Eating on a budget in Cyprus

By: Douglas Pearce

Eating out in Cyprus is an enjoyable experience, but it can add up throughout a month-long visit. I have compiled some of the ways I was able to keep costs down while still maintaining a regional culinary experience. Here’s a brief list of where to shop, what to buy, and how to prepare it.

Where to shop:

Mini markets are plentiful on the island, especially in the cities. They offer a limited selection of food and beverage options, which is suitable for a few items, although they provide little in the way of fresh food. Their convenience also comes with a markup that is proportional to their proximity to tourist attractions and the beach.

Grocery stores are also numerous in Larnaca. They offer a wider selection of products and fresh food at a lower cost than at minimarkets. Some even offer home goods, which is a better option for items like beach towels and clothes. Many bakeries offer a variety of different loaves and will slice them for you. They also offer butchery in-house, which is a great alternative to specialty shops. A wide variety of meat cuts are available for purchase, some of which are even pre-seasoned. There is one very large concern with the meat department, however: sanitation. On multiple occasions, I witnessed cross-contamination between chicken and pork products. For this reason, I would urge you to use extreme caution and thoroughly cook any meats purchased there.

Butcher shops are also scattered throughout the city, offering a wider range of fresh meat than the chain grocery stores. They also seem to be more knowledgeable about proper food handling and sanitation practices.

Produce stands and fruit trucks are a great way to experience fresh fruits and vegetables. They may be slightly more expensive than grocery stores, but the freshness of the produce makes it a must-try at least once during your visit. Additionally, the colorful stacks of produce are visually pleasing.

Juice shops are a relatively inexpensive splurge and worth trying after a long day in the heat. The fruit is cut and blended right before your eyes, and the flavor is incredible.

Spoilage is a real issue. Because of the hot and humid climate, food spoils much faster than in Colorado’s arid climate. Most foods in other countries are not as processed as in the US and don’t contain preservatives; This is another reason food will spoil much faster. Bread left out at room temperature will begin to mold after just a few days. However, the solution is straightforward – simply buy a few days’ worth of food and make additional trips to the store.

Simple cooking:

Even if your apartment has limited cooking devices, great meals can still be quickly and easily prepared. I have listed some of the ways I was able to work around cooking with an oven or stovetop. If your room has any combination of a microwave, electric kettle, or grill, then cooking delicious meals is easy.

Hot water kettles are perfect for coffee and tea. If you’re bougie like me and can’t do instant coffee, a French press can be purchased for around € 10. They are also great for quick meals, such as ramen noodles. Pasta is a bit trickier, but can be accomplished with a little effort. Simply pour boiling water over the noodles, cover them, and then microwave until tender. This also works with traditional ramen bricks.

Griddles are my new favorite multitasking kitchen appliance. I was able to do so much with this little wonder that I had never thought of before. Here’s a list of my favorites:

Meats: Pork chops, chicken and pork kebabs, chicken wings, chicken breasts, sausages, steak, etc. If it’s not too thick, any type of meat can be grilled to perfection. Seafood cooks perfectly on a griddle, but it’s not advisable if you’re sharing a room with others. The smell may linger much longer than a good favor with your roomies.

Vegetables: Potatoes, zucchini squash, eggplant, carrots, spinach, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. Dense vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, should be cut thinner and grilled at a lower temperature to cook thoroughly and avoid burning. More delicate vegetables, such as eggplant and squash, can be cooked at higher temperatures to achieve nice grill marks and prevent them from becoming soggy. Potatoes were one of my favorite foods to cook on the griddle. Cut longways into ¾” sections, butter and salt, then griddle slowly to perfection.

Sandwiches are a no-brainer since that’s what these griddles are intended to cook. I mostly made sandwiches with salami, mortadella, and cheese, accompanied by some type of spread, giardiniera, and fresh chiles. Sandwiches are a very personal matter, though, so any combination of meat and cheese will suffice. I recommend adding a spread, such as basil pesto, olive tapenade, or giardiniera, which will add extra flavor to the sandwiches. There are numerous cheeses to experiment with, and nearly all will work beautifully – except haloumi, which has a high melting point. Fresh veggies are also a great addition to any grilled sandwich.

Microwave: Not my favorite cooking option, but good for reheating things.

Hopefully, this will prove helpful when considering your options for eating well while also spending wisely.