Konya's cooking grows out of two traditions: a farming plain famous for wheat and lamb, and the kitchens of the Seljuk court and the Mevlevi lodge, where cooks trained for years and preparing a meal was treated as a discipline. The result is hearty, rich and unfussy food that rewards an appetite.

Dishes you should not miss

Etli ekmek

The city's signature. A thin, hand-stretched dough is topped with finely chopped lamb and baked in a wood-fired oven until the edges are crisp. It arrives long and narrow, is cut into strips and eaten by hand with a squeeze of lemon and a glass of ayran. Many places also serve a cheese version (peynirli etli ekmek). Look for a restaurant where you can see the oven.

Fırın kebabı

Lamb slow-cooked for hours in a wood-fired oven until it falls from the bone. Served with rice or bread, it is a dish for sharing and for special occasions. It is often best at lunch; some kitchens run out later in the day.

Tirit

A comforting old Anatolian dish: bread soaked in a rich meat broth and layered with tender lamb, often finished with yoghurt. Simple, filling and very Konya.

Bamya çorbası

A tangy soup made with okra, tomato and lemon. It makes a good, lighter start to a meal of lamb and bread.

Tandır and sarma

Slow-roasted tandır lamb and yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves) appear on many tables, along with salads, pickles and fresh bread.

Sweets

  • Höşmerim: a warm dessert made from fresh cheese, butter and sugar, silky and stretchy, served in small portions.
  • İrmik helvası: semolina halva, usually served warm after a big meal.
  • Mevlana şekeri and local sweets: shops around the Mevlana area sell candies, Turkish delight and other sweets that make good gifts.

How to eat like a local

Lunch is the main event. Go early for etli ekmek and fırın kebabı, ask for ayran rather than a soft drink, and finish with Turkish tea or coffee. Konya is a conservative city, and many restaurants do not serve alcohol.

Where to eat

Konya has everything from old-fashioned lokantas serving tirit and bamya çorbası to bakeries dedicated to etli ekmek, and rooftop and garden restaurants with views of the Alaaddin Hill and the Mevlana dome. Ask your hotel and the people you meet; locals enjoy recommending their favourites. The Konya News will feature restaurants and food stories in the coming months.

Last updated October 2026. Opening times and menus vary.