Konak Restaurant & Rooftop Bar, Cappadocia | Image credit: konakrooftop/Instagram
Cappadocia captivates every traveller with breathtaking landscapes, towering fairy chimneys, and skies decorated with hot air balloons at dawn. Its picture-perfect scenery attracts visitors from across the globe, making it a must-visit destination in Turkey. Beyond this, Cappadocia offers rich cuisine, rooted in Turkish and Anatolian heritage. Cappadocia’s food culture has earned global recognition with a recent Michelin nod, as its restaurants serve tempting cuisines rooted in tradition.
Also, read our story on the most beautiful places to visit in Turkey.
Cappadocian food gets Michelin recognition
Representational image credit: cratuspremiumrestaurant/Instagram
Cappadocian food culture is gaining popularity for its ancient, slow-cooking methods, locally sourced ingredients and rich flavours. The region is packed with gastronomic possibilities, with both restaurants and local eateries providing memorable dining experiences.
Cappadocia’s culinary offerings have now gained Michelin recognition, joining Istanbul, Izmir and Mugla for the 2026 restaurant selection. The first restaurant selection from Cappadocia will be announced in an upcoming ceremony in Istanbul on December 4, 2025.
Also read | I Ate Only Michelin-Rated Food In Singapore For 24 Hours — Here’s How It Went
Best food to try in Cappadocia
Testi kebab | Image credit: Muhammed Yasin Irik/Shutterstock
Cappadocia is a paradise for gastronomic travellers. Known for its wide range of meat dishes, one that will have your heart is testi kebab. Slow-cooked in a clay pot for hours, it is cracked open right at your table, unveiling a flavourful combination of meat and vegetables. Kaysari manti (dumpling), a Turkish staple drizzled with spiced butter and yoghurt, is popular for its small size. You can also warm up with a bowl of urgup tarhanasi, a variation of tarhana soup made with yoghurt, yarma and chickpeas or try tandir soup cooked in traditional tandoor ovens. To delve into local flavours, try kayisi yahnisi, zerdeli pilav, stuffed quince and agpakla.
For your sweet cravings, Cappadocia offers desserts like incir yaglamasi (figs cooked in butter), koftur (jelly-like dessert made from chocolate and grape), kuru kaymak (thick clotted cream) and dolaz (a flour pudding). These food items, served in restaurants and rooftop cafes in Cappadocia, offer an unforgettable experience.
Best street food in Cappadocia
Simit | Image credit: mehmetakifarts/Pexels
If you are planning a visit to Cappadocia, don’t miss out on its delicious street food items. While here, you’ll find the air filled with the aroma of freshly baked gozleme, a thin flatbread filled with cheese and spinach. Simit, a sesame-covered Turkish bagel, is quite popular and is best enjoyed with a cup of tea. Doner kebab is another street staple made from thinly sliced meat served in a bread with vegetables and sauces.
Where to go food-trailing in Cappadocia
Cratus Premium Restaurant & Lounge | Image credit: cratuspremiumrestaurant/Instagram
Cappadocia’s culinary scene is as layered as its landscapes, offering everything from traditional comfort food to elevated dining experiences. Sky Cappadocia Rooftop & Restaurant in Goreme stands out for its traditional Turkish cuisine and breathtaking views, making it a great spot for a sunset dinner. If you are in the mood for sipping handcrafted cocktails with a view, head to Cratus Premium Restaurant & Lounge. Located in Henna Hotel, the Konak Restaurant & Rooftop Bar is another option to savour Albanian or Turkish delights. To enjoy Asian flavours and a creative twist on Japanese food, head to Aiza Cappadocia.
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(Feature image credit: konakrooftop/Instagram)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the signature dishes of Cappadocian cuisine?
Signature dishes of Cappadocian cuisine include testi kebab, kayseri manti and urgup tarhanası.
What is Tandır, and how is meat cooked using this method in Cappadocia?
Tandır is a clay oven used to cook meat in hot coal for hours until it becomes tender.
What are “sealed clay-pot” preparations and which dishes use this technique?
Sealed clay-pot is used to cook testi kebab in hot coal and cracked open right at the table.
When was Cappadocia officially added to The Michelin Guide?
Cappadocia was added to the Michelin Guide in 2025.
Which other regions in Türkiye were already included in the Michelin Guide before Cappadocia?
Istanbul, Izmir and Muğla were already included in the Michelin Guide before Cappadocia.
Written By
Vanya Jain
A writer by passion, Vanya loves spending time in nature and exploring new places. Her inquisitive side ..Read Moreled her into the travel space. If not on her laptop, she\’s usually reading a book or creating a new artwork. Read Less
Dining and Cooking