Traditional Cypriot Cuisine
Discover one of the best restaurants in historic Old Town Paphos, Myrra Tavern, where tradition intertwines with flavors. Myrra Tavern proudly acts as a culinary bridge between the rich past and vibrant present of Cyprus. Nestled in a picturesque corner of Old Town, this family-owned restaurant is highly regarded for one of the best meze experiences Paphos boasts: fresh ingredients combined with timeless recipes.
Myrra Tavern is renowned for its exceptional Cypriot food, offering a variety of traditional dishes that reflect the island’s rich culinary heritage.
Savor this mouth-watering array of delicious traditional Cypriot delicacies: meats and seafood perfectly grilled and seasonal vegetables freshly prepared to give one the real taste of the island. Be it a searching spot for relaxation after visiting quaint streets of Old Town or just in search of the best meze in Paphos, friendly Myrra Tavern promises that every meal is a feast.
So, let’s dine out in a manner that embodies all that Old Town has in store for you in terms of hospitality, and remember this: takeout gives you the opportunity to enjoy our flavors wherever you are!
Seafood and Grill Options
Myrra Tavern is proud to serve you the best of Paphos restaurants: our grill and seafood dishes, melting traditional Cyprus flavors into the freshness of its ingredients. From tender, perfectly seasoned souvlaki skewers to lamb chops, each grilled to smoky perfection. It is such cuisine that has inspired, summarized, and emanated from the traditional Cypriot recipes for enjoyment and sharing. It creates a hearty, full-of-flavors dining experience that brings friends and family together, complemented by our great service.
Seafood lovers will love the freshness of the locally selected grilled octopus, succulent prawns, and daily catch specials that bring the Mediterranean Sea right to your table, making it one of the standout restaurants in Paphos. Each of these seafood delicacies is marinated with care and grilled to perfection, giving every single bite the real essence of Cypriot coastal cuisine. Served with traditional sides and homemade dips, these grill and seafood plates surely are a run for the riches with the great history of Paphos.
Whether you come to us for warm evening meal or a takeaway, our grills and seafood simply offer a true taste of Cyprus that will be remembered.
Traditional Restaurants
Taste real Cyprus at Myrra Tavern, we serve traditional restaurant with Cypriot cuisine with a modern flair. At Myrra Tavern, we safeguard rich heritage by providing an elaborate menu consisting of beloved classics which epitomize all that is special about the island’s culinary traditions.
Come for the warm welcome of our cozy traditional taverna, inviting space where every dish is crafted with fresh, locally resourced ingredients. For fun food, it’s all about favorites that include Souvlaki, grilled halloumi, and our signature meze-a myriad of small plates that invite one to enjoy a wide range of flavors. Dishes at our Paphos Restaurant are intended to bring people together, reflecting the Cypriot spirit of family and hospitality. For a more casual yet refined experience, visit a lounge bar perfect for leisurely meals or drinks while enjoying beautiful views.
The Cyprus Meze
In Cyprus, “meze” or “maza” is something more than a meal-it is a whole dining experience based on Cypriot culture and hospitality. A loanword from Arabic mazza, which means “to taste,” the Cypriot meze consists of a succession of small, savory dishes served in succession, allowing for the tasting of a wide variety of the island’s products. This form of dining will present your guests with a wide array of flavors and textures, from fresh vegetables to aromatic herbs, grilled meats, and savory seafood.
Traditional meze would start with cold dishes: cold dishes like refreshing yogurt and cucumber dip called tzatziki, hummus, and olives; salads; fresh bread; and grilled halloumi cheese. As the meal progresses, items become larger: souvlaki, or grilled meat on a skewer, keftedes, which is the Greek equivalent of meatballs, and loukaniko, or Cypriot sausage. For those near the sea, seafood like grilled octopus and calamari are also usual dishes that add in that great taste of the Mediterranean. The food comes out in such a way that diners are able to have a little at a time and chat along.
A meze for the Cypriots is not merely a meal; it is a way of socializing-as in being-a spirit so characteristic of Cypriots: friendly, hospitable, and full of generosity. This course, traditionally shared among friends and family, could very well let a meze create that casual, convivial setting where laughter and conversations flow so free, as would the dishes. Whether this be in some quaint little taverna or in the comfort of a family home, meze is traditional; it’s the most genuine way to be introduced to the flavors and hospitality of Cyprus.
Types of Meze
In Cyprus, meze is a feast for one’s senses; something to satisfy every palate. In general, meze epitomizes the heart and soul of Cyprus because it comprises so many small delectable dishes. There is usually a very long list of starters that comprises fresh olives, tzatziki, and grilled halloumi, which truly creates a very traditional meal.
Vegetarian Meze
And for vegetarians, the vegetarian meze explosion of colors is also a treat that can satiate their taste buds. From grilled vegetables to fried flowers of zucchini, to Cypriot Village Salad-fresh and earthy tastes all brought to your table. Mix them with a glass of wine from the local vineyard and savor every piece with the great aromas of roasted vegetables and herbs.
Seafood Meze
Seafood lovers may delve into a fish meze that epitomizes the Mediterranean-from grilled octopus to calamari, and from the catch of the day. Each course highlights the treasures of the Cypriot waters: an aroma of fresh fish on the grill that completes the salty taste in the mouth with views of seaside dining.
Meat Meze
Meat meze in Cyprus can boast a really broad spectrum of flavors, reflecting the fondness of the islanders for substantial and pungent dishes. It’s the highlight of traditional dining, comprising an impressive variety of meats that includes souvlaki, keftedes, loukaniko, spicy Cypriot sausage, and tender lamb chops. Aromas from these grilled and spiced foods fill the room, creating the deliciously inviting atmosphere that urges you to eat and enjoy.
Adding variety, the spiced, cured meat is called mpastourma, an acquired taste that Cypriots just love. With every single bite, it is a taste of Cyprus’ gastronomical history because spices and flavors have combined in a food way passed from generation to generation. Other specialties that are usually included in the menu are pork belly and marinated chicken, which are ready to be cooked on slow cookers or over the grill.
The whole meze experience is accentuated with a glass of local wine, which enhances the smoky, savory flavors of the meats, seafood and veggies. The succession of dishes coming out one after another gives a feeling of roasted and grilled meats building in aroma in the atmosphere and really instills in the human senses their cuisine. The Cyprus meze is not only a meal but a celebration in itself of the traditional dining culture of Cyprus and Cypriot food, better enjoyed with family and friends to make every meeting memorable.
Reservations
You can make a reservation online via our booking form or via telephone, we have the possibilities to cater for bigger parties, but also make your night more special if you have any requests.
