Turkish cuisine is known for its unique and exciting flavours, making Marmaris a perfect place to discover the delights of Eastern cuisine.
Turkish dishes
Exploring the food in Turkey is like embarking on a culinary adventure. Turkish cuisine is a fascinating blend of flavors and ingredients influenced by Arab, Greek, Balkan, and Mediterranean traditions, resulting from the rich heritage of Turkic tribes.
Religious features of the kitchen
Since Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, religious practices have an impact on culinary preferences, especially during the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan - a fasting period with specific guidelines regarding meal times and food choices;
Halal – allowed products;
Haram is dishes that should not be eaten.
However, for tourists visiting Marmaris, these customs may not be a significant concern, as they can enjoy a wide range of Turkish dishes throughout the year without restrictions.
Vegetarian dishes in Marmaris
Marmaris offers plenty of enticing options for vegetarians and vegans. With a variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and delicious creations featuring mushrooms, nuts, lentils, and chickpeas, those who abstain from meat can have a delightful culinary experience.
Popular Turkish dishes in Marmaris
Appetizers
Before the main course in any Turkish restaurant, you will definitely be offered hot or cold appetizers. The most popular of them:
Sarma - vegetables with rice or minced meat wrapped in grape leaves;
Hot appetizers - mushrooms and shrimp baked with cheese;
Cold Appetizers - yoghurt sauces with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and mint;
Pickles - pepperoni, gherkins, dried olives;
Cheese - especially feta cheese and homemade cheeses;
Fresh vegetables or salad - cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers.
Bakery
Turkish people love various types of bread. In Marmaris, you can try unique baked goods prepared using ancient secret recipes.
Simit is a bagel generously sprinkled with sesame seeds. It is very popular among tourists, you can buy it literally at every step;
Pita is a flat cake baked in a tandoor. It is very tasty to combine it with different sauces. And it happens that the bun is immediately baked with herbs and cheese;
Lahmacun is the Turkish version of pizza. The basis is a thin flatbread, anointed with tomato sauce. Minced meat from different types of meat, herbs, spices and cheeses is put into the filling;
Gözleme - a flatbread made from a thin layer of dough. The most popular fillings for gözleme are cheese, spinach, potatoes and meat.
First courses
Turkish soups are called çorbası. They are very different from our traditional first courses. Most often, çorbası is made from lentils, vegetables and spicy spices, soups are characterized by a thick creamy texture.
Mercimek çorbası - delicious lentil soup with carrots and onions. It is enhanced with lemon juice, red pepper, and mint, adding a unique flavour to the dish.
Sifa çorbası - soup in low-fat chicken broth with the addition of celery root. Sehriye çorbası is considered therapeutic and has a warming effect. Turks often consume it when they have a cold.
Chicken noodle soup - an unusual recipe that includes tomato paste, flour, and mint.
Meat dishes
In Marmaris, be sure to try authentic Turkish meat dishes. The unique blend of spices, vegetables, and various types of meat is sure to delight any tourist.
Kebab
Kebab, in the Turkish sense, refers to meat or minced meat cooked on charcoal. In Marmaris, there are many types of kebabs available, not only in restaurants but also in small local cafes.
Popular types of kebabs:
Iskander-kebab - lamb meat is cut into small pieces and stewed in tomato with melted butter and yogurt. Served with fresh bread tortilla and spices;
Adana kebab - minced meat with hot peppers is formed on a skewer and fried over coals. It is usually served with roasted vegetables and sauce;
Shish kebab is a lamb dish served with roasted bell peppers and tomatoes. The second name of the shish kebab is "Turkish kebab";
Döner kebab - different types of meat are fried on huge skewers, then cut into small slices and put in a flatbread with fresh vegetables, cheese and a special sauce.
Kofte
This is a kind of minced meat cutlets with the addition of hot spices. Each region of Turkey has its own recipe for kofte, they can be grilled, baked and boiled. For vegetarians, we recommend "chig kofte" - spicy bean cakes with cheese and salad, sprinkled with lemon juice.
Seafood
You can try freshly caught fish or shrimp in specialized cafes on the waterfront of Marmaris or buy from fishermen. Our recommendation is to try grilled dorado, served with fresh vegetables and a slice of lemon.
Oriental sweets
Marmaris is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. Turkish sweets are sold everywhere - in shops, markets and small pastry shops.
The most popular oriental desserts:
Baklava - thin sheets are soaked in sugar-honey syrup, and they are formed into a familiar delicacy. The filling is usually nuts or pistachios;
Lokum is without a doubt another symbol of Turkey. Its main ingredients are fruit syrup, starch, molasses and sugar. Very often, different types of nuts, pistachios or coconut are added to Turkish delight;
Halva is a delicacy made from sesame paste with added sugar. In Marmaris, you will see three types of halva - plain white, with cocoa or with pistachios;
Pşimiye - cylindrical tubes of dough. They are fried in a large amount of oil and poured with sugar syrup;
Tulumba - Crispy strands of dough soaked in syrup, rolled into balls. Pistachios, vanilla or chocolate are often added to them.
Drinks
Excellent Turkish cuisine is complemented by no less interesting traditional drinks. Therefore, we recommend starting the day with fragrant Turkish coffee and ordering rakia or pomegranate wine for dinner.
Be sure to try these drinks:
Ayran is
a refreshing yogurt-based drink made with water and salt. It can have different consistencies, and herbs or spices are often added to ayran.
Salep is a warming drink similar to our milk jelly, very popular in the cold season. It is made from a special flour - dried and ground orchid tubers. You can add vanilla, cocoa, chocolate or coconut to salep;
Tea is not just a drink for the Turks, but drinking it is a kind of ritual. Tea is drunk separately from the main meal. Most often it is brewed in two teapots, and slowly sipped from small glasses;
Coffee is a fragrant drink, popular in many countries due to its peculiar rich taste and spicy aftertaste. The most popular variety is Mehmet-efendi - coffee with cardamom.
Where to try Turkish cuisine in Marmaris
The biggest mistake a tourist can make is to come to Marmaris and solely eat at the hotel. Don't be afraid to experiment and discover new flavors. It will add a special touch to your vacation and make it unforgettable.
Street food
In Marmaris, it's impossible to pass by the street food stalls without noticing them. Every street in the resort has numerous food kiosks offering a variety of dishes, from pastries to Eastern desserts.
Cafes and restaurants
Small cafes and picturesque restaurants with Turkish cuisine can be found at every corner in Marmaris. And if you're craving more traditional dishes, there are establishments serving European and Mediterranean cuisine in the resort as well.
Markets
Visiting colorful Turkish bazaars is a must. Markets always offer a vast selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, spices, and sweets.
During your vacation in Marmaris, don't be afraid to experiment with food. Turkish cuisine is delicious and unique, and tasting new dishes will undoubtedly bring you pleasure and make your vacation even more memorable.
