Limassol is the largest port city on the south coast of Cyprus, with a medieval castle in its Old Town, a modern marina and seafront promenade, and the ancient sites of Kourion, Kolossi and Amathus within a short drive.
Limassol cooks Cypriot food with a cosmopolitan edge: charcoal-grilled halloumi, souvla, kleftiko (lamb baked in a sealed oven) and shared meze of 15 to 25 small plates, alongside fish at the seafront tavernas, Levantine and Japanese restaurants, and fine dining at the marina and hotels. The Old Town around Agiou Andreou street holds the traditional taverns; Mouttagiaka and Agios Tychon east of the centre hold the meze and seafood strips. Commandaria, the sweet wine of the nearby hills, and local Xynisteri and Maratheftiko wines suit the cooking.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Limassol.
Meze
A set sharing menu of many small plates of dips, salads, grilled halloumi, sausages and meat, built for two or more.
Where to try: Meze Taverna, Agiou Andreou 209; Forsos Tavern, Agiou Eleftheriou 49, Mouttagiaka
Price: EUR 20-35 (about USD 23-40.25) per person
Kleftiko
Lamb baked slowly in a sealed oven with potatoes and herbs.
Where to try: Meze Taverna, Agiou Andreou 209
Price: EUR 14-22 (about USD 16.1-25.3)
Grilled halloumi
Firm Cypriot cheese grilled until golden; eaten grilled or boiled.
Where to try: Any taverna, including Yialousa Tavern, Archangelou Michail 55, Mouttagiaka
Price: EUR 6-10 (about USD 6.9-11.5)
Fresh oysters
Oysters served by the half dozen on the seafront strip.
Where to try: Puesta Oyster Bar and Grill, Amathountos Avenue 42
Price: EUR 20-25 (about USD 23-28.75) for six
Levantine meze
Hummus, baba ghanoush, grilled meats and flatbread.
Where to try: Syrian Arab Friendship Club, Iliados 3, Germasogeia
Price: EUR 18-20 (about USD 20.7-23) per person
Fish by weight
Whole grilled sea bream or sea bass sold per kilo.
Where to try: Glaros Fish Tavern, Indira Gandhi 31; Limanaki, Amathus Beach Hotel
Price: EUR 45-75 (about USD 51.75-86.25) per kilo
Souvlaki
Charcoal-grilled pork or chicken skewers in pitta.
Where to try: Aristos and Kiki Kebab House, Limassol tourist area (+357 25 323769)
Price: EUR 5-10 (about USD 5.75-11.5)
Commandaria
Sweet dessert wine from the villages north of Limassol, served after meals.
Where to try: Dionysus Mansion, 16th June Street 5; most Old Town restaurants
Price: EUR 5-9 (about USD 5.75-10.35) per glass
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Mediterranean
Italian
Japanese
Food tours & tastings in Limassol
Eat your way through Limassol with a guide.
Browse food experiences in LimassolWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Souvlaki pitta
Grilled skewers in pitta with salad.
Find it at: Aristos and Kiki Kebab House, Limassol tourist area (+357 25 323769)
Sadji pie
Traditional pie, shown in a live demonstration on the Limassol Walks tour.
Find it at: Saripolou Square, Old Town
Halloumi and bread
Fresh halloumi and olives from the Saturday producers' market.
Find it at: Georgiou Tirotu Street Saturday market
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Limassol Municipal Market (Pantopoleio)
Historic covered market dating from 1918 at Saripolou Square, with fruit, vegetable and delicatessen stalls.
Hours: Fruit and vegetable section Mon-Sat about 06:00-15:00; confirm locally
Limassol Saturday Farmers' Market
About 104 producer stalls selling fruit, vegetables, halloumi, honey, eggs, fresh fish, wine and flowers.
Hours: Saturday 06:00-14:00
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch runs about 12:30-15:00 and dinner from 19:30; many tavernas stop taking orders around 22:00.
Order one meze per table for two or more; it is a full dinner.
Book Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch, especially at Forsos Tavern and Karatello.
Tipping of 5 to 10% is customary when service is not included.
Cash is useful at small tavernas and markets.
Mouttagiaka and Agios Tychon tavernas are a taxi ride from the centre; arrange the return in advance.
- Vegetarian
- Easy: halloumi, village salad, bean and vegetable dishes, and Levantine dips at the Syrian restaurant.
- Vegan
- Possible with hummus, lentil and bean dishes, olives and vegetable stews; ask whether olive oil is used.
- Halal
- Not widely labelled; Levantine restaurants and fish or vegetarian meze are practical choices.
- Gluten free
- Grilled meat, fish and salads are naturally gluten-free; avoid pitta, pies and pasta.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | EUR 20-30 (about USD 23-34.5) per day | Bakery breakfast, souvlaki pitta lunch and a shared tavern dinner. |
| Mid-range | EUR 45-70 (about USD 51.75-80.5) per day | Sit-down lunch and a full meze dinner with house wine. |
| Upscale | EUR 100-180 (about USD 115-207) per day | Marina or hotel restaurant dinner with wine, such as Sera or Epsilon. |