypriot specialty, rose.

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.