This post is all about the best Restaurants in Cappadocia, specifically in Goreme.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
To my surprise, Cappadocia had some of the tastiest food I’ve ever had while traveling.
Most of the restaurants in Cappadocia are owned by families who cook the food and serve you. Not only are the restaurants in Cappadocia family-owned, but many of them also use locally sourced ingredients.
Truly, I was blown away by the Turkish cuisine in such a touristy destination.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Cappadocia that will absolutely stun your tastebuds.
Pumpkin Restaurant in Goreme is not just any ordinary restaurant, it’s a culinary experience.
Per the chef/owner’s recommendation, we ordered the Organic Chicken entree and Clay Pot Kebab. Both were so delicious.
The Organic Chicken was the freshest I’ve ever had and the Clay Pot Kebab was tender and had an impressive presentation.
The homemade pistachio baklava is a must-try (especially with the vanilla ice cream!)
Pumpkin is my favorite restaurant in Goreme. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
2. Old Cappadocia
Old Cappadocia Restaurant is right in the center of Goreme and it’s quite big, so you likely won’t need reservations.
At first, I was skeptical because it seemed so commercialized. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was.
Old Cappadocia is easy, no-frills, affordable, and so tasty.
3. CANCAN Cafe and Restaurant
A seemingly insignificant building that holds big flavor. We were greeted by the owner who served us lentil soup, potatoes, and bread all as a complimentary appetizer.
We also ordered Cheese Sigars (crispy cheese rolls).
After our entrees arrived, we were served complimentary apricot tea.
While CanCan is in the least touristy part of Goreme, it was certainly worth walking 10 minutes outside the city center.
4. King’s Coffee Shop
An everyday stop in Cappadocia! Treat yourself to a cappuccino and cake.
Inside this cozy coffee shop, you’ll be greeted by the kindest cafe owners and old Hollywood tunes playing all day long.
5. Topdeck
Enjoy a romantic dinner in a stylish cave setting. We ordered the dinner meze platter which was perfect for trying different Turkish flavors.
Be sure to make reservations for Topdeck in advance.
6. Cappadocian Cuisine
Famous for their casseroles and clay pots.
Cappadocian Cuisine offers the best kind of steaming hot comfort food, especially on a chilly night.
Reservations are highly recommended for this popular spot.
7. Inci Cave Restaurant
We stopped by Inci Cave Restaurant for lunch and split a delicious meze platter. The restaurant is beautifully decorated offering indoor and outdoor seating.
8. Organic Wine House
Visiting Cappadocia in November, there weren’t many nightlife options.
However, Organic Wine House offers wine tastings, wood-burning fires, and a decked-out patio area that overlooks Goreme.
It’s a great spot to enjoy an after-dinner glass of wine.
9. Turkish Ravioli
Turkish Ravioli is a traditional Turkish dish that has small dumplings filled with minced meat and mixed in red sauce and yogurt.
The restaurant, Turkish Ravioli, specializes in this famous Turkish dish.
If it doesn’t sound like your type of dish, they have an expansive menu with a variety of other entrees.
Although I recommend trying the ravioli at least once when you’re in Turkey.
Cappadocia is bursting with authentic Turkish flavors.
After eating my way through Turkey for three weeks, Cappadocia undoubtedly has some of the best food in Turkey.
Be sure to make reservations at most of the restaurants on this list so you don’t miss out!
This post is all about things to do in Goreme Cappadocia Turkey.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Planning a trip to Goreme?
Prepare to experience the most magical place in the world. Imagine waking up every morning to a rooftop breakfast buffet and bright colorful hot air balloons soaring across the sky.
Friendly dogs roam around town as they please, in and out of stores and restaurants for their daily food allowance.
Booth workers holler and sing jingles to sell you a bit of Turkish ice cream.
This is Goreme. A town that would seem only to exist in a fairy tale or Disney movie, thrives in central Turkey.
When I was planning my trip to Goreme, I was quite surprised by how few travel guides existed. I found myself scouring the internet for things to do in Goreme that were beyond the obvious.
Here are 15 Cappadocia things to do in Goreme that you can’t leave without doing.
1. Sit on a Hotel Rooftop
While it might be difficult to wake up early as you’re sleeping deeply in your cave room, watching the hot air balloons take off on your hotel rooftop as you eat a lavish breakfast is the best way to start your mornings in Goreme.
Most of the boutique hotels in Goreme have elaborately decorated rooftops that offer stunning views of Goreme, with or without the balloons!
2. Sleep in a Cave Hotel
Cave hotels in Cappadocia totally live up to the hype. You’ll sleep like a baby! Not to mention they are beautiful and offer a truly unique hotel experience.
Just a short walk or drive from the center of Goreme is the Rose Valley hike. It’s a perfect half-day hike to explore the depths of Cappadocia’s unique landscape and fairy chimneys.
4. Go Inside a Rug Shop
You may have seen the iconic photos on Instagram of the interior of rug shops in Turkey. As you walk inside your eyes are greeted with vibrant colors of rugs all throughout the store.
Just so you know, most shop owners nowadays require you to pay to take photos inside.
5. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Obviously, this is THE thing to do in Cappadocia!
I was afraid the balloon rides would be too touristy for my taste, but I was so wrong. It was one of the coolest moments to experience and it was absolutely worth every penny.
I booked with Butterfly Balloons and had a spectacular experience. The exact balloon tour I booked is here.
Below you can find a list of the top 3 Hot Air Balloon Tours in Goreme. Butterfly, Royal, and Turquaz consistently provide the best balloon experiences.
6. Have a Drink At Organic Wine House
If you’re looking for a bit of “nightlife” check out Organic Wine House. It’s a sit-down chic bar with wood fires and wine tastings.
I was traveling during the off-season so there weren’t a lot of options for nightlife (it might be different in the summer). Organic Wine House was a nice chill spot for a late-night glass of wine.
7. Watch the Balloons Take Off
I know what you’re thinking.. “You want me to watch the balloons on a rooftop, ride in the balloons, and then watch them at their launch sight?” And the answer is YES!
The great thing about the balloons in Cappadocia is they simply don’t get old.
Unfortunately on your day of take-off, it can be tricky navigating how to watch the balloons launch. People will pay extra to be on first flights, and they are missing out because they miss the launch off (since they are already in the balloons).
The second flight is the way to go because you get to watch the balloons light up as they launch. Also, you will get spectacular photos.
8. Take a Turkish Bath
Formal bathing is a big part of Turkish culture. Schedule a traditional Hammam at Kelebek Hamam in Goreme or book a mud cave experience tour here.
9. Have Dinner At Pumpkin Restaurant
After eating at dozens of restaurants in my 1-week stay in Goreme, I can confirm that Pumpkin is the best restaurant in Cappadocia.
Even during the off-season, you won’t get in without a reservation.
The open-air museum in Goreme offers a look up close at the beautiful fairy chimneys and historic churches cut into the volcanic rocks.
The entrance fee is 100 Turkish Lira which is about $7 USD.
11. Have Coffee At Kings
I’m embarrassed to say that I went to Kings Coffee Shop every day during my time in Goreme.
The cozy atmosphere, specialty coffees, and delicious desserts made it impossible to stay away.
12. Play With ALL the Dogs!
Stray dogs are one of the worst parts of traveling. You see them, and you can’t really help, at least not long term.
Cappadocia is filled with dogs. They are literally everywhere! The nice thing is though, the stray dogs of Goreme are clearly taken care of.
They are all well-fed, the tourists play with them, and we even saw some that had recent signs of vet treatment. You might even see them sleeping inside a restaurant or cafe.
These puppies were not strays and belonged to the owners of my hotel, aren’t they adorable!?
13. Drink Tea
It’s impossible to leave Turkey without drinking tea. Typically after dinner, you’ll receive a complimentary cup of tea.
14. Walk Around Goreme
Goreme is small so you will likely walk around town a few times. It’s fun to go into the different shops or eat Turkish ice cream in the town center.
15. Eat Turkish Baklava
The Turks take baklava to a whole new level! Featuring grounded pistachios, Turkish Baklava is a must-try in Cappadocia.
After reading this list I hope you have some ideas of what you’d like to do during your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cappadocia.
For more Cappadocia travel tips, check out my TikTok or Instagram.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Cappadocia is truly one of a kind.
It looks as if it’s a city frozen in time with its giant cave formations lining the landscape.
When the balloons launch in the air every morning, it feels as if you’re in a fairytale.
Cappadocia is the ultimate bucket list destination.
Did you know that Cappadocia is made up of several villages?
Truthfully, I was clueless when I planned my trip. I had no idea when I researched hotels in Cappadocia that it was important to pick a village to stay in.
In this breakdown of the best hotels in Cappadocia, I’ve narrowed it down to three main villages: Goreme, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp.
Additionally, Avanos and Ortahisar deserve an honorable mention. These Cappadocia villages are less touristy and off-the-beaten-path. However, only consider staying in these villages if you have a car.
While I’ve listed several options on the best location to stay in Cappadocia, overall I think Goreme is best.
My Hotel Stays
I was in Cappadocia for 1 week and stayed in Goreme.
Antique Terrace Suites is where I personally stayed at on my trip. A beautiful hotel that offers budget-friendly prices with a unique luxury experience.
It has a vibrant rooftop perfect for photos and a delicious breakfast buffet. The location is right in the center of Goreme!
Grand Cappadocia is another lovely hotel I stayed at. I enjoyed my stay here because the hotel is more modern feel thank others.
Equipped with a pool, beautiful decor, and top-notch customer service. Only a 5-minute walk into the center of Goreme.
Uçhisar
Uçhisar is a lovely village that you will enjoy if you fancy more a quiet scene. The village is known for its striking rock castle that sits high, overlooking the town.
If you don’t have a car, Uçhisar is still a possible option for Cappadocia.
To get from Uçhisar to Goreme, you can take a bus that departs every half hour from Uchisar Village to the Goreme bus station.
The Museum Hotel is an award-winning boutique hotel that is one of the most luxurious accommodations in Cappadocia. With the unique concept of the hotel itself being a museum filled with historic Ottoman-era pieces, this hotel is truly special!
Rox Cappadocia is another stunning hotel in Uchisar. It is located right next to the Uchisar castle and offers a gorgeous rooftop panoramic view of Goreme.
Don’t let these low prices at the Capiedra Hotel fool you! With an impressive five stars on google, travelers love that it’s a family-run business, the castle view, and the hospitality.
Ürgüp
Best Hotels in Ürgüp Cappadocia
Ürgüp is more modern than the other villages in Cappadocia and just a 20-minute drive to Goreme.
Yunak Evleri is an upscale hotel in historic Urgup offering the finest amenities. It features two swimming pools, a spa, an epic view, and a restaurant offering homemade dishes.
If you’re looking for a budget accommodation option in Urgup, Cappadocia Balloon Boutique hotel will give you a lovely experience far more than what you pay for. Guests say that it’s exceptionally clean and cozy.
Cave Hotels in Cappadocia
Take a step back in time and get back to the basics in a cave hotel room.
Cave hotels are very common in Cappadocia and offer a unique experience unlike any other. The charming rooms are carved out of soft stone and are super cozy. Prepare to get the best sleep ever!
Is Cappadocia Worth Visiting?
I’ll admit, I was skeptical about making the hike to Cappadocia. I had seen the balloon photos blasted all over Instagram. As a seasoned traveler, I try not to fall for tourist trap destinations.
However, I can confidently say Cappadocia was one of my favorite places I’ve ever traveled to.
Whatever budget you have and whichever hotel you choose to say at, you will have a spectacular time in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Published on May 18, 2023 | Last updated May 22, 2023 | Asia Travel, Blog
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