Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day.
We live in the fast-paced world of modern life and sometimes neglect breakfast, either remaining hungry until evening or grabbing something on the go. However, it is an essential and healthy habit worth adopting. If you repeat the same action for 21 days, the habit will become a part of your daily routine. Breakfast not only helps you function better throughout the day but also brings great pleasure to life, so why deprive yourself of it when there are so many delicious and nutritious breakfast options in cafes and restaurants in Nicosia?
Life hack: If you're tired of cafes and want some variety, confidently book breakfast at any good hotel. 5-star hotels offer excellent breakfasts and, of course, champagne, and a day that starts with a glass of champagne will be fantastic - tested!
Apart from jokes, even without champagne, breakfast is essential and necessary. Here's why!
- Energy for the whole day: Breakfast provides the human body with the necessary energy for daily activities. It kickstarts metabolism and helps maintain a stable blood sugar level - fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to irritability, sleepiness, constant fatigue, and long-term health problems.
- Improved cognitive functions: A balanced breakfast contributes to improved cognitive functions, concentration, and memory, allowing you to perform tasks more effectively, whether it's work, study, or overcoming challenges.
- Weight control: A balanced breakfast prevents overeating throughout the day.
- Improved digestion: Breakfast activates the digestive system, preventing stomach problems and improving metabolism.
- To make breakfast in cafes an excellent start to your day, follow these simple rules:
- Choice of venue: When choosing a place for breakfast, first gather information about its atmosphere and menu. Nicosia offers numerous establishments with cozy interiors and a variety of healthy breakfast options.
- Healthy options: Opt for healthy breakfasts rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins. Oatmeal, yogurt, fresh vegetables and fruits, cheeses, egg dishes, and freshly squeezed juices are excellent choices for the morning meal.
- Experiment with world cuisines: Restaurants and cafes may offer breakfasts representing various cuisines from different countries. Try something new, such as a traditional English breakfast, Greek spinach pie, Armenian meat lavash called lahmajoun, or a German sausage in a freshly baked bun.
- Enjoy the moment: Let breakfast become a special moment when you don't think about problems but simply enjoy the aroma of freshly baked pastries, coffee, and the company of pleasant people.
You can find delicious and healthy breakfasts in Nicosia at one of the chain cafes, such as Paul, Cafe La Mode, Nero, and Loukou.
Each of these places has its distinguishing feature that makes it a favorite among customers. At Cafe La Mode, there's an extensive selection of healthy breakfasts. Paul always plays French music, and the aroma of fresh pastries greets you at the entrance. The French chanson in the morning elevates the mood and makes the day wonderful (a scientifically proven fact), and the scent of pastries reminds you of childhood, warmth, and home. Perhaps that's why we love going to Paul and always leave with a bag full of goodies because it's simply irresistible!
At Nero Engomi, jazz music flows in the mornings, and there are cozy armchairs and many books (just like in other cafes of this chain - books are their distinguishing feature). In winter, they light a fireplace, and if you come early on a rainy winter morning and manage to take a seat on the couch by the fireplace, you'll feel like the owner of an ancient estate lost among heather-covered wastelands and castles with ghosts. At Loukou, besides their signature donuts with endless filling and glaze combinations, there's a healthier alternative: baked goods made from whole wheat flour with nuts, dried fruits, oat cookies, traditional Greek pies, sandwiches, and much more.
But let's get back to the best breakfast spots in Nicosia.
We have prepared a review of the best establishments in Nicosia for breakfast and brunch - and it was not easy because there are officially around 1,400 cafes and restaurants in the Cypriot capital!
Silver Pot
At the top of the list is Silver Pot. The unparalleled chef of this cafe constantly adds new dishes to the menu that pleasantly surprise even the most discerning guests. Toasts, baked goods, a variety of healthy breakfast options, incredible combinations of salad greens with vegetables, fruits, nuts, pizza, aromatic coffee, fresh ingredients, smiles, and warm hospitality - that's what we love about this place. By the way, recently they've started hosting afternoon tea on weekdays - be sure to visit on a rainy winter day. This place is especially valued for its warm and welcoming atmosphere and impeccable service - every visitor feels like a cherished guest, surrounded by unobtrusive attention and friendliness from the staff.
Smoothie Factory
In the second place is the conceptual cafe, Smoothie Factory, which is renowned for its vast selection of various smoothies: the assortment is so diverse that it's hard to choose just one drink! The popularity of this place is evident as, during weekends when Smoothie Factory serves brunch, you need to make reservations in advance; otherwise, you'll have to wait in a long queue: there are too many people eager to try their signature pancakes, bowls with fresh seafood, juices, and, of course, smoothies.
Also, on weekends, the chef prepares a special dish that is not on the regular menu. Intrigued? Hurry up and call to reserve a table!
Giagia Victoria and Avo's Armenian Food
In third place, there are two unique authentic cafes with national charm: Giagia Victoria (Victoria Grandma) serving homemade Greek delicacies, and Avo's Armenian Food, which is famous all over Cyprus for its excellent lahmajun - a tender flatbread topped with a deliciously spiced minced meat.
The first cafe, Giagia Victoria, has been operating in Nicosia on Prodromou Street, not far from Grammiko Park, for many years. The second cafe, Avo's Armenian Food, recently opened on Ledras Street and also offers excellent coffee and fresh pastries prepared according to Babushka Victoria's recipes. If you have foreign friends visiting and want to introduce them to authentic Greek cuisine, be sure to take them for breakfast at this cafe.
What to order at Victoria Grandma? In-the-know people from all over Nicosia come here for pies with feta cheese, spinach, and cheese, pastries with meat, chicken, and mushrooms, and traditional homemade desserts. The place is also famous for its delicious galaktoboureko - a phyllo pastry filled with delicate custard and the incredibly delightful portokalopita - an aromatic pie made from semolina and oranges boiled in syrup. Don't miss the kaza dipi - an original dessert made from buffalo milk.
Located on Onasagorou Street, Avo's Armenian Food is a mini-journey to Armenia. Primarily, this place is renowned for its exceptional lahmacun, which has become a favorite food for office workers when they need to celebrate a birthday. There have been instances when several dozen portions of lahmajun were ordered and delivered by courier service to offices in Limassol and Larnaca - you could say they were exporting it. Besides lahmacun, they prepare excellent khachapuri, Russian pies with potatoes, Cypriot pies with halloumi cheese, and even pizza. Although it is a very simple place without frills, all tables are occupied regardless of the weather and time of day, and the queue, winding like a snake, extends to the adjacent street - by the way, it's probably the most budget-friendly place for a delicious breakfast in all of Nicosia.
The Boys at Number Five
In fourth place is The Boys at Number Five. Unconventional minimalist design, sunny patio, and, of course, excellent food at reasonable prices - that's why the residents of Nicosia love The Boys at Number Five. Pancakes (including protein pancakes), omelets, poached eggs, toasts, sandwiches, burgers, variations of the English breakfast, chia seed pudding with fresh berries, French toasts (with caramel, maple syrup, strawberries, etc.), yogurts, and freshly baked goods - true gourmets come here. The cafe also offers a vegetarian menu (but not a vegan one).
QBoo Bakehouse
This place is difficult to label as a cafe in the traditional sense. QBoo Bakehouse is a German bakery (or even a whole bread kingdom) that started with a few varieties of bread and eventually transformed into a cafe and a wonderful place for breakfasts. From early morning, the place is filled with such delightful aromas that it's almost impossible to leave without making a purchase.
They have an extensive assortment of various bread, from classic fluffy bread with a crispy crust to baguettes, rolls, and low-carb organic bread. Their croissants and granola are exceptionally good, as well as their bagels. Try the German sausages with fresh country-style bread and sauerkraut - it's delicious!
Bonus
Pay attention to the cozy cafe Pieto located on Ledras Street. Although you'll mostly find coffee, tea, and desserts here rather than traditional breakfasts, it's a lovely place to meet friends at any time of the day, from early morning to late evening.
And where do you go for breakfast in Nicosia?
Share your favorite places!
