What We Ate in Nicosia – South Side

Nicosia’s south side is full of winding streets, lively squares, and traditional eateries serving hearty Cypriot and international food. During our time wandering the city, we discovered a mix of cosy tavernas, casual spots for a drink, and places where local flavours really shine. From traditional mezze to ice creams and refreshing drinks, here is a round-up of everything we ate and drank while exploring the southern part of the capital.

Evroulla
We began at Evroulla, a traditional taverna close to Faneromeni Square. It had that easy-going, old-city charm where the chairs spill out onto the pavement and the food feels endless. We ordered the mezze and were soon surrounded by plates of loukaniko, souvlaki, siefthalia, grilled mushrooms, halloumi, fresh salad and dips. Dish after dish arrived until the table was covered. It was the kind of meal that makes you linger, where every bite feels homely and unpretentious.

Apomero
When the afternoon heat became too much, we found Apomero, a tucked-away café bar that felt like a little oasis. We had a beer and a Sprite, which came with a small plate of snacks. The setting was cosy and welcoming, more like sitting in someone’s courtyard than in the middle of the capital.

Coffee Therapy
Coffee Therapy was our next stop, right in the middle of the day. At first, our table had no shade, but the owner came out and moved it to the corner so we could sit comfortably. We ordered iced caffe lattes, which were served with a small glass of water, something we noticed was common across Nicosia cafés. The owner also brought out butter cookies on the house, another one of those thoughtful little touches that made us feel looked after.

Ice creams at Granita, Heraclis and Coffee Berry
Our first ice cream of the holiday came from Granita, an artisan gelateria. I went for lemon sorbet while he had vanilla, both refreshing and perfect for the hot weather. A few days later, we ended up at Heraclis, one of the oldest and biggest ice cream parlours in the city. This time I chose lemon sorbet again while he went for salted caramel. The place is more like an institution than a shop, a spot where families gather and people come back time after time. On Makariou Avenue we stopped at Coffee Berry, where I had a mango sorbet that was cool and fruity.

96 Moipes
One of the most memorable discoveries was 96 Moipes, a small bar in the old city. On our first visit I had a freshly made lemonade while he went for Carlsberg. As with many places in Nicosia, the drinks came with water and a plate of peanuts. The atmosphere was easy and familiar, with regulars greeting each other like old friends. We returned later in the week and were given cucumber sprinkled with salt and peanuts. The owner even brought us some cheeses to taste, recognising us from before, which made us feel like locals for the evening.

Fanous Lebanese Restaurant
Another evening we went to Fanous, a Lebanese restaurant outside the old city walls, and ordered the vegetarian mezze. It was a huge spread of hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, tabbouleh, stuffed vine leaves, grilled halloumi and baskets of warm pita bread. Colourful, fresh and far too much for us to finish, but delicious all the same.

Fisa & Masa
At Fisa and Masa, a cosy spot that blends the traditional with the modern, I had a pork chop that was so big it covered the plate, served with rice and salad. He had chicken kebab wrapped in pitta with chips and salad. I stuck to lemonade while he tried the local Keo beer. To finish, we were given slices of watermelon on the house, a gesture that felt so typically Cypriot in its warmth.

Brew Fellas
We stopped at Brew Fellas, a cozy craft beer bar on Pygmalionos Street. He tried one of their hazy beers, likely a New England IPA, juicy and hoppy, while I stuck to soft drinks. The bar had a vibrant atmosphere and an impressive selection of beers from around the world.

The Gym
We visited The Gym, a lively bar, for a quick drink. He had a Septem IPA and I had a lemonade. It was a nice pause during our explorations and the bar had a relaxed, welcoming vibe.

Sham Foods
We also had quick bites along the way. Sham Foods served up juicy chicken shawarma, shaved straight off the spit and packed into pitta with salad and sauce. It was quick, simple and exactly what we wanted after walking around all day.

Kafenio 11
On our last evening in Nicosia, we stumbled upon Kafenio 11 during a walk. He had a local beer, possibly Greek, and I had a lemonade. A small plate of peanuts came with our drinks, a simple touch that made the stop feel cosy and relaxing as we soaked up the evening atmosphere.

Final Thoughts
Exploring Nicosia through its food was a highlight of our time in the city. From hearty traditional mezze to sweet ice creams, refreshing drinks and local snacks, every stop offered a taste of the city’s flavours and character. We loved discovering hidden cafés, bustling streets, and cosy tavernas, and ending our visit with familiar favourites like 96 Moipes made our culinary journey feel complete. Nicosia’s south side is full of delightful surprises, and its food reflects a warm, welcoming local culture that we will remember long after we left.

If you'd like, I can also assist in adding a meta description and SEO-friendly tags for the blog to make it ready for Squarespace. Let me know!