Polis (full name Polis Chrysochous) is a small, laid-back town on the northwest coast of Cyprus, right at the edge of the Akamas Peninsula. It’s way quieter than Paphos, and the food scene punches above its size. Think long meze dinners under grapevines, charcoal grills, and seafood on the water in Latchi, just down the road.
These are the spots I’d send you to, whether you want a cheap taverna lunch or a nice dinner with a bottle of Cypriot wine.
Where to Eat in Polis
Moustakallis Tavern
- One of the longest-running restaurants in Polis. The man with the epic mustache on the mural is Simon Moustakallis, who started it.
- Famous for its meze, so come hungry
- Family-run, big portions, and a busy, fun atmosphere
- Address: 9is Iouliou 10, Polis
Parea Taverna
- Great prices, relaxed, and authentic
- Traditional Cypriot food made fresh every day, with the meat cooked on a charcoal grill you can watch from your table
- People rave about the mixed grill and the lamb chops
- Address: Agiou Nikolaou 6, about 50 meters from the post office. It has been closed on Tuesdays, so check the hours before you go.
Finikas Restaurant
- Right in the main square, ideal for people watching
- Best at night when the square is lit up and lively
- Known for its hummus, lamb shank and kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb)
Old Town Restaurant
- The upscale pick, with a great wine list
- Open since 1993 in a converted old village house, with a garden courtyard under grapevines and bougainvillea
- My pick for a date night or a special occasion. Book ahead for dinner.
- Address: 13 Georgiadou Kyproleondos, Polis
Polis Herbs Garden & Restaurant
- Outdoor courtyard dining, modern but still very local
- The owner, Tasos, planted a huge herb garden (around 2,500 square meters) that you can walk through before or after you eat
- A good choice for vegetarians. The vegetarian meze gets a lot of love.
- Right next to the museum in the center of town
Noma Latchi
- Right on the waterfront at Latchi harbor, with great sunset views
- Latchi is a short drive west of Polis, so this one is worth a car or taxi
- Mediterranean menu with plenty of seafood. Time it for sunset.
- Latchi is also where the boat trips to the Blue Lagoon leave from. You can browse Blue Lagoon boat tours here and make a day of it.
Tips for Eating in Polis
- Order the meze. It’s a long parade of small plates (dips, grilled meats, halloumi, salads) and the best way to try everything. It’s usually for at least two people.
- Save a little room. A lot of tavernas bring out free fruit or a small dessert at the end.
- Rent a car. Polis is about an hour from Paphos, and having a car makes it easy to hop between Polis and Latchi.
Final Thoughts
Polis is small, but you can eat really well here. Do at least one long meze night, one sunset dinner on the water, and one dinner in the square. If you’re hopping around the Mediterranean, I also have guides to a week in Rhodes and Malta.
If you only have one night, go to Moustakallis for meze. If it’s a special occasion, book Old Town.