Dishes you should try in Kilis Central District: Kilis Tava (lamb and tomato skillet), Oruk (İçli Köfte), Ekşili Dolma (sour stuffed vine leaves) and Kilis Zeytinyağlıları (cold olive oil dishes). This guide also covers the local products to buy and what Kilis Central District is famous for.
Last updated:
Kilis tava, made by cooking minced lamb with tomato, pepper and egg on a sač griddle, is the city's most famous dish. It is served hot with bread.
Oruk, made by shaping bulgur dough around a filling of minced meat, walnuts and spices and then frying it, is one of the indispensable flavours of Kilis cuisine.
Ekşili dolma, made by cooking rice and minced meat filling wrapped in vine leaves with pomegranate molasses, is a dish specific to Kilis.
Cold mezes prepared with Kilis's abundant olive oil, especially artichokes and green beans cooked in olive oil, form the basis of the city's culinary culture.
Kilis is one of Turkey's oldest olive-producing centres. Olive trees thousands of years old and traditional olive oil production methods form the basis of the city's cultural identity.
Kilis cuisine reflects a blend of South-eastern Anatolian and Syrian cuisines. With more than 200 dishes, it has one of the richest culinary traditions in Turkey.
Kilis Central District is known for 4 local dishes, above all Kilis Tava (lamb and tomato skillet), Oruk (İçli Köfte), Ekşili Dolma (sour stuffed vine leaves) and Kilis Zeytinyağlıları (cold olive oil dishes). Kilis tava, made by cooking minced lamb with tomato, pepper and egg on a sač griddle, is the city's most famous dish. It is served hot with bread.
Kilis Central District is known for Kilis Tava (lamb and tomato skillet), Kilis Zeytinyağı (Kilis olive oil) and Olive Culture. Its best-known sights include Ravanda Castle and Kilis Museum.
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Kilis Central District include Kilis Zeytinyağı (Kilis olive oil) and Kilis Sabunu (Kilis soap).