Alanya is a holiday paradise not only for its beautiful beaches and historical sites but also for its rich and varied food scene. Nestled on the Turkish Riviera, Alanya offers a delightful culinary journey that reflects its cultural diversity and traditions. It's a place where both locals and tourists can indulge in an extensive range of dishes, from hearty breakfasts to delightful dinners, street food to delectable desserts. You can start your day with a traditional Turkish breakfast, consisting of olives, cheeses, fresh bread, and homemade jams. For lunch, savor delicious kebabs or fresh seafood caught just off the coast. As the sun sets, explore a variety of restaurants that serve local specialties and international cuisines. Don't forget to treat yourself to the famous Turkish delight or baklava for dessert. Discover what you can eat and where to eat in Alanya, and embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds.
Traditional Turkish Breakfast
Gozleme
Gozleme is a must-try dish in Turkish cuisine. It's made with thin dough, making it crispy. The filling can vary. Cheese gozleme often uses white cheese or cheddar with fresh parsley for added flavor. Spinach gozleme is a healthy choice, combining lightly cooked spinach and cheese. Potato gozleme is made with mashed boiled potatoes and spices, offering a unique taste. Meat gozleme has ground meat cooked with onions and spices for a tasty filling. Each is cooked on a griddle and served hot. Enjoy this dish at local breakfast spots like Şebithane Saklıbahçe, famous for their gozleme.
Menemen
Menemen is a popular Turkish dish made with tomatoes, peppers, and eggs. Start by dicing fresh tomatoes and cooking them in olive oil. Add chopped peppers and cook further. You can also add onions if you like. Once vegetables are soft, pour in beaten eggs and stir as they cook. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Some recipes add white cheese or cheddar for a richer taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. It’s a light, nutritious summer breakfast dish, best enjoyed with fresh bread at places like Meşhur Çakallı Menemencisi.
Tahini Pide
For those who love sweet pide, tahini pide is a must-try for breakfast. It's made with thin dough topped with a mix of tahini and sugar, then baked. Hancı Bistro & Patisserie is a great place to try this delicacy.
Dinner
Fish
Alanya is by the sea, so it has fresh fish like sea bass, bream, and mullet. These fish are usually grilled, which keeps their natural taste and gives them a smoky flavor. Grilled fish is often served with simple but tasty sides like arugula, lemon slices, and olive oil. The side dishes, such as hummus, spicy paste, eggplant salad, and olive oil dishes, make the meal more enjoyable. Restaurants like Pasha Restaurant and My Balıkçım in Alanya offer these fresh and tasty fish, giving guests a memorable meal. These places are great for those who want to feel the special harmony of the sea and fish.
Grilled Calamari
For seafood lovers, grilled calamari is a favorite in Alanya. Fresh calamari is carefully cleaned and sliced, then marinated with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic sauce. This marinade adds flavor and softens the calamari. The marinated calamari is grilled at high heat, which gives it a smoky taste. During grilling, light grill marks form on the calamari, adding charm to its presentation. After cooking, it's served with fresh herbs and a pinch of sea salt. It usually comes with lemon slices, allowing everyone to adjust the taste to their liking. This light and nutritious dish is especially popular for dinner and is enjoyed with pleasure. Cadde Fish Restaurant is very good at this.
Chicken Skewers
Chicken skewers are one of the most loved dishes in Turkish cuisine, especially for meat lovers. The main ingredient is chicken, and marinating it is important for enhancing its flavor. Chicken pieces are usually marinated with yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and various spices, which keep the meat tender and flavorful. The marinated chicken is then put on skewers and cooked over charcoal or on a grill. This cooking method makes the outside crispy and the inside juicy. Chicken skewers are usually served with rice, salad, and flatbread, making the meal filling and balanced. To try this taste, you can visit famous places like Arap Mehmet Kebab House and Alanya Sofrasi Kebab.
Street Foods
Tantuni
Tantuni, originating from Mersin, is a delicious wrap made with finely chopped meat, typically beef or lamb, mixed with a variety of fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and parsley. The meat is seasoned with spices like paprika and sumac, which give it a spicy kick and distinct flavor. The ingredients are sautéed together and wrapped in a thin, soft flatbread, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. This spicy and filling dish is a favorite among Alanya's street foods. For an authentic tantuni experience, 33 Davet and Tadım Tantuni are excellent places to visit.
Lahmacun
Lahmacun is a delicious Turkish dish consisting of a very thin flatbread topped with a flavorful mixture of minced meat, typically beef or lamb, combined with various spices, herbs, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. This mixture is spread evenly over the dough before being baked in a traditional stone oven, which gives it a unique texture and taste. It's often served with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and sometimes a side of salad, allowing diners to customize each bite with additional flavors. This savory treat is particularly popular in Turkish cuisine, with Öztat Kebap Tantuni and Yükseller Kebap & Pide Evi being renowned for their exceptional lahmacun.
Stuffed Mussels
Stuffed mussels are a delicious street food delicacy consisting of mussels filled with a flavorful mixture of spiced rice, herbs, and often a hint of lemon. The rice is typically seasoned with a blend of spices such as cinnamon, allspice, and sometimes pine nuts or currants, offering a rich and aromatic taste. These stuffed delights are traditionally enjoyed fresh from the street vendors, providing a perfect blend of savory and spicy flavors. We recommend trying a few while strolling along the sea. Midyeci Sülo is known for preparing this dish exceptionally well.
Desserts
Walnut Baklava
For those who love sweets, walnut baklava is a must-try treat in Alanya. It is made by layering thin sheets of dough filled with lots of walnuts. Each layer is carefully placed and flavored with walnuts. Then, the dessert is baked until it turns golden brown. Once out of the oven, hot syrup is poured over it, giving the dessert a unique taste. Walnut baklava has a crispy texture that leaves a lasting flavor in your mouth. In Alanya, you can find some of the best examples at places like Baklavacı Alanya and Tadın Pastanesi. Made with traditional methods and skilled craftsmanship, walnut baklava delights anyone who tries it.
Kunefe
Kunefe is one of the most loved traditional Turkish desserts, made with thin shredded pastry filled with a special cheese. This cheese is usually from the Hatay region and adds a unique, melty taste to the dessert. After placing the layers of pastry and cheese carefully, the dessert is baked in copper pans. Once hot kunefe comes out of the oven, syrup is poured over it, evenly spreading and completing the dessert's flavor. Served with clotted cream or pistachios, kunefe offers a warm and melty taste that leaves a memorable flavor. Keyf-i Künefe and Türkmenoğlu Baklava are just a few places that serve this unique dessert at its best.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is perfect for cooling down, especially on hot summer days, and stands out as a refreshing treat in Alanya's warm weather. Traditional Turkish ice cream, known for its thick texture and rich flavor, is usually made with goat milk, salep, and sugar, giving it a denser, chewy texture compared to other ice creams. In Alanya, ice creams made with natural fruits carry the fresh and natural flavors of the fruits, providing a unique freshness in every bite. Flavors such as strawberry, lemon, and blackberry attract both locals and tourists. Sütçü İmam Dondurma and MADO Alanya are popular spots where you can experience this delicious treat.
Vegetarian Options
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a popular dish from Mediterranean cuisine. The main ingredients are eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes. The eggplants are diced and fried, then mixed with zucchini and peppers. Tomato sauce is poured over to enhance the flavor. Spices enrich the dish, and shakshuka can be served hot or cold. This dish is an ideal choice for vegetarians with both its taste and ingredients, offering a light meal option, especially in summer. Merlot Restaurant and Dim Çayı Göl Piknik are known for making this dish well.
Falafel
Falafel is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, usually made with chickpeas or fava beans. The chickpeas or beans are mixed with spices and fresh herbs, shaped into balls or patties, and fried. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, falafel is a protein-rich vegetarian option. It is often served in wraps or pita bread with tahini sauce and salad. The filling and nutritious nature of falafel makes it a great choice for a quick and healthy meal. Cozy Alanya and Leman Kültür are places known for serving tasty falafel.
Alanya stands out with its rich cultural heritage, unique nature, and gastronomic wealth. It's a city where you can discover different tasty spots for every palate. Now, all you need to do is explore these amazing food spots and enjoy the taste of Alanya!