As the weather changes, outdoor seating closes, and tables are moved indoors at the taverns and restaurants. Gradually, fireplaces are lit, creating a cosy atmosphere for the chilly nights ahead.
This season, we’re drawn to live music—guitar, bouzouki, and singing—at beautiful, well-kept spots in towns and villages that serve great food, allowing us to spend memorable evenings with friends and loved ones.
Check In recommends 15 excellent venues where you can experience unforgettable celebrations, live music, and savour delicious Cypriot cuisine.
GEUSICLEOUS 62
“Geusicleous 62” restaurant is a timeless destination for lovers of authentic Cypriot cuisine and live music. Combining tradition with modern flavours, it offers a unique experience to its guests.
Every dish at “Geusicleous 62” is a gastronomic delight, crafted with passion and fresh, local ingredients. The kitchen bases its recipes on traditional dishes, updated with modern touches, creating a menu to satisfy even the most discerning palates. The restaurant has been awarded Cyprus’s Golden Hats awards in 2019, 2022, and 2023 and is nominated again for the 2024 awards.
The restaurant’s warm and welcoming environment, coupled with excellent service, creates the perfect setting for a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, or a celebration. After dinner, the staff lowers the lights to let you relax in an inviting atmosphere, enjoying a carefully curated musical programme.
Address: Perikleous 62, Strovolos, 2021 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: 70001980
Opening Hours: Tue–Thu 12:30–3:15 pm & 7:30–10:15 pm, Sun 12:30–4:00 pm, Closed on Mon
Facebook: GEUSICLEOUS 62
Instagram: geusicleous62_restaurant
MELISSOS
One of the most popular and beloved tavern s in Nicosia, Melissos is located in Agios Dometios. This spot is packed in the summer, with reservations often required to enjoy its exceptional kleftiko, which is among the best in the city. Melissos is a well-maintained place offering delicious Cypriot cuisine with grilled dishes, stews, and a variety of traditional plates that you’ll love. On the menu, you’ll find quality food cooked with local ingredients and meats, prepared with selected traditional recipes.
Address: Agiou Pavlou, Agios Dometios, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: 22773674
Facebook: Melissos
MERAKLIS
Meraklis is a warm and friendly family tavern in the beautiful square of Apostolos Loukas, offering views of the church in the heart of Aradippou. Known for its good food, authentic flavours, and products from the region, Meraklis also provides great entertainment at very reasonable prices.
Address: Apostolou Louka Square, Aradippou, 7104, Larnaca
Tel: 99572547 / 97894339
Facebook: Meraklis
STOU MPATIRI TOU LOUKA
This charming tavern in the centre of Avdimou, Limassol, takes its name from the famous song “O Mpatiris o Loukas,” encouraging visitors to have a good time. Inside, you’ll find a traditional fireplace, graffiti, and decor that pays homage to well-known songs and Greek artists.
Address: Aganthous 11, Avdimou, Limassol
Tel: 99242550
Facebook: Stou Mpatiri tou Louka
Instagram: stoumpatiri.toulouka
PALIOUMOUKTAROS
Located in the picturesque village of Agios Theodoros in Larnaca, Paliomouktaros has been serving delicious and quality food since 2009. Known for its exceptional meze and grilled dishes, it quickly became a top choice among Cypriots.
Address: Filiou Tsigaridi 12, 7730, Agios Theodoros, Larnaca
Tel: 24323323
Instagram: paliomouxtaros
Facebook: Παραδοσιακή Ταβέρνα Παλιομούχταρος
PERI TIS OUSIAS MEZEDAKIA
This tavern, with over ten years in operation, has taught us to appreciate substance in its dishes, as the name suggests. It promises quality meze dishes and a relaxed environment for memorable moments.
Address: Panagias Evangelistrias, Kato Polemidia, Limassol
Tel: 25397705
Facebook: Peri tis Ousias mezedes
Plaka Tavern
A historic tavern in Nicosia, Plaka has been serving delicious dishes from the Cypriot cuisine since 1969. Located in Engomi, it boasts a cosy indoor area with traditional decor and a lovely outdoor patio for enjoying the fresh air alongside its well-known, flavourful meze dishes and a selection of other fine options. With 55 years of operation, Plaka remains a traditional taverna offering a wide variety of wines and an array of home-cooked, lovingly prepared dishes. Known for its quality ingredients, reasonable prices, and friendly, efficient service, Plaka promises not only a meal but also entertainment, with live music on Fridays. Enjoy an authentic and tasty Cypriot menu with starters like village salad, tahini, tzatziki, beets, olives, spicy cheese dip, and aubergine salad. Grill options include pork and chicken souvlaki, sheftalia, mushrooms, halloumi, village sausage, and pork souvla. Traditional dishes range from kritharaki (orzo) with minced meat, courgettes with eggs, mushrooms with onions, meatballs, snails, and liver. For dessert, try the seasonal fruits, ricotta pastries, or spoon sweets.
Address: 6-8 Archiepiskopou Makariou III, Engomi, Nicosia. Tues-Sat 19.30-00.00.
Tel: 22352898
Facebook: Plaka Tavern
Instagram: plaka.tavern.cy.official
Email: [email protected]
Zenon Tavern & Meze Restaurant
Zenon in central Larnaca offers a unique culinary experience that combines traditional Cypriot cuisine with modern tastes, open daily from midday until late. Choose from two types of meze—the hearty “Zenon” or the grill-focused option—alongside à la carte choices that promise a hearty, satisfying meal. The menu celebrates Cypriot heritage, with recipes passed down through generations. Try the pan-fried chicken liver with Commandaria, feta with honey and sesame, chicken soufflé, fresh courgettes with yoghurt sauce, lemon rabbit, and halloumi with tomato sauce. Freshly baked bread from their wood-fired oven is also served warm.
Address: Makedonias 8, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: 70002450
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12.00-00.00 & Fri-Sat 12.00-01.00
Instagram: mezedopolio_taverna_zenon
Avlotopi Tavern
Located in the village of Anglisides in Larnaca, Avlotopi offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with excellent service that makes you feel at home. Enjoy authentic meze where the grilled meats are prepared over charcoal and cooked dishes feature a unique Cypriot flair. Vegetarian meze is available during fasting periods.
Address: Agias Marinas 1, Anglisides, Larnaca
Tel: 24433100 . Tues-Sat 18.00 till late.
Facebook: Avlotopi Tavern
Instagram: avlotopi
Mezedofolia Tavern
In the beautiful village of Agios Theodoros in Larnaca, Mezedofolia serves delicious Cypriot cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting. The tavern lives up to its name, offering a generous array of meze made from fresh, local ingredients. The famous local dish, tava, is a must-try that will keep you coming back for more. With a cosy atmosphere and smiling staff, Mezedofolia is ideal for gatherings with friends and family. Complete your meal with a unique ricotta-filled pastry for dessert. As the weather cools, the tavern lights up the fireplace to create a cosy ambiance.
Address: Antonaki Manoli 30, Agios Theodoros, Larnaca
Tel: 24322541
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 17.00-00.00 (Closed Wednesdays). Open on Sunday afternoons.
Facebook: Mezedofolia Tavern
Instagram: mezedofwlia_tavern
Art Eat Tavern
Art Eat, nestled in the scenic mountain village of Pano Platres, offers traditional Greek home-cooked dishes amidst the Troodos forest, accompanied by the sounds of nightingales. Artist Froso Andreou has designed the decor, and the menu, prepared by chef Alexandra from Samos, reflects the secrets of Greek island cuisine. Daily-changing menus are available online, and live cooking BBQ events are held on Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons with chef Jeffrey Hoffens.
Address: Aidonion 5, Pano Platres
Tel: 96952100
Opening hours: Fri 12.00-late, Sat 8:30 a.m.-late, Sun 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Open every day on holidays.
Facebook: ArtEat Restaurants Platres
Kreatofageio tis Kakomiras
This beloved traditional tavern is known as “kreatofageion” (meat eatery) for its excellent grill and quality meats. Located on the busy Nikou Pattichi Avenue in Limassol, this cosy, welcoming space serves a wide range of Cypriot meze, with live music on Fridays and Saturdays. The tavern also hosts receptions and parties.
Address: Nikou Pattichi 72, Limassol
Tel: 25334605
Openining hours: Tues-Thurs 18.00-00.00, Fri-Sat 18.00-01.45.
Facebook: Tis Kakomiras
Instagram: tiskakomoiras_kreatofageion
To Steki tis Scharas
Located on busy Stasikratous Street, Steki tis Scharas is renowned for its high-quality food and relaxed fun vibe. With a traditional decor and family atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy Cypriot flavours. Their delicious grilled meats and generous meze options make it an ideal escape from daily life.
Address: 8A Stasikratous, Nicosia
Tel: 22671787 .
Facebook: To Steki tis Scharas
Instagram: to_steki_tis_sxaras
Stenorimi
In the charming Aglantzia square of Nicosia, Stenorimi offers a nostalgic village-like setting amidst stone-built alleys. Known for their quality meats and affordable prices, the two brothers behind Stenorimi take food quality seriously. Expect a range of well-grilled meats and traditional meze.
Address: Kyriakou Karaoli 3, Aglantzia, Nicosia
Tel: 22876543
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 19.00-23.00
Facebook: Stenorimi Tavern
Instagram: stenorimi
Full Tou Meze
Full Tou Meze in Agios Dometios offers authentic Cypriot hospitality in a cosy, recently renovated space perfect for colder nights. Everything here is at the maximum—flavour, quality, portions, hospitality, and entertainment. Enjoy delicious, hearty Cypriot meze, home-cooked dishes, and fresh seafood.
Address: Agiou Pavlou 87, Agios Dometios, Nicosia.
Tel: 22777355
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 18.30-23.00, Sun 12.00-16.00 & 18.30-23.00
Facebook: Full Tou Meze – Nicosia
Instagram: foultoumeze
Website: fulltoumeze.cy
