Syrniki are thick, pan-fried cheese pancakes, a breakfast classic in Ukrainian and Russian home kitchens. You may also see the name spelled sirniki or syrnyky. At Home Cafe in Polis Chrysochous we make them with anari, so a dish from Eastern Europe starts with a Cypriot cheese.
Why anari works for syrniki
Anari is a fresh, soft whey cheese from Cyprus, traditionally made from the whey left over after halloumi. It is mild and moist, which is what a syrnik needs: a browned outside and a soft inside.
Our recipes list anari with egg and rice flour instead of wheat flour. If you avoid gluten or have an allergy, please ask the staff before ordering. The menu lists ingredients; it is not an allergen guarantee.
Classic Syrniki: the sweet breakfast
Classic Syrniki are made with anari, egg, rice flour, salt and a little sugar. They come with jam, Greek yogurt and seasonal fruit, so one plate has something warm, something cool and tangy, and something fresh.
Choose these if you want syrniki the traditional way, or a sweet start to the day.
Three savoury syrniki
With gorgonzola and walnuts
Syrniki With Gorgonzola have blue cheese and walnuts mixed into the anari. They are the boldest of the four, for anyone who likes a sharp cheese in the morning.
With mozzarella and dried tomatoes
Syrniki With Mozzarella & Dried Tomatoes add mozzarella and dried tomatoes to the anari base. They are milder than the gorgonzola version, with the sweetness of the tomatoes.
With spinach and feta
Syrniki With Spinach & Feta combine anari with spinach and feta. The pairing will be familiar from Greek and Cypriot pies.
Which syrniki to order
- A sweet breakfast: Classic Syrniki.
- Something closer to a savoury brunch: any of the three savoury versions.
- Ordering for two: one classic and one savoury plate covers both moods.
Questions about syrniki
Are syrniki the same as pancakes?
Not quite. Pancakes are made from a pourable batter. Syrniki are mostly fresh cheese, shaped into thick rounds and fried, so they are denser and more tender than a pancake.
Are syrniki sweet or savoury?
Traditionally they are sweet and served with sour cream, jam or honey. At Home Cafe you can have both: the classic sweet plate and three savoury versions.
Where can I eat syrniki in Polis?
At Home Cafe in the Akamas Gate complex, Polis Chrysochous. All four are on the breakfast menu. For eggs, shakshuka and other morning dishes, see our guide to breakfast at Akamas Gate.
About the photo
For the cover we stacked the classic syrniki into a small tower. At the table they arrive side by side on the plate, ready to eat.