Cyprus’s dining scene has become a genuine draw in its own right, with the island’s top restaurants now competing on the same level as destinations across the wider Mediterranean. For anyone weighing a property purchase or relocation, the strength and diversity of the local food scene is a meaningful quality-of-life factor, not just a tourist detail — and the island’s most respected annual restaurant awards offer a useful lens into where that scene currently stands.
The WiZ 50 Best Restaurants Awards
Cyprus’s leading restaurant ranking, the WiZ 50 Best Restaurants awards, is produced by WiZ Guide with the support of Bank of Cyprus. A panel of independent, incognito judges visits establishments across the island each year, scoring them on food quality, atmosphere, service, and value for money before publishing a ranked list of the island’s top 50 restaurants. The results for the current cycle were announced at a ceremony at the Hilton Nicosia in January 2026.
The Polo Retains the Top Spot
The Polo, a Mediterranean-cuisine restaurant at the Alasia Boutique Hotel in Limassol under executive chef Pavlos Kyriakis, held onto the number-one position for a second consecutive year — a notable achievement in a ranking that typically sees significant year-on-year turnover, with several new entrants and reshuffled positions common each edition. The Polo’s ability to defend its top spot reflects sustained consistency in execution rather than a single standout year, and reinforces Limassol’s position as one of the island’s strongest fine-dining destinations alongside its status as Cyprus’s leading property market by transaction volume.
Why the Dining Scene Matters for Property Buyers
A strong, competitive restaurant scene is one of the clearer soft indicators of a district’s overall quality of life and its appeal to both residents and visitors — factors that feed directly into rental demand and long-term property values. Districts with a concentration of highly rated restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues tend to also be the districts commanding premium pricing in the sales and rental markets, a pattern consistent with Limassol’s dual leadership in both dining and real estate.
A Broader Culinary Landscape
Beyond the fine-dining segment captured by awards like the WiZ 50 Best, Cyprus’s food scene spans a wide range: traditional Cypriot tavernas serving meze and grilled specialties, a strong Mediterranean and international fine-dining segment concentrated in Limassol and Nicosia, and a growing wave of casual, contemporary restaurants across all four main cities. This range means the island offers genuine depth for residents and visitors regardless of budget or occasion, rather than a dining scene limited to either budget tavernas or high-end establishments alone.
How Uinvest Group Can Help
Uinvest Group helps buyers and relocating families understand the lifestyle profile of Cyprus’s different districts — dining, culture, schools, and amenities alongside the property fundamentals — to find the location that best matches how they actually want to live on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Cyprus?
The Polo, a Mediterranean restaurant at the Alasia Boutique Hotel in Limassol, held the top spot in the WiZ 50 Best Restaurants awards for a second consecutive year in the most recent rankings, announced in January 2026.
What is the WiZ 50 Best Restaurants award?
An annual ranking of Cyprus’s top 50 restaurants produced by WiZ Guide with Bank of Cyprus, based on incognito judge visits scoring food, atmosphere, service, and value.
Where is Cyprus’s strongest dining scene concentrated?
Limassol and Nicosia host the largest concentration of top-ranked fine-dining establishments, though strong tavernas and casual dining options are found across all four main cities.
Does a strong local dining scene affect property values?
It can be a meaningful soft indicator. Districts with a strong concentration of highly rated restaurants and hospitality venues tend to also command premium pricing in the property market, as seen in Limassol’s dual leadership in both dining and real estate.
