Food and Drink

Major resorts have bars and restaurants of every category. At larger hotels, the cuisine tends to international although authentic local dishes may also be available. All over the island there are restaurants offering genuine Cypriot food. One of the best ways of enjoying Cypriot food is by ordering mezze (snacks), a large selection of a number of different local dishes. However, the cuisine varies according to whether the visitor eats in the North or the Republic of Cyprus. Waiter service is normal and counter service is common in bars. There are no licensing hours. The highlight of the wine year is the annual wine festival in Limassol, usually held in September, when free wine flows and local food is on offer.

National specialities:

• Tava (a tasty stew of meat, herbs and onions).
• Dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice).
• Kebabs (pieces of lamb or other meat skewered and roasted over a charcoal fire).
• Stifado (a stew of beef or hare cooked with wine, vinegar, onion and spices).
• Fresh seafood: Tsipoura (seabream), Lavraki (seabass) and Garides (prawns).

National drinks:

• Coffee is Greek-style (short, strong and unfiltered).
• Cyprus produces excellent wines, spirits and beer which can only be bought in the south.
• The foothills of the Troodos Mountains are home to much of the best wine.
• Brandy sour is a cocktail made from Cyprus brandy, soda, lemon squash and angostura bitters.
• Commandaria is a sweet desert wine, dates back to ancient times.

Tipping: A service charge is added to all bills, but tipping is still acceptable and remains at the discretion of the individual.

Nightlife

Cyprus boasts a lively and enjoyable nightlife scene in all of the cities and resorts. The party goes on year round in the capital and Limassol, with Paphos and Agia Napa tending to be more seasonable. Venues vary from pumping discos through to chic bars in the island's luxury hotels.

Shopping

Cypriot purchases include handmade lace, woven curtains and tablecloths, silks, basketwork, pottery, silverware and leather goods. Jewellery is an art which has been practised on the island since the Mycenean period; craftspeople working in contemporary and traditional styles produce some very fine pieces. Silver spoons and forks are a traditional symbol of Cypriot hospitality. Lefkara lace is famous throughout the world as one of the products most closely associated with Cypriot workmanship; the name originates from the village Lefkara, situated on a hill on the Nicosia-Limassol road. The local wines and brandy also make good purchases. Imported goods sell at competitive prices, including cameras, perfume, porcelain and crystal.

Shopping Hours: Shops are closed Wednesday after 1400 as well as all day Sunday. Otherwise opening hours are 0800-1300 and 1600-1930 (summer, or until 1900 spring and autumn); 0800-1300 and 1430-1800 (winter). On Fridays, shops are generally open until 2000/2030.