Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Why visit Gaziantep (Gaziantep (83))
Gaziantep (Gaziantep (83)) is a metropolitan hub (büyükşehir / i̇l) in Gaziantep Province (Southeastern Anatolia & Upper Mesopotamia Region), Türkiye, with a population of approximately 2,222,415 at an elevation of 842 m. Gaziantep is a key destination and district in Gaziantep Province (Southeastern Anatolia), positioned at 842 m elevation and 0.8 km from Gaziantep Gar & Gaziray.
Getting to Gaziantep & local transit
From Istanbul & Ankara: Accessible via TCDD YHT high-speed rail, domestic flights through Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport (GZT), and intercity coaches.
Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Gaziantep Oğuzeli Airport (GZT) (0.8 km) · Rail / Intercity Bus: Gaziantep Gar & Gaziray.
Recommended Transit & Museum Cards: Contactless city transit card & Museum Pass Türkiye (€165). Compare fares with our TCDD YHT Rail vs. Flight Calculator, Istanbulkart & City Transit Calculator, and Museum Pass Türkiye Calculator.
Top things to see & do in Gaziantep
- Gaziantep Merkez Çarşısı & Historic Mosque
- Gaziantep Kent Müzesi & Cultural Square
- Gaziantep Regional Bazaar & Tea Gardens
- Gaziantep Panoramic Viewpoint & Park
Neighborhoods & quarters
Gaziantep Merkez (Old Quarter)
Historic quarter, local bazaar, and dining district in Gaziantep.
Cumhuriyet Meydanı & Bazaar District
Historic quarter, local bazaar, and dining district in Gaziantep.
Yeni Mahalle & Promenade
Historic quarter, local bazaar, and dining district in Gaziantep.
What to eat in Gaziantep — Local Specialties & Turkish Culinary Guide
Dining in Gaziantep reflects the culinary heritage of Southeastern Anatolia & Upper Mesopotamia, combining fresh market produce, wood-fired pide and kebabs, cold olive-oil meze, and traditional Turkish tea house culture.
Signature Local Dishes
Gaziantep Must-Try Specialties
- Traditional regional kebabs, wood-fired pide & seasonal meze
- Turkish breakfast (serpme kahvaltı) & Rize black tea
- Gaziantep Fıstıklı Baklava & Beyran Çorbası — 40-layer phyllo pastry filled with emerald Boz pistachios and clarified sheep butter, plus fiery slow-cooked lamb neck soup.
- Mardin Kaburga Dolması & İkbebet — Spiced almond-rice stuffed lamb ribs slow-steamed for hours and boiled/fried Assyrian-style kibbeh.
- Şanlıurfa Çiğ Köfte, Ali Nazik & Lahmacun — Charcoal-smoked eggplant yogurt topped with garlic lamb cubes and crisp stone-oven flatbreads.
Southeastern Anatolia Regional Cuisine
Regional Staples & Drinks
Gaziantep Fıstıklı Baklava & Beyran Çorbası (40-layer phyllo pastry filled with emerald Boz pistachios and clarified sheep butter, plus fiery slow-cooked lamb neck soup.) Mardin Kaburga Dolması & İkbebet (Spiced almond-rice stuffed lamb ribs slow-steamed for hours and boiled/fried Assyrian-style kibbeh.) Şanlıurfa Çiğ Köfte, Ali Nazik & Lahmacun (Charcoal-smoked eggplant yogurt topped with garlic lamb cubes and crisp stone-oven flatbreads.)
Local Drinks: Menengiç Kahvesi (wild terebinth pistachio coffee), Mardin Dibek Kahvesi with cardamom, Meyan Şerbeti (chilled licorice root infusion)
Where to Eat in Gaziantep: Lokantas, Meyhanes & Markets
Explore the central çarşı (market quarter) of Gaziantep alongside regional culinary landmarks including Gaziantep Elmacı Pazarı & Bakırcılar Çarşısı, Mardin Revaklı Çarşı, Şanlıurfa Gümrük Hanı for local cheeses, olives, spices, and freshly baked simit and pide.
Recommended Dining Areas: Gaziantep Elmacı Pazarı & Bakırcılar Çarşısı · Mardin Revaklı Çarşı · Şanlıurfa Gümrük Hanı
Local Turkish Drinks & Pairings: Menengiç Kahvesi (wild terebinth pistachio coffee) · Mardin Dibek Kahvesi with cardamom · Meyan Şerbeti (chilled licorice root infusion)
Dining Etiquette & Ordering Tips: In Türkiye, midday esnaf lokantası (tradesmen's restaurants) display bubbling trays at the counter where you can order half-portions (yarım porsiyon). Evening meyhanes and ocakbaşı grill houses serve cold meze first; bread and tulip-glass Rize black tea (çay) after meals are typically complimentary. Use our Turkish Phrasebook & Restaurant Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently in Turkish.
Closest neighboring Turkish towns to Gaziantep
- Şahinbey — 2.5 km away
- Şehitkamil — 12.6 km away
- Oğuzeli — 25.4 km away
- Polateli — 32.2 km away
- Yavuzeli — 33.7 km away