Dishes you should try in Hakkari: Hakkâri Doleme, Hakkâri Doğaba (yoghurt soup), Hakkâri Kıris and Hakkari Lalaped Tatlısı (lalaped dessert). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Hakkari is famous for.
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Famous Dishes of Hakkari
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Hakkâri Doleme
A local dish with a registered geographical indication.
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Hakkâri Doğaba (yoghurt soup)
A yoghurt-based soup with a registered geographical indication.
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Hakkâri Kıris
A local dish with a registered geographical indication.
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Hakkari Lalaped Tatlısı (lalaped dessert)
A dessert with a registered geographical indication.
Local Specialities from the Districts of Hakkari
What to eat in Hakkari Central District
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Hakkari Kebabı (spiced lamb kebab)
A regional kebab made by marinating lamb in special spices and grilling it over charcoal, Hakkari Kebabı is the traditional flavour of Hakkari.
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Çeçil Peyniri (string cheese)
Çeçil Peyniri, made from fresh milk and separated into strands, is the best-known dairy product of Hakkari. It is an essential part of the breakfast table.
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Hakkari Tandır Ekmeği (clay-oven bread)
Traditional bread baked in a clay tandır oven, it is the staple of Hakkari's everyday cuisine.
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Lalapet (Hakkari dough dessert)
Resembling lokma dessert in appearance, Lalapet is a Hakkari-style dough dessert prepared with ingredients such as butter, yoghurt, eggs and milk.
What to eat in Çukurca
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Çukurca Kebabı
A local kebab made by preparing lamb with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is the traditional flavour of Çukurca.
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Tandır Bread
Traditional bread baked in a clay tandır oven, the basic food of Çukurca's daily cuisine.
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Çukurca tahini
Tahini produced in Çukurca district by grinding sesame in a stone mill.
What to eat in Derecik
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Derecik Kebabı (charcoal-grilled lamb kebab)
A regional kebab made by seasoning lamb with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is Derecik's traditional dish.
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Tandır Ekmeği (clay-oven bread)
Bread baked in a clay tandır oven, the staple of Derecik's everyday cooking.
What to eat in Şemdinli
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Şemdinli Balı (Şemdinli honey)
Şemdinli honey was registered as a protected geographical indication on 4 May 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1846). Product group: honey. Registered by: Hakkari Provincial Beekeepers' Union.
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Şemdinli Kebabı
A local kebab made with lamb seasoned with special spices and cooked over charcoal. It is a traditional dish of Şemdinli.
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Tandır Ekmeği (tandoor bread)
Traditional bread baked in an earthen tandoor oven. It is a staple of everyday food in Şemdinli.
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Çeçil Peyniri (string cheese)
Made from fresh milk and separated into strands, çeçil cheese is the best-known dairy product of Şemdinli.
What to eat in Yüksekova
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Yüksekova Çirek Cheese
Yüksekova Çirek Cheese was registered as a protected geographical indication on 18 April 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1086). Product group: cheeses. Registered by: Yüksekova Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Yüksekova Kebabı (charcoal-grilled spiced lamb)
A regional kebab made by preparing lamb with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is the traditional dish of Yüksekova.
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Çeçil Peyniri (string cheese)
Made from fresh milk and separated into strands, çeçil cheese is Yüksekova's best-known dairy product.
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Tandır Ekmeği (clay oven bread)
Traditional bread baked in a clay tandır oven, a basic staple of Yüksekova's daily cuisine.
What to Buy in Hakkari: Local Products
- Hakkari Kilimi (Hakkâri kilim) A brightly coloured kilim with geometric motifs and a registered geographical indication.
- Şemdinli Balı (Şemdinli honey) Mountain honey with a registered geographical indication.
- Yüksekova Çirek Peyniri (Yüksekova çirek cheese) A cheese with a registered geographical indication.
- Çukurca Tahini (Çukurca tahini) Tahini with a registered geographical indication.
What Hakkari Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
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Highland life
The tradition of herding families who move to Berçelan and other highland pastures in summer.
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Dengbêj tradition
A storytelling tradition in which epics and laments are passed down orally.
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Nevruz
The spring festival celebrated on 21 March by lighting fires.
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Kilim weaving
The weaving tradition kept alive through the Hakkâri kilim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Hakkari?
Hakkari is known for 4 local dishes, above all Hakkâri Doleme, Hakkâri Doğaba (yoghurt soup), Hakkâri Kıris and Hakkari Lalaped Tatlısı (lalaped dessert). A local dish with a registered geographical indication.
What is Hakkari famous for?
Hakkari is known for Hakkâri Doleme, Hakkari Kilimi (Hakkâri kilim) and Highland life. Its best-known sights include Cilo Mountain and Uludoruk and Cilo and Sat Mountains National Park.
What to buy in Hakkari?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Hakkari include Hakkari Kilimi (Hakkâri kilim), Şemdinli Balı (Şemdinli honey), Yüksekova Çirek Peyniri (Yüksekova çirek cheese) and Çukurca Tahini (Çukurca tahini).