Deliciously salty, slightly springy and grilled or fried to a mouth-watering texture – there’s a reason haloumi makes it to my plate whenever it’s marked on the menu.

Originating in the villages of Cyprus, it has been a staple to the Mediterranean diet for years and is now a vital addition to brunch menus. Traditionally made from a mixture of goats, cows or sheep milk, Haloumi holds its strong salty flavour from the brine it is preserved which credits its distinctive taste.

Whether you like it grilled, jammed in a burger, crumbed or as an accompaniment to your avo toast, we have rounded up some of the best dishes in town with that meal-enhancing cheese. Take it from a Greek.

Fillos Taverna and Bar

Matilda St, Phillip 

Fillos is a welcoming space that celebrates authentic Greek cuisine so you can trust them with handling your haloumi. Enjoy it perfectly grilled the traditional way with a wedge of lemon or wrapped up in their signature pita.

Brodburger

Dairy Rd, Fyshwick & 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston

Serving up some of the best burgs known to man, Brod’s veg burger can be enjoyed equally as much by meat lovers. The haloumi is fried and jammed together with flame grilled vegetables, homemade chilli aioli and tomato relish in a soft milk bun.

Assembly

11 Lonsdale Street Braddon 

The saying fries over guys is more pertinent than ever here. Haloumi is thickly sliced up in fry form and topped with spiced harissa yoghurt, bursts of pomegranate and a touch of mint. The perfect addition to your night out.

Podilato

219 Northbourne Ave, Turner 

A menu bursting with traditional Mediterranean cuisine, they take haloumi from the brink of dawn to dinner. Take it as a side to boost your brekkie, or grilled and served with shaved fennel and preserved lemon as an indulgent entrée for dinner.

Ricardo’s

Jamison Plaza, 1/1 Bowman St, Macquarie

The famous Jamison café has a few ways up their sleeve to satisfy haloumi cravings. Kick off the day with the corn, zucchini and haloumi fritters served with poached eggs, beetroot hummus, Moroccan cous cous, dukkah and dill yoghurt. For an even lighter option try the salad where haloumi is arranged with avocado, roast pumpkin, steamed greens, mixed seeds, sumac verjuice and poppy seed dressing.

The Cupping Room

1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra 

You have to look like a haloumi to get me to add a side and the cuppers sure know how to pull the heart strings. Their crumbed haloumi with siracha mayo makes the perfect accompaniment to anything on the menu from their iconic smashed avo to their wholesome salads.

Morning Glory

NewActon Pavilion, 2/15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra

The laid-back setting in the Acton precinct adds unique spin to their dishes whilst reflecting seasonal eats. The terung burger shines a spotlight on the Cypriot cheese as haloumi is sandwiched with eggplant, spicy sambal and cos lettuce served with crunchy fries.

Zeus Street Greek

s7/21 Genge St, Canberra

A modern take on Greek street food in the heart of the city, Zeus Street Greek serves up the vegetarian Stavros Stavrou pita. Wrapped with grilled haloumi, olive tapenade, roasted bell peppers, baby cos lettuce, tomato and mint.

Haloumi obsession sorted.