Where to Eat in Gaziantep

Papirus Cafe

Our coffee stop was Papirüs Café in Bey Mahallesi. It was a place we enjoyed spending time, with its authentic feel and spacious garden under the trees. If you’re planning to visit the upper floor, it might be tough to find a moment without a wedding photoshoot, but there are truly beautiful spots for pictures. If you catch the garden during a quiet time like we did, there are also great corners for photography there.

Bayazhan

For dinner, we chose Bayazhan. The courtyard here is both authentic and elegant. You can have a meal or just grab a drink at the bar. It’s one of the few places in Gaziantep that serves alcohol, and its prices are higher compared to the city’s average. The food is decent, but since the ambiance is the highlight, it might be better to go for meze and drinks or simply enjoy a drink at the bar.

Cagdas Tatli Gaziantep

This was a place highly favored by the locals, so we decided to give it a try. The burma kadayıf was delicious. The atmosphere is casual, but the staff was attentive.

Celebiogullari Baklava

We went to the branch in İbrahimli, but there’s also one in the city center. Many people were there placing orders for holiday desserts. I tried a few varieties of the pistachio options, and aside from the one that was like pistachio paste, I enjoyed them all.

Imam Cagdas

We loved the lahmacun the first time we went, but unfortunately, it didn’t taste the same on our second visit. However, the eggplant kebab was quite delicious.

Elmacipazari Gulluoglu

Located in a small shop within the passage where the spice shops are in the center. Elmacıpazarı Güllüoğlu became one of my favorite dessert places. I was satisfied with everything I tried, even though I had already eaten after a meal.

Kebapci Halil Usta

It’s located behind the Zeugma Museum. When you walk through the streets around Zeugma, you might think, “What kind of place is this for a kebab restaurant?” But don’t worry, once you enter, you’ll realize it’s a clean and well-kept place. If you ask them to bring a selection of various types to sample, they will prepare nice plates for you. It’s famous for its küşleme (lamb fillet), but it didn’t suit our taste; it felt too bland. We preferred the Adana-style kebab, which was well-seasoned with plenty of spices.

Kocak Baklava

Koçak Baklava is a bit farther from the places you’ll be exploring, and it’s near the first Havaş stop on the return journey, so I suggest saving it for last and trying it before heading to the airport. Honestly, their baklava is tasty but not particularly special. I think there are better places in Istanbul, so we didn’t opt to take any home.