Where to start?
Lao Tzu famously said that โa journey of a thousand miles begins with one stepโ. If we take this literally, then the first step in this gastronomic exploration is reading this blog. The next step, where to begin, is easily determined. We have chosen two routes, both of which start in cities with easily accessible flights. From each city, you may opt to rent a car for a few days. (At this point, we remind you that additional fees may be incurred if you return the rental vehicle to a location other than where it was picked up). For accommodation options, you can take a look here. Have a safe trip!
Gaziantep-Hatay-Adana or Adana-Hatay-Gaziantep
There are frequent flights to Gaziantep and Adana from Istanbul and Ankara; most depart in the early morning or during the day. For more information, please see the flight ticket page. If you are impatient to experience the legendary Gaziantep breakfast โ which can include katmer, a fried and layered bread, as well as beyran soup โ then the Gaziantep-Hatay-Adana route is best for you. Spend a full day in Gaziantep and head to Hatay early the next morning. Hatay is 180 kilometers from Gaziantep, about a two-hour drive, and offers historical sites along with amazing food. Next stop is Adana, approximately 180 kilometers from Hatay. You can extend the two-hour trip with a visit to Iskenderun to see the beach or the Iskenderun Naval Museum. Arriving in Adana, you can feast on liver, sฤฑkma or Adana bรถreฤi, or check out some other suggestions.
What and where to eat in Gaziantep
Gaziantep is renowned for the diversity and quality of its cuisine. Local breakfast specialties include pastry made with katmer, a fried, layered bread, along with liver, beyran soup and the distinctive Antep cheese. Lunchtime delivers even more deliciousness: kuลbaลฤฑ (cubed meat dishes), alinazik kebab (made with cubed lamb and smoked, spiced, pureed aubergine), simit kebab or kรผลleme (prime lamb cut). Thereโs also lahmacun, (a thin disc of dough with minced vegetables, meat and herbs) and various mezes. In the evening, you can choose from homestyle dishes such as yuvalama (a soup of chickpeas, meatballs and yoghurt), onion or garlic kebab, or firik pilavi (a bulgur dish). We also strongly recommend that you sample Gaziantep baklava, which is some of the best in the world. Work up an appetite between meals with visits to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Antep Castle and the Coppersmiths Bazaar. To ensure that you donโt miss any of Gaziantepโs great eateries, weโve listed them below. Bon Appetit!
Baklava
- ฤฐmam รaฤdaล
- Koรงak
- Elmacฤฑpazarฤฑ Gรผllรผoฤlu
- Zeki ฤฐnal
- รelebioฤullarฤฑ
- Elit Baklava
Kebap and Lahmacun
- ฤฐmam รaฤdaล
- รulcuoฤlu
- Ciฤerci Mustafa
- รรงler
- Kรผลlemeci Halil Usta
- Kรผลlemeci Mehmet
Beyran
- Metanet
- Beyrancฤฑ Mustafa
- Dukat
Katmer
- Orkide Pastanesi
- Katmerci Zekeriya Usta
Local dishes
- Aลina (Firik pilaf, yuvalama, stuffed pepper, stuffed meatballs, onion kebab in winter and garlic kebab in spring)
Other must-try dishes
- A wrap made with Gaziantep pide stuffed with chickpeas and fried potatoes (at Fikoโnun yeri)
- Pistachio ice cream (at Muzaffer Dondurma)
- Menengiรง coffee โ a hot, caffeine-free beverage made with terebinth (at Tahmis)
- Kadayif grilled on charcoal (Erรงelebi)
- Kahke (Akลam simit)
- Licorice sherbet (great for the digestive system!)
- Meatballs with walnuts
Must visit
- Zeugma
- Antep Castle
- Coppersmiths Bazaar
- Elmacฤฑ Bazaar
What and where to eat in Hatay
Welcome to an ancient city. You have just entered the dusty but mysterious pages of history. Stroll through narrow streets that have hosted civilizations for thousands of years and experience the full magnificence of Hatay. Of course, what is civilization and history without a culinary tradition? The many cultures that have existed in Hatay are reflected in its diverse cuisine. Donโt leave the city without sampling tepsi kebab, Hatay-style hummus and kรผnefe (a rich dessert), as well as the many local mezes and other dishes! Take a break from eating with a visit to the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, St. Pierre Church and St. Simeon Monastery. And for suggestions on Hatay-style dining and sightseeing, please see our list below:
Kรผnefe
- รฤฑnaraltฤฑ
- Petek Pastanesi
- Ferah Kรผnefe
Mezes
- Harbiye
- Humusรงu Nedim Usta
- Humusรงu ฤฐbrahim Usta
- Antik Limon Mezeci
Kebab
- Pรถรง
- Nihat Usta
Dรถner
- Dรถnerci Tacettin
- Abdo
Local dishes
- Sultan Sofrasฤฑ
- Leban
- Sveyka
- Boฤaziรงi
- Konak
Other must-try dishes
- Lahmacun in the bazaars in the city center
- Pomegranate (in season in the autumn)
- Bread with pepper
- Muhammara
- Bezirgรขn kebab
- ฤฐkindi simiti
- Sรผrk cheese
Must visit
- Habib-i Neccar Mosque
- Hatay Archeology Museum
- St. Simeon Monastery
- St. Pierre Church
- Titus Tunnel
What and where to eat in Adana
Welcome to one of the worldโs warmest and friendliest cities! Adana is one of those places where two cultures sit easily with each other and this richness shows up in many aspects of the city. The food of Adana, too, will make you smile. Special Adana bรถrek alternatives, the famous Adana kebab and liver, and ลฤฑrdan (stuffed intestines) are just some of Adanaโs local specialties.
Adana kebab
- Ecoโnun Yeri
- Kebapรงฤฑ Mesut
- Beyzade
- Elem
- Cik Cik Ali Usta
- Yรผzevler
- Onbaลฤฑlar
Liver
- Ciฤerci Mahmut
- Birbiรงer Ciฤer
- Bedo
Local dishes
- Adana Kรถy Sofrasฤฑ
Other must-try dishes
- ลฤฑrdan
- ลalgam
- Sฤฑkma (Zafer Sฤฑkma)
- Adana bรถreฤi
Must visit
- Taลkรถprรผ
- Ulu Mosque
- Bebekli Church
Doโฆ
- Arrive at the airport at least one hour before your flight.
- Check-in 24 hours before your flight, if online check-in is available.
- Conduct a bit of research on your destinations.
- Check the weather forecast before you leave!
- Bring layers. Days may be warm, but the nights can get chilly, depending on the season.
- Bring your sunglasses!
- Create routes for yourself using applications such as Google Maps.
- Create beautiful photo albums with your phone or camera.
- Check out local products and specialties – gifts for your loved ones.
Stories knock at your door!
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