Σούβλα
Souvla
Large chunks of meat (often pork or lamb) slow-grilled on a long skewer over charcoal, typically served simply with lemon, herbs, and sides.
SoyGlutenSesame
Cypriot Cuisine Guide
Cypriot Allergen Guide
Meze-friendly, grill-happy, cheese-proud and full of sneaky sesame.
Signature vibe:Charcoal grills, slow-cooked meats, mezze sharing
Staples you’ll see a lot:Olive oil, lemon, oregano, onions, parsley, garlic
Common sides:Pita/bread, salads, potatoes, dips and sauces
Top allergen hotspots:Cheeses, breads, tahini/sesame, thickened stews, shared grills
Allergen Overview
How common each allergen is in this cuisine. Always confirm with staff.
Gluten
Sometimes Present
Grilled meats can be gluten-light, but pita, bread, flour-thickened sauces, and breadcrumbs can add wheat fast.
Dairy
Often Present
Cypriot cuisine features brined and hard cheeses; dairy can appear as a main ingredient or as a garnish.
Eggs
Sometimes Present
Eggs are less common in core grills, but can show up as a binder in minced mixtures or in side dishes and sauces.
Fish
Usually Avoidable
Many iconic Cypriot picks are meat-based, but fish-based condiments or stock can sneak into sauces.
Shellfish
Rare
Shellfish is not a default for these classics, but cross-contact can happen in coastal restaurants with shared fryers and grills.
Soy
Rare
Traditional recipes usually don’t rely on soy, but modern marinades, bottled sauces, and stock cubes may contain it.
Sesame
Sometimes Present
Sesame shows up as tahini, on breads, and as a garnish, especially around mezze and sauces.
Tree Nuts
Sometimes Present
Tree nuts are more common in desserts and occasional garnishes, but mezze spreads and salads can be topped unexpectedly.
Peanuts
Rare
Peanuts are not typical in classic Cypriot savory dishes, but can appear via packaged snacks, dessert cross-contact, or imported sauces.
Hidden Ingredients to Watch
Unexpected allergen sources that may not be obvious on menus.
Tahini (sesame paste) in sauces
Sesame can be a major allergen and sauces are often added without being listed on menus.
Found in: Meat plates, kebab wraps, mezze dips, salad dressings
Flour or bread crumbs used as a thickener/binder
Adds gluten even when the main dish looks like “just meat.”
Found in: Stews, meat mixtures, pan sauces, stuffed items
Shared grills and hotplates
Cross-contact is common when halloumi and meats share the same surface.
Found in: Grilled halloumi, souvla, sheftalia, mixed grill platters
Bouillon cubes or prepared stock
May contain gluten or soy-derived ingredients and is rarely declared.
Found in: Stifado, braises, sauces, rice sides
“Cheese on the side” default plating
Dairy can arrive as garnish, shaving, or side portion even if not mentioned.
Found in: Salads, grilled plates, mezze assortments
Featured Dishes
Κλέφτικο
Kleftiko
Slow-cooked lamb baked until tender, often with garlic and herbs, sometimes sealed in parchment or cooked in a clay oven style for deep flavor.
Gluten
Σεφταλιά
Sheftalia
Seasoned minced meat parcels traditionally wrapped in caul fat and grilled, often served in pita with onions, parsley, and sauces.
EggsDairyGlutenSesame
Κεφαλοτύρι
Kefalotyri
A firm, salty aged cheese traditionally made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, often grated over dishes or served in slices.
Dairy
Στιφάδο
Stifado
A slow-cooked stew (often beef or rabbit) with lots of small onions, warm spices, and a rich sauce typically built from wine and aromatics.
Gluten
Χαλλούμι
Halloumi
A brined Cypriot cheese known for its high melting point, often grilled or pan-seared until golden and chewy.
Dairy
What to Ask the Staff
Copy these questions to show restaurant staff. Available in English and .
English
- Does this dish contain wheat or gluten (flour, bread, breadcrumbs, pasta, pita)?
- Is any cheese, milk, butter, cream, yogurt, or whey used in the dish or sauce?
- Are eggs used anywhere (batter, binder, mayo-style sauces, dressings)?
- Is tahini or sesame used in any sauce, dip, or garnish?
- What’s in the marinade or seasoning mix (any bottled sauces, stock cubes, or premixes)?
- Is the grill/pan shared with halloumi, breaded items, or seafood (cross-contact risk)?
- Can you serve sauces and dressings on the side?
- Can you prepare a portion without bread/pita and without any garnish?
- Do you use the same fryer oil for seafood and other items?
- If you’re not sure, could you check the ingredient list with the kitchen?
- Περιέχει το πιάτο σιτάρι ή γλουτένη (αλεύρι, ψωμί, φρυγανιά, ζυμαρικά, πίτα);
- Χρησιμοποιείται τυρί, γάλα, βούτυρο, κρέμα, γιαούρτι ή ορός γάλακτος στο πιάτο ή στη σάλτσα;
- Χρησιμοποιούνται αυγά (κουρκούτι, συνδετικό, μαγιονέζα, ντρέσινγκ);
- Υπάρχει ταχίνι ή σησάμι σε σάλτσα, ντιπ ή γαρνιτούρα;
- Τι έχει η μαρινάδα ή το μείγμα καρυκευμάτων (έτοιμες σάλτσες, κύβοι ζωμού, μίγματα);
- Η σχάρα/τηγάνι χρησιμοποιείται και για χαλλούμι, πανάρισμα ή θαλασσινά (κίνδυνος επιμόλυνσης);
- Μπορείτε να φέρετε τις σάλτσες και τα ντρέσινγκ ξεχωριστά;
- Μπορείτε να το σερβίρετε χωρίς ψωμί/πίτα και χωρίς γαρνιτούρα;
- Χρησιμοποιείτε το ίδιο λάδι στο τηγάνισμα για θαλασσινά και άλλα τρόφιμα;
- Αν δεν είστε σίγουροι, μπορείτε να ρωτήσετε την κουζίνα και να ελέγξετε τα υλικά;
Menu Glossary
Common menu words to help identify ingredients and allergens.
γλουτένη= gluten
Present in wheat flour and many breads; ask about sauces and thickeners.
αλεύρι= flour
Key gluten source; may be used for thickening stews or coating.
ψωμί= bread
Often served automatically; a frequent gluten and cross-contact source.
πίτα= pita bread
Common with souvla/sheftalia; contains gluten.
γάλα= milk
Dairy allergen; may appear in sauces, dressings, or hidden ingredients.
τυρί= cheese
Dairy allergen; halloumi and kefalotyri are common in Cyprus.
χαλλούμι= halloumi cheese
Dairy; often grilled on shared surfaces (cross-contact risk).
βούτυρο= butter
Dairy; can be used for finishing sauces or vegetables.
γιαούρτι= yogurt
Dairy; common in sauces and dips served with grilled meats.
αυγό= egg
May be used in binders or dressings; always worth checking.
σησάμι= sesame
Often appears as tahini or as a garnish; important allergen to verify.
ταχίνι= tahini
Sesame paste; a common sauce base around mezze and grilled plates.
σόγια= soy
Not traditional-heavy, but can appear in marinades, bottled sauces, or bouillon.
ψάρι= fish
Can appear in sauces or stocks even when the dish is meat-based.
γαρίδες= shrimp
Shellfish; cross-contact risk on shared grills/fryers in coastal restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often yes if you focus on simple grilled meats, salads, and plain sides, but you must watch pita/bread, flour-thickened sauces, and breadcrumbs in minced dishes.
Related Guides
Explore similar cuisines and dietary guides for more allergen insights.
Dietary Guides
Important Disclaimer
Niblu provides informational guidance to help you ask better questions about ingredients and cross-contact. Recipes and kitchen practices vary, so always confirm with staff and avoid dishes if you cannot verify ingredients or safe preparation.