Keftedes
Cypriot meatballs
‘You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a pitta of souvlakia — and that’s kind of the same thing.’
On the top of the list of Cypriot cuisine is souvlakia, and for good reason. It is the most popular food choice due to its delicious taste and versatility, and it is easy to cook or order. You can practically find a souvlaki place on every corner you turn. Cypriots are very passionate about their souvlakia and no matter who you ask, they will tell you it’s the best food there is.
Souvlakia is small pieces of meat cut into cubes and placed on a skewer to be cooked over a grill — a barbecue, but with charcoal — then added into a pitta (Cypriot pitta bread) that has also been grilled on the barbecue.
Eat it standing up, wrapped in paper, the same evening you bought it — with tahini or tzatziki inside and the pitta still warm from the grill.
Cypriot meatballs
Tangy garlic cucumber dip
Sesame, lemon and garlic