Where can you try fish meze in Cyprus?

What is meze? This is probably one of the most common questions you’ll hear in Cyprus. Meze isn’t just a dish; it’s a traditional feast consisting of 15–20 small dishes. Although, ‘small’ is perhaps a bit of an understatement… The main feature of meze is that it’s a dish intended for at least two people.

So what does a fish meze consist of? Traditionally, the meal begins with dips (taramasalata, tahini, hummus), olives, grilled halloumi, capers and other cold starters. This is followed by a selection of seafood starters: marinated octopus, squid and prawns in batter, fried ‘seed’ crabs, red mullet and other bountiful gifts from the sea.

For the main course, you’ll usually be offered a variety of local fish, whilst the highlight of the meal – and the ultimate treat for foodies – is grilled sea bream.

The cost of a fish meze in Cyprus usually ranges from 15 (coastal fish tavernas) to 25 euros (Limassol).

So where should you try a fish meze?

Fish meze in Limassol

In Limassol itself, it’s quite difficult to find a traditional fish tavern. A fish restaurant in the old town was popular for many years, but we cannot recommend it as we haven’t been there, preferring more authentic establishments.

If you want not only to sample exquisite fish meze but also to dine in a cosy setting, you could head to the Limanaki restaurant at the 5* Amathus Hotel. It’s not exactly a budget option, but believe us, it’s well worth a try. To the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, you’ll be served magnificent dishes right by the sea!

There are three set menus to choose from, priced between 42 and 84 euros per person (minimum order: 2 portions). The most affordable option includes a Greek salad, a smoked aubergine salad, tirokafteri, a salad with salmon roe, marinated sardines, baked feta cheese with tomato confit, olive oil and oregano, fried red mullet, grilled squid with capers and tomato salsa, fresh fish with baked potatoes and grilled vegetables, as well as seasonal fruit and traditional Cypriot sweets.

Now, if you’d like to try a more traditional option in a less luxurious setting, it’s worth heading to the Captain’s Table restaurant in the village of Zigi or to Governor’s Beach.

The fish meze at Captain’s Table costs 25 euros. Of course, you won’t find the same level of sophistication as at Amathus, but you won’t be disappointed here either: the freshest fish and seafood are delivered to this restaurant directly by fishermen who catch them in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The restaurant is situated right on the seafront, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll whilst you wait for your delicious meal.

Many locals prefer to visit the tavernas nestled amongst the snow-white cliffs of Governor’s Beach. They say the quality of the fish meze here is unrivalled, and the price is a pleasant surprise – around 15 euros per person!

Seafood meze in Paphos

The best choice you can make in Paphos isn’t the city centre, but a place situated 40 km away, near the Akamas Peninsula. It’s said that the best fish restaurants in this part of the island are in the village of Latsi (Latsi). Head straight to the harbour, as that’s where you’ll be able to sample the freshest fish and seafood!

The price of meze here is slightly lower than in Limassol – from 17 to 20 euros per person.

In Paphos itself, it’s worth visiting the ‘Pelican’ restaurant, situated opposite the castle. They serve excellent cuisine here, and the fish is prepared using traditional recipes. The superb seafood is well worth trying, such as mussels in garlic sauce. Although the restaurant is situated in the heart of the tourist area, the quality here is excellent and you won’t regret your visit.

Seafood meze in Ayia Napa and Protaras

Famagusta’s fish restaurants have earned a well-deserved reputation not only amongst visitors to the island but also amongst locals. Virtually any of the local establishments will offer you a fairly extensive selection of fish and seafood.

But of all the restaurants in this area, we’ve chosen Creative Cyprus Tavern, situated on the road from Ayia Napa to Protaras. It might seem like a small roadside eatery… but you can’t even imagine the delicacies, worthy of a top-class restaurant, that await you here! Incidentally, this is almost the only place in Cyprus where fish soup is included in the fish meze.

The presentation of the dishes alone will satisfy even the most discerning guests: everything is beautifully presented, with taste and imagination. We believe this is a significant factor: you can really see how much love goes into maintaining the establishment’s high standards.

So, there are a considerable number of restaurants in Cyprus offering fish meze. Our recommendation is to head to a little-known taverna, where you’ll be offered a selection of traditional Cypriot dishes, or to a fashionable restaurant serving authentic dishes with a touch of sophistication. The choice is yours! It all depends entirely on what you fancy. Whichever restaurant you choose from our recommended list, you won’t regret it: a gentle sea breeze, a pleasant atmosphere and good company will, without a doubt, make your lunch or dinner at a fish tavern unforgettable!