1/ Limanaki, Pissouri, Cyprus
With an interesting menu –chef Sam Kazzaz calls it Mediterranean Fusion – this small but stylish restaurant is ideal for families and offers a children’s menu with some healthy choices on it. On the main menu, many dishes have an Asian twist and, unlike many Cypriot restaurants, there’s a wide variety of dishes to choose from – from light lunches to the exceptional Meze menu. A stand-out is the four-course fish meze, which includes grilled jumbo prawns, wild sea bass fillets and tuna carpaccio (be warned you need to order eight hours in advance). There’s even a small selection of Indian dishes – such as lamb Jalfrazi – and a popular Sunday brunch menu that changes weekly.
More info: +357 25 221 288; limankipissouri.com
2/ Viklari The Last Castle, Peyia, Akamas Peninsula
A popular choice with locals, this open-air restaurant is surrounded by fruit plantations and claims to have one of the best coastline views in Cyprus. It’s a bit of a drive to get to and it’s not open in the evenings (it closes at 5pm) so head here for a hearty lunch. There’s no menu either just a choice of one dish – pork or chicken souvla (succulent meat cooked on a long skewer over a wood-fired barbecue), served with a jacket potato or giant fries (a kiddie favourite), village salad and bread. It’s simple but delicious and as rustic as it gets (tables are slabs of stone) but it makes for a real Cypriot experience.
More info: +357 26 991 088
3/ Meze Meze, Kathikas Village, Paphos
As the name suggests, this is a traditional Meze restaurant and one of Cyprus’s most charming ones. Inside, the bare-brick walls are decorated with antique farming equipment while the popular al fresco option sees you eating on a terrace under vine-leaves. There’s also a grilled dishes on offer – great for kids – including sword fish, chicken, sheftaliaand pork chops. Best of all though, are the daily changing ‘casserole’ dishes, such as Moussaka, Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and Soutzoukakla (beef and pork meat balls cooked in a cumin and tomato sauce) served with pitta bread.
More info: +357 26 632 076; mezemezecyprus.com
4/ Sunset Breeze, Paphos
In a lovely spot overlooking the ocean, Sunset Breeze has a Mediterranean flavour to its menus, with a selection of pastas, pizzas and steaks. A highlight is the dizzying amount of fresh fish on offer here – red mullet, whole sea bass, lobster, mussels – the list is extensive and very reasonably priced (on average around €13). You’ll be hard-pushed not to find something for even the fussiest eaters here. To keep the little ones happier still, there’s a special children’s menu, a playground and choice of games and puzzles.
More info: +357 26 940 791; Sunsetbreeze.net
5/ Spartiatis Tavern, Protaras
This cliff-side fish restaurant has wonderful ocean views over Cape Creco and a traditional tavern style – check tablecloths, wicker-seated chairs and stone floor. Family-run, service is relaxed, welcoming and child-friendly – there’s also a playground outside and a pomegranate, lemon and olive orchard. Its known for its fresh fish, especially calamari, octopus and red mullet but for something different, try one of the local fish dishes such as sinagrida and fagkri. There are also plenty of ‘plainer’ options for children, too.
More info: +357 23 831 386
The lowdown
More information: Go to visitcyprus.com
How to get there: British Airways flies to Paphos From £158 return.
Travel time: A flight from London Gatwick takes around 4 hours and 35 minutes.