Cyprus restaurants are packed in August, but guests are saving money

August brought a noticeable revival in restaurants, cafes, and bars. Occupancy rates nationwide reach around 80%, with a large portion of customers coming from locals vacationing by the sea. At the same time, the industry is noticing a change in behavior: guests are still going out, but they're monitoring their spending more closely.

The premises were filled only in August

According to Neofytos Thrasyvoulou, head of the OSIKA association representing restaurants and entertainment venues, current occupancy is around 80% across all districts. Local customers account for a significant portion of August's traffic.

Fanos Leventis from PASIKA is observing a similar shift. He points out that the situation has changed significantly compared to previous months, as many residents are spending their August vacation in seaside resorts.

Not everyone chooses the coast, however. Mountain resorts remain popular, especially Kakopetria, Platres, and Kalopanayiotis. However, these are more often day trips than longer stays.

How much does it cost to go out to a restaurant these days?

The industry also provided indicative prices to expect this summer.

Meze currently costs around 25-30 euros per person. A buffet averages €27–35, while grilled dishes typically range from €20–30. These are indicative price levels provided by an industry representative, not an official price list – the actual price depends on the restaurant, location, and menu selection.

According to food service representatives, locals mostly stick to local cuisine, opting for meze and grilled meats. Burgers, salads, and sandwiches are said to be more popular among foreign tourists.

A full house no longer means high expenses

Customer behavior is one of the most interesting elements of August this year. Restaurants are seeing customers, but—as industry representatives admit—both locals and tourists are more cautious about paying the bill.

Thrasyvoulou points out that businesses are also facing higher raw material costs. He believes that businesses should nonetheless maintain the quality of their services and avoid prices that could further reduce demand.

A similar trend is currently evident in hotels. In Limassol, occupancy in August reached around 90%, but last-minute bookings and domestic demand played a significant role. Hoteliers also limited price increases to avoid discouraging customers.

In Paphos, hotel occupancy is estimated at 85–90 percent, although industry representatives indicate that some customers are postponing their travel decisions until the last minute, seeking better deals. According to the local hoteliers' association, room rates have fallen by over 20 percent, demonstrating that high guest numbers don't necessarily translate into equally good revenue.

August remains the strongest period of the season

The high level of activity in the restaurant industry is part of the broader picture of this year's holiday peak. In July, Larnaca and Paphos airports saw 1,635,055 passengers, just 1 percent less than a year earlier. Paphos alone saw a 7 percent increase in traffic compared to July 2025.

Hotel data and information from the catering industry, however, reveal another change: August is full of customers, but price is becoming increasingly important. Residents and tourists alike continue to travel, eat out, and take advantage of holiday offers, but they're more likely to look for options that fit their budget.

Labor availability also remains a challenge for the restaurant industry. OSIKA has once again appealed to the government to facilitate the hiring of people from outside the European Union, citing the sector's staffing needs.

The material was prepared based on information from industry organizations OSIKA and PASIKA, data from Hermes Airports and information from the Cyprus Hotels Association.