The relaxing view of the river flowing past and the surrounding wildlife of the region only enhance what is already a perfect dining experience in Dalyan.

After an exciting day shopping in Dalyan treat yourself to a tradional Turkish meal in one of our suggested Dalyan Restaurants. This guide gives you an insight into eating out in Dalyan, as well as some suggestions on great places to dine. If you are venturing out of the Dalyan region, see our Turkey Restaurant Guide for links to other Turkish regions covered by our network.

Dalyan Restaurant Guide

Local Cuisine

Wheat is a staple that is used to make a variety of unleavened and leavened breads baked on griddles, in clay ovens and in embers. Some early favourites were the local version of the dumpling, called the Manti and the filled dough-based Bugra (named after Bugra Khan from Turkestan).

Stuffed vegetables and pasta soon gained in popularity and are well loved by locals even today. Don't forget to try the delectable dolma while you're here.

Grilled meats, skewered meats or Kebap and yoghurt and cheeses are other regular features at mealtimes.

Early settlers brought their styles of grilling and filling pastas and vegetables to Anatolia around the 11th century. They also imbibed some cooking styles and ingredients from the indigenous people. The use of local fruits, vegetables, rice and a number of different types of fish from the Anatolian Peninsula are some things the nomads picked up from the locals. With three seas surrounding the area it isn't surprising that fish and seafood are an integral part of Dalyan cuisine.

All Turkish meals begin with a scrumptious array of light appetizers called meze. These could be hot or cold and range from spicy beans in tomato sauce, roasted capsicum, onion and garlic stuffed aubergines, yoghurt and cucumber, raisins and nuts, stuffed vine leaves plus a number of cold dips, all served with freshly made bread. It isn't unheard of to make a meal of meze alone!

Soups are a safe bet here and if you'd like a taste of something truly Turkish, order the kirmizi mercimek. This red lentil soup is a great way to start a meal. For a light meal get yourself some pide (Turkish pizza like bread) or a meat and cheese-stuffed flaky pastry börek.

End your day out on the town with a sweet treat like the Gözleme or stuffed pancake and head to the riverside to gaze at the world going by. Stalls sell these Turkish pancakes filled with a choice of apple, potato, cheese or even chocolate and they make a great snack or a cheap meal. You can find a Gözleme stall almost anywhere in the main markets so it won't be hard to get yourself one of these.

Alcohol

Alcohol is easily found when you're in the main tourist spots, but venture a little further and you may find most restaurants don't serve alcohol. Beer drinkers can choose between Tuborg and the local Efes Pilsen. Wines here are cheap but pleasing to the palate. Do order a bottle of the wood-matured Çankaya. The national drink of Turkey is the aperitif called raki, which is made from aniseed. Add some water to it and watch as it turns cloudy. This seemingly harmless drink is actually quite strong and its local nickname ‘Lion's Milk' should serve as a warning.

Eating out in Dalyan

Dalyan has a good variety of restaurants serving many different versions of the local cuisine. Don't expect to find international cuisine or something from your home country; instead, give in to the tantalizing Turkish recipes that restaurants serve up. The golden arches are as far removed from Dalyan as you can imagine. Tried and tested favourites are La Perla, the Simarik café (earlier called Mulberry) and Ali Ba Ba's. The local equivalent of dining at the Eiffel tower is to book a table at Caretta Caretta. Not only is the food great, but at around 8 pm every night floodlights suddenly illuminate the Lycian tombs across the river and the effect is sheer magic. The river flowing past and a view of the wildlife of the region only enhance what is already a perfect dining experience.

Tipping

Tips are expected even if a service charge has already been added to your bill. Leave 5% more if a service charge has been included and 10% if none has been charged. You may find that your waiter refuses to accept it, but this is just politeness. Unless he is very vehement about not accepting the tip you can safely assume he will keep it after a mild show of protesting.

Dalyan nightlife

This is not a town you come to for the nightlife; however, for the die hard bar and club crawlers there are some places that could serve you well. Try the Zilli or Sweet Sixteen clubs or indulge in some exotic Turkish entertainment at one of the many places where belly dancers perform and traditional music plays on as you tuck into a hearty Turkish meal.