Explore the best cafes in Nicosia, Cyprus—from charming hidden gems to trendy coffee houses. Discover where to find the perfect brew, cozy ambiance, and delightful treats in the heart of the city.

1. Apomero

We slip down a narrow alley near the Famagusta Gate and—boom—Nicosia suddenly goes quiet. Apomero is that rare old-town hideout that feels like a pause button: open from early morning until late at night, and somehow always calm enough to make you forget you’re in a capital city. The first friendly face you’ll meet is Mrs. Androulla, the kind of hostess who makes you feel like you’ve been expected (even if you clearly just wandered in by accident).

Here’s the deal: she makes the good stuff. Homemade savory and sweet bites—orange pies, mahalepi, spinach pies, syrup pies—the kind of plates that convince you “just one more” is a reasonable life plan. Pair them with anything from traditional Cypriot coffee to cappuccino, or go full evening-mode with beer, wine, or ouzo. Pro tip: come twice—once for the morning calm, once when the day cools down and the café turns into your late-night refuge.

 Polyviou, Nicosia 1016 | facebook.com/toapomeron/

2. Ta Kala Kathoumena 

We’re not saying Ta Kala Kathoumena is always busy… but we’re also not not saying it. Open since 1996, this place pulls a crowd year-round like it has a secret magnet under the floorboards. People regularly wait for hours to get a table, which is either dedication or madness (and we respect both).

Beyond coffee, you’ll find homemade lemonades that taste like someone actually cared, plus a lineup of beers—Cypriot labels and other familiar brands. The fun part? The quirky drinks: sumada, and their signature PonyRose cocktail—lemonade, rose, bream, soda, and fresh mint—refreshing, odd, and weirdly addictive.

Nikokleous 21, Faneromeni Square, Nicosia | facebook.com/takalakathoumena/

3. 7 Kleidia (7 Κλειδιά)

Some places don’t just “open” on a street—they take it over. 7 Kleidia has basically conquered a peaceful pedestrian lane just a short stroll from the old town’s lively center, and honestly, we’re glad it did. It kicks off around 4 pm and runs late, which means it’s perfect for that twilight moment when you’re done sightseeing but not ready to retreat into your cave (hotel room).

Order coffee, ouzo, or beers, then commit to a proper snack situation: cheese and charcuterie boards, plus a strong wine catalog and a long list of spirits—cognac, gin, whiskey, vodka, the whole “we’re staying out” menu. If you like cocktails with personality, try their Pikramandalo: bitter almond liqueur, mastic, and lemon—sharp, fragrant, and dangerously easy to keep ordering.

Trikoupi 92, Nicosia 1015 | www.facebook.com/Καφενείο-7-κλειδιά

4. Kafeneio 11

We love a place that makes you work a little for it. Near Hamam Omerye, you’ll find a hidden courtyard bursting with climbing plants and bougainvillea—tucked away behind interiors like a secret garden for people who take snacks seriously. Kafeneio 11 starts at 10 am with coffee and a straightforward, satisfying breakfast: bread, homemade jams, eggs, lunza, cheeses—simple, comforting, effective.

Then the day shifts gears: afternoon lemonades roll into late-night gatherings with ouzo, wine, and zivania, plus those small plates everyone “just shares” (and then fights over). Don’t skip their classics: fava beans, marinated anchovy, vinegared octopus, dakos salad, giant beans, vegetarian dolmades. And keep an eye out for the newer addition: Burlotto with bucovo, feta, and tomato, baked in the oven—warm, punchy, and very hard to stop eating. Pro tip: come hungry and don’t rush; this place rewards slow afternoons that accidentally become evenings.

 Pyreos 27, Nicosia 1016 | instagram.com/kafeneio11/

5. swimming birds

We’re suckers for big windows and a good pedestrian street, and swimming birds delivers both—right near the archaeological findings by the new Nicosia City Hall. Mornings here are all about aromatic coffee and espresso, with snacks and sweets waiting in the back courtyard like a quiet little reward. And then, casually, it turns into a bar as the day slides into afternoon: wines, cocktails, craft Cypriot beers, homemade iced tea, plus music that makes you want to stay for “one last drink.”

Catch sunset, order a Negroni, and watch the old town glow like it’s showing off (which, honestly, it is). Pro tip: come late afternoon—best chance to see the full transformation from café calm to evening buzz without feeling like you arrived at the wrong party.

Παλιάς Ηλεκτρικής 5, Nicosia 1016 | instagram.com/swimming_birds/

6. KIVU

KIVU is the kind of small, cozy coffee shop that instantly makes you reassess your standards (why don’t all cafés smell this good?). Tucked on Ifigenias, it’s warm, welcoming, and quietly serious about coffee. Here, beans show up from Brazil, Kenya, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, and the brews lean specialty—think aeropress and dripper methods that make coffee feel like a tiny international trip in a cup.

The team is happy to explain what you’re drinking without making you feel clueless, and you can pair your cup with savory, freshly baked croissants, steamed spinach pie, and a rotating cast of sweet treats. Pro tip: if you’re new to specialty coffee, ask what they’d recommend today—it’s the easiest way to get something great without overthinking it.

35A Ifigenias, Strovolos, Nicosia | facebook.com/Kivu.com.cy/

7. ERMOU 271 TO DIXORO (ΤΟ ΔΙΧΩΡΟ)

We’re always weak for an old mansion turned café bar, and ERMOU 271 TO DIXORO nails the mood: tucked into an ancient home in old Nicosia, it feels intimate and slightly cinematic—like you’re about to overhear a love story or a business deal (or both). You can keep it simple with aromatic coffee, or go all-in with cocktails, fine wines, cheese and fruit boards, plus the occasional pancake moment when your body demands comfort.

There’s also hookah, and a soundtrack that fits the setting—jazz-hop, chill-hop, funk, swing, old-school grooves. It’s cozy, it’s local, it’s the kind of place you “just pop into” and then somehow lose track of time. Pro tip: come after dark when the mansion vibe really shows off and the music starts doing half the seducing for you.

Ermou 271, Nicosia 1017 | instagram.com/ermou271/

8. Korniza Baroque

Korniza Baroque is the old town’s “let’s just see what happens” café bar—laid-back, spontaneous, and housed inside a historic building that does half the ambiance work for them. You can roll in for coffee and tea, switch to natural juices, then gradually drift into beers, wines, and cocktails like it was always the plan. Food-wise, it’s practical and snackable: little sides, sandwiches, and individual pizzas that keep you upright when the night starts stretching.

Weekends bring DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, and in summer there’s a cozy courtyard with outdoor tables—perfect for long chats and slow drinks while the old town hums around you. Pro tip: come on a warm evening and aim for the courtyard; it’s one of those spots where you look up and think, “Right, this is why we travel.”

 Σούτσου 9, Nicosia 1016 | instagram.com/kornizabaroque/

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