Turkish cuisine is known for its rich flavors, Ottoman roots, and meat-forward identity—but look closer, and you’ll find a diverse array of plant-based staples woven throughout its culinary traditions. Especially in the southern coastal region of Antalya, where seasonal produce, olive oil-based dishes, and spice-laced legumes are central to local life, eating vegan is not only possible—it’s often deliciously easy.
While grilled meats and yogurt sauces dominate many menus, the foundations of Turkish food include a range of naturally vegan dishes: mercimek çorbası (red lentil soup), zeytinyağlı dolma (rice-stuffed vine leaves or vegetables cooked in olive oil), ezme (a spicy tomato and pepper dip), and piyaz (bean salad with sumac and lemon). These are often served as part of a meze spread—small plates designed for sharing—which makes them especially adaptable for vegan travelers.
In Antalya, traditional Turkish dishes often appear alongside Mediterranean influences, regional herbs, and citrusy notes that lighten and localize the cuisine. Veganized versions of manti (Turkish dumplings) are increasingly available, filled with lentils, spinach, or tofu, and topped with tomato sauces, herbs, or even dairy-free yogurt. You’ll also find a growing number of restaurants—both modern and traditional—offering explicitly vegan options or open to substitutions.
This guide covers our favorite places to get a bite to eat. Whether you’re looking for a casual café, a mezze-forward dinner, or a creative reimagining of Anatolian classics, Antalya offers more than meets the eye.
Rokka
Rokka quickly became one of our most-visited spots in Antalya, and with good reason. Tucked into a cozy, casual interior filled with warm wood, bookshelf corners, and a not-so-subtle love for chickpeas (see the neon “In Hummus We Trust” sign), it’s the kind of place where vegan travelers can eat well, affordably, and often. The menu is dotted with clearly labeled vegan options, and generous combo deals make it easy to sample a variety of flavors without overspending.
Casual, colorful, and full of flavor—Rokka is a cozy go-to for vegan mezze, wraps, and juices
Most days, we went for the falafel wrap—stuffed with crispy falafel, tender eggplant, fresh greens, and a generous swipe of hummus, all rolled up in warm lavash. It was hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
On days when we stayed longer, we’d opt for a mezze spread: creamy hummus topped with chickpeas and olive oil, smoky baba ganoush, tangy tabbouleh, and plates of pickles, carrots, and cucumbers for dipping. Everything came with stacks of pillowy flatbread, perfect for scooping.
Housemade falafel, creamy baba ghanoush, and colorful plates make Rokka a reliable vegan stop
Rokka also offered more unexpected dishes like vegan pizza, generously topped with vegetables and stretchy vegan cheese. And if you’re not in the mood for a full plate, they’ve got smaller bites and drinks to fill in the gaps—plus good music and fast service.
Vegan pizza, tahini-drizzled falafel, and crunchy salad—Rokka makes it easy to keep coming back
It’s rare to find a place that balances convenience, comfort, and flavor so well. Rokka felt like a staple—not just for the food, but for the atmosphere that makes you want to return. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a long, late dinner with friends, it’s a must-include stop on any vegan tour of Antalya.
Vegan House
Set back from the busy tourist core and tucked into a quiet neighborhood a bit west of the city center (on the inland side of Konyaaltı), Vegan House feels more like a local secret than a typical destination spot. This small, homey restaurant doesn’t overpromise—and yet it delivers some of the most satisfying vegan interpretations of Turkish comfort food we encountered in Antalya.
The star dishes here are two beloved Turkish staples, thoughtfully reimagined: manti and pide. The vegan manti are dumplings filled with a savory lentil mixture, served under a blanket of tangy yogurt (likely soy-based), finished with a drizzle of spiced tomato sauce and herbs. Hearty, nostalgic, and convincingly traditional, it’s the kind of dish that makes you pause between bites.
The vegan pide is also worth the trip. Oval-shaped with crisped edges and a generous layer of seasoned vegan mince on top, it’s served alongside beetroot shavings, fresh salad, and golden fries. The textures are balanced, the flavors well-spiced, and the whole dish captures the essential spirit of Turkish street food with a cruelty-free update.
But perhaps the most memorable bite was the dessert: a hulking, glossy chocolate-covered ball that cracks open to reveal a custard-like filling. Rich, indulgent, and clearly made in-house.
Prices at Vegan House are slightly higher than elsewhere in the city, but it feels fair given the level of care and the all-vegan kitchen. If you’re venturing out west, it’s a worthy stop.
Baba Mutfağı Ev Yemekleri
If you’re working remotely from Coworking Antalya, chances are you’ll get well acquainted with Baba Mutfağı Ev Yemekleri. This neighborhood kitchen delivers homemade Turkish meals straight to your desk—usually arriving around 1:15pm, with an easy WhatsApp ordering system and payment by card or cash. But convenience isn’t the only draw.
A weekday rhythm: vegan lunch deliveries from Baba Mutfağı
Baba Mutfağı specializes in wholesome, traditional Turkish fare—and in recent months, they’ve begun marking vegan options clearly on their menus, a small detail that makes a big difference. We ended up ordering from them nearly every day, and while the menu rotated often, a few staples became personal favorites: lentil salad bright with herbs and vegetables, slow-cooked chickpeas in tomato broth, stewed zucchini with dill, richly flavored eggplant dishes, and a nutty, tender bulgur pilaf. Their stuffed grape vine leaves (zeytinyağlı yaprak sarma)—served cold, slicked with olive oil, and just a little lemony — became a daily must-order.
A fun fact: the owner is actually a social member of the Coworking Antalya community himself, so if you go to some events, you might meet!
Haveli Indian & Pakistani Restaurant
Tucked just a short walk from where we were staying, Haveli quickly became a favorite—not just for the food, but for the whole experience. In a city where Indian cuisine can be hit or miss, Haveli stands out as a proper gem: deeply spiced, richly sauced, and genuinely welcoming.
The menu includes clearly labeled vegan options, and the staff understand exactly what that means. No need to clarify “no butter, no cream” five times. Our go-to was always the chana masala: chickpeas stewed in a tomato-onion gravy that hits all the right notes of heat, tang, and depth. We usually asked for it extra spicy, and they happily obliged. Paired with a plate of fluffy basmati rice, it was exactly the kind of meal you crave again the next day.
What made Haveli even more memorable, though, was the owner himself—an exuberant storyteller with endless jokes and an effortless charm.
Cava
Cava is one of those places where you go as much for the mood as the meal. Tucked behind a leafy façade, the restaurant opens into a soft-lit courtyard that feels like a secret garden—perfect for a slow dinner or a quiet morning start. The menu doesn't have many vegan options, but there are a couple of gems that make it worth a visit if you’re plant-based and craving something fresh and a little more refined.
One standout is the vibrant acai bowl, one of the few in Antalya. Topped with kiwi, strawberry, blueberries, and a crunchy sprinkle of house-made granola, it’s both pretty and satisfying—ideal for breakfast or a midday reset.
For dinner, the kale-forward salad is a go-to: layered with grilled veggies, toasted almonds, citrus, and a balsamic glaze, it’s hearty and elegant at once.
Cava feels a bit more upscale than other options in the city, and the prices reflect that. It's a nice treat though if you are looking for a peaceful outlook.
Varuna Gezgin Cafe
Tucked into the heart of Antalya’s city center, Varuna Gezgin Café offers an atmosphere that feels more like a traveler’s clubhouse than a restaurant. Its ceiling is strung with world flags, the walls are stacked high with books, and globes, vintage posters, and coffee mugs dangle from every corner. It’s a place you could spend hours in—whether or not you’re actually eating.
We found this place toward the end of our stay and immediately wished we’d come sooner. The ambiance alone is worth the visit, and you don’t need to commit to a full meal to enjoy it—a tea or juice will do if you’re just looking for a creative corner to read or work from.
Inside Varuna Gezgin, a traveler’s den of flags, books, and bold flavors
As for the food, Varuna’s menu has a handful of labeled vegan options. We tried their spicy oyster mushroom wrap, and it was genuinely delicious: hot, bold, and generously filled. The mushrooms were perfectly sautéed with just enough bite, and it was served with a rich tomato-based dipping sauce and a side of fries. In a region where mushrooms aren’t always a go-to ingredient, this dish felt like a welcome change—earthy, warming, and genuinely satisfying.
Çiftlik Döner Işıklar
This is not a vegan restaurant by any stretch—but it did come in handy. Çiftlik Döner Işıklar was just a short walk from where we were staying, and when we needed something fast, warm, and cheap, their lentil soup was our go-to. The soup itself is traditional Turkish mercimek çorbası: smooth, earthy, and served with a wedge of lemon for brightness.
It’s worth noting that the bread they usually serve on the side isn’t vegan, so you’ll want to request it without. Still, if you’re in the area and in need of a quick, comforting option, this place does the job. Simple, reliable, and surprisingly filling for such a humble bowl.
Fatma Sultan
Fatma Sultan is known for its handmade manti—delicate Turkish dumplings folded fresh each day—and it’s one of the rare spots in Antalya where you can find a vegan version, clearly labeled on the menu. The spinach-colored dough and vibrant tomato sauce make it a visually striking plate, and the texture feels distinctly home-style.
While prices are on the higher end for what you get, there’s no question about the quality of preparation. The restaurant also offers a seasonal pumpkin-tahini dessert that’s vegan and surprisingly elegant, though we didn’t manage to capture a photo. If you’re in the mood for handcrafted vegan manti in a more formal setting, this is one of the few places to find it.
Level Vegan & Gluten-free Restaurant
Tucked in a quiet corner of Antalya’s Old Town, Level Vegan and Gluten-Free Restaurant offers a colorful, whole-foods-forward menu that leans into clean, nourishing bowls and comforting hot dishes. While it wasn’t our most frequent stop (largely due to price point), the food felt distinctly intentional—vegetable-heavy, thoughtfully plated, and full of flavor.
On our visit, the vibrant Buddha bowl came piled with lentils, roasted carrots, shredded cabbage, beetroot, avocado, and crisp chickpeas, paired with a bright turmeric tahini dressing. A friend had a warming vegan goulash—chunky and rich, with a soft tomato base and cubes of tofu. It’s a perfect place for a restorative lunch or dinner, especially if you’re craving something fresh and fiber-rich in between heavier Turkish meals.
Paradise Cafe
We never sat down for a full meal at Paradise Cafe, but we stopped here nearly every day. Perched at the top of a staircase leading directly into Antalya’s marina, this simple stand became a ritual waypoint on our morning walk to Coworking Antalya.
Daily juice ritual on the walk to coworking: fresh-squeezed orange and pomegranate from Paradise Cafe
Their fresh-squeezed juices—orange, pomegranate, or a mix—were not only refreshingly cold but incredibly affordable. Served in cups in varying sizes, they offered a quick, energizing pause with a view of the sea and Taurus Mountains. For those looking for something light and naturally sweet, this was a favorite little detour that blended refreshment with routine.
Lokantas
One of the easiest ways to find vegan food in Turkey—especially outside of trendier cafes—is by heading to a lokanta. These casual, canteen-style eateries are staples across the country, offering affordable home-cooked meals displayed behind glass counters. You grab a tray, point to what looks good, and build a plate from an ever-rotating selection of stews, soups, grains, and sides.
Classic lokanta lunches
While many options are meat-based, lokantas often serve several naturally vegan dishes: zeytinyağlı fasulye (green beans in olive oil), nohut yemeği (chickpeas in tomato sauce), mercimek çorbası (lentil soup), pilav (rice or bulgur), and seasonal vegetable braises. It’s always worth politely asking “içinde süt ya da yumurta var mı?” (does it contain milk or egg?)—staff are usually happy to explain ingredients.
For plant-based travelers, lokantas can be a reliable, local-feeling option that doesn’t require hunting down specialty spots. You'll also often find very low prices.
The Friday Market
The Friday market (Cuma Pazarı) is a treasure. Sprawling and slightly chaotic in the best way, it’s where locals stock up for the week—stalls piled high with tomatoes, eggplants, fresh herbs, citrus, and whatever is in season. Read our full post on it.
We didn’t have a kitchen during our stay, but if you’re cooking, this is easily the best place to gather ingredients. Prices are incredibly reasonable, and the produce is often fresher and more flavorful than what you’ll find in supermarkets.
Scenes from the Friday market in Antalya: crates of heirloom tomatoes and barrels of briny olives
You’ll also see vendors selling olives by the kilo, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh greens, and other regional staples that make it easy to build a plant-based meal from scratch.
Eating vegan in Antalya
Antalya may not be the most overtly vegan-friendly destination we’ve visited, but with some intention and curiosity, it’s absolutely possible to eat well here. The city’s traditional cuisine leans heavily on meat and dairy, yet woven throughout are time-tested vegan staples—like lentil soup, stuffed vine leaves, grilled vegetables, and olive oil–based stews—that quietly hold their own.
With a bit of extra effort and some polite questions, you can navigate both lokantas and modern cafes. And when in doubt, we relied on HappyCow, which helped us pinpoint restaurants that had clearly labeled options. It became a helpful companion—especially in a city where signage or staff fluency can be a bit hit or miss.
While Antalya might not offer the same breadth of plant-based choices as larger metropolises, we found enough variety to keep our meals exciting, nourishing, and rooted in local flavor.
