Situated in south-eastern Turkey, Gaziantep is famous for the best baklava in the whole country. Yet it’s not the only advantage of this city. What’s worth seeing there and where should you dine?
The Anatolia region, where Gaziantep lies, is well-known not only in Turkey but also around the world thanks to the cultivation of the most delicious pistachios. Antep Fıstığı, as they’re called in Turkish, are a local delicacy and a base for many dishes, including a tasty and extremely sweet baklava. The history of this modern metropolis dates back to ancient times. It is considered to be one of the oldest, continually inhabited cities in the world. If you want to know its history better, you should visit the Archeological Museum (Arkeoloji Müzesi) and the Museum of Mosaics from Belkıs-Zeugma with remarkably interesting collections from the time of Alexander the Great, with a total space of 1700m2.
Among the top tourists, spots are Ömeriye Camii mosque in Gaziantep (built probably in the 7th century) and the citadel (kale) towering above the city. It was erected in ancient Rome times and rebuilt in Byzantine times. To the south of the fortress, there’s also a remarkable coppersmith bazaar, Bakırcılar Çarşısı. In narrow streets, craftsmen and artists sell their goods, such as copper utensils, traditional kutnu fabrics, yemeni leather shoes, aromatic spices, and pistachios – both roasted and fresh.
Gaziantep is considered as a capital of the most alluring local flavors, that’s why this place will be paradise for a real foodie. What’s worth trying? Typical breakfast meals for this city are Beyran Çorbası soup cooked with lamb, rice, and dried paprika, which is usually prepared in front of the customers, but also katmer – filo dough with the addition of sheep milk cheese, pistachios, and sugar. At lunch, dinner or supper, in most of the restaurants, you may order not only kebab (Antep kebabı) with ayran (yogurt drink) but also lahmacun – a type of Turkish pizza (thin dough stuffed with spicy garlic and paisley lamb filling). The best Turkish dishes you will get in Dürümcü Recep Usta and Urfa Tike Ciğer bars, and in Bayazhan restaurant.
