Best Restaurants in Hatay 2026

Hatay is Turkey's southernmost province, a slender finger of land bordering Syria and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital, Antakya—the ancient Antioch on the Orontes—was one of the great cities of the Roman and early Christian world. Hatay's layered history, distinctive Arab-influenced cuisine, and multicultural society (Turkish, Arabic, Alevi, Armenian, and Greek Orthodox communities have coexisted here for centuries) make it unlike anywhere else in Turkey. Note: a magnitude-7.8 earthquake on 6 February 2023 severely damaged Antakya; many historic structures collapsed and rebuilding is ongoing. Travellers will find a city in resilient reconstruction rather than a fully restored old town.

Hatay cuisine is UNESCO-recognised as part of Turkey's intangible cultural heritage. It differs markedly from mainstream Turkish cooking: olive oil is the dominant fat, Arabic spices (cumin, coriander, sumac) are common, and dishes like hummus, muhammara, oruk (bulgur and meat croquettes), and hayta soup are unique to the region. Breakfast is an elaborate affair—Antakya-style kahvaltı (breakfast spread) includes 20–30 small dishes of olives, cheeses, herbs, and spreads.