Taste your way around Antalya

Food is the fruit of our imagination letting us run wild with rich, colourful and delicious creations. Never has this been more true than in Turkey where the flavoursome food is so tasty that many have fallen for its charismatic charm. An infused blend of countless traditions and varying cultures, Turkish food has a historical weight to its wonderful taste. And, with an emphasis on fresh local produce it is little wonder that traditional Turkish treats, both sweet and savoury, have such a wholesome flavour.

So, to save you from drowning under a plethora of plates, (not to mention choice), here is a mini-guide covering some of our favourite delicious Turkish cuisine, all of which can be found in markets or restaurants in Antalya.

More Turkish cuisine

Turkish Pide

Similar to a pizza, Turkish pide is a hearty meal with a thin crust and a wealth of tasty toppings. With a selection of choice from traditional cheeses to finely minced meat, onions, tomato paste and herbs, there are plenty of options to munch your way through. Particularly great for those on a budget, one portion can cost as little as 3 dollars, making this tasty treat a dish after a traveller’s heart. Traditionally found in a Lokanta, a small and simple Turkish restaurant, pide is served with a lush green side-salad; a brilliant bargain and a great introduction to traditional Turkish food!

Testi Kebab

Served to your table in a sealed earthenware pot, testi kebab is another tantalizing treat. Once arrived at your table, the waiter will crack open the earthenware pot serving the juicy beef and fresh vegetables that have been carefully cooked, stewed in their own juices in the pot at a high heat. Originating from the Cappadocia region of Turkey and traditionally served with rice, this type of kebab is one of the most renowned dishes throughout all of Turkey.

Turkish pide

Sac Kavurma

A steamy stew cooked on a thin iron plate, closely resembling a wok, this dish is served to your table with a fiery hot flame lit beneath it. Savour the slow-cooked stew and enjoy the mix of meat (either beer of lamb), herbs and vegetables. With onions, tomatoes, peppers and plenty of herbs, this dish is a marvellous medley of flavour.

Kofte meatballs

Kofte

This is the Turkish name for meatballs. The difference though, is that kofte can have any variety of meat, wheat, vegetables and spices added to it. The result is 64 different versions of the same delicious Turkish dish with varying tastes according to the traditional region that it has stemmed from. One thing that stays the same however, is the way this dish is cooked- grilled to perfection over a high flame. And a versatile dish, kofte can be served as an evening meal with rice and salad, or for lunch between two slices of bread with onions, tomatoes and lettuce, to form a sizzling kofte sandwich. Yum!

So, if you find yourself travelling to Antalya, why not work your way through these delicious dishes on a fantastic tasting-tour to discover the different tastes and aromas of Turkey?

Bon appétit, or rather, afiyet olsun!