Discover 10 must-try dishes in North Cyprus—from grilled hellim cheese and şeftali kebab to sweet tahinli rolls. A local food guide to the island’s most beloved flavors.
North Cyprus is a paradise for food lovers—where Turkish, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern influences come together to create bold, homey, and unforgettable flavors. Whether you’re enjoying a beachside lunch or a village feast, the island’s cuisine is a central part of its culture. investra.io, northcyprusinvesting.com
Here’s a must-try list of 10 traditional dishes that will take your taste buds on a trip through the heart of North Cyprus.
🧀 1. Hellim (Halloumi)
This salty, semi-hard cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk is Cyprus’s most famous food export. Grilled, fried, or served fresh, hellim is eaten for breakfast, in salads, or in sandwiches.
🍴 Try it: Grilled with watermelon in summer or fried in a meze platter
📍 Found at: Local taverns and breakfast cafés
🫓 2. Şeftali Kebab
A juicy grilled sausage made from minced lamb or beef wrapped in caul fat. The name comes from the original cook “Şef Ali”—not the fruit!
🍴 Try it: Wrapped in pita with salad and lemon
📍 Found at: Roadside grills and kebab restaurants
🍆 3. Molohiya
A green stew made with jute leaves, often cooked with lamb or chicken and flavored with garlic and lemon. Slightly slimy in texture, but deliciously earthy.
🍴 Try it: With rice and lemon wedges
📍 Found at: Home-style restaurants and village kitchens
🧆 4. Kleftiko
A rich, slow-roasted lamb dish baked in foil or clay ovens until the meat falls off the bone.
🍴 Try it: With roasted potatoes and oregano
📍 Found at: Traditional taverns, especially in the mountains
🫓 5. Lahmacun
Known as “Turkish pizza,” this thin flatbread is topped with spiced minced meat and herbs, then baked until crispy.
🍴 Try it: Rolled up with parsley and lemon
📍 Found at: Bakeries and street food stalls
🧄 6. Meze
A colorful spread of small plates served before or with meals—think hummus, olives, grilled vegetables, and dips.
🍴 Try it: With warm bread and a glass of local wine
📍 Found at: Taverns and seaside restaurants
🥔 7. Kolokas (Taro Root Stew)
A lesser-known but traditional dish, made from taro root stewed with meat and tomato-based sauce.
🍴 Try it: With fresh bread
📍 Found at: Lefke region and rural eateries
🥟 8. Börek
Flaky pastries filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. Served for breakfast or as a snack.
🍴 Try it: Warm with Turkish tea
📍 Found at: Bakeries and cafés
🍬 9. Sucuk & Cezerye (Cypriot Sweets)
- Sucuk: A chewy grape must sweet with nuts
- Cezerye: Carrot jelly spiced with cinnamon and topped with nuts
🍴 Try it: With strong Turkish coffee
📍 Found at: Sweet shops and gift stalls
🍯 10. Tahinli
A spiral-shaped pastry filled with tahini and sugar, soft on the inside and crispy outside.
🍴 Try it: Slightly warm, as a sweet breakfast or snack
📍 Found at: Pastry shops and markets
🍷 Bonus: Local Drinks to Try
- Ayran (yogurt drink)
- Rakı (anise liquor)
- Turkish coffee (strong & aromatic)
✨ Final Thoughts
North Cyprus offers more than stunning views—its cuisine is a love letter to the island’s soul. From salty cheeses to sweet tahinli rolls, each dish tells a story of history, hospitality, and tradition.
So whether you’re dining in a village square or by the sea, don’t leave without tasting the heart of North Cyprus—one dish at a time. northcyprusinvesting.com, Investra.io