North Cyprus Restaurants and Bars

No holiday is complete without sampling the local cuisine and in North Cyprus you definitely won’t want to miss it.  The Cypriot food is excellent and part of their unique culture.

There are restaurants everywhere and you will find a wide range of foods to choose from too.  There is the authentic Cypriot food, French, Chinese, and Indian too so you really will be spoilt for choice.  Restaurant prices will vary but the taste will definitely be worth it.

As North Cyprus is between three different continents it has an affect on their traditional food.  Influences come from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Cyprus itself.  You will find some great places to eat with the best places being located in Kyrenia and its surrounding areas.  If you are not staying here then having a rental car will definitely be an advantage especially if you want to enjoy some excellent cuisine.

All the dishes that are served in North Cyprus have a distinct taste and they come well presented and reflect the Cypriot character.  Molohiya which is Arab in origin is a very popular dish as is valance dolma which is vine leaves that are stuffed with rice, onions, and tomatoes.  Shish kebabs and mousakka are also very popular.

Meze is a delicious local dish and this is one of the specialities that you won’t want to miss.  This is a combination of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres which includes different types of salads, meats, vegetable, and fish dishes.  You can eat these as your main course or as an appetizer.  Two of the most popular meze dishes are sigara borek which is feta cheese that is deep fried in filo pastry and grilled haloumi cheese so be sure to give these a try.

Turkish coffee is also a speciality and this is enjoyed everywhere across North Cyprus on a daily basis.  This was introduced in the 15th century by the Ottoman Turks.  The secret to Turkish coffee is in the way the beans are ground. 

They are ground into powder and then cooked with sugar to produce a thick cream on the top.  Turkish coffee can be served in three different ways, sah-de which is without sweeteners, ortah which is slightly sweetened, and shekerli which is very sweet.  Don’t worry though, you will always be asked what way you want your coffee.

You can get delivery and take away restaurants in North Cyprus but these are located in the bigger towns such as Kyrenia, Lefkosia, or Famagusta. 

It’s not just restaurants that are popular in North Cyprus and there are a large number of bars too.  Here you can get local beers, imported alcohol, and brandy.  If you are holidaying here don’t forget to try the raki which is the anise flavoured Turkish alcohol.

When you eat out in a restaurant is it expected that you will leave a tip.  A service charge is not always shown on your bill but it is customary to leave a 10% tip. Pacific Rent a Car Recommends Ambiance Restaurant