There is a reason Afyonkarahisar shines on the world’s culinary map. The city is known for its leading food production industries as well as its prominence in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Presenting unbelievably rich cuisine, Afyonkarahisar was included in the UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy in 2019. Along with Gaziantep and Hatay, it is the 3rd city of Türkiye to receive this special title. 

Besides, Afyonkarahisar is way more than food. It stands out as the thermal capital of Türkiye and a trademark city famous for marble production.   

In this post, we introduce you to the amazing food culture of Afyonkarahisar and give recommendations for must-try local delicacies.

Developed agriculture and animal husbandry have a crucial role in Afyonkarahisar’s cuisine. In the region, meat and dairy products are the stars of the local table.

Since the landscape and population conditions are suitable, the city breeds a large number of livestock. Thus, red meat production and high-quality branded sausages add huge value to the traditional cuisine.

Furthermore, Afyonkarahisar’s food culture is influenced by diverse cultural impacts. Thanks to this mix, the city boasts delicious dishes in a very wide range. 

From potatoes and sugar beets to poppy and sour cherries, the region grows it all in abundance. Naturally, in a magical blend, these vegetables, fruits, meat, and dairy combine and shape a truly incredible gastronomic city.

To become a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Afyonkarahisar also meets a set of criteria. 

Along with a well-developed and regionally distinctive gastronomy and a lively community boasting many traditional restaurants, Afyonkarahisar ticks boxes like:

o Existence of traditional food markets and industry

o Use of indigenous ingredients in authentic recipes

o Traditional culinary practices were preserved through the years

o Celebration of gastronomic festivals, awards, and contests

o Integration of the sustainability approach into local gastronomy

With that, let’s move on to the most exciting part: Dishes that define Afyonkarahisar.

As we’ve said, Afyonkarahisar’s reputation for amazing food is well-earned. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, the city's diverse food offerings simply enchant visitors.

Here are the iconic local foods you should definitely taste:

Haşhaşlı katmer & bükme

Haşhaşlı katmer is thinly rolled dough filled with a mixture of butter and poppy seeds, which is folded in layers and cooked on a griddle or pan. The result is a crispy, lightly buttery exterior with an aromatic, mildly nutty poppy seed filling. It’s usually served warm at breakfast or with tea, and the aroma of freshly made katmer is irresistibly inviting. 

Bükme is one of Afyon’s most popular pastries, with a dough that’s different from classic börek, filled with lentils, and perfect with morning tea to keep you full for hours. 

Sausage

Sausage (sucuk) is another famous local speciality, a spicy beef sausage that can be eaten fried or grilled. Afyon sausage is made from the meat of well-nourished animals raised in the region and adorned with specially prepared spices.

Cream

Afyonkarahisar's cream (Afyonkarahisar kaymağı) stands out with its unique flavour. Produced from buffalo milk, it is commonly enjoyed at breakfast and used in local desserts such as ekmek kadayıfı and Turkish delight.

Poppy

Poppy is another ingredient that Afyonkarahisar is famous for. In fact, the city’s name derives from this plant growing in the region. You can taste poppy in local delicacies, such as mercimekli bükme, ağzı açık, haşhaşlı pide, and katmer.

Sakala Çarpan Soup

Sakala Çarpan soup is a real local favourite, especially in winter. Made with green lentils and noodles, it is also very popular for holiday and Ramadan tables.

Afyon Keşkeği (keshkek)

To prepare Afyon keşkeği, the cleaned wheat and chickpeas are soaked, and the next day they’re cooked with pieces of meat and salt in an earthenware pot left in the neighbourhood bakery overnight. 

Early in the morning, the pot is removed, the bones are separated from the meat, and the mixture is pounded until the meat shreds and the grains break down. 

Finally, a butter-based sauce with red and black pepper is poured over the keşkek, after squeezing lemon juice on top to help absorb excess oil.

İlibada Dolması

İlibada dolması is a dish that stands out as both a healthy and delicious option. This delicacy, wrapped in labada (dock) leaves, is prepared not in the traditional rolling style but using a triangular wrapping method. It contains wheat, bulgur, onion, tomato paste, mint, flour, and special spices.

Besides these, Afyonkarahisar offers an impressive variety of excellent food, including:

o Cherry and sour cherry

o Village bread with potatoes

o Afyon kaymaklı ekmek kadayıfı (sweet pastry with cream and syrup)

o Çullama köfte

o Düğülü haşhaş tatlısı

Of course, Afyonkarahisar’s fame is not merely derived from gastronomy. The city is filled with both natural and cultural beauties that draw many visitors. 

Afyonkarahisar is the thermal capital of Türkiye. You can visit relaxing thermal facilities and enjoy their vast resources, including springs, mud baths, mineral waters, and more. 

Furthermore, the city’s highly developed marble production dates back 3000 years. You can witness that marble has been used in numerous historical artefacts and structures from ancient times to the present day.

Sightseeing highlights include:

o Karahisar Castle

o War of Independence and Martyrs’ Cemeteries/Monuments

o Grand Mosque

o Phrygian Valleys

o Ayazini Remnants

o Afyonkarahisar Museum

o Victory Museum

o Sultan Divani Mevlevihanesi

To wrap things up, Afyonkarahisar, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, offers an incredibly tasty and diverse food culture. Visit this amazing city for flavours that stick with you long after you leave.