In Cyprus, sharing fresh, local ingredients is at the heart of our culture. Families and friends come together for meze—a vibrant communal feast that's as much a social celebration as it is a meal. Drawing from Greek and Middle Eastern traditions, Cypriot cuisine shines through shared plates, offering an immersive taste of island life.
Elevate your next family gathering with these 10 traditional Cypriot meze staples. A full spread typically includes 15-20 small plates: starting with cold appetizers, moving to lighter hot dishes, hearty mains, and finishing with fresh fruit and pastries.
These timeless dishes will whisk your guests away to the Mediterranean shores of Cyprus.
Olives and Dips
Kick off your meze with plump olives and creamy dips. Classics like yogurt-based tzatziki (cucumber and mint), hummus, tahini (sesame paste), skordalia (garlic potato), and taramasalata (fish roe) pair perfectly with warm pita bread and crisp salad—a refreshing opener every time.
Grilled Halloumi
Next, grill slices of halloumi, Cyprus's iconic semi-soft cheese. Fresh off the heat, top with peppery rocket (arugula) and ripe tomatoes for a simple yet irresistible dish.
Sheftalia
Add sheftalia sausages—skinless wonders made from ground pork or lamb shoulder, onions, and parsley. Grill until juicy.
Tip: Serve with warm pita and fresh salad for the full effect.
Koupepia
No Cypriot meze is complete without koupepia: tender vine leaves stuffed with ground beef, rice, tomato, mint, parsley, and lemon juice, then baked.
Tip: Swap meat for veggies to make it vegetarian-friendly.
Stifado
Savor stifado, a rich beef stew simmered with onions, tomatoes, garlic, red wine, cinnamon, and anise until melt-in-your-mouth tender—a crowd-pleasing comfort dish.
Meat Skewers
Meat lovers rejoice with grilled skewers of lamb, chicken, or pork chops. Squeeze over fresh lemon for brightness, signaling the mains are here.
Moussaka
Layered moussaka—eggplant, lamb (or beef/pork), tomatoes, and potatoes—delivers savory depth. It's ideal for entertaining, with leftovers that reheat beautifully.
Kleftiko
Lamb kleftiko, slow-cooked with potatoes, bay leaves, and oregano, carries a legendary backstory: "stolen" sheep baked underground by thieves.
Tip: Low and slow yields the best results!
Yemista
Stuffed vegetables, or yemista, shine as sides: peppers, tomatoes, onions, zucchini, or eggplant filled with herbed rice and bubbly cheese.
Bourekia
End sweetly with bourekia me anari—flaky pastries stuffed with fresh anari cheese and cinnamon, baked and dusted with powdered sugar. Pair with fruit, pastries, and strong coffee.
