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What Food To Try in Larnaca and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Larnaca for 2024.

National currency: Euro, symbol — € (international currency code EUR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Larnaca cafes and restaurants
$16.4 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $10.92
$57.3 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $43.67
$8.7 
Combo Meal
Starting from $6.55

What to Try in Larnaca

Must-try Dishes
Shakshuka - Shakshuka (poached eggs in sauce) - Poached eggs nestled in a flavorful tomato sauce with peppers and spices, often served with crusty bread. Locals enjoy this hearty breakfast dish on lazy weekends, dipping bread into the sauce.

Koupepia - Stuffed Grape Leaves - Grape leaves filled with a savory mix of rice, minced meat, and herbs, slowly simmered until tender. This dish is a staple at family gatherings, usually served with a side of yogurt.

Mousaka - Moussaka (layered bake) - Layers of eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce baked to perfection, resulting in a creamy, rich dish. It's commonly shared during dinner, especially on Sundays, when families come together.

Souvlaki - Souvlaki (grilled meat skewers) - Tender marinated meat skewers, grilled until smoky, served with pita and fresh salad. A popular street food, locals grab this quick bite for lunch, often mistaken for regular kebabs.

Foul - Foul Mudammas (stewed fava beans) - Creamy fava beans cooked with olive oil, garlic, and lemon, enjoyed as a hearty breakfast. You'll often see locals at cafes ordering this dish, ideally eaten fresh with warm bread.

Halloumi - Halloumi (grilled cheese) - Thick slices of halloumi cheese grilled until golden and slightly crispy. It's a fantastic choice for a mid-afternoon snack, and locals love pairing it with watermelon, an unexpectedly delightful combination.

Avgolemono - Avgolemono (lemony soup) - A comforting soup made with chicken, rice, and a rich lemon-egg sauce that creates a silky texture. Particularly popular during winter months, it's heartwarming during cold days when family dinners are common.

Desserts & Drinks
Cyprus Coffee - καφές Κύπρου (strong coffee) - Finely ground coffee simmered in a small pot with water, often served with a side of sugar. This rich coffee is usually enjoyed in the morning or after a meal; locals take their time sipping it, often accompanied by a chat with friends over the warm ambiance of a local café.

Commandaria - Κοινοτική Οίνος (sweet wine) - A dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes, known for its sweet and rich flavor. Perfect for toasting during celebrations, locals typically serve it slightly chilled alongside traditional Cypriot desserts, making it a festive staple especially during weddings and holidays.

Jus de Grape - Χυμός Σταφυλιού (fresh grape juice) - This refreshing drink is made from freshly pressed grapes, typically enjoyed chilled on warm days. You’ll find locals sipping this at outdoor markets or during grape harvest season, where the juice is sweet and flavorful—don’t underestimate its deliciousness!

Baklava - Μπακλαβάς (sweet pastry) - Layers of flaky pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup, resulting in a delightful, flaky texture. Often enjoyed during special occasions such as holidays or family gatherings, it’s best served slightly warm with a cup of Cyprus coffee for that perfect pairing.

Glyko Koutaliou - Γλυκό του Κουταλιού (spoon sweet) - A delightful preserved fruit served on a spoon, typically made from citrus or cherries and soaked in syrup. This sweet treat is often offered to guests, symbolizing hospitality; it’s usually served chilled, making it the perfect ending to a meal during hot summer evenings. By the way, locals often mistake it for regular jam; it's much sweeter and richer!

Food and Groceries in Larnaca

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $2.18
Bananas $1.97
Oranges $2.07
Potatoes $1.39
Apples $2.49
Beverages
Water 1.5L $1.25
0.5L Local Beer $1.72
Imported Beer $2.79
Wine Rating >4.0 $7.64
Milk 1L $1.99

Various Groceries
Meat (Beef or Pork) $12.65
Chicken $8.7
Cigarettes $5.46
Rice $2.51
Local Cheese $12.28

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

You’ll often find Larnaca’s locals enjoying their evening meals around 8 PM, a timing that might surprise visitors accustomed to earlier dinners. This later mealtime allows families to come together after work and relax over a delicious spread. In busy areas like Finikoudes or the old town, restaurants buzz with chatter, and the tables spill out onto the sidewalks, creating a lively atmosphere.

Dining out in Larnaca is generally quite affordable. For example, you can easily find a generous meal for about €12 to €20 per person, especially in more casual spots. Meanwhile, high-end restaurants in the tourist areas can push that figure above €40. I remember a lovely dinner at a seaside restaurant where I paid around €25 for a seafood platter that was filling and memorable—perfectly grilled fish with local sides.

Visiting during the off-peak hours, say, around 5 PM, often yields a quieter experience, and most places will be less crowded. I've found that trying to eat before 7 PM minimizes wait times at popular spots. Oh, and before I forget, if you’re looking to avoid disappointment, it’s wise to make reservations, especially on weekends and during the tourist season. Many local diners do this to secure their favorite tables.

As for payment, cash is still prevalent here, but many places accept cards. Just be aware that some smaller establishments may prefer cash, especially those in the older parts of town. It’s also important to factor in that service charges aren't typically included in the price, so it’s customary to leave a tip around 5-10% for good service.

One dining custom that’s quite charming involves sharing dishes among the table. This family-style approach encourages communal dining and is a great way to sample a variety of flavors. It’s common to see numerous mezze on a table, with everyone digging in and enjoying the experience together.

A frequent misstep for tourists is underestimating the impact of local lunchtime. Many eateries scale back service and may close between 3 PM and 6 PM for a break, which can leave hungry visitors waiting. Knowing that most locals cherish their lunch around 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM is key to planning your day wisely.

Looking ahead, there’s a noticeable increase in casual dining spots focused on fresh, healthy ingredients, with younger locals steering towards lighter, contemporary meals. This evolving trend reflects a growing interest in wellness that’s reshaping the culinary scene in Larnaca.




Tourist Reviews

All photos and texts belong to their authors
@anna_shevchaaa
« Four bruschettas and two beers...17 euros...not much to indulge 😳😝 eating out in cafes and restaurants here is super pricey 😬👽🙈 we headed to the market for food)) »
@vladislav_korzh
« We are having lunch with bread for 2 euros and beans for 0.60 euros. »
@antonkh74
« If you love meat and want to eat deliciously and affordably in Larnaca, then welcome to Fenikoudes. It’s located near the castle, you won’t miss it. We had lunch there for four people, really indulging in meat, and it cost about 22 euros. And that includes a salad, a frappe (you can't go without it in Cyprus), and juice for the kids. Today we even had to wait in line to get in. »
@slawastyle
« Biking in Larnaca is an adventure best undertaken in the late evening; otherwise, it's just too hot! But it's definitely enjoyable! The price is just €3.5 for 3 hours or €6 for the entire day! 😊

P.S. There are bike lanes, but not everywhere. Overall, the infrastructure feels a bit half-baked in Larnaca! »
@anyakoshka
« Cypriot ice cream yogurt (€2 for 100g). So delicious! 😜 You can add various toppings. »
@anyakoshka
« Our first dinner in Larnaca ($21.50), after which we practically crawled out of there. We ordered a portion of salad with tuna, a plate of assorted grilled meat with potatoes, and a beer. The portions were about three times larger than what we’re used to. One plate of salad would have been more than enough for the two of us. On top of that, we got pickled cucumbers with small spicy peppers, warm crispy flatbreads, and a sauce (I still couldn't figure out what it was made of). To avoid upsetting the owners with too much leftover food on our plates, we fed some to the nearby cats :) »
@bubaila
« In the first hotel, breakfast was included. We went out in the morning, and they asked us if we wanted coffee or tea. Coffee, please! We settled in, and then an elderly gentleman came with a tray, bringing coffee and juice. He said he’d bring milk. He brought it and left, and after about 10 minutes, we realized that for $3.5, we were just going to drink 😄. »