Ok, so it’s not every day you’ll find yourself in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, on the long-disputed land of Cyprus. If you do though, chances are you’ll need to taste their local cuisine at Pampos’ traditional meat joint, To tavernaki tou Pampou. You’re so gonna like it!
Pampos has been treating patrons for the last 12 years, including many celebrities from Greece, so he must be doing something right.
Located very close to the Greek-Turkish border, in the heart of Nicosia this restaurant will amaze you for its traditional kebab-like Cypriot dish sheftalia. With roots across both Turkey and Greece (quite expected, no?) the name of sheftalia comes from the Turkish word şeftali, which means “peach” presumably referring to its texture. Make sure you order enough but beware this stuff is heavy!
Other delicacies include the original haloumi cheese (try the more matured version of it!) and eggs and sausages (pictured above). Finally, try the local lager beer of KEO if you’re down for a big pint with your umami lunch.
Traditional Cypriot sheftalia