Stock Up The Sparkling Waters; Gaziantep Dishes

I hope you have taken your Lycra trousers or wide-cut clothes with you because you are in one of the nine cities which have been granted by UNESCO with the most creative gastronomy title.

The people of Gaziantep has created special delicacies combining the spices from the merchants of the Silk Road and their cuisine culture. Of course, if you are in this land thousands of kilometres away from your home, it is a simple matter to find yourself constantly eating so as not to miss anything. Therefore, the sparkling water will be your right-hand man during this trip. And we should warn you! If you are one of those who say that it would not be a visit without trying these tastes, then you should not plan to visit this city during the religious festivals or the month of Ramadan. Because most of the restaurants are closed during these days. Now, it is time to tell about these unique delicacies and where to try them...

Alinazik (Eggplant Purée And Grilled Meatballs)

With its roots dating back to the Ottomans, Alinazik's homeland is Gaziantep. It is the slow-cooked small pieces of meat or ground meat and milk butter over the festival of eggplant blended with yoghurt.

Üçler

Even though it is famous for its lahmacun, Üçler is one of the restaurant offering legendary Alinazik.

Address: Sarıgüllük, Zübeyde Hanım Bul., 16/C, 27060 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep

Beyran (Meat Soup)

Although it is an essential part of the breakfasts, it is consumed all day long.

Metanet

Metanet is one of the most well-known places for beyran. It is a quite shabby and authentic restaurant. 

Address: Kozluca Mah., Cad., No:11, 27400 Şahinbey/Gaziantep 

Liver

The thing of the liver in Gaziantep is that it starts to be served at 4 am and is sold out before 8 am. You should definitely try this good mannered taste and its roasting is delicious. So why is it good mannered? Because it gives you just four hours to have it and even before the sunrise. Here come its good manners.

Ciğerci Ali Haydar Usta

It is a small and shabby place with stools just at the feet of Gaziantep Castle. You will just need to follow the human queue before sunrise.

Address: Seferpaşa Mah., Derekenarı Cad., 27400 Şahinbey/Gaziantep

Kiyma Kebab (Ground Meat Kebab)

It should not be confused with Adana kebab! Even though its appearance resembles, Gaziantep blends this taste with its own touch. The meat is grounded with the mincing knife. It gets in the list of the best kebabs in Turkey.

Kebapçi Ömer

There is not a day where a line is waiting in front of Ömer Usta's place. One follows another in this line. If you want to try this kıyma kebab, then you should hurry up! Get your spot before it is sold out.

Address: Ulucanlar Mah., Şehitler Cad. 27300 Şahinbey/Gaziantep  

Küşleme

Whatever porterhouse steak is on veal, küşleme is the same on the lamb. It is obtained from the back of the lamb, and it is so small and without any nerves... It gets tender when it meets with the fire, it is well marinated, and it is for the well-off people. Its price is a little above the standards ;)

Kebapçi Halil Usta

This is one of the places offering the best küşleme since 1972. It is a shabby place, and even after it got well-known, it has not changed and continued to be local. Küşleme has plain and spicy versions, and it's up to you...

Address: Mithatpaşa Mah., Tekel Cad., Öcükoğlu Sok., No:6, 27500 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep

Lahmacun

There are two types of lahmacun in Gaziantep: One is the classical with the ground meat, and the other one includes other ingredients such as quince grated with its cover, onion and pomegranate syrup.

Çitir (Crispy)

It is true to its name; crispy and crunchy with a thin crust.

Address: Bey Mah., Sacır Sok., No:19, D: 2, 27010 Şahinbey/Gaziantep  

Meat Dishes With Fruits

Meat dishes with fruits bear the traces of the Ottoman place cuisine, and they change depending on the season.

Culinary Arts Centre

Following Gaziantep's addition as a gastronomy centre in the list of UNESCO, Culinary Arts Centre was opened by the Municipality to enable the visitors to try the local delicacies. The menu changes every month according to the season, and 250 trademark dishes unique to Gaziantep are served in rotation.

Address: Gazi Mah., Zübeyde Hanım Bul., No:39 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep 

Chickpea Wrap

Chickpea wrap is one of the extraordinary parts of Gaziantep breakfasts. It is a too good and fulfilling breakfast for chickpea lovers to miss.

Dürümcü Recep Usta

It is one of the places offering the most balanced mix of the spicy chickpea, greens, onion, french fries and spices.

Address: İncili Pınar, 36001.Sok., No:4, 27090 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep  

Eggplant Kebab

It is the common heritage of Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep, a festival for the eyes, the symbol of eggplant's friendship with ground meat...

Çulcuoğlu

The kebab offered there becomes legendary especially during the eggplant season. It is among the ideal places with reasonable prices.

Address: Sarıgüllük, Zübeyde Hanım Bul., No: 10/E, 27060 Şahinbey/Gaziantep

Simit Kebab (Bulgur Kebab)

This is the original and unique taste of Gaziantep; you cannot try this taste outside Gaziantep. Do not get it confused with the word "simit"; it is prepared by kneading the ground meat with bulgur and crowned with the pistachio.

İmam Çağdaş

It is one of the places best places concerning kebab and baklava. It has a rooted history since 1887.

Address: Şekeroğlu Mah., Hamdi Kutlar Cad., Uzun Çarşı, No:49, 34200 Şahinbey/Gaziantep 

Yuvalama (Soup With Meatballs)

While Turkey has more than 350 diverse meatballs, yuvalama is just one of the meatballs of Gaziantep. It is a dish like soup with a mix of meat, chickpea and bulgur, which is offered by the ones hosting crowds during religious festivals and holidays.

Aşina

It is one of the limited restaurants offering Gaziantep domestic cuisine. You can find nearly all the main dishes there.

Address: İncili Pınar Mah., Prof. Dr. Muammer Aksoy Bul., Anadolu İş Merkezi 4-5-7-8, 27100 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep  

Finally, The Desserts...

Baklava

Welcome to the homeland of our national dessert. The words fail us whatever we suggest. They are all challenging!

Katmer (Crisp Flaky Pastry)

This is the flavour bomb which the local people eat for breakfast...

Zekeriya Usta

Zekeriya Usta is a cult in Gaziantep. If you want, the katmer is served with warm milk.

Address: Çukur Mah., Körükçü Sok., B Hilmi Geçidi, No:16/C-D, 27010 Şahinbey/Gaziantep  

Künefe (Sweet Cheese Pastry)

Even though künefe is associated with Hatay, Gaziantep version of this delight is so yummy... Of course, as you are in the pistachio heaven, it is served covered as green as possible.

Köz Antep Künefe

This is where you can find at least ten types of künefe.

Address: Fatih Mah., Ali Nadi Ünler Bul., No: 116, 27060 Şehitkamil/Gaziantep