If you ask locals where to enjoy a traditional Cypriot meze in Paralimni, Ttappis Tavern is a name you’ll hear again and again. Family run since 1985, this long established taverna has built its reputation on homemade recipes, generous hospitality, and authentic flavours that have been passed down through generations. The rustic interior, complete with exposed wooden beams, stone walls, and open fireplaces, creates the feeling of dining in a traditional Cypriot home rather than a restaurant.
What makes it special
Experience excellent food and service
Enjoy a variety of freshly cooked meze dishes
Try unique items like sheftalia and enjoy seasonal variations
The menu changes with the seasons, making every visit slightly different depending on what’s fresh and available. Traditional favourites such as kleftiko, charcoal grilled souvlakia, lamb chops, homemade sheftalia, fresh salads, and seafood all feature alongside a wide selection of daily specials. The meze is the star of the experience, with multiple variations available, including vegetarian, vegan, seafood, and no pork options, all prepared fresh to order.
What Makes It Worth Visiting
Ttappis Tavern is one of the few places where the meze still feels genuinely homemade rather than mass produced. Expect a long procession of freshly prepared dishes, many using traditional family recipes that have remained unchanged for decades. The kitchen also prepares seasonal Cypriot delicacies that are difficult to find elsewhere, while homemade bread, grilled meats, and fresh seafood continue to attract both locals and visitors from across the island.
The atmosphere becomes especially lively at weekends, when families gather for long dinners that often turn into evenings of music, dancing, and classic Cypriot hospitality.
What to Expect
The restaurant is spacious but very popular, so booking ahead is recommended, particularly on weekends. Service is relaxed and follows the traditional Cypriot dining style, meaning meals are designed to be enjoyed slowly rather than rushed. Meze can include more than twenty different dishes depending on the season, while children are also well catered for with their own menu and smaller portions available on request.
ElloCyprus Recommends
Visit with friends or family and order one of the traditional meze menus for the full experience. Go hungry, take your time, and let each dish arrive as it is freshly prepared. If you’re ordering individually, the kleftiko, charcoal grilled lamb chops, homemade sheftalia, and seafood dishes are all excellent choices.
If you want to experience authentic Cypriot dining away from the tourist areas, Ttappis Tavern remains one of the best traditional tavernas in Paralimni and a place many locals continue returning to year after year.
