Lentil soup and fresh bread on a terrace overlooking Antalya harbour and the mountains

Antalya food guide

Where Antalya really eats

From century-old esnaf lokantaları to harbour fish and dinner inside Roman courtyards — chosen because they're genuinely good, not because they have the loudest sign.

New to Turkish food? What to eat in Antalya →

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin · CC BY 2.0

Try the classics

Piyaz (Antalya's bean salad), şiş köfte and fresh fish by the harbour.

Eat like locals

Lunch is the big meal at esnaf lokantaları — go before 2pm for the full choice.

Nobody pays to be here

Every restaurant is listed because we eat there and love it — not because it paid us.

Free for every visitor

Our top restaurant picks

Food

Fatma Sultan Restaurant

$$$

Traditional Turkish cuisine in an Ottoman-style setting, one of the most beloved local dining rooms in the city. The menu reads like a grandmother's recipe book — mezes, slow-cooked stews, and handmade pastries.

Insider tip

Order the manti (Turkish ravioli) — handmade daily and consistently the best in Antalya. Vegan options available, which is rare for a place this traditional.

TraditionalLocal FavouriteOttomanVegan Options

Haşimişcan, Arık Cd. No:20, Muratpaşa, Antalya

On the map Directions

Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

Food

Castle Cafe & Restaurant

Perched beside the ancient Hidirlik Tower in Kaleiçi with one of the most dramatic views in Antalya — the harbour, the old city walls, and the open sea all at once. Mediterranean and Turkish menu, full bar, cold draught Efes. A rare spot where the setting genuinely matches the food.

Insider tip

Come for sunset — the light over the harbour from this terrace is spectacular. Ask for a table on the outer edge. They handle dietary requirements well including gluten-free, which is unusually rare in Kaleiçi. Local pick: Traditional starters (meze) plate, enough for 2ppl

Harbour ViewFull BarMediterraneanSunset Spot

Hidirlik Sok. No:46, Kaleiçi, Antalya

On the map Directions

Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

Food

Çıtır Balık

The name means 'crispy fish' and that is exactly what you get — fresh catch fried to order in a light, shattering batter, served in a sandwich or on a plate. One of the highest-rated spots in the whole city, beloved equally by locals and visitors who stumble across it on Atatürk Caddesi. The salad bar is generous and included.

Insider tip

Arrive at opening (noon) to beat the queue — it gets seriously crowded by early evening especially at weekends. The fish sandwich is legendary value. Ask what came in that morning — the daily catch changes the best options.

FishSeafoodantalya local restaurantLocal Favourite

Atatürk Cd. No:79, Muratpaşa, Antalya

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Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

Food

Milklac

The place to try traditional Turkish and international desserts. It's best known for warm semolina helva served with ice cream, and the profiterole and sütlaç (Turkish rice pudding) are excellent too.

Insider tip

There's plenty of seating: order a dessert and enjoy your Turkish tea with free refills.

DessertsSemolina helvaSütlaçTurkish tea

Barbaros mah Atatürk cad Ali Oğuz Konuk İş Merkezi 30/A, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye

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Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

Food

Akdeniz Dondurma

A local patisserie selling baklava and desserts, but we come here for one thing: burnt ice cream, an Antalya tradition. Yes, it really does taste burnt! We can't promise you'll love it, but it's well worth trying.

Insider tip

We only vouch for the burnt ice cream. Anything else is at your own risk :)

Ice creamBurnt ice creamAntalya specialityDesserts

Sinan, Ali Çetinkaya Cd. No:24, 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye

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Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

Food

Rokka Pizza Falafel

A true gem for hummus and falafel lovers, with some of the best hummus in the city. The menu is big, with shawarma too, and plenty of vegan, vegetarian and meat options.

Insider tip

Hummus and falafel portions are generous, so keep that in mind when you order.

HummusFalafelVegan optionsShawarma

Haşimişcan, Recep Peker Cd., 07100 Muratpaşa/Antalya, Türkiye

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Hours, photos & reviews on Google Maps

The full guide

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