Gaziantep Travel Guide - Best Places to Eat, Drink and Travel

Time does not pass quickly in Gaziantep. The streets are not hurried, and people speak without beating around the bush, but always with a greeting. This city teaches you to pause and take a breath, even in the midst of a crowd. In an age where everything is covered up, Gaziantep still wants you to know what you eat, where you walk, and who you meet. It's not just about history; here, there is the sound of copper, the smoke of the tandir, and the trunk of an old plane tree resting in the shade.

Gaziantep has a deeply rooted history. It has hosted many different civilizations and religions throughout its history. Up to the present day, it has managed to preserve its history and culture as it is. Today, people from all cultures and beliefs live together in Gaziantep. In recent years, Gaziantep has also managed to attract the attention of the entire world. This is because the remains of the ancient city of Zeugma have been unearthed in recent excavations. The city is located approximately 10 kilometers from the Nizip district of Gaziantep, right on the banks of the Euphrates River. The unearthed remains and mosaics are exhibited at the Zeugma Open Air Museum, which is the world's largest open-air museum and mosaic museum.

Gaziantep is a city that welcomes thousands of local and foreign visitors every year with its deep-rooted history, rich culture and unique cuisine. Thanks to its location close to Mesopotamia and the Euphrates-Tigris basin, it has been an important crossroads throughout history. The first traces of settlement date back to the Chalcolithic Age, and it bears the traces of many civilisations, from the Hittites to the Persians, and from the Romans to the Ottomans. It is a special city that earned the title of ‘Gazi’ for its resistance during the War of Independence. It offers visitors not only history but also an impressive city experience. When you stay in the city centre, you can reach many important points on foot. You can start your tour at the bazaars. The narrow streets filled with handmade copper products, carpets, spices and traditional flavours will take you on a journey through time. Gaziantep Castle, the old Antep houses in Bey Mahallesi and the historic baths are also worth seeing. The city is also rich in museums. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Archaeology Museum, War Museum, Kitchen Museum, and Glass Museum are must-see stops on your itinerary. The Antep cuisine is another reason to visit this city. In addition to meat dishes such as eggplant kebab, garlic kebab, and simit kebab, local delicacies such as plum stew and Arabic meatballs should not be missed. Of course, you can't leave without trying baklava. Made with real Antep pistachios and thin layers of dough, this dessert is a must-try. Visiting Gaziantep in the spring or winter months will provide a more comfortable travel experience. Temperatures can be quite high in the summer months.

Where to Eat in Gaziantep? 

The best kebab addresses in the city are Halil Usta, Haydar Usta, and İmam Çağdaş, located across from Camlı Kahve (Glass Coffee).

One Special Recommendation: You can't leave here without trying gourmet delights like baklava, küşleme, and beyran soup. Along with these, don't miss out on tasting sweet katmer, dried eggplant stuffed with meat, lamb liver kebab (known locally as cağırtlak), and yuvalama soup. For these wonderful flavors, we recommend the restaurant called Aşina Gaziantep Cuisine.

The best baklava addresses in the city are İmam Çağdaş and Koçak Baklavacısı in Uzunçarşı. Apart from kebabs, you should try unique flavors like "Chickpea Wrap" and "Katmer" at Habeş Usta or visit Zekeriya Usta for Katmer. Other restaurants you should visit include Üçler Kebap, Metanet Esnaf Lokantası, and Evirgeç Mantı.

For a coffee break, head to ‘Tahmis Kahvesi’. This coffee shop has a history dating back to the 1650s, and its building still preserves its old texture. The atmosphere is delightful, with 500-year-old lamps inside. There are even old photographs from past eras.

Lastly, I recommend trying the kebab restaurants under the Castle; you can also visit Çulcuoğlu or ask for directions to Karakabir :)

One of the best ways to explore Gaziantep is to walk around the city without taking any transportation. As blogger Oğuz Yeni Hayat suggests, you can start your day early in the morning with beyran and katmer, and then spend the day wandering the streets, soaking up the spirit and flavours of the city. If you think, ‘That's too heavy a start for me,’ you can begin your day with a fresh börek at Elmacıpazarı Güllüoğlu. It's hard to resist the baklava in the display case anyway. Starting the day with a sweet treat isn't a bad idea.

From there, take a few steps to Tahmis Kahvesi for a quick break with tea or coffee... Then you can set off on foot towards Halil Usta. Well-seasoned küşleme, kuşbaşı, kebabs served with thin lavaş… If you think a walk would do you good after all that, head to Hışvahan. For those who want to shake off their fatigue, it offers a historic atmosphere, a quiet courtyard, perhaps a digestif, or just peace and quiet. For dessert, stop by Zeki İnal and top off your day with a small şöbiyet. Afterwards, you can return to Elmacıpazarı to shop and browse local products. For dinner, the recommendation is clear: Harun Usta's Dukat. Start with walnut-stuffed lahmacun, followed by a beautifully cooked onion kebab a delicious taste that will linger on your palate before you bid farewell to the city. Is it just about food? Of course not. Gaziantep is also open to exploration with its nature. Outside the city, there are walking trails, meadows, and quiet areas overlooking the Euphrates. If you have time, you can go on a picnic or pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars. You can even go fishing or enjoy a quiet morning hunt. In this city famous for its handicrafts, you can also buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Copperware, hand-woven rugs, silver jewellery, and even traditional flat-soled shoes each one carries a memory whispered to you by the city.

Of course, don't forget the baklava, pistachios, and peppers. Tastes fade, but memories linger. If you wish to visit Gaziantep, you can easily reach it by road or air. This year, especially the upcoming spring months, could be a great opportunity to explore and get to know Gaziantep. I suggest you start planning now. Have a good trip.

For accommodation recommendations, you can check out our Gaziantep Hotels page.