Cypriot cuisine is a fantastic mix of Eastern Mediterranean and has many characteristics taken from the island's numerous conquerors. It will not take long for tourists, students and others to realize why one of the favourite local pastimes is eating. Most meals start with mezes(appetizers).Most of these appetizers will have been grown or manufactured locally and will change seasonally. Keep in mind that this is only the beginning of a Turkish meal so “yavash, yavash” (slowly slowly). reared lamb and chicken in their cooking. Main courses normally include shish kebab (chunks of lamb or chicken on the skewer), lamb chops, grilled chicken, sheftali kebab or fish.