Where to eat in Cappadocia
The problem with only spending four nights in Cappadocia is that you can only eat at a few places. And with an incredible breakfast included in the price of our hotel, the number of restaurants we got to explore dropped even further.
But if you ask us, these are the best places to eat in Cappadocia.
Haruna
We might be biassed, but the bar and restaurant in our hotel was one of the best we ate at. We stopped at Haruna for a post-flight Aperol spritz and decided we’d be coming back for dinner.
Serving everything from traditional Turkish meat dishes to pastas and pizzas, the menu here is diverse and delicious. And if you don’t have time for food, stop in for a drink on the stunning rooftop bar with views across the town.
Dibek
Dibek is a truly traditional Turkish restaurant. When you enter the cave-like building, you remove your shoes before being led to a low wooden table surrounded by cushions and soft rugs. This is where you’ll eat – shoeless and on the floor (like I often do at home tbh.)
The menu is small, but that’s okay. Because the home-cooked speciality, Testi Kebab, is the best thing to order. The stew comes in both meat and veggie options, and is cooked in a terracotta pot which is cracked and poured at your table.
But it’s not just the impressive display that makes a trip to Dibek worth it. The food is slow-cooked for at least three hours – which means you can’t come without reserving a table and pre-ordering your Testi Kebab in advance.
Our mains were served after an assortment of condiments, salads, and breads. Which did make it hard to finish the stew! But the mushroom and aubergine Testi Kebab was so delicious I gave it my best shot.
This was probably my favourite place to eat in Cappadocia. And it’s all the more tasty knowing you’ll never be able to recreate the unique flavour at home (or at least, I won’t!)
As Türkiye is largely a Muslim country and this is an authentic family restaurant, there is no alcohol served at Dibek.
Seten
On our first night in Cappadocia we walked to Seten. Another restaurant adjoined to a hotel, it came highly recommended. So we didn’t mind waiting on the roof terrace with a cocktail while we waited for a table.
The restaurant specialises in Anatolian cuisine ranging from meats to seafood to delicious vegetarian dishes. But book in advance to avoid queuing, as its a popular spot!
My Mother’s Restaurant
You know when you’re somewhere really hot, and you want to sit outside but you also really want some cool and shade? Well My Mother’s Restaurant satisfied these needs perfectly. Set on a covered rooftop (though there is indoor seating too), it has comfy chairs, plenty of shade, and stunning views across Göreme. It also served cold beers and great food, which is exactly what we needed after a busy day exploring the valleys.
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Any kebab restaurant!
Why are you coming to Türkiye and not eating a kebab? Well, I don’t eat meat so that’s my excuse. But I still got to enjoy a bean stew and a variety of Turkish dips and appetisers with amazing fresh bread at Chef Kebap Restaurant.
We came across this spot while we were wandering around town and decided we needed food. But honestly, almost any kebab shop in Cappadocia will serve some of the best meat and bread you’ve tasted.
Looking for more to see and do in Cappadocia? Check out our blog: The best things to do in Cappadocia.