So you’ve made it to Larnaca after a series of long flights. It’s probably been a fraught journey, with weird connections, maybe a pre-dig trip, and possibly a night spent in a foreign airport during a layover. You’re tired and hungry, and you need some good recommendations, and maybe a little help avoiding the tourist traps.

You’ve been warned in many a blog post about how long it can take to eat in Cyprus. Dinners are leisurely things, and it takes a while to make that adjustment. You end up feeling very American when a meal taking more than an hour has you crawling with anxiety.

Here’s the hack: pretty much anywhere will do your food to go. If you just want to get a quick bite, this is your best option. Most places have their menus online, but some are still pretty old school and don’t really have a functioning website, so you have a chance to be ready with your order. As a warning, a ton of businesses in Cyprus still use Facebook as their main business site. Call the restaurant or, if you’re not feeling confident (or hate phone calls like me) and want to stretch your legs, take a walk to the restaurant in question. Hang out by the sign or posted menu, and someone will come by to seat you or take your order. Tell them you want to order takeaway, and voila! Your food will be ready in about or under 15 minutes.

That being said, you do owe it to yourself to have sit down meals out. If you’ve got a party bigger than 4 and its a weekend, call ahead to make a reservation– especially, especially if you’re taking the whole crew. Be prepared for disappointment if 9 or 12 of you show up somewhere on a Friday night at 7:30 and want to be sat immediately.

Without further ado, here are my recommendations for food in Larnaca.

In General:

• Chris’ Juice Bar: these smoothies might just change your mind about smoothies. Zenonos Pierides, Larnaca 6023, Cyprus
• Lokmakos. Lokmakos donuts are a modern twist on a classic Cypriot fried sweet, and you owe it to yourself to give it a try. I could wax poetic about these guys, but there’s definitely at least one other blog post that does that for me. Pavlou Valsamaki 30, Larnaca 6026, Cyprus

Vegetarian: Most places have vegetarian options, but fewer vegan places are available. For a guaranteed experience, check out:

• Falafel Abu Dany. A Lebanese-run, small scale falafel joint with vegan and vegetarian options that are just killer. You have to try the Arruba broad beans– I know, it sounds like a stretch, but as a non-vegetarian, I was amazed by how bright and lovely the sauce these Cyprus staples were drenched in. AKAMIA CENTER, Grigori Afxentiou, Larnaca, Cyprus
• Mingle Cafe. Connected to a super cute hotel, Mingle has incredible breakfast and lunch options. It also qualifies as a great brunch spot, but their vegan and vegetarian friendly options earned them a place on this list. Especially good if you’re craving a decent hamburger or some American pancakes. Ermou 153, Larnaca 6022, Cyprus

Cypriot

• To Diaforetiko. Upscale, but not too expensive (honestly, by American standards, even the upscale restaurants are super affordable). Has a lovely brunch. Zinonos Kitieos 5, Larnaca 6023, Cyprus
• Valtou Rigani – Souvlakopolio. Like a lot of places in Cyprus, you order a la cart, so load up on kebabs and saganaki. Salads here are bulky and delightful. 106 Ermou street Stoa Kizi, Ermou-shop 15, Larnaca 6022, Cyprus
• GRILL CHEF. I highly, highly recommend going here at least once and maybe earlier in your trip. Ordering the Cyprus Platter is a great introduction to Cypriot cuisine. Pavlou Valsamaki, Larnaca, Cyprus
• Special Kebab House. Yes, I’m recommending two restaurants basically right next to each other. Skip Souvlaki.gr and head to either Grill Chef or Special Kebab House. The moussaka is cooked to order (not a good takeaway option) and diabolically good. Some of the best gyros I had in Cyprus. Pavlou Valsamaki 31, Larnaca, Cyprus
• Edesma Cyprus Taverna – Souvlaki Place. The vibes are great and the back patio is beautiful. Go Friday or Saturday night for the special: tender lamb that’s been roasting all day. Λόρδου Βύρωνος 50, Larnaca 6018, Cyprus
• Ithaki Garden. You really do want to dine in for this one. The garden patio looks just like a fairy tale and the food is great. Zinonos Kitieos 64, Stoa Kouppa 6022, Larnaca, Cyprus
• Glykolémono. Good pizza, good wine, great kunefa. Zinonos Kitieos 105, Larnaca, Cyprus

Brunch

• To Kafe Tis Chrysanthi’s. Juices that make you feel like you’re a fancy grown up, and affrogato served in a coup martini glass. Nikolaou Rossou, Larnaca, Cyprus
• Edem’s Yard. This is the only place I’m recommending that I didn’t actually eat at, and while normally I find that an unacceptable proposition, it was recommended to me by several different coffee shop owners, so give it a go and report back in your own blog! Evanthias pieridou larnaca CY, 4021, Cyprus
• Onar Larnaca. Just a really great brunch, literally around the corner from the Blazer. Try the shakshuka, which has just the mildest kick of spice. Megaron, Zenonos Pierides 1, Larnaca 6023, Cyprus
• Hobo Cafe. This is sort of an unusual choice for me, since it’s right on the main beach strip, but damn, their avocado toast. Eat and watch the waves. WJ7Q+V2H, Larnaca, Cyprus

And the winner of my #1 recommendation, favorite place I ate in Cyprus is:

Maqam Al-Sultan. This Lebanese restaurant on the promenade is right next to the medieval fort, and I have been thinking about it nonstop since the first time I ate there. The meze is incredible, and you must share, probably with more than the recommended 2 people. The dips, the chicken, the lamb, the fish, every possible thing they do to eggplant (aubergine on that side of the Atlantic), the vegetarian platter– I seriously cannot recommend this place highly enough. You will absolutely regret it if you don’t go. There’s belly dancing on Friday and Saturday nights, though, so if that a) isn’t your thing or b) didn’t make a reservation, think about going another night. Please eat here. Agkiras Larnaca CY, 6026, Cyprus

As you spend time in Larnaca, you’ll find your own favorite spots– Capodecina was a huge hit and Dr. Stephens swears by the Cypriot Pizza Hut — but this list will at least be a place to start.

I didn’t cover bakeries, coffee shops, or bars, but I’ll let you enjoy discovering the multitude of options on your own.

–Miki H.