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Unquestionably the best fish restaurant in Nicosia, Kalymnos attracts the city’s movers and shakers. Superb seafood and a good wine list. Reservations recommended.

This attractive Lebanese restaurant, decorated with tapestries and wood floors, serves wonderful grilled meat and fish accompanied by spicy sauces.

Set in an old house, this traditional taverna serves excellent meze . In summer, dining is available in the pleasant courtyard or on the balcony if you book ahead.

The Greek Cypriot food at Irinias is a long-standing favourite – make a reservation (or go early in the evening) to be sure of getting a table.

To see and be seen, look no further than Da Capo, where the clientele dress mainly in black and where sunglasses are mandatory day and night. Good coffee and pastries.

Young, designer-clad Nicosians favour this colourful café. The noise of full-volume conversation – face to face or by mobile phone, sometimes simultaneously – drowns out the traffic.

Nicosia’s “ladies who lunch” favour Pralina, on the city’s smartest shopping street, for coffee and pastries. Those who turn up in shorts will feel conspicuously under-dressed.

On the outskirts of town, Kavouri has a well-earned reputation with a loyal local following for its lavish seafood meze .

A cut above the run of Italian restaurants, this stylish place with tables on a patio serves well-made pasta dishes and other favourites.

Elegant French restaurant serving classic Gallic cuisine such as frogs’ legs and duck à l’orange . Live piano music at night.