Alika Castle House

Happena transports your taste buds back to the era of the Hittites, who founded an empire in Anatolia thousands of years ago. Drawing inspiration from ancient texts, the chefs bring this distant past vividly to life on your plate. Expect traditional spices, crisp grilled meats and tender cuts, such as lamb cooked over a wood fire until beautifully caramelised, served with pita bread, a honey and ginger sauce, and fermented pickles and grapes. The extensive menu is simply wonderful, as is the setting. Set on higher ground, this restaurant is part of the Kelebek Special Cave Hotel and brims with

Nahita immediately impresses with one of its finest assets: you enter via the magnificent terrace, which affords romantic views over the valley. Inside, the stone walls are adorned with elegant details. The kitchen team sources ingredients from within a 60km radius to ensure the utmost authenticity in their local cuisine. Think warm dolmas with rice infused with the aroma of the vine leaves and sweet-and-sour cherries, finished with a few cherries and dill – pure pleasure on a plate. The chefs pack bold flavours into every dish, such as the distinctive herbs accompanying pan-fried liver. Set w

At Lil'a, the long-lost flavours of Anatolia are brought back to life. Chef Saygın Sesli and his team unite time-honoured techniques, meticulous craftsmanship and locally sourced produce – much of it from the restaurant's own garden – to create a vibrant expression of farm-to-fork dining. For instance, succulent grilled lamb is glazed with sesame and honey and served with a silky aubergine cream, grilled lettuce and yoghurt finished with pistachios. Theatrical presentation enhances the experience, with steaming dishes arriving under a cloche. The setting, too, evokes the past, with an array of

Nestled in one of the stylishly transformed caves that together form the remarkable Taskonaklar hotel, Moniq Restaurant showcases the rugged stone beauty of Cappadocia. The opportunity to take an aperitif on one of the terraces overlooking the stunning Pigeon Valley is not to be missed. Inside, the ambiance is charming and inviting. Chef Mustafa Türkten works with local women from nearby villages to create a menu built on traditional recipes and regional ingredients, with a few modern touches thrown in. Highlights include manti with roasted aubergine or hearty lamb casserole with stewed pepper

Seki is located on the ground floor of luxury hotel Argos, which was once a monastery built into a hillside that makes for a truly magnificent setting. Be sure to allow time for a stroll along the paths leading through the garden. Inside, you can have an aperitif in the romantic lounge and take in the breathtaking view of the valley, then move into the restaurant itself, which has that distinctively welcoming Cappadocian feel. In these splendid surroundings, diners tuck into local Anatolian dishes with a Mediterranean twist. For example, the chefs balance the sweetness of confit pumpkin with a

This country house possesses a certain rustic elegance, with its characteristic stone architecture, wood features and numerous period details. The lounge atmosphere is also incredibly inviting. After a refreshing cocktail or a local wine, savour traditional dishes brimming with character, presented in a contemporary style. Mezze include crispy courgette strips fried in batter with a yogurt and dill dip, and manti filled with meat, served with creamy yogurt and spicy oil – a true taste of the sun on your plate. In the evenings, a DJ provides a lively musical backdrop for no extra charge.

Diners are welcomed with a complimentary spread of various little appetisers and sweet beverages, a gesture that immediately reflects the importance placed on hospitality here. This is the cosy halal restaurant on the first floor of Şah Saray Cave Suites, which affords wonderful views over the valley. The menu is a celebration of the culinary traditions of Turkey and the Islamic world. Imagine an earthenware bowl filled with finely sliced beef elevated by dried plums, onion and herbs, served with a side dish of rice with almonds and raisins. A delicate sweetness runs subtly throughout, always