Food and Local Culture
Local Dishes of Antalya
Updated January 7, 2026

Antalya boasts a rich culinary tradition, alongside its historical sites, natural beauty, and warm climate. Now, let's embark on a short journey to discover Antalya's most special regional dishes. Where to eat Antalya's regional cuisine? Where are Antalya's regional dishes best prepared? You'll definitely find the flavors you're looking for in Antalya's Kaleiçi (Old Town) and Antalya's Eastern Garage if you go to the right restaurants. If you're ready, we've compiled a list of Antalya's famous dishes for you.
List of Local Dishes of Antalya
- Antalya Piyaz
- Tandoor Kebab
- Hibesh
- Toros Salad
- Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
- Shish Kebab
- Cretan Zucchini
- Arabaşı Soup
- How to Make Sweet Tarhana Soup
- How to Make Sour Tarhana Soup
- Holushka
- Flour Tarhana Soup
- Walnut Baklava
- Kömbe
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup
- Arabic Kadayıf
- Gülüklü (Hülüklü) Soup
- Tomato Stew
- Stuffed Grape Leaves with Olive Oil and Stuffed Grape Leaves with Meat
- Kid Tandoori in a Clay Pot
- Fish Sourness
- Shelled Dried Beans
- Orange Jam
- Flour Halva
- Yoruk Kebab
Antalya Piyaz
How to make Antalya-style piyaz? We'll summarize the Antalya piyaz recipe for you in the shortest way possible. Our first stop is Antalya piyaz, one of the symbols of Antalya. The most important feature that distinguishes this piyaz from others is its tahini sauce. The tahini sauce, combined with green beans, lemon juice, grape vinegar, olive oil, boiled eggs, and fresh vegetables, creates a magnificent flavor. It's a refreshing option, especially on hot summer days!
Tandoor Kebab
Konya, Denizli, and Isparta are one thing, but Antalya's tandoor kebab is a unique and delicious option. Our next culinary delight is the tandoor kebab traditionally made in the mountain villages of Antalya. Usually prepared using lamb, this dish is slowly cooked in special tandoor ovens. The tenderness of the meat and its unique flavor, blended with spices, make this kebab unforgettable. It is served with freshly baked village bread.
Hibesh
We've presented you with a Hibeş meze recipe that you'll find incredibly delicious once you learn it. It's one of Antalya's most famous mezes and is usually served alongside main courses. Prepared with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and red pepper, this meze is consumed spread on bread. Hibeş is a great choice, especially for those who like spicy food.
Toros Salad
Named after the Taurus Mountains, this salad is made with the freshest vegetables from Antalya. Prepared with tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, and fresh mint, it is seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. A healthy and delicious option!
Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
Where is stuffed zucchini flowers from? Aegean style stuffed zucchini flowers? Or Antalya style stuffed zucchini flowers? We briefly answer these questions. Another delicacy from Antalya is stuffed zucchini flowers. Zucchini flowers are stuffed with rice, onions, dill, mint, and various spices, and then cooked in olive oil. This dish, which is both light and delicious, is especially preferred in the summer months.
Shish Kebab
Don't leave Antalya without trying the Antalya shish köfte (grilled meatballs) with piyaz (onion salad). Unlike the well-known shish kebabs and Tire-style shish köfte, Antalya's famous shish köfte is prepared with a mixture of beef and lamb. The meat, seasoned with spices, is threaded onto skewers and grilled. It is served with sumac-flavored onions, fresh greens, and lavash bread. It's a delicacy you can find in almost every restaurant in Antalya.
Stuffed Cretan Zucchini
Stuffed zucchini from Crete holds a special place in Antalya's cuisine. Thinly sliced zucchini are sautéed in olive oil and served with garlic yogurt poured over them. This dish, which is both light and nutritious, graces tables especially during the summer months.
Arabaşı Soup
If you're wondering where Arabaşı soup originates from, it's among the authentic dishes of Anatolia. Finally, there's the Arabaşı soup from Antalya, a warming treat for cold winter days. Made with chicken or turkey, this soup is flavored with plenty of chili peppers and served with dough. Arabaşı soup has its own unique way of being eaten: the dough is broken into small pieces and consumed with a soup spoon.
How to Make Sweet Tarhana Soup
Antalya's sweet tarhana differs from the savory versions found in other regions. This special tarhana is prepared with wheat flour, yogurt, and various spices, and then dried. Its soup offers a slightly sweet flavor and is served with butter drizzled on top.
How to Make Sour Tarhana Soup
Antalya sour tarhana is a type of tarhana made through a fermentation process and has a sour taste. Prepared with wheat flour, yogurt, and various vegetables, the tarhana is dried and then cooked as a soup. It is a refreshing soup with a sour taste.
Holushka
Holushka, from Antalya, is one of the lesser-known traditional dishes. This delicious dish is prepared by filling thin sheets of phyllo dough with a mixture of walnuts and sugar, then frying it in butter and pouring syrup over it.
Flour Tarhana Soup
Flour tarhana is made by preparing wheat flour and yogurt, then fermenting and drying it. The soup itself is simple, nutritious, and filling. It is usually served garnished with butter and red pepper.
Walnut Baklava
Antalya's walnut baklava is a syrup-soaked dessert prepared with plenty of walnuts between thin layers of phyllo dough. This dessert is a centerpiece of tables during holidays and special occasions.
Kömbe
Antalya's kömbe is a type of cookie made with flour, sugar, milk, and walnuts. Typically made during holidays, this delicious cookie goes wonderfully with coffee.
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Antalya creamy pumpkin soup is a light and nutritious soup made with pumpkin and milk. It is served sprinkled with fresh mint and is a refreshing starter even on hot summer days.
Arabic Kadayıf
Antalya-style Arabic kadayıf and its recipe are quite easy. First of all, Arabic kadayıf is a dessert made by filling thin strands of kadayıf dough with walnuts and frying them. It is served with syrup poured over it and delights the taste buds with its crispy texture.
Gülüklü (Hülüklü) Soup
Antalya Gülüklü soup: How to make Gülüklü soup and the recipe is for a hearty soup prepared with small meatballs, chickpeas, and various vegetables. It's a particularly warming starter on the table during the winter months.
Tomato Stew
In response to the question "What is Antalya Tomato Civesi and how is Antalya Tomato Civesi made?", it is a type of menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers) made with fresh tomatoes and peppers. It is often garnished with fresh herbs and preferred for breakfast or light meals.
Stuffed Grape Leaves with Olive Oil and Stuffed Grape Leaves with Meat
Antalya's stuffed vine leaves are prepared with both olive oil and meat fillings. They are garnished with lemon slices and served either hot or cold.
Kid Tandoori in a Clay Pot
The kid goat meat is slowly cooked in a casserole dish and seasoned with special spices. The tender texture of the meat and the aroma imparted by cooking in the casserole make this dish special.
Fish Sourness
Fish stew is made by cooking fresh fish with lemon juice and various spices. Both light and delicious, this dish is an ideal option for seafood lovers.
Shelled Dried Beans
Baked beans in their shells are a bean dish cooked with the beans still in their shells. This cooking method adds extra flavor and texture to the dish.
Orange Jam
Made with bitter oranges harvested from Antalya's bitter orange trees, bitter orange jam graces breakfast tables with its sweet and sour flavor.
Flour Halva
Antalya Flour Halva is a traditional dessert made with roasted flour, sugar, and butter. This sweet treat, especially popular during religious holidays and special occasions, is very much loved in Antalya.
Yoruk Kebab
Yörük kebab is a dish made by marinating lamb meat with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is served with fresh greens and flatbread.
Related Guides
You can also check out our other guides on this topic.
- Antalya Marketplaces - All Districts
- The Antalya district that gave its name to a type of orange.