Souvlaki is a beloved dish in Cyprus, so we went on a quest to find the best places in Nicosia to enjoy this delightful meal. Whether Greek-style or the classic, traditional version, souvlaki always has a special spot on our dining tables.
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1. Apantisi
Apantisi, which opened in 1996, is renowned for two specialties: its exquisite souvlaki and unique seftalia, which are unrivaled elsewhere. It earned the Best Souvlaki title at the 2014 Cyprus Eating Awards and remains a nominee each year, maintaining its reputation for taste and quality. The eatery presents a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with several small tables. It is recently renovated and features a cozy fireplace, perfect for chilly nights.
The venue is a favorite for music enthusiasts, offering live music by Panagiotas Prokopas, Yiannis Theotokis, and Chrysantho Chrysanthous every Friday at 9 PM. Football fans also gather here to watch matches. Known for its skilled grilling, Apantisi serves generous portions of traditional flavors with authentic service. The menu includes succulent steaks, tasty wine, grilled ribs, lamb, beef liver, and more. In the evening, it’s the place to savor unique, traditional Cypriot mezes with 20 dishes, including salads and appetizers like olives, tahini, beetroot, yogurt, and other specialties.
Archiepiskopou Makariou 98, Kato Lakatamia, Nicosia | facebook.com/apantisi
2. Foukou Tou Yiakoumi
Foukou Tou Yiakoumi in Engomi is a must-visit spot for traditional Cypriot skewers. Locals say if you haven’t tried a souvlaki from here, you haven’t tasted true Cypriot souvlaki. This small place may have only a few tables but is famous for serving big flavors and top-quality grilled meats.
For years, this eatery has been grilling meats with care and expertise. They focus on fresh, high-quality Cypriot ingredients, using locally sourced meats and aromatic herbs. Their skewers and sheftalies are handmade daily by skilled cooks who ensure everything is fresh and full of flavor.
The menu has plenty of options beyond the famous skewers. You can fill your pita with choices like chicken souvlaki, mixed meats, halloumi, mushrooms, sausage, pastourma, or a mix of them all. If you’re looking for a bigger meal, the Giakoumi Variety platter includes pork and chicken souvlaki, seftalia, sausage, halloumi, and mushrooms. Other dishes include chicken fillet and leg, large or spicy pork steak, veal steak, wine-marinated pork pancetta, pork and lamb ribs, beef liver, and pork burgers. You can also add sides, fresh salads, and crispy, freshly fried potatoes to complete your meal.
Lykavitou 52, 2401 Engomi, Nicosia | facebook.com/foukoutouyiakoumi
3. O Gyros Tis Akropolis
O Gyros Tis Acropolis, in the heart of Nicosia, is a favorite spot for tasty, well-cooked gyros. Their gyros are made on a vertical metal spit, giving them a unique and delicious flavor. They use high-quality meat and fresh ingredients to make every bite satisfying. While their gyros are famous, their souvlaki is just as popular, making this place a must-visit for food lovers in the city.
Recently, they opened a second location in Agios Dometios called “The Grill of the Acropolis.” This new spot focuses on classic Cypriot souvlaki and flavorful seftalia. Customers can choose beef, pork, or chicken gyros, served in a Greek or Cypriot pita, with fresh salad, tzatziki, or crispy potatoes. The menu includes grilled favorites like pork and chicken souvlaki, seftalia, burgers, steaks, chicken fillets, and halloumi, all made with fresh, top-quality ingredients.
For souvlaki lovers, the souvlaki wrap at O Gyros Tis Acropolis is a must-try. It can be customized with pork or chicken with your favorite flavors. For a fresh and delicious meal, you can also try souvlaki and sheftalies in a Cypriot pita with onions, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, crab, potatoes, and tzatziki.
The menu offers even more great options at “Shara Tis Acropolis,” their latest location in Agios Dometios. You’ll find pork and chicken souvlaki, mixed grills, wine-marinated pancetta, halloumi, mushrooms, giant steaks, fresh salads, and burgers. This new spot brings traditional flavors with a modern touch, making it a great place to enjoy classic Cypriot food.
Steliou Mavromati 76, Agios Dometios 2364, Nicosia
Akropoleos 45, Acropolis, Nicosia | facebook.com/ogurostisakropolis
4. Adouloti Keryneia
This beloved family tavern has been a favorite in Nicosia for 36 years, serving authentic Cypriot cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Known for its delicious stews, perfectly grilled meats, and some of the best skewers in town, this spot offers a true taste of tradition. One of the standout features is their freshly fried potatoes, a customer favorite. Everything here is made fresh—no pre-cooked meals, just high-quality ingredients prepared with care. The cozy setting, complete with classic checkered tablecloths, adds to the charm, making every visit feel like a step back in time.
When you visit, be sure to try the pork souvlaki, either wrapped in a pita or as a platter. The seftalia is outstanding, and the tender beef liver is another must-try. The appetizers are a highlight, offering pork souvlaki, crispy fresh potatoes, wine sausage, ribs, grilled zucchini with yogurt, and other seasonal treats.
The menu also includes unique specialties like arugula with egg, spinach with mushrooms and egg, tomato with egg, pilaf, grilled eggplant with tomato sauce, and their famous fried potatoes topped with halloumi, sausage, egg, and tomato sauce.
Don’t forget dessert! Indulge in leafless burekhi with sweet walnut syrup, fried banana with syrup and ice cream, or bicolor semolina halva, all paired with a comforting cup of coffee.
Agios Ioannou 7, Strovolos, Nicosia | facebook.com/adouloti.keryneia/
5. Takis O Leventis
At Takis the Leventis, there’s a deep passion for food, focusing on bringing the authentic flavors of Cyprus to the table. They emphasize traditional recipes handed down through generations and insist on using local, high-quality raw materials. This commitment is evident in their delicious souvlaki.
Their pita offerings include souvlaki and a mix of meats, seftalies, chicken souvlaki, minced kebab, sausage, pastourma, and chicken burgers. A standout item is the Levenitko Souvlaki, marinated with a secret recipe and served with grilled onion, including tomato, cucumber, parsley, crab, and lemon. The menu also features a variety of well-cooked meats, such as chicken souvlaki, pork skewers, seftalies, and pork steak.
Additionally, Takis the Leventis offers portions with skewers and other items like bacon pancetta and lamb ribs. Guests have the option to customize their pita to their liking. For vegetarians, the menu includes choices such as pita with falafel, mushroom and halloumi, veggie burger, and potato pie.
119D Athalassas Avenue, Nicosia | instagram.com/takisoleventis/
6. Souvlakia Tou Antrou
This small, family-run spot offers a clean, cozy space with classic, no-fuss decor, featuring just a few tables and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Known for outstanding service, it’s a go-to destination for some of the best pork skewers in the city, made with top-quality meat and served in generous portions. It’s also a hidden gem for delicious kebabs, which can be hard to find elsewhere.
One of the star dishes here is their secret recipe seftalia, alongside tender, juicy chicken souvlaki that simply melts in your mouth. Their souvlaki and seftalia come loaded with crab, tomato, cucumber, and optional onion and parsley, all grilled to perfection. The chicken souvlaki and grilled steak are also highly recommended.
The menu includes gyros (beef, pork, and chicken) served in a Cypriot pita and options like sausage, pastourma, halloumi, and mushrooms, all wrapped in fresh pita. If you prefer a platter, they offer chicken fillet, lamb ribs, beef liver, grilled bacon, sausage, pastourma, skewers, seftalia, and wine-marinated meats.
A must-try is their oversized variety plate, packed with pork souvlaki, seftalia, spare ribs, halloumi, mushrooms, crispy fried potatoes, and a fresh salad—perfect for those who want to enjoy a bit of everything!
49A Kyrenias Ave., Aglantzia, Nicosia | facebook.com/suvlakiatouantrou
7. To pikantiko
Since 1999, Pikantiko in Lakatamia has been known for its tasty and spicy souvlaki, made with homemade care and high-quality ingredients. Over the years, it has built a loyal fan base that consistently chooses it for its consistent quality.
Their pita is always served hot, the souvlaki is tender and made from quality meat, the seftalia is spicy, and a fresh and tasty salad accompanies everything. The menu also features hot appetizers like mushrooms, halloumi, sausage, pastourma, vegetables, all grilled, and baked potatoes. They offer pork chops, lamb and pork ribs, beef liver, crassata, and other hearty options for grilled appetizers.
Additionally, Pikantiko offers a variety of fresh fish, available in every season, including sea bream, sea bass, cuttlefish, and various other selections. Customers can now enjoy their meals with live music every Saturday at 9 PM.
Arch. Makariou Avenue 13, Kato Lakatameia, Nicosia | facebook.com/p/To-pikantiko
8. Tavernaki Filippos
The ambiance is simple yet welcoming. In winter, the cozy interior creates a homey feel with its traditional decor and wood stove. When summer arrives, the flower-filled courtyard becomes a perfect dining spot.
The menu is a meat lover’s paradise, offering aromatic souvlaki and a variety of grilled delights. Their Cypriot souvlaki, known for its juicy, well-seasoned meat, is a must-try, with some calling it the best in Nicosia. The seftalia is equally famous and praised for its rich flavor. Alongside pork and chicken skewers, the tavern serves sumaki-marinated lamb skewers, an irresistible specialty.
Beyond the souvlaki, the grill menu is packed with lamb ribs, country sausage, juicy steak, crispy potatoes, and hearty stews like beef liver and snail machine. One of the standout dishes is the grilled brisket with oregano, a favorite among regulars.
Dimitras 2AB, Strovolos, Nicosia | facebook.com/tavernakiflippos
