When the best cuisines in the world are judged, it comes as a surprise to most people that Turkish cuisine has been rated as one of the three great cuisines of the world, along with the French and Chinese.

However, if you take a look back in time, the explanation for the extraordinary Turkish food is understandable. It was during the 500 years of Ottoman rule that Turkish culinary skills were developed. Access to fresh ingredients was easy and infinite varieties of fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables and a countless number of spices were used. At the same time many people from different cultures settled in the country and this brought further inspiration to the cooking.

Among other things found by archeologists was a board from ancient times and the various signs and symbols thereon have been deciphered to reveal a kind of cook book with a list of familiar ingredients and spices.

Turkish specialities are numerous and certainly worth a try. When it comes to national dishes, Turkey has its own traditions and customs. Below you will see just a few ideas.

Most places in Alanya serve pizza as we know it. The Turkish pizza is a little different but try it anyway. The size can vary from tiny to larger than a plate. The toppings are usually beef, onion, parsley and tomato purée, which are mixed together and put on top of bread dough. It will be served with a piece of lemon to be squeezed over the pizza. Of course there are many other varieties of toppings. The Turkish pizza has more oil than the pizza we know.

A very special dish which gets its name from the Ottoman period in Turkish history. You can get the osmanish pan with lamb, beef or chicken. It is a stew with different vegetables and spices. The dish is made differently depending on the area and time of the year.

When it comes to desserts, the Turkish people love anything sweet - especially pastries, which are often soaked in honey. Vanilla and chocolate mousse are also favourites!! Plain fresh fruit such as melons, berries and grapes are also seen on the dessert table and are often given free at the end of a meal as a treat from the House!!

The Turkish people love soup, and they will eat it even in the middle of the night. In Alanya there is a street which is called “soup-street” which runs from the Ataturk statue on the main street to the 25metre street. You may notice that these soup restaurants are open almost all night. The locals like to eat soup in the middle of the night on the way home from town. Soup made with sheep's brains or sheep's eyes are quite normal but if this doesn’t tempt you go for a tasty tomato or chicken variety.

The Turkish appetizers are known as meze which is a selection of cold and hot dishes served in small dishes. It is similar to Spanish tapa dishes but the taste is very different. Traditionally the chosen dishes are placed in the centre of the table and everyone helps themselves from the selection. This is a very sociable and friendly environment in which to entertain friends, family or guests. The tasty dishes can be numerous and the flavours experienced only limited by the creator’s imagination.

Large and airy 'balloon' bread spread with sesame seeds. You eat it with meze dishes.

Vine leaves, peppers, tomatoes or potatoes stuffed with rice, meat, pured tomatoes and spices.

Fried puff pastry with white cheese and spinach. Also called ladyfingers or cigarette rolls.

Red spicy dish made from chili, tomato and chives. Served as an accompaniment to kebab or lavas.

The kebab that you may be familiar with is probably not the same as the traditional kebabs found in Turkey. You may know of two or maybe even three kinds of kebab. You definitely will not have had the choices that you will get here in the kebab's homeland. Turkish people love kebabs and they eat them as a snack or a main meal. Kebab is marinated meat. Here is a list of the most common varieties :

Grilled pieces of beef, lamb or chicken which are placed on a half durum/pancake bread together with salad, onions and spices. Very good, cheap takeaway.

Same ingredients as the doner Kebab. Served on a plate with yogurt and salad.

Comes from the large Turkish city of the same name. Spicy minced beef on a swordlike skewer grilled.

Large pieces of beef, lamb, or chicken on a skewer grilled with pieces of red pepper.

Meat and aubergine / egg plant on a skewer grilled.