A culinary delight in Antalya: discover the flavors of the Turkish Riviera
A melting pot of cultures on the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is known not only for its picturesque beaches and historic landmarks, but also for its exquisite local cuisine. The gastronomy in Antalya is a feast for the senses, characterized by a mix of Mediterranean, Anatolian and Oriental influences. Here you'll find everything from fresh seafood to traditional Turkish delicacies. Each dish tells a story of the region and its people, which enhances your visit Antalya an unforgettable culinary experience.
The culinary history of Antalya: A mosaic of flavors
Antalya's cuisine has its roots in the region's rich history and geographical location. It has been shaped over the centuries by various civilizations that have left their mark here. From the fertile plains and rich seas, local cuisine has always utilized the freshest ingredients to create a variety of flavors. Every dish in Antalya tells the story of the cultures that have shaped this region over time.
Tahini piyaz salad
The “Tahini Piyaz Salad” is a popular dish in Antalya. In this traditional salad, dried beans are mixed with tahini sauce, garlic and vinegar. The mixture creates a unique taste that is delicious.
To prepare “Tahini Piyaz Salad”, first boil the dried beans until they are soft. Then they are cooled and mixed with a mixture of tahini sauce, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. This sauce gives the salad its characteristic flavor and creamy texture.
The “Tahini Piyaz Salad” can be served as a starter or a side dish to main courses. Rich in proteins and healthy fats, it offers a delicious way to enjoy Antalya's local cuisine. Be sure to try this salad when you have the opportunity to explore the region's culinary delights. Your taste buds will thank you!
Arap Kadayif
The “Arap Kadayıf” is a sweet dessert popular in Turkish cuisine, including the Antalya region. This dessert is often served during special occasions and festivals, but can also be found in restaurants and sweet shops in Antalya.
To prepare “Arap Kadayıf”, thin strands of dough, made using a special process, are roasted in butter or margarine until golden brown and crispy. Then a sweet syrup mixture consisting of sugar, water and lemon juice is poured over the toasted dough strands. The dough strands absorb the syrup mixture and become sweet and juicy.
The “Arap Kadayıf” can be served alone or with a scoop of ice cream and is a delight for those who like sweet and sticky desserts. It is a traditional dessert valued in Turkish culture and if you visit Antalya, be sure to try it to experience the sweet side of the region.
Spread Pastry
“Serpme Börek” is a delicious Turkish pastry that is very popular in Antalya and other parts of Turkey. They are filled dough pies, usually prepared in the shape of triangles or rolls. The dough is rolled out thinly and filled with a spicy filling, often consisting of minced meat, onions, spices and herbs.
The filled dough pieces are then baked until golden brown and crispy. “Serpme Börek” can be served as an appetizer, snack or main course and is a popular dish in Turkish cuisine.
Various versions of “Serpme Börek” are prepared in Antalya and other parts of Turkey, including vegetarian versions with spinach or cheese filling. This savory pastry is a treat for those who want to experience the flavors of Turkish cuisine. When you visit Antalya, be sure to try “Serpme Börek” to get a taste of the local cuisine.
Tahini Kabak Dessert
Tahini Kabak dessert is a delicious and traditional dessert from Turkish cuisine. It is often prepared in Antalya and other parts of Türkiye. This dessert combines the rich flavor of tahini (sesame paste) with the sweetness of pumpkin or squash.
Preparing the tahini kabak dessert usually involves cooking pumpkin or pumpkin pieces until soft and then mixing them with tahini and sugar to create a creamy and sweet mixture. Sometimes chopped walnuts or almonds are also added to give the dessert additional texture and flavor.
The result is a delicious dessert that offers a perfect combination of sweetness and richness. We often serve it as dessert, and you can enjoy it warm or cold. Our Tahini Kabak dessert is a delicious way to experience the flavors of Turkish cuisine, especially when you visit Antalya. It is a popular dessert enjoyed by both locals and our valued visitors alike. Get ready to experience a sweet and satisfying taste of Antalya.
Bagaça
Bağaça is a traditional Turkish pastry enjoyed in many parts of Turkey, including Antalya. They are small, crispy dough pies that are often prepared with various fillings. Bağaça can be savory or sweet and is a popular treat for various occasions.
The savory version of bağaça is often prepared with fillings such as spinach, cheese, potatoes, minced meat or other savory ingredients. We usually shape them into small triangles or crescents and then bake them until golden brown and crispy. This is a popular savory pastry that you can enjoy in Antalya. Try it and be surprised by the delicious flavors.
The sweet version of bağaça is often made with sweet fillings such as jam, nuts, sugar or syrup. This variant is a popular dessert and is often enjoyed on special occasions or as a sweet snack.
Bağaça is a versatile pastry that can be served both warm and at room temperature. It is a delicious addition to Turkish cuisine and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. When you visit Antalya, you should definitely try Bağaça to experience the diversity of Turkish cuisine. You will surely enjoy the delicious flavors.
Kulakli soup
Kulaklı soup is a traditional Turkish soup prepared in various regions of Turkey, including Antalya. The name “Kulaklı” literally means “with ears” and refers to the distinctive shape of the dough pieces used in this soup, which are reminiscent of human ears.
The main ingredients for Kulaklı soup are usually beef or lamb, onions, tomatoes, spices and flour. The meat is first cooked until tender and then simmered in a flavorful broth with the onions and tomatoes. The dough for the “ears” is made from flour, water and salt and rolled out into small, thin circles. These dough circles are added to the soup and cooked until they swell and take on the characteristic shape of ears.
The soup is hearty and filling, and the dough ears give it a unique texture. It is often drizzled with fresh lemon juice and garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or mint to enhance the flavor.
Kulaklı soup is a popular choice for cold winter days as it warms and fills the belly. If you want to explore the culinary delights of Antalya, be sure to try Kulaklı soup to experience an authentic taste of the region. You will surely appreciate the beneficial effects of this soup.
Guluklu soup
Gülüklü soup is the most important soup in Antalya and is prepared for weddings and other special occasions or especially for important guests in the family. It is also called “wedding soup” because it was once served at wedding banquets. Nowadays it is enjoyed not only on festive occasions but also in the daily life of Antalya residents. Due to its popularity, it can be said that it is the most appreciated soup in the region. If you visit Antalya, be sure to try this delicious soup and enjoy a touch of local tradition.
Mercimek Dondurması (Lentil Ice Cream)
Mercimek dondurması, also known as lentil ice cream, is a unique and delicious sweet from Turkey. It consists of red lentils, sugar, water and spices. The result is a refreshing ice cream with a slightly nutty note and a pleasant sweetness. Mercimek dondurması is very popular in Turkish cuisine and is often enjoyed on hot summer days. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely try this unique ice cream, it will surely delight your taste buds.
Tırmış
Lupins are yellow bean seeds. You can usually find lupins in jars, similar to olives and cucumbers sold in brine. You can enjoy them by making a small tear in the skin and “popping” the seeds directly into your mouth. Alternatively, they can also be eaten with the skin on. Traditionally, lupins are often eaten as snacks. The taste is somewhat reminiscent of peas.
Hibesh
Hibeş is a popular spice mixture from North African cuisine. The main ingredients are ground cumin, garlic, paprika, and coriander. This spice mixture is often used as a dip or seasoning for various dishes. In Moroccan and Tunisian cuisine, hibeş is a common ingredient in sandwiches and snacks. It gives the dishes a spicy and aromatic taste. You can also easily make Hibeş yourself by mixing the above spices and adding salt and olive oil to taste. It is a versatile spice blend that can spice up many dishes.
Legen Kömbesi
Leğen Kömbesi, also known as “Leğen Kebabı”, is a traditional dish from Turkish cuisine. It consists of thin flatbreads that are baked in a clay oven (Leğen). The flatbreads are usually topped with a mixture of minced meat, spices and tomato sauce and then baked in the oven until crispy.
This dish is particularly popular in the Antalya region of Turkey and is often sold as street food. The combination of crispy flatbread and savory minced meat makes Leğen Kömbesi a delicious meal, often served with yogurt sauce and fresh vegetables.
Leğen Kömbesi is a taste experience that you should definitely try if you want to discover the culinary delights of Turkish cuisine. It is a popular dish and a delicious specialty in Antalya.
Domates Civesi
Domates Civesi, also known as “tomato vegetables,” is a popular Turkish dish often prepared in the Antalya region. It is a simple but tasty dish made with tomatoes, onions, green peppers and spices.
To prepare Domates Civesi, first fry the onions in oil until they are soft and lightly browned. Then the diced tomatoes and green peppers are added and seasoned with spices such as paprika, cumin and salt. The dish is cooked slowly until the tomatoes and peppers are soft and the flavors are well blended.
Domates Civesi can be served alone as a main course or as a side dish to other dishes. It is a fresh and healthy dish that captures the taste of sun-ripened tomatoes and aromatic spices. If you want to explore Turkish cuisine, you should definitely try Domates Civesi, especially when you are in Antalya.
Toros Salatasi
Toros Salatası, also known as “Taurus Mountain Salad,” is a refreshing Turkish salad recipe popular in the Antalya region. This salad stands out for its healthy ingredients and the combination of fresh vegetables and olives.
Toros Salatası is a refreshing accompaniment to many Turkish dishes and goes particularly well with grilled meat or fish. It's a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the Antalya region while benefiting from healthy ingredients.
Artichoke Cretan Kebab
Enginarlı Girit Kebabı, also known as “Artichoke Girit Kebab”, is a tasty Turkish dish with a unique combination of artichokes and minced meat. This dish is popular in the Antalya region and offers a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of Turkish cuisine.
This hearty dish is usually served with rice or pita bread and can be garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley. Enginarlı Girit Kebabı is a delicious example of the culinary diversity of Turkish cuisine and a must for foodies who want to experience the flavors of Antalya.
Alanya Bohcasi
Alanya Bohçası, also known as “Alanya “Pastry” is a popular Turkish dessert prepared in the Antalya region and especially in Alanya. This pastry is characterized by its delicious filling and delicate dough layer. It is a popular snack and a sweet treat for food lovers.
Alanya Bohçası are a popular dessert for celebrations, family gatherings and special occasions in Antalya. Often served with tea or coffee, they are a sweet delicacy that reflects the flavors of the Antalya region. If you want to try the Turkish dessert, you should have Alanya Bohçası on your list. Enjoy this traditional delicacy and experience the taste of Antalya.
Bananas
Antalya donkey bananas are a unique fruit that grows in the region and are popular among locals and visitors alike. These small, sweet bananas get their name because of their smaller size and sweet taste, which distinguishes them from regular bananas.
What makes donkey bananas special is their sweetness and the delicate texture of the flesh. They are smaller than regular bananas and have bright yellow skin. When you peel them and bite them into your mouth, you experience an explosion of sweet flavors that delight the palate.
These fruits are not only delicious, but also versatile in the kitchen. They can be eaten raw, used in fruit salads, or even added to smoothies and desserts. Their unique aroma gives many dishes a special touch.
Donkey bananas are not only a culinary delight, but also a small foretaste of the diversity and richness of local production in Antalya. If you visit the region, be sure to take the opportunity to taste these sweet fruits and let yourself be seduced by their unique taste. It's an experience you shouldn't miss if you want to discover the culinary treasures of Antalya.
Fish
You should definitely try fresh fish in Antalya. The variety of fish species in the region is almost endless, and there are some exquisite options that you should definitely try. Among the different types of fish offered in Antalya, you can find barracuda, bream, grouper, sea bass, mullet and swordfish. Each of these types of fish has its own unique taste and culinary benefits. It's a delicious way to experience the flavors of Turkish cuisine, especially when you visit Antalya.
In Antalya you can enjoy fish in a traditional and delicious way with Tarato sauce. This sauce is made with tahini (sesame seeds), lemon juice, vinegar, salt, garlic and olive oil. It gives the fish dish a wonderful taste and a creamy consistency. The combination of the fresh, tender fish and the Tarato sauce is a taste experience that you shouldn't miss.
In Antalya restaurants, especially along the coast, you'll find a plethora of seafood dishes, from grilled fish to fish soups to fried fish. No matter which dish you choose, you will appreciate the quality and freshness of the ingredients as well as the preparation according to traditional recipes.
Eating fresh fish in Antalya is not only a culinary experience, but also an opportunity to discover the region's rich fishing tradition and fresh seafood. Treat yourself to this delicious experience while exploring Antalya and enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean on your plate.
Beaver Frigya Dolması
Biber Frigya Dolması is a delicious Turkish dish enjoyed in Antalya and other parts of Turkey. These are stuffed peppers prepared with a spicy mixture of rice, minced meat, spices and herbs. The name “Frigya” refers to the Phrygia region of ancient Turkey, where this dish originated.
To prepare Biber Frigya Dolması, first prepare the peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Then the filling is made from rice, minced meat (usually beef or lamb), onions, garlic, tomato paste and a mixture of spices and herbs. Typical spices include paprika, black pepper and cumin, which give the dish its characteristic taste.
The prepared peppers are stuffed with the filling and cooked in a pot with tomato sauce and water. As they cook, the peppers absorb the flavors of the tomato sauce and stuffing, resulting in a delicious dish.
Biber Frigya Dolması is a hearty and filling dish often served with yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice. It is a popular dish in Turkish cuisine and a great way to enjoy the flavors of Antalya and the region.
Antalya Usulü Siyah Fasulye Piyazı
Antalya Usulü Siyah Fasulye Piyazı, also known as Antalya-style black bean salad, is a delicious Turkish dish enjoyed in the Antalya region and other parts of Turkey. It is a refreshing salad that is usually served as an appetizer or side dish.
