​MARMARIS CULINARY GUIDE: WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE
Marmaris offers a rich gastronomic experience blending Turkish traditions with Mediterranean influences. Here's a guide to the special flavors you can taste in Marmaris and the authentic restaurants that serve them...
1. LOCAL & SEASONAL CUISINE
Nature's Bounty on Your Plate
- Sea Beans (Deniz Börülcesi) - Sea asparagus served with olive oil and garlic
- Stuffed Zucchini Flowers - Delicate zucchini blossoms filled with rice, onions, and herbs
- Celery Root Salad - Light salad prepared with carrots, mayonnaise, and yogurt
- Sautéed Fennel - Fennel lightly sautéed in olive oil with herbs
- Turnip Greens Salad - Seasonal greens salad unique to the Aegean region
- Eggplant Purée with Meat (Patlıcan BeÄŸendi) - Creamy smoked eggplant purée topped with tender meat pieces
- Purslane with Yogurt - Fresh purslane mixed with garlicky yogurt
Recommended Restaurants:
- Dede Restaurant - Kemeraltı, 237. Sk. No:12
Highlights: Sea beans, sautéed fennel, eggplant purée with meat
- Åžamdan Restaurant Cafe & Bar - Marmaris center
Highlights: Stuffed zucchini flowers, celery root salad
- Neighbours Restaurant - Marmaris center
Highlights: Turnip greens salad, purslane with yogurt, artichokes in olive oil
2. SEAFOOD
Fresh Treasures of the Mediterranean
- Grilled Sea Bass - Simply prepared with sea salt and olive oil
- Steamed Sea Bream - Sea bream gently steamed with vegetables
- Shrimp Casserole - Prawns baked with tomatoes, garlic, and cheese
- Grilled Octopus - Octopus marinated in olive oil and lemon, then grilled
- Fried Calamari - Lightly battered and fried squid rings
- Stuffed Mussels - Mussels filled with spiced rice, pine nuts, and currants
- Fish Soup - Creamy soup prepared with seafood stock
- Fish Skewers - Chunks of fish grilled on skewers with vegetables
Recommended Restaurants:
- Pineapple Restaurant - Çıldır, Akin Yolu Cad. No:25
Highlights: Grilled sea bass, shrimp casserole, fried calamari
- Summer Rain Restaurant - Siteler Mah. 212 Sk. No:58
Highlights: Steamed sea bream, grilled octopus, fish soup
- Stella Restaurant & Bar - Long Beach, Marmaris
Highlights: Stuffed mussels, fish skewers, octopus salad
3. TRADITIONAL TURKISH CUISINE
Anatolian Flavors
- Iskender Kebab - Thinly sliced döner meat served over pieces of bread with tomato sauce, melted butter, and yogurt
- Slow-Cooked Lamb (Kuzu Tandır) - Tender lamb slow-cooked in a clay oven
- Adana Kebab - Spicy minced meat kebab grilled on a skewer
- Shish Kebab - Marinated chunks of meat grilled on skewers with vegetables
- Mixed Pide - Turkish flatbread topped with cheese, Turkish sausage, and minced meat
- Imam Bayildi - Eggplant stuffed with onions and tomatoes, cooked in olive oil
- Meat Stew (Etli Güveç) - Meat and vegetable stew cooked in a clay pot
- Turkish Ravioli (Mantı) - Small dumplings filled with minced meat, served with garlic yogurt
- Ali Nazik - Smoked eggplant purée topped with tender lamb
Recommended Restaurants:
- Kircicegi (KırçiçeÄŸi) - Marmaris center
Highlights: Mixed pide, Iskender kebab, slow-cooked lamb
- A La Turka - Ä°çmeler, Marmaris
Highlights: Turkish ravioli, Imam Bayildi, meat stew
- Doyuran Doner Evi Shawarma - Marmaris center
Highlights: Adana kebab, shish kebab, Ali Nazik
4. MEZZE & COLD STARTERS
Perfect with Raki or as Appetizers
- Smoked Eggplant Dip - Purée of smoked eggplant with herbs
- Haydari - Thick strained yogurt with garlic and herbs
- Spicy Tomato Dip (Acılı Ezme) - Finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and herbs
- Fava Bean Purée - Smooth yellow split bean purée with olive oil
- Hummus - Chickpea and tahini dip with olive oil
- Dried Mackerel (Çiroz) - Traditional sun-dried and salted mackerel
- Atom - Spicy butter and yogurt blend
- Bulgur Balls (ÇiÄŸ Köfte) - Spiced bulgur wheat paste (vegetarian version)
- Cured Bonito (Lakerda) - Slices of salt-cured bonito fish
- Tzatziki (Cacık) - Yogurt with cucumbers, garlic, and mint
Recommended Restaurants:
- Dede Restaurant - Kemeraltı, 237. Sk. No:12
Highlights: Smoked eggplant dip, fava bean purée, dried mackerel, cured bonito
- Alabi Restaurant - Ä°çmeler, Marmaris
Highlights: Hummus, tzatziki, bulgur balls, spicy tomato dip, atom
- Åžamdan Restaurant Cafe & Bar - Marmaris center
Highlights: Haydari, spicy tomato dip, dried mackerel
5. BREAKFAST
A Bountiful Start to the Day
- Turkish Scrambled Eggs (Menemen) - Eggs scrambled with tomatoes, peppers, and spices
- Turkish Sausage with Eggs - Fried sucuk (spiced beef sausage) with eggs
- Pastry Selection (Börek) - Savory pastries filled with cheese, potato, or minced meat
- Turkish Bagel (Simit) - Ring-shaped bread covered with sesame seeds
- Honey and Clotted Cream (Bal-Kaymak) - Natural honey served with thick buffalo cream
- Turkish Pancake (Gözleme) - Thin flatbread filled with cheese or potato, cooked on a griddle
- Village Breakfast - Assortment of olives, cheeses, jams, honey, butter, and eggs
- Poached Eggs with Yogurt (Çılbır) - Poached eggs served on garlicky yogurt with hot butter
- Cheese Fondue (Kuymak/Muhlama) - Cornmeal, butter, and cheese mixture
Recommended Restaurants:
- Kirtil Cafe - Marmaris, MuÄŸla
Highlights: Village breakfast, Turkish scrambled eggs, poached eggs with yogurt, honey and clotted cream
- Kircicegi (KırçiçeÄŸi) - Marmaris center
Highlights: Turkish sausage with eggs, Turkish pancake, pastry selection, Turkish bagel
- Alabi Restaurant - Ä°çmeler, Marmaris
Highlights: Cheese fondue, village breakfast, Turkish scrambled eggs
6. INTERNATIONAL ALTERNATIVES
World Cuisines
- Butter Chicken - Indian creamy tomato-based chicken curry
- Tandoori Chicken - Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a clay oven
- Chicken Tikka Masala - Chicken pieces in spiced tomato sauce
- Beef Wellington - Beef fillet wrapped in mushrooms and pastry
- Ribeye Steak - Special grilled beef ribeye
- T-Bone Steak - Classic T-bone cut steak
- Fajitas - Mexican-style grilled meat and vegetables
- Nasi Goreng - Indonesian fried rice
Recommended Restaurants:
- Taj Mahal - Marmaris center
Highlights: Butter chicken, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala
- Tiffany's Steak House - Marmaris center
Highlights: Beef Wellington, ribeye steak, T-bone steak
- Stella Restaurant & Bar - Long Beach, Marmaris
Highlights: Fajitas, nasi goreng, international dishes
7. DESSERTS
Sweet Endings
- Künefe - Shredded pastry with cheese filling, soaked in sweet syrup
- Baklava - Layered phyllo pastry filled with nuts and soaked in syrup
- Rice Pudding (Sütlaç) - Baked rice pudding with a caramelized top
- Candied Pumpkin (Kabak Tatlısı) - Pumpkin dessert in syrup, served with walnuts
- Semolina Cake (Revani) - Syrup-soaked semolina cake
- KemalpaÅŸa - Sweet dumplings made from cheese, soaked in syrup
- Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma) - Chewy ice cream made with salep and mastic
- Noah's Pudding (AÅŸure) - Sweet pudding made with grains and dried fruits
- Caramelized Milk Pudding (Kazandibi) - Milk pudding with a caramelized bottom
- Lokma - Fried sweet dough soaked in syrup
Recommended Restaurants:
- Åžamdan Restaurant Cafe & Bar - Marmaris center
Highlights: Candied pumpkin, baklava, rice pudding, semolina cake
- Bono Good Times - Marmaris center
Highlights: KemalpaÅŸa, Noah's pudding, Turkish ice cream
- Dede Restaurant - Kemeraltı, 237. Sk. No:12
Highlights: Künefe, caramelized milk pudding, lokma
8. BEVERAGES & LOCAL DRINKS
Traditional Drinks
- Turkish Tea - Strong black tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses
- Turkish Coffee - Unfiltered coffee prepared in a special pot (cezve)
- Ayran - Salted yogurt drink, perfect with kebabs
- Turnip Juice (Åžalgam Suyu) - Tangy purple carrot pickle juice
- Raki - Anise-flavored traditional Turkish spirit, often mixed with water
- Boza - Slightly fermented millet drink (winter months)
- Salep - Hot winter drink made from orchid root flour
- Grape Juice (Şıra) - Lightly fermented grape juice
Recommended Places:
- Kirtil Cafe - Marmaris, MuÄŸla
Highlights: Turkish tea, Turkish coffee, salep
- Kircicegi (KırçiçeÄŸi) - Marmaris center
Highlights: Ayran, turnip juice
- Dede Restaurant - Kemeraltı, 237. Sk. No:12
Highlights: Raki, grape juice, boza
9. PRACTICAL DINING INFORMATION
Meal Times:
- Breakfast: Usually served between 8:00-11:00 AM
- Lunch: 12:00-3:00 PM
- Dinner: Turks typically dine after 7:00 PM
Reservation Tips:
- During high season (June-August), making advance reservations at popular restaurants is essential
- Request a sea view table when booking if desired
Language & Communication:
- English menus are common in tourist areas
- Useful Turkish phrases:
- "Lezzetli" – Delicious
- "Hesap alabilir miyim?" – Can I have the bill?
- "Az piÅŸmiÅŸ/orta/çok piÅŸmiÅŸ" – Rare/medium/well done
- "Afiyet olsun" – Enjoy your meal (said before eating)
Tipping Culture:
- 5-10% is considered a normal tip at restaurants
- If service charge is included on the bill, additional tipping is optional
10. FOOD SOUVENIRS FROM MARMARIS
Edible gifts to take home for friends and family:
- Marmaris pine honey
- Local olive oil
- Dried herbs and spices
- Turkish delight and traditional sweets
- Turkish coffee and special tea blends
- Honey, jam, and molasses varieties
- Handmade almond paste
- Tahini-molasses (mixture of sesame paste and grape molasses)
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Dining in Marmaris is more than just eating—it's a cultural journey. For the most authentic experience, avoid tourist traps and seek out restaurants favored by locals. The restaurants recommended in this guide are verified establishments that will offer you a genuine taste of Turkish cuisine. Enjoy your meal!