Discover Turkey’s best dining options offering authentic cuisine, unique culinary experiences and unforgettable natural beauty.
Turkey is a country not only famous for its history and natural beauty, but also for its incredible cuisine.
Each region in Turkey has its own mouth-watering cuisine, from delicious dishes like kebabs to traditional meals cooked with fresh ingredients and unique spices.
No visit to Turkey would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. Here are the 10 best places to eat in Turkey that you must visit to enjoy authentic and unforgettable traditional Turkish cuisine.
1. Bodrum
Bodrum is one of Turkey’s most popular tourist destinations, offering beautiful scenery and authentic Turkish cuisine.
In this city, you can enjoy a variety of Turkish specialties such as fresh seafood that has just been harvested from the surrounding sea.
In addition, restaurants in Bodrum often offer interesting culinary experiences by cooking traditional Turkish dishes, such as kebabs and mezze.
If you want to experience a more in-depth culinary sensation, many restaurants in Bodrum also invite you to participate in the cooking process of Typical Turkey Food, making for a very interactive experience.
2. Calculate
Kalkan is a small town located on the Mediterranean coast, known for its natural beauty and incredible cuisine. The city has over 200 restaurants serving a variety of Turkish cuisine, from fresh seafood to a variety of kebabs grilled to perfection.
One of Kalkan’s charms is its ability to combine local cuisine with stunning scenery, making every meal feel even more special. With its relaxed atmosphere and stunning sea views, Kalkan is the perfect place to enjoy Turkish cuisine while enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
3. Datca Peninsula
Datca Peninsula is a charming hidden tourist destination, famous for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters.
However, apart from its natural beauty, the peninsula also offers an incredible culinary experience.
Here, you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood freshly picked from the surrounding seas, as well as traditional Turkish dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients.
Datca Peninsula is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine while taking in the stunning natural scenery, making it a paradise for foodies and nature lovers.
4. Alacati
Alacati is a small town located on the Aegean coast, known for its traditional architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The city is a foodie’s paradise with many restaurants offering typical Turkish dishes.
From appetizers like mezze, hummus, and tabbouleh to main courses like kebabs, Alacati has plenty of options to satisfy your palate.
The restaurants here are also renowned for their use of local and fresh ingredients, providing an unforgettable dining experience. If you visit Alacati, be sure to sample the local dishes prepared with great flavor and skill.
5. Gastronomic Gulet Cruise
For a unique culinary experience, you can try the Gastronomic Gulet Cruise. Since its opening in 1996, Gastronomic Gulet Cruise has offered a culinary tour aboard a traditional Turkish gulet boat.
This trip combines culinary adventure with natural beauty, allowing you to enjoy Turkish cuisine while exploring Turkey’s beautiful beaches. On board, you will be served delicious dishes prepared by professional chefs, providing a different and satisfying dining experience.
Gastronomic Gulet Cruise is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy culinary delights while enjoying stunning sea views.
6. Haruna Cappadocia
Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most iconic tourist destinations, famous for its unique landscapes adorned with rock formations and hot air balloons.
However, aside from its natural beauty, Cappadocia also has an amazing culinary experience in restaurants like Haruna Cappadocia.
Located inside the unique Carus Cappadocia hotel built into the rock, this restaurant offers delicious dishes like Clay Pot Kebab, Grilled Lamb, and Haruna Pitas, served with a beautiful sunset view. This restaurant is not just a place to eat, but also to enjoy the natural beauty while enjoying rich Turkish cuisine.
7. Oscar Steak House
Oscar Steak House in Cappadocia is a must-visit restaurant for steak lovers. With stunning views of Cappadocia’s natural surroundings, this restaurant serves high-quality steaks prepared to perfection.
You can enjoy dry-aged beef steak or burgers served with a variety of side dishes. In addition, this restaurant also offers an amazing view of the Cappadocia landscape, especially if you choose to eat on the rooftop restaurant, which provides a 360-degree view of this unique city.
Oscar Steak House is the right choice for those of you who want to enjoy meat dishes with equally delicious views.
8. Turkish Ravioli
Turkish Ravioli is the perfect place to taste delicious Turkish ravioli. This restaurant is located close to Goreme National Park and offers beautiful views with rows of traditional houses built into the rocks.
Ravioli is the main dish on offer, but you can also enjoy a variety of other Turkish dishes, such as pottery kebabs, falafel, and sigara boregi (Turkish spring rolls). Turkish Ravioli offers a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience, with dishes made with fresh local ingredients.
9. Nicole Restaurant
fresh ingredients. Run by renowned chef Aylin Yazıcıoğlu, the restaurant serves a variety of dishes that combine the traditions of Turkish cuisine with modern cooking techniques.
Here, you can sample a variety of seasonal dishes, including dishes using fresh ingredients from Turkey’s boutique vineyards. Nicole Restaurant offers an extraordinary culinary experience, with authentic cuisine and friendly service.
10. Seten Restaurant Cappadocia
Seten Restaurant in Cappadocia is a unique dining experience, offering a variety of delicious Turkish dishes with stunning natural views.
The name of the restaurant comes from the traditional stone tool used by the Turks to grind grain.
At Seten, you can enjoy dishes inspired by the traditions of Turkish cuisine, with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the surrounding area. The restaurant also has a cave room that was once used for wine production, adding to the unique atmosphere that makes dining here even more special.
Turkey is a must-visit culinary destination for anyone looking to experience a cuisine rich in flavor and history.
From perfectly grilled kebabs to fresh seafood, Turkey has something for every visitor. Each dining venue offers a unique experience, whether it’s on a gulet boat, in a traditional cave, or in modern restaurants that combine traditional flavors with contemporary cooking techniques.
Don’t forget to explore Typical Turkey Souvenirs to take home as a reminder of your culinary journey. So be sure to check out some of Turkey’s best places to eat and have an incredible culinary adventure!
