Olivia Marsh

I moved to Antalya in 2018 after what was meant to be a single autumn on the coast turned into a longer stay. I had come for a break from city life in England, rented a flat near Konyaaltı, and quickly found that my days revolved less around beaches and more around errands, lunch counters, and market streets. The rhythm of the city got me: tea at a bakery before work, market day bags by the door, late dinners that started with a meze plate and ended with fruit from the corner shop. What made me stay was not postcard scenery but daily life, especially the way food in Antalya is woven into neighborhoods, routines, and seasons.

For this site, I cover the eating places and markets that make sense when you want to understand how Antalya works from the ground up. I spend most of my time in Muratpaşa, Şarampol, Balbey, Meltem, and around the older streets near Kaleiçi, but I also head out to Kepez, Lara, and Konyaaltı when a market, soup shop, grill, or family-run lokanta is worth the ride. I write about weekly pazar setups, esnaf lunches, breakfast spots, fish counters, dessert shops, and where to eat near tram stops on AntRay or along routes that are easy without a car. I pay attention to local specialties, from Antalya piyaz and pumpkin dessert with tahini to where people actually go for soups, skewers, and grilled fish after work.

My reporting is practical and checked on the ground. I revisit places to see whether prices, portions, and standards have shifted, because in Antalya they often do between seasons. I confirm opening hours by phone, message, or in-person visits, and I note if a place closes during Bayram, changes hands, or keeps different winter hours. When I write about markets, I compare produce prices across stalls rather than quoting a single seller, and I ask vendors what is local, what is imported, and what is truly in season. If a piece includes a partner link, invitation, or any commercial arrangement, I say so clearly. I want readers to know what I saw, what I paid, and what still needs a second check before they go.