Şehzade Çiğ Köfte

Şehzade Çiğ Köfte is a popular Turkish street food chain with multiple outlets across Antalya, serving çiğ köfte — a spiced bulgur wheat and tomato paste mixture that has become one of Turkey's most beloved fast foods. The dish traces its origins to southeastern Turkey, where it was traditionally made with raw meat, but the modern vegetarian version uses no meat whatsoever, relying instead on finely ground bulgur, pomegranate molasses, chili flakes, cumin, and tomato paste to produce a richly flavoured and slightly spicy paste. At Şehzade locations, the mixture is portioned into balls and served wrapped in thin lavaş flatbread with fresh lettuce, pomegranate juice, and a squeeze of lemon — the canonical way to eat it. The wraps are assembled fresh to order at the counter. Spice level is customizable from mild to fiery, and staff at busier locations are accustomed to questions from international customers. The price point is exceptionally low — a filling wrap costs around 40–60 TL — making Şehzade one of the most accessible and authentic food experiences available in Antalya. Fresh pomegranate juice squeezed to order at a counter beside the food is a natural pairing. These outlets are not sit-down restaurants; seating is minimal or non-existent at most branches, with the food designed to be eaten on the go. Branches are typically open from morning until late evening across the city's commercial and tourist zones.