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What to eat in Mersin? Where to eat in Mersin? 3 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Mersin

The best traditional dishes in Mersin and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Thu Mar 27 2025
3 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Mersin
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MERSIN, Turkiye
4.4
Tantuni
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Tantuni is a traditional street food dish from Mersin, consisting of thinly sliced beef or lamb that is seasoned with Turkish spices and herbs, usually cooked with onions and tomatoes. The combination is cooked in specially designed tantuni pans.


Traditionally, the dish is served rolled in lavash, with ground sumac and a lemon wedge on the side. Since every tantuni chef has his own method and secret technique of preparing the dish, it is said that the flavors of tantuni are never the same.


Tantuni was originally created as a poor man's dish - it's very nutritious because it consists of meat with a lot of fat stuffed into bread. 

MOST ICONIC Tantuni

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02

Dip

TURKIYE
4.3
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Haydari is a Turkish meze dip that is usually made with thickened yogurt, garlic, and fresh herbs such as dill, paprika, mint, and basil. The dip has a thick texture and a tangy flavor. It is recommended to serve it chilled with pita bread, vegetables, or meat kebabs.

MOST ICONIC Haydari

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Karnıyarık is a classic Turkish dish consisting of eggplants that are stuffed with a combination of ground meat (usually beef), tomatoes, and onions. The filling is typically seasoned only with salt and pepper, but garlic and parsley can also be added for extra flavor.


The stuffed eggplants are then baked in the oven, and the dish is traditionally served either warm or at room temperature. It is recommended to serve it with rice and yogurt on the side.

MOST ICONIC Karnıyarık

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