Turkish Breakfast in Antalya: What Comes on the Table
A Turkish breakfast, kahvaltı, is a table of small plates: white cheese and kaşar, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers, eggs as menemen or with sucuk, fresh bread or simit, kaymak with honey, tahini with pekmez, and black tea in tulip glasses. A serpme kahvaltı brings the whole spread for the table to share.
The word kahvaltı is usually explained as "before coffee": the meal you eat before the first coffee of the day. In Antalya it is a slow, social meal, especially at the weekend.
What comes on the table
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Beyaz peynir, kaşar | Brined white cheese like feta, and a semi-hard yellow cheese |
| Olives | Black and green, in several kinds |
| Menemen | Eggs scrambled with tomato, green pepper and onion |
| Sucuk | Spiced sausage, often fried with eggs |
| Simit | A sesame bread ring |
| Gözleme | Thin flatbread filled with cheese, spinach or meat |
| Börek | Flaky pastry with cheese, egg or herbs |
| Kaymak and bal | Clotted cream with honey |
| Tahin and pekmez | Sesame paste with grape molasses |
| Çay | Black tea in tulip-shaped glasses |
Serpme kahvaltı
"Serpme" means spread out. Instead of ordering dish by dish, the table gets the whole breakfast on many small plates, and you usually only choose how you want your eggs. It is meant for sharing, so it works best for two or more.
Tips
- Tahini with pekmez is very Antalya: the region is known for its sesame. Mix the two and eat it with bread.
- Gözleme is often made to order, so it may take a few minutes longer than the rest of the table.
Landing early in the morning? A transfer can stop for breakfast on the way to Kemer or Side: an extra stop costs €20. Ask us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is a serpme kahvaltı?
A shared breakfast of many small plates brought to the table together; you usually only choose how you want your eggs.
What does kahvaltı mean?
It is usually explained as "before coffee", the meal eaten before the first coffee of the day.
What is menemen?
Eggs scrambled with tomatoes, green peppers and onion, served in the pan.