What to Eat in Cappadocia: Local Flavours from Pottery Kebab to Pekmez

Cappadocian cuisine is built on the simple, filling dishes of Central Anatolia: pottery kebab (testi kebabı) cooked in an earthenware jar, mantı thanks to its neighbour Kayseri, and grapes and pekmez (grape molasses) from the vineyards. For souvenirs, pottery made from the red clay of Avanos and onyx objects stand out. In this guide we tell you what to look out for at the table and in the market.

Pottery kebab: more than a meal

Cappadocia's best-known dish is pottery kebab. Meat and vegetables are placed in a small earthenware jar, the opening is sealed with dough and it is cooked slowly in the oven. When it is served, the neck of the jar is broken open with a hammer. This moment turns the meal into a show, which makes it especially popular with children and groups.

The link between pottery kebab and earthenware is no coincidence: Avanos's centuries-old pottery tradition lies behind many of the region's dishes cooked in clay pots.

Mantı and pastries

Because Cappadocia is close to Kayseri, famous for its mantı, you often come across small dumplings served with yoghurt in the region. Gözleme, katmer and tandır bread are also easy to find in village homes and roadside restaurants. Pastries are a filling and practical option in the middle of a long day of sightseeing.

A land of vineyards: grapes and pekmez

Cappadocia's volcanic soil is ideal for growing vines. As you wander through the valleys, you see small vineyards among the rocks. The pigeon nests in Pigeon Valley are known to have been carved in the past to provide fertiliser for these vineyards.

Grape products are the region's classic souvenirs:

• Pekmez: A breakfast essential; it is eaten mixed with tahini.
• Pestil and köme: Dried sweets made from grape must.
• Raisins and dried fruit: Handy as snacks on the journey too.

Autumn, when the grape harvest takes place, is when these products are at their freshest.

Fruit stored in rock cellars

One of the region's interesting traditions is storing fruit and vegetables in cellars carved into the rock. Tuff provides a cool, stable environment inside. Around Ortahisar and Ürgüp, these cellars are still used today for produce such as lemons, potatoes and apples. Hearing about this tradition after visiting an underground city shows just how useful the rock is in the region.

A Cappadocian breakfast

Breakfast spreads in the region are usually generous. Alongside village cheese, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers, you often find pekmez and tahini, homemade jams, kaymak (clotted cream) and honey. Egg dishes and hot gözleme may also be added. A hearty breakfast before a long day of sightseeing keeps your energy up until lunch.

Mixing pekmez with tahini and spreading it on bread at breakfast is a common habit in Central Anatolia. If you haven't tried it, this trip is a good chance.

Desserts and drinks

When it comes to sweets, the region is known mainly for grape products: köme, pestil and pekmez desserts. Dried apricots, walnuts and almonds are staples of the dried-fruit stalls. On cold days salep, and on hot days ayran and şıra (grape juice), are the most popular drinks. After a day of walking, a glass of ayran is also a fine companion to pottery kebab.

What are the meals like on our tour?

Our Cappadocia tour includes open-buffet breakfast and dinner at the hotel, plus an open-buffet lunch on day two. Special local menus such as pottery kebab are not included in the programme; they can be arranged in free time or at your group's request. We clarify this together at the quote stage.

Choosing a light menu rather than heavy dishes at lunch makes the afternoon valley walks easier. Dinner or free time is better for trying local flavours.

Souvenirs: what to buy in Cappadocia

Avanos pottery

The Kızılırmak (Red River), which flows through Avanos, brings with it the red clay it is named after. In the town's workshops you can watch master potters at their foot-turned wheels. Day two of our tour includes a pottery stop in Avanos. Small bowls, jugs and decorative plates are easy-to-carry gifts; remember to pack them between your clothes in your suitcase so they don't break.

Onyx

Onyx worked in the region is made into vases, bowls, chess sets and small ornaments. On day three of our tour you visit an onyx workshop. Watching how the stone is cut and polished is an interesting experience even if you don't buy anything.

Others

• Small fairy chimney and balloon-themed keepsakes
• Hand-woven kilims and cushion covers
• Dried fruit, pekmez and pestil

Shopping tips

• Clay and stone items are heavy; keep the return journey in mind and adjust how much you buy.
• Ask for fragile items to be securely packed.
• There is no obligation to buy in the workshops; you are free to watch and ask questions.

If you are travelling with a school group, discussing students' pocket money and shopping plans in advance makes things easier; for details, see our Cappadocia school trip guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cappadocia's famous dish?

Pottery kebab. Meat and vegetables are cooked in an earthenware jar, which is broken open when served.

What souvenirs should I buy in Cappadocia?

Avanos pottery, onyx objects, pekmez, pestil and dried fruit are the most popular souvenirs.

Is pottery kebab served on the tour?

The programme includes open-buffet breakfast and dinner at the hotel, plus an open-buffet lunch on day two. A special local menu is not included in the programme; we can discuss your request at the quote stage.

Can you watch pottery being made in Avanos?

Yes. Day two of our tour includes a pottery stop in Avanos, where you can see the potters at work up close.