Where to eat – Cappadocia’s tastiest dining destinations

When it comes to gastronomy in Cappadocia, it’s safe to say that the choices are focused mainly on traditional, Turkish fare. Luckily, the Turks are purveyors of cuisine of the most mouth-watering variety, and Cappadocia boasts some of the country’s finest chefs. Prepared using local ingredients and a vibrant array of spices, the region’s Turkish food is fresh, varied and exciting, from the delicious Sarma (stuffed vine leaves) to the culinary excitement of Meze.

Of course, there are options for those who crave international cuisine, but with its diverse infusions and worldwide influences, the traditional flavors of Cappadocia are sure to appeal to everyone’s taste.

 

One of the greatest pleasures afforded to tourists visiting the Cappadocia region is undeniably sampling the traditional, local cuisine. Innovative, rich and aromatic, Turkish food is working its way towards the top of the gastronomic elites.

 

Turkish Cuisine

 

Cappadocia offers countless opportunities to sample a taste of its unique infusions, of course, in the most stunning of settings. Elai in Uçhisar is an excellent example of local cuisine with a gourmet twist, inspired by Anatolian flavors and served in a converted café, which features a drinks terrace overlooking the dramatic landscape. For a more stripped back dining experience, Köy Evi in Göreme serves rustic, tasty, traditional village dishes, accompanied by mounds of ‘tandir’- baked bread.

 

For the finest Meze that Cappadocia has to offer, Seten in Göreme serves up beautifully prepared, traditional dishes, food that can be distinguished by the long-perfected flare with which it is created. If you are looking to combine your meal with Cappadocia’s distinctive scenery, head to the Topdeck Cave Restaurant in Ürgüp. A converted family home in an Ürgüp cave, this restaurant offers warm, friendly charm and hearty, home-cooked food.

 

• Elai, Eski Göreme Yolu, Uçhisar.  

International Cuisine

 

Cappadocia may be all about the Turkish dining experience, but it still has a number of excellent-quality international restaurants to tempt tourists with homesick stomachs. Han Çirağan Restaurant in Ürgüp provides the perfect relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy its menu of well-loved dishes with a modern twist. For meat-filled, continental dishes, including perfectly cooked steaks and pasta options, the Orient Restaurant in GÖreme is unquestionably the best, as diners are serves in a blooming rose garden. Bizim Ev in Avanos is home to an atmospheric wine cellar, with an ornate terrace upon which to enjoy a wealth of internationally inspired food.

 

• Han Çirağan Restaurant, Cumhuriyet Meydani, Ürgüp.  

Cafés and Light Bites

 

For leisurely lunches and tasty snacks, Cappadocia offers a variety of cafes to satisfy every craving. The Meeting Point Café in GÖreme is run by a South African couple, and serves up generous amounts of burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes and coffee. Şanso-Panso Restaurant, located in Avanos oozes laidback charm and effortless style, and is a great place to grab a quick beer and tasty clay-pot stew of a lunchtime. But for lunch with panache, there is none better than Teras Café in Ürgüp, whose delicious soups and kebabs are augmented by the chilled, sofa-strewn, outdoor eating area.

 

• The Meeting Point Café, Müze Caddesi , GÖreme• Şanso-Panso Restaurant, GÖreme CD, Avanos• Teras Café, Cumhuriyet Meydani 42, Ürgüp.  

Fast-Food

 

If you find yourself craving the kebabs and wraps of a Turkish fast-food joint back home, Avanos has the answer with a number of restaurants serving speedy grub, the Turkish way. Adana Kebap is a true Cappadocian ‘greasy spoon’, serving up hearty and delicious kebabs stuffed with chilli and garlic. Seçkin Kebap has a funky atmosphere, with lively music and swift service. It is the perfect stop for any peckish traveler.

 

• Adana Kebap, Ataturk Caddesi, Avanos• Seçkin Kebap, Ataturk Caddesi, Avanos