North Cyprus has a diverse cuisine that is influenced by Mediterranean, Turkish and Greek cooking styles but also has been effected by the Middle East, French and Italian cuisines.
Meat is widely used in Cypriot cuisine, usually cooked on the charcoal grill or baked in a stone oven. Kebabs such as doner and shish kebab are also common and considered a delicacy.
One of the most popular dishes is Meze, which is a common feature in Cypriot cuisine. Meze is a selection of small dishes that are served together as a meal or appetizer.
Additionally, North Cyprus has its own unique dishes such as Kleftiko, Bidda Badadez, Pirohu, Borek, and Ekmek Kadayifi as desert. Also, Cypriot potatoes are the best in the Middle East, so make sure to give them a try!
The location of Cyprus, being an island, offers a variety of freshly caught seafood options that are highly recommended. It is guaranteed to please and to travel you to special Mediterranean tastes.
Cyprus also offers a full range of freshly produced seasonal fruits and vegetables! Each season has its own range of vegetables and fruits including lemons, oranges, grapefruit, limes, apples, mandarins, apricots, pears, figs, cherries, nectarines, plums, pomegranates, bananas, strawberries, peaches and so on! Cyprus grapes are also very famous and different types of grapes are grown by farmers. Grapes are processed very well and turned into tasty wines.
The island is also self-sufficient in its vegetable growing industry, producing many vegetables including carrots, onions, peppers, beans, wheat, corn, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, marrows, aubergines, beetroot, kolokasi, tomatoes, lettuce, parsley, celery, mushrooms and potatoes. North Cyprus locals also use high-quality olive oil in their cooking that are made from freshly produced olives, one of the main agricultural products of the island.
As you can tell, Cypriot cuisine is an impressive and attractive mixture of several styles and even eras of culinary art that adds to the experience of exploring the lifestyle and culture of North Cyprus.
