Foodie Corner
Welcome to Antalya’s vibrant food scene, where Mediterranean flavours meet Turkish tradition, creating an unforgettable culinary experience! Known not only for its stunning coastline and rich history, Antalya is also a paradise for food lovers. Here, you’ll find everything from fresh seafood caught daily and served with local herbs, to authentic Turkish kebabs, mezes, and an array of vegetarian dishes.
Start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast, complete with honey, olives, cheeses, and freshly baked bread, or visit the bustling markets filled with colourful produce, aromatic spices, and handmade treats. Dining by the sea at sunset?
Indulge in Antalya’s signature dishes like piyaz, a bean salad with tahini, or savour fish accompanied by a refreshing glass of rakı.
Breakfast
Antalya’s Turkish breakfast, or kahvaltı, is a feast that combines fresh, local ingredients with bold flavours. Here are some of the famous breakfast dishes you’llencounter in Antalya, each one bringing a unique taste of the Mediterranean.
A flavourful scramble made with eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and a touch of spices, menemen is cooked to a creamy consistency and is often eaten with fresh bread for dipping. It’s a breakfast staple that’s both hearty and satisfying.
Turkey’s answer to the bagel, simit is a round, sesame-crusted bread ring that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. You’ll often see it served with cheese, olives, and tea, making it a favourite breakfast choice.
Antalya is known for its börek, a pastry made with layers of thin dough and various fillings. Popular varieties include peynirli börek (filled with cheese) and ıspanaklı börek (with spinach). It’s a savory treat that pairs well with Turkish tea.
Acılı ezme is a spicy tomato and pepper paste, often served as a spread with bread. Its bright, zesty flavour adds a delicious kick to the breakfast table.
No Turkish breakfast is complete without çay, strong black tea served in tulip-shaped glasses. It’s the drink of choice with breakfast, perfectly pairing with both sweet and savory dishes.
Breakfast in Antalya isn’t just a meal; it’s a communal experience meant to be savoured and enjoyed with friends or family. Each dish brings something unique to the table, making the Turkish breakfast one of Antalya’s most beloved culinary traditions.
Lunch
Antalya’s lunch offerings capture the rich, Mediterranean-inspired flavours of the region. Here are some of the famous Turkish lunch dishes you’ll find in Antalya, each providing a unique taste of local culture:
Antalya’s signature bean salad, piyaz combines white beans with tahini, garlic, onions, parsley, and a sprinkle of sumac. It’s a creamy, zesty dish often served with a hard-boiled egg on top and enjoyed as a light but flavourful lunch.
Turkish meatballs, or köfte, are a popular lunchtime favourite. Antalya-style köfte often includes minced meat mixed with herbs and spices, grilled to perfection. Served with rice, salad, and fresh bread, they make a hearty and satisfying meal.
Being a coastal city, Antalya is famous for its fresh seafood. Grilled sea bream or sea bass is a local favourite, seasoned with olive oil and herbs, then served with a side of salad and lemon. It’s a light, healthy option that captures the essence of the Mediterranean.
Antalya is known for its delicious skewers, especially lamb and chicken şiş kebap. Marinated meat is grilled on skewers and served with lavash bread, grilled vegetables, and sometimes yogurt. It’s a must-try for kebab lovers.
Often called “Turkish pizza,” lahmacun is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. It’s typically rolled up with fresh parsley, lemon juice, and occasionally some salad, making it a quick and tasty lunch option.
Not exactly a dish, but this salty yogurt drink is a perfect lunchtime refreshment in Antalya, especially on hot days. It pairs well with kebabs, lahmacun, or any grilled dish and is a refreshing way to cool down while dining.
Stuffed vegetables, or dolma, are commonly enjoyed as a light lunch. Bell peppers, grape leaves, or zucchini are filled with a savory mix of rice, herbs, and occasionally ground meat, making for a fresh, satisfying dish.
Originating in the Mediterranean region, alinazik is a flavourful dish featuring smoky, pureed eggplant topped with tender, spiced minced meat. Served with yogurt, this dish is often accompanied by rice or bread.
Dinner
Antalya offers an array of delicious Turkish dinner dishes, blending Mediterranean flavours with traditional Turkish cuisine. Here are some famous dinner options that locals and visitors alike enjoy in Antalya:
To conclude a Turkish dinner, baklava is a traditional dessert made with thin layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup or honey. It’s a sweet, indulgent treat often enjoyed with Turkish coffee or tea.
A royal Ottoman dish, hünkar beğendi combines tender, slow-cooked lamb served on a bed of creamy, smoky eggplant purée. The richness of the lamb and the unique flavour of the eggplant make this a sophisticated choice for dinner.
Known for its fresh, vibrant ingredients, this salad combines tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, lettuce, peppers, and sometimes pomegranate seeds. Tossed with lemon and olive oil, it’s a refreshing, healthy option often enjoyed alongside a main course.
This beloved Turkish dish is made by slow-cooking lamb until it’s incredibly tender and flavourful. The lamb is typically seasoned with herbs, served with rice or bulgur, and sometimes paired with a yogurt sauce for added richness.
Karnıyarık is a stuffed eggplant dish filled with ground meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices. Baked until tender, it’s topped with fresh herbs and served with rice or bulgur for a satisfying, home-style dinner.
As a dessert to end a Turkish dinner, fırın sütlaç is a baked rice pudding with a caramelized top. Creamy and lightly sweet, it’s a comforting dessert that’s not overly rich, making it a popular choice after a filling meal.
Mezes (small dishes) are typically served as appetizers, but they can also make for a light dinner. Popular mezes include haydari (thick yogurt with garlic and herbs), acılı ezme (spicy tomato paste), and şakşuka (fried eggplant in tomato sauce). A meze spread offers a variety of flavours to sample and share.
Dinner in Antalya is an experience to savour, blending hearty flavours, fresh ingredients, and the rich culinary heritage of Turkey. Each dish tells a story of tradition and regional influence, making dinner a memorable part of any visit to Antalya.