The best bars and cafés Cyprus

An address not to be missed for the atmosphere and for quality music.

An Irish pub (the oldest of the city) with dimensions adapted to the tourist arrivals. Several levels, giant sports screens, Irish and other beers, typical pub catering, etc.

Self-appointed first sports bar in the city. Sport (on screen only) and bière beer.

In the heart of the old town, on the north side, this pleasant café-bar with terrace is an important meeting place for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot campaigners for the reunification of the island. Its name comes from the ancient Greek οἱ πολλοί, literally "the many", pejoratively referring to "the plebs". The Turkish Cypriot owners frequently organize weekend concerts with artists from all over the country. All kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served. Friendly staff, good music and low prices.

For an intimate atmosphere. Set in a beautiful old house.

Already, we like the name of this slightly alternative café: "comme par enchantement" (Τα Καλά Καθούμενα). And its location isn't bad either, just off the Papadopoullou stoa, a covered passageway that connects Ledra Street to Faneromeni Square. The rather young clientele talk politics and play tavli (backgammon) while drinking beer, lemonada spitiki (homemade lemonade) or Turkish coffee (no espresso). Quiet atmosphere for reading or working. By the way, we've written quite a few pages of this guide here.

This "remote" café (Απόμερο) is one of the most charming in the old town. Nicosios come here for an elleniko ("Greek" coffee... Turkish-style) or a fresh orange juice accompanied by pastries prepared each morning: galaktoboureko (phyllo pastry and lemon custard), portokalopita (orange cake), spanakopita (spinach friand), etc. Pleasant terrace in a quiet, shady alley lined with little houses. And a tiny dining room, decorated with black-and-white photos and two tables on the mezzanine.

This beer bar enjoys a great location, on the edge of the Arabhamet district, on the Mula bastion (Zahra in Turkish) with a direct view of Ledra Palace and a Turkish Cypriot soccer pitch set in the moat. German, Turkish, Italian and American beers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, Italian and French wines (not great), coffee, burgers, pizzas, cheese fries and more are served on the large tables inside or on the terrace. Nice atmosphere in summer evenings.

This café-tea room is also an art gallery. It's run by German-Cypriot artist Luna Rabbit, who sells her creations here (paintings, jewelry, home decor) and prepares a whole host of goodies: classic or vegan pastries, olive cake, coffees, lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolates with plant-based milk, and more. The place is superb: a beautiful Gothic vault, a shady courtyard, large volumes, designer furniture and little nooks with comfortable cushions. Perfect for a break near Bedesten and the Selimiye Mosque.

Housed in a former "textile workshop" (Υφαντουργειο), this handsome café with club chairs has become a "coworking" space. Practical for nomadic workers and vacationers who are "indispensable" to their business: you'll enjoy loft decor, a studious atmosphere, very high-speed Internet, printers, lockers with keys, a meeting room, a small shady courtyard, a catering area, a space to store bicycles... Various packages are on offer, including by the hour with a drink.

Born in 2013 in the old town, this establishment started out as a temporary experiment to make the best coffee in the world. Now it's a profitable little business. For each type of coffee, a dedicated machine: espresso, americano, cappuccino, etc. But the regulars' favorite is the cold drip, obtained using a spiral system worthy of a scientific laboratory. This process requires between 5 and 7 hours of dripping to obtain the equivalent of a small coffeepot.

This café-bar enjoys a shady corner in the pleasant Klokkari stoa, a covered passageway between the two main pedestrian streets Ledra and Onasagorou. The decor is pleasant, the musical program varied and all kinds of cocktails, coffees and pastries are served here at reasonable prices. In the heat of the day, we recommend house creations such as "sonak", a lemonade with mint, lime and narsharab (pomegranate juice concentrate), or "krups", a Turkish-style coffee topped with Chios mastic ice cream.