10 Dishes You Need to Try in Antalya
Antalya’s cuisine is a real surf and turf kind of deal with fresh fish from the sea as well as amazing grilled meat varieties. There is also the traditional Turkish breakfast that keeps you full for hours. Make sure to feast on these dishes while you’re in Antalya.
Breakfast at Ayşegül Hanım’ın Çiftliği
Breakfast is an important start to the day, and Ayşegül Hanım’ın Çiftliği (Miss Ayşegül’s Farm) is one of the best places to get the classic Turkish breakfast. Sitting in a lovely garden, you’ll feast on organic eggs, cheese and olive varieties, tomatoes and cucumber, Turkish breakfast pastries, and plenty of freshly brewed Turkish tea. https://instagram.com/p/BNdodsHAa0D/
Seafood at Antalya Balık Evi
One of the best seafood restaurants in Antalya, Antalya Balık Evi also happens to have an amazing view of the Mediterranean. Choose your fish from the display, and make sure to start out the meal with some meze such as salted bonito or shrimp in saffron sauce. https://instagram.com/p/BPsWXcVgcP-/
Grilled meat at 7 Mehmet
One of Antalya’s most famous restaurants, 7 Mehmet sits on a hill that overlooks the beautiful Konyaaltı Beach. As expected, everything on the menu is prepared perfectly, especially the grilled meats such as kuzu tandır (slow-cooked lamb) and roasted veal with iç pilavı (rice with currants, nuts, and chopped liver). https://instagram.com/p/BThJHnbFp_g/
Börek at Börekçi Tevfik
Börek is a savory pastry filled with various ingredients and baked to crispy perfection, and in Antalya, Tevfik is the börek expert. The super-thin hand-rolled dough is the secret behind this börek, filled with minced meat or cheese or topped with powdered sugar as a sweet treat. https://instagram.com/p/BNwBTzrBvpl/
Ice cream at Akdeniz Dondurma
What’s summer without some ice cream, right? Akdeniz Dondurma stands out with its ice cream made from goat’s milk, creating a thick consistency that really hits the sweet tooth spot. Caramel, melon, sour cherry, almond, pistachio—you’ll have a hard time choosing. https://instagram.com/p/78Uk-OByFW/
Shish kebab at Şişçi Ramazan
Shish kebab is really an art form at Şişçi Ramazan, which cooks up köfte (meatballs), lamb, and chicken on skewers until they reach their juicy best. Make sure to try the Antalya-style piyaz (bean salad) with tahini. https://instagram.com/p/4roTxbMYs4/
Yenge at Evren Büfe
A büfe is a traditional joint that serves up Turkish fast food favorites, and Evren Büfe is the favorite in Antalya. Here you’ll find excellent Yenge, a hefty sandwich with melted cheese, salami, sausage, sucuk, tomatoes, and pickles, accompanied by (of course) French fries. https://instagram.com/p/nbaVBcExjq/
Wings at Kanatçı Ali Asker
Ali Asker has a special sauce with which he marinates his chicken wings, and locals and visitors have become quite fond of his secret recipe. You’ll end up eating a few too many, but that’s the point when you’re on vacation anyway. https://instagram.com/p/BN1w80_jO3c/
Paça soup at Paçacı Şaban
Paça soup is an acquired taste because it’s composed of broth plus sheep’s brains, head, or foot meat and lots of herbs. We promise it’s very delicious, plus it’s the prime Turkish cure for a hangover, which is why Paçacı Şaban is open from 7 am until 4:30 am. https://instagram.com/p/nmvuxKJX3m/
Grilled chicken at Parlak Restaurant
Restaurant, Seafood
Parlak has become an Antalya favorite because of its very simple but excellent menu: whole roasted chicken accompanied by buttery rice or bulgur. You’ll love watching their cooking technique as well, which involves two long spits with around 20 chickens roasting perfectly over the charcoal.