Cyprus (Turkish) » Dining in Lefkosa

The restaurant in Cyprus Turkish offers some of the finest authentic Cypriot cuisine in Northern Cyprus, with superb starters and grilled meats. The interior is crammed with mementos of village life, from a plough and loom to handicrafts. European cuisine is widely available in North Cyprus, but there are many local and typical “middle eastern” specialties such as meze which can be enjoyed both in the hotels and in smaller restaurants and coffee houses.

Meze (appetizer) which is served on a collection of saucers can accompany one's sunset drink or even take the place of a main meal. It can consist of local cheeses such as halloumi or feta, made from mixed goat and sheep's milk; green or black olives; octopus; houmous (made from ground chickpeas), a variety of sliced meats, sliced fresh or pickled vegetables and yoghurt.

A typical Turkish, or Turkish Cypriot restaurant meal consists of meze, kebabs (lamb or chicken) or fish, followed by fruit and coffee. Meze is a selection of hot and cold appetizers. Cypriot home cooking s different and is only found in a handful of restaurants in Northern Cyprus, so you will have to look out for them. Probably the most famous of Cypriot culinary specialities is halloumi cheese as it is best known. This full-fat soft cheese is made from whole goat's milk, salt and a touch of mint. It is typically served with salads, cucumber or melon. It also makes an excellent side dish, as well as fried or grilled topping. Another speciality is molehiya, a green leafy vegetable which grows only in Cyprus and on the banks of the Nile.

It is usually cooked with chicken or meat and is delicious and wholesome. Another interesting vegetable, unknown outside Cyprus is Kolokas, a root vegetable which when cooked (again with lamb or chicken) has the texture of potato but a sweeter taste. Cypriots have two kind of unique kebabs and both of them can be found quite easily in restaurants. There are also the favourite traditional, non alcoholic drinks; Ayran (Butter milk) and Turkish coffee.