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Discover Turkey’s Best Gastronomy Destinations for Food Lovers

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Ömer Faruk Kino
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Turkey is a gastronomic paradise with a rich cuisine that offers a different flavour in every corner. When travelling, you are guaranteed to encounter a famous dish wherever you go. Have you ever travelled just for the food? If not, you should experience this pleasure at least once, because these journeys can quickly become a passion. Fortunately, there are countless routes for gastronomy tours in Turkey.

So, what are the famous gastronomy cities of Turkey? And where to try the best dishes in Turkey? If you're ready, let's look at Turkey's most appetising stops!

1. Adana

1. Adana Görseli

With its warm weather, the tranquillity of the Seyhan River and its legendary cuisine, Adana is a favourite for gastronomy trips. The city stands out not only for its kebab but also for its rich cuisine, ranging from liver to dessert.

What to eat?

Adana kebab, liver, lahmacun, şırdan, mumbar, stuffed meatballs, mother and daughter, bici bici, garlic peanut meatballs, water pastry, turnip, banana milk, karakuş dessert and stone kadayif are definitely worth trying.

Where to visit?

Adana tour must include Stone Bridge, Sabancı Central Mosque, Great Mosque, Adana Archaeology Museum, Bebekli Church and Central Park.

2. Hatay

2. Hatay Görseli

Standing out with its historical richness and cultural diversity, Hatay is an indispensable stop for gastronomy enthusiasts. Known as the “City of Civilisations”, this special city is a feast for the palate with its rich cuisine ranging from sherbet desserts to mezze, kebabs to salads.

What to eat?

Fellah meatballs, hummus, pepper bread, paper kebab, tray kebab, sini kebab, kunafeh and zahter salad are waiting for you.

Where to visit?

St. Pierre Church, Hatay Archaeology Museum, Titus Tunnel and Beşikli Cave are must-see historical sites.

3. Gaziantep

Gaziantep is one of Turkey's most prominent cities for gastronomy tourism. With nearly 500 dishes, 291 of which are registered, its cuisine is fascinating in terms of both variety and flavour. The source of this richness lies in the fact that the city has historically been located on the Silk and Spice Road and different cultures have met here.

Must Taste Flavours: In addition to local dishes such as alinazik, küşleme, eggplant kebab, lahmacun, stuffed meatballs, yuvalama, beyran soup, liver, chickpea wrap, sour meatballs, şiveydiz, desserts such as baklava and pistachio katmer are among the must-taste dishes of Gaziantep. You can complete your enjoyment by drinking zahter tea or menengiç coffee over these flavours.

Places to visit: It is important to remember that Gaziantep fascinates not only with its food but also with its history. Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Coppersmith Bazaar, Gaziantep Castle, Zincirli Bedesten, Gümrük Han, Dülük Ancient City are among the places worth seeing. Especially Emine Göğüş Gaziantep Culinary Museum is an ideal stop for those who want to get to know the rich culinary culture of the city.

4. Mersin

Mersin, the neighbour of Adana, is one of the indispensable gastronomy routes with its unique cuisine and the peaceful atmosphere of the Mediterranean. In this city where hot, spicy and sour flavours are abundant, both meaty delicacies and seafood are at the forefront.

What to eat?

You cannot come to Mersin and not eat tantuni. In addition, batırık, squama, Tarsus kebab, liver, stuffed meatballs, hummus, blue crab, künefe, cezerye and kerebiç are among the local flavours that must be tasted.

Where to visit?

After dinner, you can visit the Mersin Maritime and Archaeological Museums and the Marina. If you want to get out of the city for a bit, Kızkalesi, Cennet-Cehennem Obrukukları, Narlıkuyu and Yerköprü Waterfall are waiting for you.

5. Sanliurfa

Sanliurfa, home to structures that shed light on world history, such as Gobeklitepe, also has one of the strongest cuisines in Southeastern Anatolia. Known for its spicy, spicy and meaty dishes, this city is a paradise for gastronomy lovers.

What to eat?

Çiğ köfte, Urfa kebab, liver kebab, tray kebab, lahmacun, borani, lebeni, bostana salad and şıllık dessert are among the flavors that everyone who comes to this city must taste.

Where to visit?

Göbeklitepe, Balıklı Lake, Urfa Castle, Aynzeliha Lake, Gümrük Inn and Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum should definitely be on your route.

6. Konya

Bearing the deep traces of history, Konya is a city that impresses its visitors not only with Mevlana but also with its rich cuisine. Konya cuisine, where meat plays the leading role, brings the deep-rooted flavours of Anatolia to modern tables.

What to eat?

Meat bread, oven kebab, tirit, gumbo soup, sheet metal, kaygana, çebiç, fat loaf, Arabic meatballs, water pastry and Mevlana candy are among the must-try flavours in the city.

Where to visit?

The Mevlana Museum, Çatalhöyük Ancient City, Ince Minareli Madrasa, Women's Bazaar, Bedesten Bazaar and the peaceful Japanese Park are must-see places to visit.

7. Kayseri

Kayseri is one of the richest cities in Anatolia, with its history and cuisine. Bearing the traces of many civilisations from the Hittites to the Romans, from Byzantium to the Seljuks, Kayseri has a cuisine shaped by this past. A gastronomic experience where meat dishes and pastries take centre stage awaits you.

What to eat?

Of course, Kayseri ravioli is in the first place! But other must-try dishes include yağlama, yağ manti, pastrami, pöç, sausage, Develi cıvıklısı, kelle paça and nevzine dessert.

Where to visit?

Kayseri Castle, the Archaeology Museum and the Church of the Virgin Mary are the places you should visit to discover the historical and cultural richness of this city.

8. Afyonkarahisar

Included in UNESCO's “Creative Cities Network” in the field of gastronomy, Afyonkarahisar is a point of discovery not only for its history but also for its cuisine. It has a rich food culture, from meat products to pastries, from poppy flavours to desserts.

What to eat?

As well as Afyon sausage and clotted cream, mouth open, çullama meatballs, poppy seed pita, beard soup, ilibada wrap, Arabic vaccine and cherry bread kadayif are among the must-try flavours in this city.

Where to visit?

After dinner, take a walk in Afyon Castle, a short historical journey in Zafer Museum and Archaeology Museum, and a peaceful break in the City Forest.

9. Balıkesir

Balıkesir fascinates gastronomy lovers with its olive oil dishes, dairy desserts and meat dishes. Known for its beautiful towns such as Ayvalık, Cunda and Edremit, this city is a culinary paradise offering the flavours of the Aegean.

What to eat?

You should definitely try Balıkesir keşkeği, sura, tirit, Bigadiç casserole, Balıkesir ravioli, Edremit meatballs, Ayvalık toast and Susurluk toast. Also, höşmerim, clotted cream desserts and curd dessert will help you discover the city's dessert culture.

Where to visit?

You should not miss the natural and historical riches such as Balıkesir Clock Tower, Kaz Mountains National Park, Ayvalık, Cunda and Manyas Bird Lake.

10. Bursa

Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, has made a name for itself with its cuisine as well as its historical and cultural values. The city welcomes countless tourists every year with its unique flavours. Bursa's cuisine offers a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

What to eat?

Among the must-try flavours of Bursa are Iskender, cantik, Inegol meatballs, meatballs with pita, pita with tahini, elbasan pan, chestnut candy, Kemalpasa dessert and milk halva.

Where to visit after dinner?

You should definitely discover historical riches such as Bursa Grand Mosque, Koza Han, Green Mosque, Muradiye Complex and Gölyazı.

11. Trabzon

Trabzon, the pearl of the Black Sea, stands out with its unique cuisine as much as its magnificent nature and cultural richness. During the few days you will spend here, both your soul and stomach will feast.

What to eat?

Trabzon pita, Akçaabat meatballs, kuymak, black cabbage rolls, pilaf with anchovies, pilaf with butter, roasted pickles, corn bread, Laz pastry, Hamsiköy rice pudding and halva are among the main flavours to be tasted in the city.

Where to visit?

You should definitely visit Uzungöl, Sümela Monastery, Altındere Valley, Atatürk Mansion and Historical Bakırcılar Bazaar to get out into nature after dinner.