A TASTY EVENT IN THE
PUBLIC GARDENS OF LIMASSOL
FOOD FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD
As a food lover and critic, I often seek to explore foods from all over the world. The Seaside Street Food Festival, held in the Public Gardens of Limassol, appealed to me as it seemed to help facilitate this. The three-day event is held every year and often features traditional and new street food concepts from all around the globe. The range of foods on offer is diverse and wide-reaching. The festival has representations from the Americas, as well as Europe, Africa and Asia. The festival also features entertainment by the way of guest DJs and live bands who perform well into the evenings, providing a fun day out for the whole family.Â
THE BUS INTO LIMASSOL
I took the intercity bus into Limassol from Nicosia. The public gardens were a short walk away and as I set off I took in some lovely views of Limassol’s Molos Promenade. As I approached the public gardens I could not help, but notice the hive of activity at the gates. This indeed has become a popular festival with people constantly arriving in streams. Â
AROMA OF GRILLED MEATS
As I entered the festival grounds, I was immediately greeted by several sizzling sounds and some enticing aromas. There were seveal chefs grilling a variety of meats. The aroma of fresh spices also wafted through the air and I could see some freshly baked pastries that seemed very inviting. The atmosphere was lively and vibrant, with music playing in the background and I could see several people milling about, sampling the different dishes on display. I decided that I would try as many different foods from around the world as possible. I starting of course with the Cyprus stand. Â
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
A TASTE OF CYPRUS
One of the first stands that caught my eye was the souvlaki stand. The skewers of marinated meat were sizzling on the grill, and the smell was just irresistible. I ordered a single stick of souvlaki and just loved dipping each piece of meat into the cool refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. The flavour was tantalising and I savoured every bite.
A TASTE OF THE MIDDLE-EAST
The next stand I visited was selling falafel. The falafel was prepared exactly how falafel should be, crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. The homemade hummus was extra light and creamy. As I dipped the falafel into the hummus I savoured the delicious combination of both texture and taste.
A TASTE OF THE FAR EAST
The next stand I visited was from the Far East. It was selling a wide variety of sushi, which is the Japanese national dish. All was freshly prepared and I looked on as the sushi chef skillfully packed the raw fish into little delicate parcels of rice. I dipped my portion of sushi into some perfectly prepared chilli oil that seemed to enhance the flavour even more.Â
A TASTE OF THE AMERICAS
The elaborately decorated Mexican stand offered several different tacos and quesadillas. I chose to go vegetarian and within minutes I was enjoying my spicy taco. Prepared with care, all of the ingredients were fresh and the taco went down well with the complimentary ice-cold glass of water.
A TASTE OF EUROPE
As I was getting full by this time, I decided to skip the burgers and hot dogs and I went for a nice slice of freshly baked pizza instead. There was a huge choice, but I again chose a vegetarian option. The pizza dough was nice and crispy and the ingredients were fresh.Â
A SWEET TASTE
As I was now completely full it was time for something lighter. Although there were several pastry and cake offerings, I decided that I would try a cool refreshing ice cream. I found a stall selling home made gelato ice cream. My vanilla cone was an absolute delight after all of that food. It was both creamy and smooth and the natural light sweetness was a perfect ending to my various snacks throughout the day.
A BEER & SOME SHISHA
All being good, I now needed to relax a little. I slowly made my way to the Keo beer stand. I then took my ice-cold brew to the Shisha stand opposite and took the time to relax with my beer and shisha, waiting for the live band to start.
THE LIVE BAND
The huge variety of dishes on offer and the lively atmosphere compelled me to stick around. I am glad that I did, as the live band was exceptional from start to finish and entertained the crowd brilliantly. The live music provided the perfect ending to a lovely day out, making the Seaside Street Food Festival a very memorable experience. I eventually left the festival feeling satisfied and content, with a newfound appreciation for the diverse and delicious street food that Cyprus has to offer. I cannot wait to attend next year’s festival and continue exploring the culinary delights of this fantastic little island that I call home.
INTERCITY BUS INTO LIMASSOL
BUS 30 ALONG THE SEAFRONT
