In Turkish hotels, most tourists prefer to use all the advantages of the "all-inclusive" system. However, we suggest you take a different path and get acquainted with the interesting establishments of Antalya and its unforgettable colourful cuisine.
Budget cafes in Antalya
There are many small cafes in Antalya that offer Turkish dishes for every taste. To make it easier for you to navigate, we will tell you about the most popular places in the city.
Kebapçı and Köfteci
In Antalya, you will see a lot of cafes with these signs. These establishments sell Turkish meat dishes:
Kebab - meat on a grill, sliced into small pieces. Served with bread and vegetables;
Döner - meat slices with sauce and vegetables in a bread pita. To order a familiar shawarma, ask for a lavaş-döner;
Köfte - beef or lamb patties with spices, grilled to perfection.
Prices
On average, prices for dishes are as follows:
Döner in Antalya costs 9 TRY.
İskender, the most delicious variation of döner, will cost you 16-22 TRY.
Popular establishments
Dagdeviren is an excellent affordable restaurant for connoisseurs of meat delicacies and kebabs.
Address: Bahçelievler Mahallesi, Konyaaltı Cd. No:54, 07050 Muratpaşa/Antalya.
Pideci
In Antalya, Turkish pizzerias are called Pideci. Pide is a flatbread with filling of meat, vegetables, and cheese.
Menu. In many cafes, the menu is not limited to pide. You can try traditional soups and salads made from fresh vegetables.
Prices. The cost of pide in Turkish cafes is 8-16 TRY.
Popular establishments. Karadeniz Pide is an atmospheric cafe with Russian-speaking staff. Address: Liman Mahallesi, Boğacayı Cd. Metin Apt., 07000 Konyaaltı/Antalya.
Borekçi
Börek is a pie made from thin layered dough. The fillings can be varied, such as potatoes, spinach, cheese, or meat.
Menu. In such establishments, there is a rich assortment of pies, desserts, and drinks. Turks often visit Börekçi in the morning. Breakfast with a pie has become a tradition for them.
Prices. The average price for one borek is 15-18 TRY.
Popular establishments. Börekçi Tevfik is one of the most popular cafes in Antalya. Pies have been prepared here according to a special recipe for four generations. Address: Sinan Mah, Peker Cad, 1255 Sok. Ay İşhanı, 07050 Muratpaşa/Antalya.
Tatlici or pastanesi
Confectioneries with incredible Eastern delicacies.
Menu. They sell rahat lokum, halva, and baklava here. You can also find simit, a sesame-coated yeast dough ring, in the assortment of such establishments.
Prices. Before buying sweets at the market or pastry shop, pay attention to the price. High-quality rahat lokum is sold from 20 TRY, and baklava starts from 30 TRY.
Corbacı
Cafes with a large selection of soups.
Menu. Here you will find more than five varieties of soups made from seafood and meat with eastern spices.
Prices. In Antalya, you can easily find establishments where traditional Turkish soups cost 5-10 TRY per portion.
Balik
Establishments with delicious fish dishes.
Menu. Here you will find grilled fish and shrimp, squid, and stuffed mussels.
Price. Average check is 8-9 TRY, salads are usually provided free of charge.
Popular establishments. Marti Balik Ekmek, address: Muratpaşa Mahallesi, Atatürk Cd. 40/A, 07100 Muratpaşa/Muratpaşa/Antalya.
Büfe
Unlimited cafes in Antalya. The most interesting thing is that you pay for the size of the plate, and you can put whatever you want on it.
Price. Depending on the size of the plate, the prices are 9, 11, and 13 TRY.
Popular establishments. Açik Büfe in the Old Town of Antalya. The cafe is open 24/7.
Markets of Antalya
The colorful markets of Antalya attract not only tourists but also locals. The quality of products here is excellent, and the prices are very pleasant.
Prices
Fresh vegetables (eggplants, tomatoes, peppers) - from 2 TRY per kilogram;
Fruits (apricots, peaches) - from 3 TRY per kilogram;
Baklava - from 30 TRY.
Popular restaurants in Antalya
You can spend a pleasant time and eat delicious food in popular restaurants in Antalya. There are many interesting establishments in the city with a diverse menu.
Turkish cuisine
7 Mehmet – a luxurious panoramic restaurant in Ataturk Park, serving popular Turkish dishes.
Meltem Balik – this establishment serves fish delicacies, and you can also try raki, a strong anise-flavored drink.
Gizli Bahçe - a small restaurant on a cliff with live music in the evenings. The menu includes dishes from Turkish and European cuisine.
Kral Sofrasi – a restaurant with Turkish cuisine. The signature dish is a pie made of meat and vegetables with chili sauce.
European cuisine
Vanilla Lounge – a small restaurant with classic European cuisine and an excellent wine list.
Stella's Bistro – the establishment is located in an open area. The menu includes dishes from Mediterranean cuisine, a large selection of soups and salads, as well as pizza and lasagna.
Blue Parrot – the restaurant offers European cuisine. A great place for the whole family to relax. Sports matches are broadcast here in the evenings.
Marina – a restaurant with French cuisine. Be sure to try the duck with orange sauce and the salmon roll with red caviar.
Oriental cuisine
China Garden – the establishment offers Chinese cuisine. The special dish on the menu is Peking duck.
Vegetarian cuisine
Sim – a restaurant for vegetarians. The signature dish is baked vegetables with spices.
Unusual dishes of Antalya
These masterpieces of Turkish cuisine can be tasted not only in cafes and restaurants. You can buy any of these delicacies at markets and streets of Antalya.
Hibeş – a hot sauce made from sesame oil. It is offered with meat dishes and served hot.
Eggplant Jam – reminiscent of fig jam with a light nutty flavor. You can buy it at any market in Antalya.
Meze – a selection of appetizers made from seafood or meat, served with strong alcoholic beverages or wine.
Dondurma – urkish variation of ice cream. It is made from milk, sugar, mastic, and salep, so the consistency of the delicacy is thicker and more elastic.
Pishmaniye – Turkish cotton candy. It is made with sesame seeds, pistachios, and vanilla. You can buy this dessert in any park.
Tulumba – a dessert made from unleavened dough, fried in oil. The finished tubes are drizzled with syrup and allowed to cool. The delicacy is recommended to be eaten freshly made.
Antalya offers a huge choice of restaurants, and Turkish cuisine is delicious and diverse. So don't be afraid to experiment, and you will discover incredible tastes of Eastern dishes.
