Best Bars and Cafés in Cyprus
Cyprus runs on coffee and conversation, and its café and bar scene stretches from old-town Nicosia lanes to the seafront promenades of Paphos and Larnaca. Whether you want a slow morning coffee, a lively night out, or something in between, the island's bars and cafés cover all of it, often within a few streets of each other.
Nicosia's café and bar hub
The capital has the densest concentration of well-regarded spots on this list, many clustered around Ledras and Onasagorou streets and the surrounding grid. The Gym, Lost + Found Drinkery, and Blu Ciel Bar and Restaurant are solid choices for an evening drink, while Pieto, Lala Cafe, and Kollaborative Coffee Roasters cover the daytime coffee crowd nicely.
If you're staying in or near Nicosia, it's easy to pair a coffee stop by day with a bar a short walk away in the evening, since several of the most consistently well-reviewed places sit within the same few streets.
Coastal cafés for sea views
Along the coast, cafés tend to lean into the view. In Paphos, Pingouino and Alea Allday Lifestyle both sit on Poseidonos Avenue and draw large numbers of regulars, making them dependable picks for a seafront coffee or light bite. In Larnaca, NUSA Beach Bar and DSTRKT offer a similar beachside or promenade feel, and over in Paralimni, Love Boat Bar is a popular stop for travellers based on the east coast.
What to expect by type
Cyprus mixes classic Mediterranean coffee shops with more cocktail-and-lounge style bars, so it's worth matching the spot to the moment:
- Coffee shops and cafés (Pieto, Lala Cafe, Kollaborative Coffee Roasters, Loca Cafe) are geared toward daytime visits and tend to get busy with regulars.
- Bars and pubs (Companeros Cafe Lounge Bar, The Gym, Barasta Cafe and Bar) suit an evening out, with Barasta in north Nicosia offering a more traditional pub feel.
- Beach and lounge bars (NUSA Beach Bar, Love Boat Bar) are best suited to coastal towns where the setting is part of the draw.
43 places
Frequently asked questions
Are bars and cafés in Cyprus easy to find without a car?
In Nicosia, many of the top-rated spots are within walking distance of each other around Ledras and Onasagorou, so you can explore several on foot. Coastal venues in Paphos, Larnaca, and Paralimni are more spread out and easier to reach with a car or taxi.
What's the difference between a café and a coffee shop here?
On this list, 'cafe' and 'coffee shop' are used somewhat interchangeably by businesses themselves, with both typically serving coffee, light food, and drinks throughout the day.
Which areas are best for a daytime coffee versus an evening drink?
Nicosia's old town is strong for both, with cafés like Pieto and Lala Cafe by day and bars like The Gym or Blu Ciel by night. Coastal towns like Paphos and Larnaca lean more toward daytime café culture by the sea.
Is north Nicosia worth visiting for bars and cafés too?
Yes — Barasta Cafe and Bar in Lefkoşa (north Nicosia) is a well-reviewed pub-style option if you're crossing over to that side of the city.
Do I need to book ahead at popular cafés and bars?
The data here doesn't specify booking policies, but given how busy some venues are (several have well over a thousand reviews), arriving a little early or calling ahead during peak evening or weekend hours is a sensible precaution.