Vegan food in Cappadocia: where to eat plant-based in Turkey’s fairytale region

Cappadocia is not the easiest place to be vegan, but it’s absolutely possible—and with the right approach, surprisingly satisfying.

Set in the heart of Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is known for its surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys and rock-cut valleys, but its culinary traditions run just as deep as its history. While many local dishes lean heavily on meat, dairy, and eggs, the region’s agricultural roots—fed by mineral-rich volcanic soil—mean that vegetables, legumes, and herbs have long been at the core of home cooking. For vegan travelers, this means that behind the meaty façade lies a wealth of naturally plant-based flavors waiting to be discovered.

The most famous Cappadocian dish, testi kebabı, is traditionally a slow-cooked meat stew sealed in a clay pot and cracked open at the table. Increasingly, however, you’ll find vegan-friendly versions, brimming with chickpeas, white beans, aubergine, peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs—still cooked in that same sealed earthenware pot for hours, allowing the flavors to meld into something deeply aromatic and hearty.

Alongside clay pot stews, the region offers a host of naturally vegan staples found across Turkey: mercimek çorbası (red lentil soup), zeytinyağlı dolma (rice-stuffed vine leaves or vegetables cooked in olive oil), ezme (spicy tomato and pepper dip), and smoky aubergine salads. These dishes often appear as part of a meze spread, making it easy to build a satisfying plant-based meal from small plates alone.

While Cappadocia doesn’t yet have a dedicated vegan dining scene, local restaurants are increasingly open to substitutions, and a growing number of cafés and boutique hotels are creating thoughtful, plant-based options. From simple gözleme made with spinach or potatoes in a village café, to a table set under fairy chimneys laden with meze, to a steaming vegan clay pot cracked open before your eyes—Cappadocia proves that vegan travel here can be not only possible, but delicious.

Vegan gözleme making experience

While dining out in Cappadocia is a treat in itself, one of our most memorable food experiences came not from a restaurant, but from stepping into a local kitchen for a vegan-friendly cooking class. Hosted by a group of warm and welcoming Turkish women, this was more than just a chance to learn a recipe—it was a window into daily life, traditions, and the deep-rooted hospitality that defines the region. Read our full post about the experience here.

Gözleme, a traditional Turkish flatbread often filled with cheese, spinach, or meat, is a staple in home kitchens and market stalls across the country. For our class, the women happily adapted the dish to suit a vegan diet, preparing a delicious mashed potato filling laced with fresh herbs and seasoning. We got stuck in with rolling the dough, learning how to stretch it just thin enough before sealing it around the filling and cooking it on a large, domed griddle called a sac.

What made the experience so special wasn’t just the food—it was the laughter, the shared stories, and the chance to connect with people who live and breathe these culinary traditions. Sitting down together to enjoy the freshly made gözleme, still warm from the griddle, felt like joining a family meal.

House of Memories (Uçhisar)

In the heart of Uçhisar, just a short stroll from where we were staying, House of Memories quickly became our go-to spot for daily meals in Cappadocia. The charm of this restaurant goes far beyond its cozy setting—it’s the warmth and hospitality of its owner, Bayram, that make it truly unforgettable. From the moment we first walked in, Bayram greeted us with genuine kindness, taking the time to explain which dishes could be made vegan and ensuring that we always felt welcome and well-fed.

The menu here offers several plant-based options. We often started with a crisp, refreshing salad, piled high with fresh lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon. Their french fries, cooked fresh to order, were golden and crisp. The couscous salad was another favorite—light yet flavorful, with herbs and vegetables adding a bright, fresh bite. For something heartier, the rich and comforting bean stew was perfect, while the zeytinyağlı dolma (vine leaves stuffed with rice) provided that classic Turkish meze experience.

One of the most memorable highlights of our visits was when Bayram created a special vegan clay pot dish just for us—a local specialty of Cappadocia, traditionally cooked with meat, but here made entirely plant-based. Served with rice and salad, it was packed with flavor and felt like a true taste of the region, re-imagined for a vegan palate. Read our full post about it here.

And to round it all off, Bayram would often bring us complimentary glasses of hot Turkish tea, a small but deeply appreciated gesture that made each meal feel even more special.

CanCan Restaurant (Göreme)

CanCan Restaurant in Cappadocia is a gem for vegan travelers, offering hearty, flavorful dishes at a price that’s hard to beat in the region. The menu includes several naturally vegan options, but what really sets CanCan apart is the generosity of their service. If you let them know you’re vegan, they’ll bring out an impressive spread of plant-based appetizers alongside fresh bread, ensuring you get a filling and varied meal without breaking the bank.

The hummus here is a standout—silky, rich, and perfectly seasoned, it’s one of the best we’ve had in the area. Their grilled vegetable plate, with golden-brown zucchini, roasted tomatoes, and fluffy rice, is another highlight, packed with smoky flavor. The appetizer selection often features fresh salads, tangy bean dishes, and other small plates, making it feel like a feast every time.

With its casual atmosphere, friendly staff, and generous portions, CanCan is the kind of place you could return to multiple times during your stay. It’s affordable, satisfying, and full of local flavors—everything you could want from a laid-back meal in Cappadocia.

Köşebaşı Kapadokya (Göreme)

We visited Köşebaşı Kapadokya as part of a tour, and it turned out to be one of the most vegan-friendly surprises of our trip. While many restaurants in Cappadocia might have a few vegan dishes tucked away on the menu, Köşebaşı stands out with an entire dedicated vegan menu — a rarity in the region and a huge relief for plant-based travelers. The selection is genuinely impressive, covering everything from fresh starters and hearty salads to Turkish classics reimagined without animal products.

We tried the grilled eggplant stew, a rich, smoky, and perfectly seasoned dish that captured the warmth of Anatolian flavors, alongside a creamy fava bean dip that was smooth, savory, and ideal for pairing with fresh bread. Beyond these, the menu offers vegan versions of lahmacun, kebabs, and stuffed vegetables, making it easy to sample a wide range of local flavors without worry.

Admittedly, Köşebaşı is on the pricier side, especially compared to smaller, family-run spots in the area. But if you’re looking for peace of mind knowing your meal is entirely vegan, combined with a refined dining experience, it’s well worth it. 

Neman Cave Restaurant (Avanos)

While exploring the winding streets of Avanos (Cappadocia's pottery village), we stumbled upon Neman Cave Restaurant—a gem we hadn’t planned on but are so glad we found. This cozy spot, set against the backdrop of Avanos’ artisan charm, welcomed us warmly and was more than happy to accommodate vegan options.

They prepared a fresh, comforting gözleme filled with herbs and greens, paired perfectly with a rich, tomato-based bean stew that was both hearty and flavorful. The meal was rounded out with a side of homemade pickles and tangy red cabbage, adding just the right amount of crunch and brightness to balance the richness of the main dishes.

King’s Coffee Shop (Göreme)

If you’re craving a sweet vegan treat in Cappadocia, King’s Coffee Shop in Göreme is the spot to visit. This cosy café proudly advertises its vegan offerings right on the front window—everything from vegan baklava to raw vegan cheesecakes. You’ll also find an impressive selection of plant-based milks to accompany your coffee, making it a rare find in the region for vegan-friendly specialty drinks.

While prices lean towards the higher side, the quality and uniqueness of the menu make it worth the splurge—especially since you won’t easily find vegan desserts like this anywhere else in Cappadocia. On our visit, we tried the vegan baklava, which was rich, flaky, and perfectly sweet, as well as a raw vegan lemon cheesecake with a bright, tangy flavour. They also offer a raw vegan pistachio cheesecake for those who want to sample more.

It’s the perfect place to take a break from exploring Göreme, sip a plant-based latte, and indulge in something sweet that you can feel good about eating.

Star Restaraunt (near Ilhara Valley)

Star Restaurant made for a delightful pause during our guided tour of Ihlara Valley—not just for the food, but for the spectacular riverside setting. The tables overlook the water, with leafy greenery framing the view, making it a truly peaceful spot to recharge mid-adventure.

For vegans, the staff are accommodating and happy to prepare plant-based plates. We enjoyed a simple but satisfying spread of fresh salad, hearty vegan lentil soup, and a delicious vegetable stew served in a hot clay dish alongside fluffy pilaf. The stew was rich and warming, perfect after a morning of exploring the valley trails.

Paprika Burger & Pasta (Uçhisar)

Paprika Burger & Pasta might not have an extensive vegan menu, but they are willing to adapt dishes to suit plant-based diners. Located in Uçhisar, it’s a convenient option if you’re staying nearby and want a casual, no-fuss meal.

The highlight for us was their vegetable clay pot—served piping hot, it was hearty and full of flavor, a nice nod to the region’s signature cooking style. They also mentioned that their falafel wrap could easily be made vegan, which gives you a second reliable option if you’re in the mood for something lighter and portable.

Eating vegan in Cappadocia

Cappadocia might not be the easiest place to be vegan, but with a bit of planning, it’s entirely possible to enjoy delicious, satisfying meals here. The region’s traditional cuisine often features meat and dairy, yet tucked into almost every menu are plant-based staples—like lentil soup, stuffed vine leaves, vegetable stews, and dishes cooked in olive oil—that showcase the same deep, comforting flavors that define Turkish cooking.

Because veganism isn’t yet mainstream in Cappadocia, finding options sometimes requires a little flexibility and communication. We found that being clear about our dietary needs—and asking kindly—often led to wonderful surprises, from specially prepared clay pots to generous spreads of meze tailored just for us. In smaller towns and villages, a willingness to adapt and a sense of curiosity go a long way.

While Cappadocia won’t overwhelm you with plant-based menus, the variety we discovered kept our meals exciting and true to the spirit of the region. Between friendly local hospitality, creative adaptations of traditional recipes, and the occasional hidden gem with a full vegan menu, eating here was not only possible—it was an experience rooted in both flavor and connection.