Enjoy Turkey’s culinary traditions on a visit to the country

As the bridge between the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Turkey’s cuisine is varied and exciting. You will find influences from around the world in the food here, as well as culinary traditions that date back centuries.

Many of Turkey’s dishes are based on rice or wheat and have a distinctly Mediterranean flavour. You can expect lots of vegetables, fresh fish and meat in the cuisine, with many recipes remaining relatively simple and focusing on one or two strong tastes.

When you stay in property in Turkey, you should be sure to seek out restaurants in your area to get a real feeling for the local food and enjoy the Turkish hospitality.

Dishes to try when staying in property in Turkey

Although there are regional variations, there are some dishes you will find all over the country and no stay in Turkish property would be complete without trying a couple of these.

Lamb is one of the most widely-used meats in Turkey and many famous dishes that can now be found all over the world such as doner kebab, shish kebab and kofte – a kind of meatball – are all worth tasting. The authentic Turkish versions of these dishes are likely to be very different to those you have tried in takeaways at home.

If you are staying in property in Turkey in one of the coastal regions then fresh seafood will also be on the menu. Much of the fish served here will be grilled to allow you to taste the natural flavour of the meat.

In the Black Sea region of the country, you will discover an unusual form of kofte made with anchovy rather than meat.

Meanwhile, midye dolma – mussel shells stuffed with seasoned rice – is another option for those keen to taste something a little different when visiting a seafood restaurant.

Another famous Turkish meal that can be found all over the nation is Borek. This is a pie made with layers of thin pastry and filled with mixtures of cheese or meat before being either baked or fried.

You are also likely to come across pilav during your visit to property in Turkey. This rice-based dish is made using various fresh vegetables – such as onions, tomatoes and peppers – and cooked in beef stock.

Turkish sweets to sample during your stay

While you may think of treats such as Turkish Delight and Baklava as typical Turkish desserts, you will find that these are more frequently served with coffee rather than after a main meal.

In fact, seasonal fruit plays an important part in many Turkish puddings and you will find strawberries, cherries and apricots on the menu in spring, while summer is characterised by melons and peaches.

Figs, plums, pears, oranges and plums are just some of the other fruits that are grown in Turkey and these are all likely to feature in desserts at different points throughout the year – or be made into jams and preserves.

Simple milk desserts – known as muhallebi – are a common way to finish a meal and are usually made using milk, starch and rice flour, providing a light way to round off a large dinner.

Places to visit for an authentic taste of Turkey

People staying in property in Istanbul may want to venture to the city’s Spice Market, which is famous for the array of ingredients on offer at its stalls. But you will also find the Pandeli Restaurant here, which is well-known for the quality of the Turkish cuisine it offers.

After exploring the hustle and bustle of the market place, you can sit back and relax as you indulge in some authentic Turkish dishes – you may even be inspired to pick up some ingredients after your meal so you can have a go at creating your own culinary masterpiece once you return to your property in Turkey.

If you are visiting Antalya and would like to enjoy a meal with spectacular views across the bay then there may be no better place than the restaurant at the Magic Mount hotel, located high on the slopes of Tunektepe Mountain.