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Sitting on the sweeping Larnaca Bay, almost every traveler to Cyprus crosses paths with its third largest city. Steeped in history, flanked by miles of beautiful coastline and home to some truly fascinating archaeological museums, there’s every reason to come to Larnaca. It’s the perfect base for exploring Cyprus.
Nicosia, the country’s capital of two halves, is just a short drive away. As are the snow-capped slopes of Mount Olympus and the vineyards of the Diarizos Valley. Even stunning Cape Greko makes a perfect day trip. Of course, you don’t need to leave Larnaca at all. Aimless strolls through the Turkish Quarter, lazy afternoons lounging on the beach and delving deep into Cyprus’s history in the city’s museums make for a perfect weekend break.
And for when you’ve worked up an appetite, Larnaca’s restaurant scene is as varied as they come. As you’d expect, Cypriot cuisine is everywhere you look and Greek and Turkish restaurants are all around – but Larnaca has far more to offer. From flavors of the Middle East to tastes from all around the Mediterranean and beyond, this is our pick of the best restaurants in Larnaca.
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1. Militzis
Born in the tiny village of Lysi, just north of Larnaca, in 1930, Militzis moved to the city in 1984 and was quickly cemented as one of the best restaurants in Larnaca. With a prime seafront location on Piale Pasa, the city’s quieter southern promenade, Militzis is our first choice for traditional Cypriot cuisine.
The perfect spot for your first taste of Cyprus, with views to match, they serve all the local favorites. Start off with a Village salad, a nod to Militzis’s origins made with flaky feta cheese. Entrée highlights are their slow-cooked lamb on the bone and Kleftiko beef. If you can’t decide between the two, go for tavas, an old Cypriot countryside one-pot meal with a mix of lamb and beef cooked with potatoes, onion, tomatoes and spices.
The more adventurous soul might be tempted by kefalki. This whole lamb’s head certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. Of course, moussaka is on the menu as well as a delicious homemade vegetarian ravioli filled with halloumi seasoned with mint and cinnamon.
As will become a theme as we look through the best restaurants in Larnaca, Cypriots take dessert seriously. Militzis is no exception. Their classic galaktoboureko is the star of the show. A sweet and sickly delight, this creamy custard pie is drenched in syrup.
2. To Kafe Tis Chrysanthi’s
A pipedream years in the making, To Kafe Tis Chrysanthi’s started life as a small coffee shop. But it didn’t take long for them to outgrow their premises. Quickly becoming one of the best restaurants in Larnaca, Tis Chrysanthi’s expanded in 2020 and is now a go-to for all day dining delights.
Open early for breakfast, this cutesy café is perfect for brunch, lunch and dinner too. Plus, if you’re trying to work your way around as many of the best restaurants in Larnaca, Tis Chrysanthi’s will always welcome you for coffee and cake at any time.
True to their humble origins, their homemade cakes will always be the star of the show here. Breakfast and brunch are the next best thing. Served until 1:30 pm every day, go for the traditional Cypriot breakfast which comes with smoked pork, Cyprus sausage, eggs, tomatoes, halloumi and a toasted brioche bun.
The lunch and dinner menu is pages long. Whether you’re in the mood for a healthy salad, delicious pasta, juicy burger or a katsu curry, you’ll find something to curb your cravings at Tis Chrysanthi’s.
3. To Arxontikon
Right on beautiful Finikoudes, Larnaca’s main promenade, To Arxontikon is our pick of the best restaurants in Larnaca for Greek food. Set in a gorgeous 19th century mansion which once was home to Cypriot banker Ioannis Pierides, it’s hard to say whether the décor trumps the food or vice versa.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, their menu is split between meat and fish dishes. If you’re in the mood for something meaty, try one of their Greek samplers – traditional mixed grills comprising chicken and pork souvlaki, gyros and pork belly served with French fries and a side salad.
Their fish menu is nothing if not fresh. If you can’t decide what to choose, go for their fish meze. For a surprisingly low price, you’ll get no less than 20 dishes ranging from squid to cuttlefish and everything in between.
4. Maqam Al-Sultan
With the Levant just across the Mediterranean, it should come as no surprise that a Lebanese spot has made our list of the best restaurants in Larnaca. Maqam Al-Sultan occupies a prime position on Finikoudes, just a few doors down from To Arxontikon.
Dishing up the very best of Lebanese flavors, they’re open for lunch and dinner every day. They have all the Lebanese classics. Meshwi, Shish and Kafta are the highlights, all served with their special house sauce. For the ultimate taste of Lebanon, go for their mixed grill. Shawarma skillet with tender ribeye beef and your choice of rice or fries is always a crowd pleaser.
5. Takis Kebab House
Right opposite To Kafe Tis Chrysanthi’s, Takis (7 Nikolaou Rossou Str., Larnaca 6021) is our choice of the best restaurants in Larnaca for Turkish cuisine. Simple and straightforward, Takis offers exactly what they claim to: good, authentic food for a reasonable price.
Open all day, every day, if you’re exploring Larnaca in the early morning, stop off for a traditional Cypriot breakfast. Later in the day, Takis is perfect for a quick lunch on the go or satisfying those late night cravings. It’s not just Turkish kebabs they do either, they have classic Greek souvlaki and Middle Eastern shish too.
6. Filomena Pizzeria Napoletana
Nowhere in the world is Italian food obsolete. It’s only right that one of the best restaurants in Larnaca serves up traditional Neapolitan-style pizza. Filomena Pizzeria Napoletana (Filosofou 21, Larnaca 6021) is open daily for dinner (except Mondays). Just a couple of streets back from Finikoudes, it’s ideal for a leisurely evening meal after a hard day’s sightseeing.
Available to dine in or takeaway, Filomena’s menu is simple, short and to the point. They do pizza, they do it well and that’s all they do. Choose your toppings and watch as it’s stone-baked in front of your eyes, or opt for a calzone- a meat and vegetarian option are always on offer. If you’re craving more, their tiramisu is to die for.
7. Sawa
Another of the best restaurants in Larnaca serving up a taste of the Middle East, Sawa is a wonderful mix of Lebanese and Egyptian influences. Meze is their speciality. With plenty of vegetarian choices, Sawa is our number one choice of the best restaurants in Larnaca for vegetarian and vegan friendly dining.
Aside from the veggie mezes, Sawa’s mixed grill is always a hit. Coming with souvlaki, tawouk and shukaf, there’s enough meat to feed a small army. If you’re not feeling quite that hungry, go for freshly cooked sausages with a side of fried potatoes and a yoghurt dip.
8. Psarolimano
With a prime position at the southern end of the promenade, Psarolimano is our pick of the best restaurants in Larnaca for fresh seafood. Sitting astride the small harbor, where most of Larnaca’s fishing boats land, fish in Cyprus doesn’t get fresher than this.
The menu, as long as your arm, comes with everything from raw ceviche to British style fish & chips. If you can’t decide, the fish meze offers a great selection of dishes to sample. If you’re visiting with friends or family, consider getting one of their seafood platters, available for groups of 2 to 4 diners.
A recent addition, their menu now includes a selection of vegetarian specialities. These include classic dishes like moussaka, risotto and vegetarian bolognaise. Meat lovers need not panic though, they’ve plenty of meaty dishes on offer including veal steak, pork chops and a chicken fillet. If you’d rather a true taste of Cyprus, go for their homemade authentic moussaka.
9. Hobos Steak House
No matter where we go in the world, there are some foods which are truly universal. Nothing is that more true of than steak. If you find yourself craving something meaty and delicious in Cyprus, look no further then Hobos. Our favorite of the best restaurants in Larnaca for steak, Hobos occupies a prime position opposite bustling Finikoudes beach.
Hobos, of course, has an excellent steak menu with fillet, rump, picanha, sirloin, rib eye and porterhouse cuts on offer. Chateaubriand, tomahawk and Wagyu steaks are also available. They also have plenty of chicken, lamb and pork dishes if you’re not in the mood for beef. Their vegetarian plant-based steak is a fantastic meat substitute.
Don’t miss their outstanding wine list; there are plenty of international options, but the Greek and Cypriot bottles are the real stars. The dessert menu is short and sweet. They do a mean pistachio cream delight (pistachio dacquoise with Italian cream) served with Lebanese ice cream. That’s all they do, but it’s all they need do. It’s delicious.
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