Dishes you should try in Payas: Payas Kebabı and Humus. This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Payas is famous for.
Last updated:
Famous Dishes of Payas
-
Payas Kebabı
A local kebab made by preparing lamb with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is Payas's traditional speciality.
-
Humus
Humus, made by mashing chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice and olive oil, is indispensable on Payas's meze tables.
Dishes from Hatay Cuisine
What to eat in Hatay →These dishes are known throughout Hatay province; see the provincial food guide for details.
-
Antakya Künefesi (cheese and kadayıf dessert)
A dessert with a registered geographical indication, baked with unsalted cheese between layers of shredded kadayıf.
-
Antakya Kağıt Kebabı (kebab baked in paper)
A kebab with a registered geographical indication, cooked on greaseproof paper.
-
Hatay Tepsi Kebabı (tray-baked kebab)
A registered kebab of minced meat baked in a tray.
-
Hatay Humusu (Hatay hummus)
A meze made with chickpeas and tahini, with a registered geographical indication.
-
Hatay Kaytaz Böreği (Hatay kaytaz börek)
A börek with a registered geographical indication.
-
Hatay Oruğu (Hatay oruk)
A registered oruk, similar to içli köfte.
What to Buy in Payas: Local Products
- Narenciye Oranges and lemons grown around Payas are the region's important agricultural products.
What Payas Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions
-
Osmanlı Kervansaray Mirası
The Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Complex was an important stopping point during the Ottoman period, where caravans on the Silk Road and Spice Road stayed overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat in Payas?
Payas is known for 2 local dishes, above all Payas Kebabı and Humus. A local kebab made by preparing lamb with special spices and cooking it over charcoal. It is Payas's traditional speciality.
What is Payas famous for?
Payas is known for Payas Kebabı, Narenciye and Osmanlı Kervansaray Mirası. Its best-known sights include Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Complex and Payas Kalesi (Cin Kulesi).
What to buy in Payas?
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Payas include Narenciye.
Payas Travel Guide
What to Eat in Other Districts of Hatay
- Altınözü 3 dishes Altınözü Olive Oil, Altınözü Zeytinyağlıları (olive oil dishes) and Hummus
- Antakya 5 dishes Antakya Carra Peyniri, Antakya Ekmek Oruğu (bread-and-oil pastry) and Antakya Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab)
- Arsuz 2 dishes Arsuz Balığı (fresh fish) and Humus (chickpea dip)
- Belen 3 dishes Belen Kömürçukuru Pekmezi (Kömürçukuru grape molasses), Belen Tava (Belen tava stew) and Hummus
- Defne 3 dishes Künefe, Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab) and Sürkü (Sürk)
- Dörtyol 4 dishes Dörtyol Kebabı, Humus and Künefe
- Erzin 2 dishes Erzin Kebabı (spiced lamb kebab) and Humus
- Hassa 3 dishes Hassa Zeytinyağlı Yemekleri, Kağıt Kebabı and Künefe
- İskenderun 3 dishes İskenderun Balık Ekmek (fish sandwich), Künefe and Hummus
- Kırıkhan 3 dishes Kırıkhan Kebabı (spiced lamb kebab), Hummus and Künefe
- Kumlu 3 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab), Süzme Mercimek Çorbası (strained red lentil soup) and Oruk (İçli Köfte) (stuffed bulgur balls)
- Reyhanlı 6 dishes Reyhanlı Kebabı, Humus and Künefe
- Samandağ 3 dishes Künefe, Fish Soup and Humus
- Yayladağı 3 dishes Zeytinyağlı Yemekler (olive oil-based vegetable dishes), Kaytaz Böreği (Hatay pastry with meat) and Dağ Keçisi Tandır (mountain goat from the tandır oven)