Dishes you should try in Demre: Dishes Made with Demre Tomatoes, Balık Güveç (fish casserole) and Piyaz (white bean salad). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Demre is famous for.
Last updated:
Famous Dishes of Demre
-
Dishes Made with Demre Tomatoes
A variety of dishes made with Demre's world-famous greenhouse tomatoes form the basis of the district's cuisine. Tomato soup, menemen (scrambled eggs with tomato and pepper) and salad are the most common ways of eating them.
-
Balık Güveç (fish casserole)
Fresh fish from the Mediterranean cooked in a casserole with vegetables. It is one of the important flavours of Demre's coastal cuisine.
-
Piyaz (white bean salad)
Antalya piyaz, made with dried beans, onion, parsley and tahini, is an essential meze at traditional tables in Demre too.
Dishes from Antalya Cuisine
What to eat in Antalya →These dishes are known throughout Antalya province; see the provincial food guide for details.
-
Antalya Piyazı (bean salad with tahini sauce)
A piyaz with a geographical indication, in which dried beans meet a tahini and vinegar sauce; it is usually served with şiş köfte.
-
Antalya Kabak Tatlısı (pumpkin dessert)
A pumpkin dessert with a registered geographical indication.
-
Finike Portakalı (Finike oranges)
Washington Navel oranges with a geographical indication, grown in the alluvial soils of the Akçay and Alakır streams.
-
Korkuteli Karyağdı Armudu (Korkuteli karyağdı pears)
A pear with a geographical indication, specific to Korkuteli.
-
Alanya Yenidünyası (Alanya loquats)
Alanya yenidünyası (loquat), harvested in spring, with a geographical indication.
What to Buy in Demre: Local Products
- Demre Tomatoes Demre is one of Türkiye's largest greenhouse tomato production centres. Tomatoes grown in greenhouses, where production continues even in the winter months, are exported to Turkish and European markets.
- Citrus Fruit Orange and lemon production is among Demre's traditional agricultural products.
What Demre Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
-
Father Christmas Tradition
Demre is the place where Saint Nicholas, known as Father Christmas, lived and served as bishop. Father Christmas commemoration ceremonies held every December attract visitors from around the world.
-
Lycian Civilisation Heritage
Demre is home to Myra, one of the most important cities of the Lycian League. The Lycian rock tombs and theatre are a unique cultural heritage dating back to the 5th century BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Demre?
Demre is known for 3 local dishes, above all Dishes Made with Demre Tomatoes, Balık Güveç (fish casserole) and Piyaz (white bean salad). A variety of dishes made with Demre's world-famous greenhouse tomatoes form the basis of the district's cuisine. Tomato soup, menemen (scrambled eggs with tomato and pepper) and salad are the most common ways of eating them.
What is Demre famous for?
Demre is known for Dishes Made with Demre Tomatoes, Demre Tomatoes and Father Christmas Tradition. Its best-known sights include Andriake Ancient Harbour and Kekova Sunken City.
What to buy in Demre?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Demre include Demre Tomatoes and Citrus Fruit.
Demre Travel Guide
- Things to Do in Demre 6 places to visit
- What to Eat in Antalya All the famous dishes of the province
What to Eat in Other Districts of Antalya
- Akseki 7 dishes Akseki Pekmezli Dondurma (grape molasses ice cream), Keçi Tandırı (goat cooked in a clay oven) and Piyaz (white bean salad)
- Aksu 3 dishes Piyaz, Şiş Köfte and Tandır Fish (Tandır Balığı)
- Alanya 6 dishes Alanya Gülüklü (Hülüklü) Soup, Alanya Cağ Kebabı and Piyaz
- Döşemealtı 3 dishes Piyaz (white bean salad), Tandır Kebabı (tandoor-baked lamb) and Döşemealtı halısı (Döşemealtı rug)
- Elmalı 3 dishes Elmalı Böreği, Keşkek and Elma Tatlısı
- Finike 5 dishes Finike Pidesi, Piyaz (bean salad) and Balık Çorbası
- Gazipaşa 4 dishes Muz Tatlısı (banana dessert), Piyaz (white bean salad) and Balık Izgara (grilled fish)
- Gündoğmuş 3 dishes Keçi Tandırı (goat cooked in a clay oven), Bazlama (flatbread) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
- İbradı 6 dishes İbradı Enek Pekmezi, Keçi Tandırı (goat tandır) and Bazlama
- Kaş 3 dishes Kaş Fish (Kaş Balığı), Piyaz and Octopus Salad (Ahtapot Salatası)
- Kemer 3 dishes Grilled Fish (Balık Izgara), Piyaz and Şiş Kebap
- Kepez 3 dishes Piyaz, Şiş Köfte and Tandır Kebabı
- Konyaaltı 3 dishes Piyaz, Balık Izgara and Dondurma
- Korkuteli 7 dishes Korkuteli Böreği (filo pastry), Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge) and Tandır Kebabı (clay oven lamb)
- Kumluca 3 dishes Piyaz, Domates Çorbası and Balık Izgara
- Manavgat 4 dishes Manavgat Fish, Piyaz and Şiş Köfte
- Muratpaşa 4 dishes Antalya Piyaz, Şiş Köfte and Hibeş
- Serik 7 dishes Piyaz (white bean salad), Tandır Kebabı (earth-oven lamb) and Balık Izgara (grilled fish)