Antalya, Turkey’s sun-soaked Mediterranean gem, boasts a cuisine bursting with fresh seafood, tahini-laced salads, coal-grilled meats, and unique Yörük-inspired treats. From tahinli piyaz bean salads to sizzling şiş köfte skewers, these dishes capture the region’s bold flavors and coastal bounty—perfect for food lovers exploring Kaleiçi’s historic alleys or Lara’s beaches.
1. Topçu Kebap – Iconic Döner Kebab
Savor Antalya’s oldest kebab house specialty: thinly sliced döner kebab from juicy beef layered on a vertical spit, wrapped in warm lavash with tangy onions and sumac. The smoky char and tender meat make it a lunchtime legend.
2. Meşhur Piyazcı Baki Ustanın Yeri – Şiş Köfte Piyaz
This spot nails Antalya’s beloved şiş köfte piyaz: coal-grilled minced meat skewers paired with creamy tahini-drizzled white beans, vinegar-spiked onions, and roasted peppers for a zesty, refreshing bite.
Meşhur Piyazcı Baki Ustanın Yeri (4.2★, 79 reviews)
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3. Şişçi Ramadan – Meatball Skewers
Fire up your taste buds with meatball skewers (şiş köfte), hand-minced lamb grilled over coals and served alongside piyaz—aromatic, juicy, and the ultimate street-to-table Antalya duo.
Şişçi Ramazan Uncalı Şubesi (4.4★, 836 reviews)
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Tip: You might need a reservation for this place.
4. The Royal Castle Bistro – Grilled Sea Bass
Dive into Mediterranean freshness with grilled levrek (sea bass), simply seasoned with lemon and olive oil, highlighting Antalya’s pristine catch in a breezy seaside setting.
The Royal Castle Bistro (4.2★, 2,016 reviews)
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Tip: You might need a reservation for this place.
5. Can Can Pide Yemek Salonu – Kiremitte Köfte
Try the dramatic kiremitte köfte: spiced meatballs sizzling on a hot stone slab with melted butter, onions, and peppers—tender, flavorful, and a hearty nod to local pide traditions.
Can Can Pide Yemek Salonu (4.5★, 1,848 reviews)
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6. Cigerci Bahattin – Chicken Şiş Kebab
End your day with chicken şiş kebab, marinated skewers charred to perfection and paired with çorba soup, delivering crispy edges and succulent juices in a welcoming Lara haunt.
Ciğerci Bahattin – Antalya Lara (4.4★, 7,935 reviews)
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Tip: You might need a reservation for this place.
7. Arap Nazmi Restaurant – Tahinli Piyaz
Antalya’s tahini obsession shines in tahinli piyaz, a rich bean salad swimming in sesame paste, lemon, and olive oil—best as a starter to grilled meats here.
ARAP NAZMİ KÖFTE, PİYAZ (1.0★, 1 reviews)
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8. Özdoyum Restaurant – Serpme Patty
Indulge in serpme patty, thin layered pastries stuffed with cheese and ground beef, a century-old wedding favorite now a daily delight with its flaky, savory crunch.
Özdoyum Restaurant (4.1★, 304 reviews)
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9. Piyazcı Ahmet – Hibeş Dip
Dip into hibeş, Antalya’s garlicky tahini spread blended with cumin and walnuts—irresistible with bread as a raki meze in this piyaz specialist’s cozy vibe.
Piyazcı Ahmet (4.2★, 2,825 reviews)
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Tip: You might need a reservation for this place.
10. 18 Bağaçaları – Bağaça Bun
Sweeten up with bağaça, a cinnamon-tahini-filled local bun from the 1940s, fluffy and filling—Ramadan’s star but perfect anytime in Kalekapısı’s historic heart.
Meşhur 18’in Bağaçaları (3.4★, 27 reviews)
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Local Etiquette & Ordering Tips
Greet staff with a warm “Merhaba” and share meze platters family-style. Order piyaz or hibeş to start, specify “az pişmiş” for rare grilled meats, and pair with ayran yogurt drink. Tipping 10% is appreciated—cash rules in smaller spots.
Antalya’s food scene blends seaside simplicity with hearty traditions, leaving you fueled for beach days and ancient ruins. Grab a fork (or skewer) and dive in—these spots deliver the city’s soul on every plate.
Places List
- Topçu Kebap | Döner Kebab | Kazım Özalp Cd., Muratpaşa
- Meşhur Piyazcı Baki Ustanın Yeri | Şiş Köfte Piyaz | 519. Sk., Muratpaşa
- Şişçi Ramadan | Meatball Skewers | Kalekapısı
- The Royal Castle Bistro | Grilled Sea Bass | Lara Cd., Lara
- Can Can Pide Yemek Salonu | Kiremitte Köfte | H. İşcan Mah., Muratpaşa
- Cigerci Bahattin | Chicken Şiş Kebab | Rauf Denktas Cd., Lara
- Arap Nazmi Restaurant | Tahinli Piyaz | City Center
- Özdoyum Restaurant | Serpme Patty | Muratpaşa
- Piyazcı Ahmet | Hibeş Dip | Kaleiçi Area
- 18 Bağaçaları | Bağaça Bun | Kalekapısı
Experience Antalya virtually first: Drive through Antalya on Drive & Listen while listening to their local radio stations.
