Erzurum Cuisine: From Cag Kebab to Kadayif Dolmasi
Erzurum's cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes shaped by Eastern Anatolia's harsh climate conditions. High altitude and cold winters have contributed to a meat-heavy, energy-giving culinary tradition.
Essential Erzurum Flavors
Cag Kebab
The first flavor that comes to mind when you think of Erzurum is cag kebab. It is prepared by marinating lamb for an extended period, threading it onto a horizontal spit, and rotating it over a wood fire. Considered the ancestor of the doner kebab, cag kebab is sliced thin and served with lavash bread.
What distinguishes cag kebab from other kebabs is the horizontal spit cooking method and the unique smoky flavor imparted by the wood fire. Many restaurants in Erzurum serve cag kebab, and leaving the city without tasting it would be a great loss.
Kadayif Dolmasi
A dessert unique to Erzurum, kadayif dolmasi is prepared by rolling walnut filling inside thin kadayif pastry and sweetening it with syrup. An essential part of holiday tables and special occasions, this dessert is rarely found in other cities.
Su Boregi (Water Pastry)
Erzurum su boregi is made by boiling thin sheets of dough, layering them with cheese or minced meat, and baking in the oven. With its thin layers and rich flavor, this pastry is the crown jewel of the Erzurum breakfast table.
Ayran Asi Soup
This traditional yogurt-based soup is prepared with wheat and mint. Warming your soul on cold winter days, ayran asi soup is one of Erzurum's most well-known soups.
Erzurum Breakfast
The Erzurum breakfast offers a rich and filling spread. Butter, clotted cream (kaymak), honey, various cheeses, su boregi, and eggs are staples of the breakfast table. Dairy products from Erzurum's high plateaus, especially butter and kaymak, have gained fame throughout the country.
Where to Eat
In Erzurum city center, particularly in and around Yakutiye, you will find many traditional restaurants. Cumhuriyet Caddesi and the bazaar area are good starting points for sampling local flavors.
Accommodation and Gastronomy
Divan Tower Hotel is ideally located for exploring Erzurum's culinary culture. Situated in the heart of Yakutiye, our hotel is within walking distance of the city's best restaurants. Enjoy local Erzurum flavors at our breakfast buffet.