taste

Mersin, with its fertile lands and favourable climate, is one of the major cities with agricultural production. In addition, Mersin is a sea city that has brought together many cultures throughout history. Therefore, it is not surprising to find magnificent local dishes in the rich and multicultural cuisine of Mersin. Like many cities in the region, meat dishes and kebabs stand out in Mersin cuisine.

Tantuni

Tantuni is a lavash wrap made of julienne lamb or beef boiled and roasted on iron plate in oil, and served with tomatoes, onions, parsley and pickled chili peppers.

Ciğer Şiş

Ciğer Şiş (Liver Shish) is typically served on lavash at skewers with various mezzes.

Cezerye

Cezerye is a kind of “lokum” (Turkish delight) made of sweet carrots, covered in ground pistachios or coconuts.

Künefe

Künefe is an oven baked dessert made of a mixture of special salt-free cheese and a pastry called kadayıf.

Kerebiç

Kerebiç is a kind of shortbread made of semolina filled with pistachio or walnuts.

Turnip Juice

Turnip Juice (Şalgam Suyu) is one of the most popular local beverages in the Southern Türkiye and it is made of fermented red carrots and turnip. Local people drink it especially with spicy meat dishes like kebabs and tantuni.

Batırık

Batırık, is a kind of Turkish gazpacho, a cold soup with tomatoes, cucumbers, bulgur and peanuts.

Sıkma

Sıkma is a delicious pastry made by wrapping ingredients such as potatoes or cheese in lavash or a type of dough called “açık ekmek”.

Karsambaç

Karsambaç is a dessert prepared by adding a sweet syrup, namely molasses, honey or sugar syrup on grated ice or clean snow. This dessert is especially popular in the highlands of Mersin like Çamlıyayla.

Hummus, lepe, topalak soup, Silifke yoghurt, kaynar, mamül, sini meatballs, babagannuş, citrus jam and pickled stonecrop are some other Mersin delicacies to taste. In addition, Anamur bananas, Tarsus grapes, Silifke strawberries, Mut apricots and olive oil, and Tarsus Sarıulak Olives are among the delicious local products.

Tarsus Lahmacun

Tarsus Lahmacun is a local specialty that has been passed down from generation to generation since the early 1900s and was officially registered in 2020. One of Tarsus’s signature flavors, this unique lahmacun is prepared by hand-rolling dough to a maximum diameter of 8 cm, topping it with a mixture of minced meat, parsley, onion, red pepper, tomato, and optional spices, and then baking it in a stone oven. Small in size but rich in flavor, it is a true culinary gem of Tarsus.

Unlike other varieties, Tarsus Lahmacun is small, round, and bitesized. It is usually served with lemon, parsley, and ayran, and represents an essential part of the city’s gastronomic heritage.

Tarsus Kebab

Registered in 2020, Tarsus Kebab is another iconic dish unique to the region. Traditionally prepared with male lamb meat, it includes lamb tail fat, finely chopped onion, parsley, red pepper, and salt. The mixture is carefully kneaded, placed on skewers, and slowly grilled over glowing oak embers, turned constantly for even cooking.

Thanks to Tarsus’s fertile lands, mild climate, and rich cultural past, its cuisine is diverse and flavorful. Tarsus Kebab differs from the famous Adana Kebab in that it includes finely chopped vegetables in the mixture, offering a unique local taste.

Blue Crab

One of Mersin’s most distinctive local flavors, the Blue Crab is both an important part of the ecosystem and a prized delicacy. Recognizable by its bright blue claws, the species thrives in lagoons and river mouths. Freshly caught blue crab is a highlight in many coastal restaurants, offering visitors an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Grouper Fish (Lagos)

The grouper, known locally as lagos, is one of the most valuable seafood products of Mersin. Found mainly in rocky and cavernous areas near Silifke-Narlıkuyu and Erdemli, its firm, white flesh makes it highly sought after.

A carnivorous species, grouper holds a special place in Mersin cuisine and is a major draw for both local and international visitors seeking authentic seafood experiences in seaside restaurants.