Türkiye is full of dreamy holiday destinations for summer lovers, from serene beaches to crystal clear waters. 

While you’re in Türkiye during summer, you need refreshing meals to gain energy and cool off from the hot weather. How about tasting the most delicious and light summer delicacies of Turkish cuisine?

To fully experience the Turkish Riviera flavours along the Mediterranean coast, here are the refreshing meals and summer dishes that will cool you down during your vacation.

Stuffed vine leaves in olive oil are prepared by wrapping vine leaves tightly around a fragrant filling of rice, pine nuts, currants, onions, and cinnamon. 

Unlike meat-filled versions, which are served hot, these are vegan and served cold as part of a meze or appetiser. The slow cooking in olive oil enhances the sweetness of the onions and currants and creates a beautifully balanced taste with a silky texture.

Green beans in olive oil is a classic Turkish dish made with green beans slowly cooked in olive oil, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes garlic. 

Served cold, it belongs to the olive oil dishes traditionally eaten in warmer months. It’s a popular meze and side dish in the Turkish Riviera, typically served with crusty bread and a squeeze of lemon.

Antalya-style piyaz is a dish made with beans, tahini, lemon juice, boiled eggs, and a variety of fresh herbs. This simple yet flavorful salad is one of the most popular dishes of the Turkish Riviera, especially associated with Antalya cuisine.

After swimming in the turquoise waters of Antalya, you should eat this useful and delicious meal to increase your energy.

This popular treat will be a new experience for those who enjoy sweet and savoury together. A light and delicious snack if you’re looking for a refreshing lunch on a hot summer day. 

Red and juicy watermelon or honeyed melon comes together with traditional white cheese. A simple yet uniquely distinctive snack, unique to Türkiye.

Purslane is used as a culinary ingredient in the Turkish Riviera cuisine for its delicious taste and nutritional benefits. It is suitable for salads, soups, and stews with its refreshing texture and mild, lemony flavour. In Turkish cuisine, purslane with yoghurt is one of the most popular flavours among summer dishes. 

You can also make light fruit salads or tomato salads with sauce. You should try purslane, which offers a wide variety of options for vegans and vegetarians, during your summer vacation in Türkiye.

Kısır is a traditional salad made primarily from fine bulgur, fresh herbs, tomato paste, olive oil, lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses. 

This basic salad is usually served cold and is popular at gatherings, afternoon teas, or as a light meal. Hatay-style kısır has a fuller flavour, but it is one of the most delicious versions of this salad that you must try.

For yoghurt lovers, cacık is one of the most suitable and easiest options for cooling off in the hot Turkish summer. It has only three main ingredients, which are yoghurt, cucumber, and fresh or dried mint leaves. 

After finely chopping the cucumber and mint, you should put them in your favourite yoghurt, then add the required amount of cold water and ice, and the cacık is ready. This simple Turkish Riviera flavour will cool your body and give you energy.

The shepherd salad is one of the well-known and delicious salads in Turkish cuisine. The salad is made from tomato, cucumber, onion, and parsley. 

A simple salad dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt is added to these ingredients, enhancing the flavour beautifully. When served cold, this salad delights the palate, and you should include it on your summer tables.

Turkish cuisine offers a distinctive gastronomic experience to everyone, from vegans and vegetarians to traditional and modern food enthusiasts. Check out our Gastronomy page to discover more.