Turkish Food to Try in Alanya: The Dishes Not to Miss

Turkish food is one of the best reasons to look forward to Alanya — fresh, generous, full of flavour and far more varied than just kebabs (though the kebabs are excellent). Whether you're a cautious eater or keen to try everything, here are the dishes UK visitors shouldn't miss, from grills and meze to a showstopping clay-pot kebab and desserts worth saving room for.

The grills & kebabs

The cornerstone of Turkish eating out, and done brilliantly here:

• Adana & Urfa kebab — spiced minced lamb grilled on a skewer (Adana spicier, Urfa milder).
• Şiş kebab — chunks of marinated lamb or chicken, grilled.
• Döner — the original, carved from a rotating spit; in a wrap or on a plate.
• Köfte — Turkish meatballs, simple and delicious.
• Mixed grill — the easy crowd-pleaser, a platter of several meats to share.

Meze: the Turkish starter spread

Meze are small starter dishes meant for sharing, and ordering a selection is half the fun. Look for hummus, haydari (herby yoghurt), ezme (spicy tomato dip), stuffed vine leaves (dolma), grilled aubergine dishes and fresh bread. A table full of mezes with bread can easily be a meal in itself, and it's a lovely, relaxed way to eat.

Street food & casual bites

• Gözleme — thin hand-rolled flatbread stuffed with cheese, spinach or meat, griddled hot. A must.
• Pide — the "Turkish pizza," a boat-shaped flatbread with various toppings.
• Lahmacun — thin, crisp flatbread with spiced mince; roll it up with salad and a squeeze of lemon.
• Börek — flaky stuffed pastry, great for a snack.
• Kumpir — a loaded baked potato, piled with toppings.

Fresh fish & seafood

On the Mediterranean coast, fresh fish is a treat — sea bream (çipura), sea bass (levrek) and more, simply grilled. Fish is often sold by weight, so check the price before ordering to avoid a surprise. The harbour and seafront are atmospheric for a fish dinner, if pricier.

The showstopper: testi kebabı

If you do one "occasion" meal, make it testi kebabı — meat, vegetables and spices slow-cooked sealed inside a clay pot, then theatrically cracked open at your table. It's delicious and a bit of dinner theatre, traditionally enjoyed as part of a long, relaxed meal. Great with a glass of Turkish red wine.

The legendary Turkish breakfast

Don't sleep on breakfast. A Turkish kahvaltı is a spread of cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, eggs, jams, honey, fresh bread and endless çay (tea). The "serpme" version arrives as dozens of little dishes covering the whole table — a genuine feast and a holiday highlight worth seeking out at least once.

Great for vegetarians

Vegetarians eat very well here. Many Turkish dishes are naturally meat-free: dolma (stuffed vine leaves), imam bayıldı (stuffed aubergine), mercimek çorbası (lentil soup), plus the huge range of mezes and salads. For dietary needs and tips, see vegetarian & dietary needs in Alanya.

Save room for dessert

• Baklava — layered filo with nuts and syrup; the icon.
• Künefe — warm, stringy cheese pastry soaked in syrup, served hot. Incredible.
• Turkish delight (lokum) — great for gifts too.
• Sütlaç — comforting rice pudding.
• Dondurma — chewy Turkish ice cream, often served with a playful show.

Drinks to try

Wash it down with çay (black tea, the national drink), a strong Turkish coffee, refreshing ayran (salty yoghurt drink), or fresh-squeezed orange juice. If you drink alcohol, rakı (anise spirit) is the traditional accompaniment to meze and fish — see alcohol in Alanya.

Where to find the good stuff

The best versions of all this are usually in the busy back-street local places, not the tourist-front. For more, see eating out in Alanya. And if you'd rather try Turkish food without leaving your room, you can have it delivered.

Frequently asked questions

What Turkish food should I try in Alanya?
The kebabs (Adana, şiş, döner), meze starters, gözleme, fresh fish, and a proper Turkish breakfast. For something special, testi kebabı — a clay-pot stew cracked open at your table. Save room for baklava and künefe.

What is a Turkish breakfast like?
A generous spread of cheeses, olives, tomato, cucumber, eggs, jams, honey, fresh bread and çay. The "serpme" version brings dozens of small dishes — a feast.

Is there good vegetarian Turkish food?
Yes, plenty — dolma, imam bayıldı, lentil soup, and a huge range of mezes and salads. Vegetarians eat very well in Alanya.

What Turkish desserts should I try?
Baklava and künefe are the must-tries, along with Turkish delight (lokum), sütlaç (rice pudding) and Turkish ice cream (dondurma).

For more on food and drink, see our Alanya food & drink guide and eating out in Alanya. Want to try it from your room? See delivery, or message us on WhatsApp.