Cappadocia is not just about fairy chimneys, cave hotels, and hot air balloon rides—it’s also a paradise for food lovers. The region boasts a unique blend of traditional Anatolian flavors, rich Ottoman heritage, and modern Turkish cuisine, all served in stunning cave restaurants and scenic terraces overlooking the surreal landscapes along Cappa.
Whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience, an authentic local meal, or a cozy spot with breathtaking views, Cappadocia has something for everyone. From the famous Testi Kebab (pottery kebab) to delicious mezes and fresh local wines, every meal here is an experience in itself.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the 20 best restaurants in Cappadocia—from luxury dining to hidden gems—to help you enjoy the most flavorful and memorable culinary experiences in this magical region. Let’s explore!
Top 20 Best Restaurants in Cappadocia: Where to Eat & What to Try
Cappadocia isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes and magical hot air balloon rides—it’s also home to some of the best culinary experiences in Turkey.
The region offers a mix of traditional Anatolian flavors, rich Ottoman-inspired dishes, and contemporary Turkish cuisine, all served in stunning cave restaurants, terrace cafés, and cozy family-run eateries.
From the famous Testi Kebab (pottery kebab) to delicate handmade manti (Turkish dumplings), Cappadocia’s food scene is full of unique flavors waiting to be explored.
Best Restaurants in Goreme
Topdeck Cave Restaurant in Goreme
Location: Hafız Abdullah Efendi Sk. No 15, Göreme
A cozy and intimate cave restaurant that serves exceptional Turkish cuisine paired with house wines and raki. The menu is small but carefully curated, featuring flavorful mezes, slow-cooked stews, and grilled meats. The warm hospitality and rustic cave setting make it one of the top-rated restaurants in Göreme.
Dibek Restaurant
Location: Belediye Cad. Hakkı Paşa Meydanı, Cami Sk. No:1, 50180 Göreme
If you’re looking for an authentic Cappadocian dining experience, Dibek Restaurant is a must-visit. Known for its slow-cooked Testi Kebab, cooked in a sealed clay pot, this family-run restaurant takes you on a journey through traditional Anatolian flavors. The cozy atmosphere, with handcrafted pottery and antique furniture, adds to the charm.
✔ Must-try: Pottery Kebab, Stuffed Eggplant, Lamb Chops
Seten Anatolian Cuisine
Location: Aydınlı Mah, Aydınlı Sk. No:42, 50180 Göreme
A perfect blend of fine dining and traditional Anatolian flavors, Seten is one of Göreme’s most elegant restaurants. The menu highlights locally sourced ingredients and seasonal specialties, with signature dishes like lamb shank with mashed potatoes and stuffed grape leaves. The panoramic terrace views over Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys make it ideal for a romantic dinner.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Shank, Grilled Beef, Stuffed Grape Leaves
İnci Cave Restaurant
Location: Orta Mahalle, Cami Sk. No:22, 50180 Göreme
This unique cave restaurant offers a magical ambiance with its stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and candlelit atmosphere. The menu features a mix of Turkish and Ottoman cuisine, including slow-cooked lamb, grilled meats, and stuffed vegetables. It’s a great spot for a romantic evening or a special celebration.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Stew, Stuffed Peppers, Lentil Soup
Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant
Location: Isali Mah, İçeridere Sk. No:7-A, 50180 Göreme
This charming restaurant is known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients and homemade specialties. The intimate setting and friendly staff make it a favorite among visitors. The pumpkin soup is a must-try, and their lamb kebab is one of the most flavorful in Cappadocia.
✔ Must-try: Pumpkin Soup, Lamb Kebab, Vegetarian Stuffed Eggplant
Gorkundere Cafe
Location: Göreme
For a breakfast with a view, Gorkundere Cafe is a top pick. Overlooking the fairy chimneys and valleys of Göreme, this café is famous for its traditional Turkish breakfast platters, featuring cheeses, olives, fresh bread, and homemade jams. It’s also a great spot to try menemen, a flavorful Turkish-style scrambled egg dish.
✔ Must-try: Traditional Turkish Breakfast, Menemen, Freshly Baked Pastries
Best Restaurants in Uchisar
Lil’a Restaurant
Location: Tekelli, Eski, Göreme Cd. No.2, 50240 Uçhisar | Website
Lil’a Restaurant is a fine dining gem in Uçhisar, offering a modern take on traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu is crafted using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and signature dishes include perfectly grilled lamb chops, stuffed eggplant, and a rich hummus platter. The warm ambiance and elegant setting make it ideal for romantic dinners or intimate gatherings.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Chops, Stuffed Eggplant, Hummus Platter
Seki Restaurant (Argos in Cappadocia)
Location: Tekelli Mahallesi, Argos in Cappadocia Hotel, Uçhisar | Website
Seki Restaurant, located inside the luxurious Argos Hotel, is one of the most exclusive dining spots in Cappadocia. Offering a farm-to-table Anatolian dining experience, the restaurant sources its herbs and vegetables from its own organic gardens. Signature dishes include lamb shank with cheese and confit peach, paired with an excellent selection of Turkish wines from its extensive cellar.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Shank, Anatolian Cheese Platter, House Wines
Elai Restaurant
Location: Tekelli, Göreme Cd. No:61, 50420 Uçhisar | Website
Elai Restaurant is famous for its breathtaking views, high-quality Mediterranean-Turkish cuisine, and exceptional service. The menu features fresh seafood, grilled meats, and vegetarian specialties, all made with high-quality local ingredients. They also offer cooking classes, where visitors can learn to prepare traditional Turkish dishes.
✔ Must-try: Grilled Sea Bass, Stuffed Peppers, Mixed Meze Platter
Le Mouton Rouge
Location: Göreme Cd., 50240 Uçhisar | Website
Le Mouton Rouge is a cozy, elegant restaurant in the heart of Uçhisar, known for its tranquil garden setting and refined local cuisine. The Testi Kebab (Pottery Kebab) is a house specialty, but you’ll need to reserve it at least 2 hours in advance to experience the perfectly slow-cooked meat inside a clay pot. The on-site bar offers delicious cocktails and Turkish wines for a relaxed evening.
✔ Must-try: Testi Kebab, Grilled Lamb, House-made Desserts
Saklı Konak Restaurant
Location: Tekelli, 2. Karlık Sk., Uçhisar | Website
Just a short walk from Uçhisar Castle, Saklı Konak Restaurant is a hidden gem offering rich Turkish flavors in a beautifully restored stone mansion. Their signature dish is the Düğü Soup, a traditional Cappadocian specialty. They also serve authentic Turkish breakfasts, making it a great spot to start your day before exploring the area.
✔ Must-try: Düğü Soup, Turkish Breakfast, Lamb Stew
Best Restaurants in Urgup
Old Greek House Restaurant (Mustafapaşa, Ürgüp)
Location: Şahin Cd. No:12, Mustafapaşa, Ürgüp | Website
Located in the charming Old Greek House, this restaurant is a blend of history, culture, and exquisite local cuisine. The Testi Kebab is a must-try, along with their bean dish cooked in a traditional tandoor oven. The authentic atmosphere, complete with Ottoman-era decor, makes dining here an unforgettable experience.
✔ Must-try: Testi Kebab, Tandoori Beans, Traditional Mezes
Nostalgia (Nostalji) Restaurant
Location: Esbelli, Dolay-2 Sk. No:12, Ürgüp | Website
For a romantic dining experience with a panoramic view over Göreme, Nostalgia Restaurant is the perfect spot. The menu highlights local wines and regional specialties, including grilled meats, stuffed vine leaves, and slow-cooked lamb dishes.
✔ Must-try: Stuffed Vine Leaves, Beef Stew, Local Wine Selection
Muti Restaurant
Location: Ürgüp
Muti Restaurant is one of Ürgüp’s most refined dining spots, offering a mix of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated setting. The menu includes grilled meats, handmade pastas, and freshly baked Turkish bread, making it a great choice for both local and international flavors.
✔ Must-try: Grilled Ribeye, Handmade Ravioli, House-made Baklava
Şükrüoğulları Cafe & Restaurant
Location: Temenni, Musaefendi, Ahmet Refik Cd. No:12, Ürgüp
This stylish restaurant is known for its extensive menu of local dishes, including shepherd’s roast, meat-filled flatbreads, and classic Adana kebab. The elegant decor and cozy ambiance make it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
✔ Must-try: Shepherd’s Roast, Adana Kebab, Traditional Meat Bread
Ziggy Cafe & Restaurant
Location: Musa Efendi Mahallesi, Ahmet Refik Cd., 50400 Ürgüp
Ziggy Cafe & Restaurant is a well-loved eatery in Ürgüp, famous for its grilled lamb chops and stuffed eggplant. The cozy and intimate setting makes it a great place for a relaxed dinner. The terrace seating offers stunning views over the surrounding valleys.
✔ Must-try: Grilled Lamb Chops, Stuffed Eggplant, Local Wine
Zeytin Cafe
Location: Ürgüp
A charming and casual café in Ürgüp, Zeytin Cafe is the perfect place for a traditional Turkish breakfast or a light lunch. Their lentil soup and lamb kebab are customer favorites, and the friendly service makes every visit special.
✔ Must-try: Traditional Turkish Breakfast, Lentil Soup, Lamb Kebab
Best Restaurants in Avanos
Uranos Sarikaya Restaurant
Location: Akbel Mevkii, İkinci Taş Köprü Karşısı, Gülşehir Cd., 50500 Avanos
Uranos Sarikaya Restaurant is one of the most unique dining experiences in Cappadocia, offering a cave-style setting where guests can enjoy authentic Anatolian cuisine. Known for its cozy, traditional ambiance, this restaurant serves slow-cooked meats, stuffed grape leaves, and a flavorful mixed grill. The dim lighting and historic stone walls create an intimate setting, perfect for a romantic dinner or a cultural dining experience.
✔ Must-try: Mixed Grill, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Lamb Kebab
Bizim Ev Restaurant
Location: Orta, 201. Sk. No:1, 50500 Avanos
Bizim Ev Restaurant is a hidden gem in Avanos, offering homemade Turkish dishes with a personal touch. This restaurant focuses on farm-to-table ingredients, ensuring that every meal is fresh and flavorful. Their slow-cooked lamb shank is a local favorite, served with creamy mashed potatoes. The stuffed eggplant, filled with fragrant spices and served in a rich tomato sauce, is another must-try. With friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere, this spot is great for both locals and travelers.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Shank, Stuffed Eggplant, Freshly Baked Bread
Seyyah Han
Location: 2. Küme Mahallesi, Maltepe Sokağı, No 144, Avanos
Seyyah Han is a perfect blend of tradition and elegance, offering a diverse menu inspired by Turkish and Ottoman cuisine. The lamb kebab, cooked to perfection, is one of the restaurant’s standout dishes, while the stuffed vine leaves, filled with a mix of rice, herbs, and spices, are a flavorful appetizer. The ambiance is cozy and rustic, with traditional decor that enhances the dining experience. Whether you’re enjoying a family meal or a relaxed evening with friends, Seyyah Han delivers on both taste and hospitality.
✔ Must-try: Lamb Kebab, Stuffed Vine Leaves, Turkish Meze Platter
