Hatay, which dates back hundreds of thousands of years and has hosted many civilizations for centuries; It is also one of the most delicious cities of our country.. If you are going to Hatay, which brings together many people from different cultures, life culture, understanding and naturally many cuisines, know that what you will taste will be much more than what you see.. After all, we are talking about a city that was selected as a City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2017; it’s not even possible. So, take your seat now, fasten your seat belts and get ready to meet the rich flavors of Hatay with this article!

WHAT TO EAT IN HATAY:

When you think of Hatay, the first thing that comes to mind is a gourmet trip with its künefe, appetizers, doner kebab and kebabs.. Of course, we should not limit the subject like this; because we are talking about a city that offers a lot of alternatives in terms of cuisine.. It is a cuisine with so many options that people who come to Hatay just to eat are more than those who come to visit.

Thinking that you will plan your Hatay trip for 2-3 days, you can come here and decide. We wanted to list the things we said do not return without tasting.. Our recommendation; sharing what you have to say wherever you go, and if possible, order your kebab and doner kebabs in half portions.. So you have the chance to try many things in different places.. Without further ado, we are making a quick transition to our Hatay eating and drinking recommendations.

Kurtuluş Caddesi , Hatay

#1 HATAY Döner:

Hatay doner , at least as famous as the Hatay künefe. It has a spicy, oniony and spicy flavor that does not resemble the doner kebabs we know.. Doner is so famous in this city that it is very possible to come across a doner kebab shop, especially in the streets of Antakya, during your tour.. This being the case, as soon as we arrive in Hatay, we wanted to taste this doner with the dust of our feet.. Dönerci Tacettin Usta, whose name we have heard a lot and read about in many sources, was our first stop in Hatay.

Where to Eat Döner in Hatay

Donerci Tacettin Usta:

Donerci Tacettin Usta provides service in its nostalgic shop located on a side street in Antakya.. He is somewhat principled; you can’t go and sit at an empty table and order. If you want to taste Tacettin Usta’s doner kebab, first go to his shop or call him, ask how many people there are and when you can come and ask for an appointment. You will be given one hour. Be at the shop 5-10 minutes before that time and place your order. Give it to me, this is how you can eat doner from his hand. We are also very serious about this, it is said that he did not even serve doner kebab because he came to the governor of Hatay on time without an appointment..

Since we have already reserved our first day on the streets of Antakya, the first thing we do is go to Dönerci Tacettin Usta, his son greeted us at the shop, we asked for our appointment, and we waited a little longer until the time given to us. We decided to walk to the center and try another doner restaurant in the meantime.. We think it was an extremely logical plan, we recommend it to you too..

We were in the shop and at our table when the time came; Our half portion of doner kebab and half doner wrap were served within 10 minutes.. Let me tell you this; Tacettin Usta’s doner is among the first two of the most delicious doner kebabs we have ever eaten.. As an account, we paid 31 TL for 2 half rolls, 2 half portion doner kebabs and 1 ayran for 4 people.. Definitely recommend; We underline that there is no doner left after 15:00.

Donerci Tacettin Usta, Hatay

Egyptian Döner:

While waiting for our turn at Döner Tacettin Usta we had about 1 hour. In the meantime, we took the road to the bazaar, the direction Misirli Döner. This is one of the most recommended places with Abdo when you try doner in Hatay.. His story is as follows; Abdo Usta opens a doner shop called Abdo in the bazaar, and its doner kebab is very popular; however, he later leaves the shop by transferring his naming rights and opens a new doner restaurant with the name Mısırlı in the empty shop right next to it.. Here is the highly recommended Abdo Usta’s doner, which can actually be tasted in Egypt right now.. There is no appointment status here; you can go and sit directly. Here too, we asked for thin wrap, which is like a half portion, if you want to taste it, they bring it accordingly.. Egyptian Doner was also delicious, but our favorite is Tacettin Usta.. While you are still waiting for your turn there, we think you should come and taste it.. Let’s add that we paid 25 TL for 2 half doner kebabs and 2 ayrans.

Egyptian Doner, Hatay

#2 HATAY HUMUS:

Humus, which we know as an appetizer, is for the people of Hatay good breakfast. Therefore, we recommend that you go to the following two hummus shops early in the morning for breakfast.. What did they say? ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do‘, so act like a Roman if you’re in Rome. While you are in Hatay, do like them and taste these smooth hummus for your breakfast one morning.

Where to Eat Hummus in Hatay

Humusçu İbrahim Usta:

When you come here, you will probably see in your life you will meet the most talkative master. It starts from the second you step into İbrahim Usta’s shop and say ‘good morning’; He has been making hummus for nearly 30 years, he learned hummus from a Lebanese master when he went to work in Lebanon, who made him taste this famous recipe, which countries and conferences he was invited to tell, everything you can think of…

Since we came for breakfast, we were ready to try everything and sang one of all the flavors your master made. Antakya style hummus came to the table with Lebanese bean paste, garlic hummus and peppers with walnuts, pickles and plenty of fresh bread.. We cannot describe the smoothness of the hummus; It was like cream, literally soft! İbrahim Usta really has as much as it is said, it should be added to the lists. Account for 4 appetizers is 65 TL.

Humusçu İbrahim Usta, Hatay

Humusçu Nedim Usta:

Another stop for those who want to taste a good hummus in Hatay is İbrahim Usta, right next to it. Humuscu Nedim Usta. We could not try this place; however, as we passed by, there were those who enjoyed breakfast at the tables outside.. His options are just like İbrahim Usta; But this time, Hatay’s famous salty yogurt is included on the table.. If we had a little space in our stomach, we would entrust ourselves to Nedim Usta without hesitation.. Especially, we have no doubt that we will come to Hatay once again to eat the hummus decorated with tomato, parsley and hot pepper!

#3 HATAY KÜNEFE

Hatay means künefe. Hatay is one of the cities where this dessert, which is very famous especially in the southern regions, is best made in our country.. After we tasted it especially in Hatay, we realized that what we ate before had nothing to do with Hatay künefe.. Aside from plenty of cheese, we don’t know how they make that syrup; but we never thought that a künefe would be so light. Since künefe is one of the most famous flavors of Hatay, there are many places where you can try the best.. Let’s share what we have on our list and what we have tasted in order so that you do not miss out on the most delicious ones.

Where to Eat Kunefe in Hatay

Çınaraltı Kunefe Yusuf Usta:

Çınaraltı Kunefe Yusuf Usta

strong>, the first place recommended to you when you say künefe in Hatay. Yusuf Usta is officially recognized in every corner of Turkey.. When this is the case, it would be impossible not to stop by him on a trip to Hatay.. When we left, we realized that being well known has not lost anything from its taste.. Çınaraltı Künefe Yusuf Usta, which you will reach by passing through the Uzun Çarşı and following the road to Kurşunlu Han, provides service in a huge area consisting of a few shops.. The family is completely in the künefe business, so you can see the words Yusuf Usta and His Sons on the signs.. There are other künefe makers called Çınaraltı in front of Yusuf Usta, you better not mix it up.. After all, they all gathered around a plane tree..

Service is not very fast and you wait a bit; However, its künefe is very tasty and fresh.. It’s not a bad idea to start trying künefe here.. 2 künefes, 4 teas 35 TL.

Çınaraltı Kunefe Yusuf Usta, Hatay

Anadolu Restaurant:

Another künefe in Antakya, in the center of traditional Hatay We tried it at Anadolu Restaurant, which is famous for its cuisine.. This time, we ordered the semolina cheese dessert, which stretches all the way into space, next to the künefe.. Although we don’t like the semolina dessert personally, its künefe was good.. When we saw the künefe, the one with cheese didn’t really open us up, but maybe it didn’t suit our taste.. Anadolu Restaurant is a place that stands out with its traditional Hatay cuisine menu preferred for dinner.. There is no need for you to come especially for its künefe, if it’s on your way and you want to give it a try, then it’s fine.. The account is 35 TL for 1 kunefe, 1 semolina dessert, 8 teas.

Anadolu Restaurant, Hatay

Petek Patisserie:

Queen of İskenderun Petek Patisserie was one of the favorites of this trip. We stopped by Petek Patisserie, which is famous for its künefe and dates and dates, before dinner.. It would be a shame if we didn’t stop by; because the künefe here is literally legendary! A trip to Hatay will be incomplete if you do not come to Petek Patisserie, which has an indispensable place in the middle of our hearts with its künefe, which is a little more fluffy on the inside and a little more crispy on the outside compared to the ones we tasted in Antakya.. While you’re at it, say künefe and date kumbe first. Of course, if you can take your eyes and mind off the sweets, cookies and cakes on the counter and cupboard that you see when you enter.. Everything is so beautiful, so delicious! The price we paid for 1 künefe, 4 kömbe and 2 teas is 25 TL. Long live Petek Patisserie!

Petek Patisserie, Iskenderun

Assembly Künefe:

After the restoration of the historical parliament building, where Hatay decided to join the Turkish territory, it is now used as a culture and art center. servicing. Assembly Kunefe was opened in a part of it.. It is very popular among Hatay künefe makers, of course, we did not know if it was in the right place.. We didn’t go, but let’s add it for your mind.

Historical Our Kunefeci:

If you ask me where to eat künefe in Hatay, one of the two or three places you will be sent will definitely be Historical Bizim Kunefeci. We couldn’t try this place out of time and chasing other tastes, but since we got this recommendation from a few of our friends whose comments we trust very much, we can easily add it to the list.

Historical Haytali Dessert of Affan Coffee, Hatay

#4 HATAY TRAY KEBAB AND HATAY PAPER KEBAB

Doner is not the only favorite dish in Hatay, of course.. Tray kebab and paper kebab, which are made in the form of a circle and flat, are famous here.. Tray kebab and paper kebab are very similar in appearance; The most important difference between them is that the tray kebab is made with a tomato paste sauce, while the paper kebab is drier and without sauce.. It is prepared without mincing the meat and finely chopping the material with a knife.. A little garlicky, but not bothersome. Both kebabs are cooked in a stone oven.. The city’s famous butchers are definitely your favorite places to go to taste tray kebab or paper kebab in Hatay.

Where to Eat Hatay Tray Kebab and Hatay Paper Kebab

Pöç Butcher

Long Bazaar’ Pöç Butcher, is the most well-known among Hatay butchers.. When you ask where to eat kebab, the first place that is said is usually the Pöç Butcher; it’s too crowded. It’s a real butcher from the outside, but as you go inside, it turns into a two-story restaurant.. The place has two different doors; If you enter through the bazaar, you cannot even imagine that it will be such a big place..

Here we sang tray kebab, we liked it. Of course, you have to see the others to compare.. Tray kebab for 2 people 25 TL.

Pöç Butcher, Hatay

Butcher Aydın

The butcher AydınThe shop just across the street from the Böç Butcher, with the Pöç Butcher’s becoming a touristic spot, it has become the favorite of the people of Hatay in the center.. Although we wanted to try Butcher Aydın, we had to choose Pöç Butcher as it was closed on Sunday and we were extremely hungry when we went to his door.. We add it here.

The Brigade Butcher

Slightly off center Tugay Butcher is one of the most preferred butchers of Hatay people.. Since it is not in the center, who knows, it is not as popular as Pöç. Actually, we were going to go here after Hatay Archeology Museum; but we’re out of time.

#5 HATAY MASTERS & DINNER IN HATAY

Konak Restaurant

Konak Restaurant, serving in a 130-year-old Antakya mansion, Hatay’ one of the most popular places in. Having a very decent ambiance and a wonderful courtyard, Konak stands out with its appetizers adapted from Arabic cuisine.. At the restaurant, which you can choose for a dinner, we liked pepper yogurt, eggplant mansion, Lebanese walnuts, zahter salad, stuffed stuffed wrap, raw meatballs, eggplant muttebel, and oruk, a kind of flat kibbeh.. All these appetizers were accompanied by the red Antioche wine, a combination of Antakya’s special Barbouri grape and Cabernet.

We can say that it was a truly wonderful evening; everything was very very tasty. It would be best to make a reservation before you go.. We strongly recommend Konak Restaurant. We paid 280 TL including wine at Konak.

Konak Restaurant, Hatay

#6 RAKI FISH IN HATAY

Arsuz Sahil Restaurant

We went to this shabby fish restaurant right next to Arsuz beach on our first evening in Hatay.. If you go to the Sahil Restaurant, which has both indoor and outdoor areas, on a hot evening, make sure to sit at the tables by the sea; we have a lot of minds. We have heard that there are many types of appetizers; that’s why we set the table with appetizers. Among the ones we ordered; We had hummus, spicy mash, salad with surk cheese, eggplant with yoghurt, calamari and Ali Nazik, an appetizer here.. We loved Ali Nazik so much that we ordered another portion.. It would be great if you could coincide your departure with the sunset.. A popular place, we recommend you call before you go. Prices were a reasonable venue, but we got to note the bill. apologies.

Sahil Restaurant, Arsuz/Hatay

#7 TRADITIONAL FOODS IN HATAY

Ali Murdun’s Place:

This is definitely our favorite spot in Hatay. Ali Usta, as of this trip, is our favorite master in this world and the person who cooks the most delicious food we have tasted in Hatay.. Ali Murdun’s Yeri, a typical artisan restaurant with no signage and never visible from the outside. Especially if you want to eat traditional dishes from Hatay and you want to taste them from a really good master, don’t even think about going anywhere else.. You should pay attention to; Ali Murdun’s place is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to have a good lunch, you should be here 12:00-12:30; because the food ends at around 14.00.

Ali Usta is a unique person. It seems a bit rigid at first sight; But as you talk, you quickly realize how sincere he is.. Those who come to the restaurant are usually regulars, and those who do not become addicts for a short time anyway.. He has a conversation with everyone, and the conversation increases as the time you stay in the restaurant increases.

After sitting down, Ali Usta starts bringing his masterpieces one by one; he shows with his own hands how to beat it. For example, there were quince sour vaccine soup, ashur, gum murcu, pecan pepper, stuffed cabbage and wrap, fasting, pumpkin pie, raw meatballs and many other flavors that we can’t remember the name of.. When the meal was over, Ali Usta brought cream caramel, kadayıf and curd which he served with foam this time.. The last part was a real golden hit anyway.. We paid 40 TL per person for all these. If you are coming to Hatay, we definitely say it.

Ali Murdun’s Yeri, Hatay

Sultan’s Table

If we had a little more time, we would definitely try the Sultan Sofrasi serving in an old mansion.. This is another place where you can eat local dishes.. They have a weekly food menu, they make different mixes every day. Fasting, sac fasting, pastry varieties and doner kebab are fixed every day.. Especially, pumpkin dessert is highly recommended.

#8 COFFEE AND COFFEE BARS IN HATAY

Affan Kahvesi:

Affan Kahvesi located in a historical building on Kurtulus Caddesi strong> is now one of the most touristic spots of Hatay beyond a coffee house. Although it looks like a coffee house from the outside, we can say that its courtyard is a youth place.. We think there is an air of young people from Hatay coming together and coming here.. Its interior also teleports you to the past like a time machine; The wooden tables and chairs look really nostalgic.

The reputation of this place comes from the Haytali dessert; Served with goat milk ice cream and rose water on plain pudding. We didn’t like the dessert very much because the food coloring in the rose water irritated us a bit, we think we would have liked it more if it was plain rose water, but everything aside, the ‘Suvari coffee brought in a tea glass and Affan both inside and outside the place. enough in itself to love. Our account is 24 TL for 3 teas, 1 Süvari and 2 Haytalı desserts.

Historical Affan Coffee, Hatay

Coffee Guru:

Antakya that you can stop by a small coffee bar. We paid 20 TL for 4 coffees.

All Ride Bike Coffee:

You can stop by All Ride Bike Coffee, which both repairs bicycles and serves as a coffee bar, when you go to Iskenderun.. We paid 35 TL for 3 lattes and 1 coffee.

Together with Hatay coffee places What to Eat in Hatay: Hatay Eating We have come to the end of our Drinking Advice guide. You can reach all of our photos and notes about Hatay from your account on Instagram with the hashtag #journavelhatay. Follow us, let’s travel together!

Click to read our Hatay Travel Guide.

All Ride Bike Coffee, Hatay