Morning Feast: Antalya's Turkish Breakfast Tradition

Turkish breakfast is a long, social meal of many small plates rather than one dish. A full spread, called serpme kahvaltı, covers the table with cheeses, olives, honey, jams, fresh vegetables, eggs, pastries and warm bread, with endless glasses of tea. In Antalya, the setting makes it special: you can have breakfast in an old town courtyard, by the sea or up in the mountains.

What it is

• The spread: white cheese, kaşar, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey, kaymak and jams.
• Hot dishes: menemen, eggs with sucuk and fried pastries.
• Tea: black tea in tulip-shaped glasses, refilled all morning.

Where to try it

• Kaleiçi courtyard cafés
• Konyaaltı and Lara seafront cafés
• Mountain villages above the city, popular on weekends

Tips

• Go hungry and take your time.
• A spread is usually priced per person.
• Try honey with kaymak on fresh bread.

More in Antalya

Explore the old town of Kaleiçi, where many traditional restaurants are, or read our Antalya guide. A food tour is the easiest way to taste many local dishes in one afternoon.