FOOD — 11

Antalya Şiş Köfte

Antalya şiş köfte is charcoal-grilled skewered meatballs, a regional specialty served with the local tahini-dressed piyaz.

Read time: 2 min Updated: August 2026

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Şiş Köfte

Charcoal-grilled skewered minced meatballs

Antalya şiş köfte is grilled skewered meatballs made from seasoned minced beef or lamb, a regional specialty typically served alongside Antalya piyazı and flatbread. It’s one of the most commonly ordered local dishes at Kaleiçi’s traditional restaurants.

What is Antalya şiş köfte?

The meatball mixture — minced meat blended with onion, garlic, breadcrumbs and spices — is shaped onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, giving it a smokier character than pan-fried köfte varieties found elsewhere in Turkey. Served with piyaz, flatbread and often grilled vegetables or a simple salad, it’s a straightforward, widely available local meal rather than an obscure regional specialty — most traditional restaurants in and around Kaleiçi carry it.

Where do you eat şiş köfte in Antalya?

Kaleiçi’s traditional restaurants, particularly those away from the most tourist-dense harbor-front strip, tend to serve the most authentic versions, often family-run establishments that have served the same pairing for generations.

Şiş Köfte: Interesting Facts

  • Grilled over charcoal on skewers, distinguishing it from pan-fried köfte varieties elsewhere in Turkey.
  • Traditionally served alongside Antalya piyazı as a defining regional pairing.
  • Made from minced beef or lamb blended with onion, garlic and spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Köfte varieties differ regionally across Turkey; Antalya’s version is specifically grilled on skewers and traditionally paired with the region’s tahini-dressed piyaz, a combination distinct to the area.

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