Gaziantep stands out with gastronomic delicacies such as baklava, pistachios, menengiç coffee, pepper paste, and grape molasses desserts, while artistic and handcrafted products such as kutnu fabric items, copper crafts, mother-of-pearl-inlaid wooden items, and handmade carpets also highlight the city’s cultural richness. Other valuable keepsakes include traditional handmade soaps, mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden objects, handmade rugs, and copper crafts. These authentic products offer wonderful options both for giving meaningful gifts to your loved ones and for taking Gaziantep’s unique culture with you.
Foods & Snacks
Baklava
Baklava, one of Gaziantep’s most special desserts, is a unique delicacy prepared by layering thinly rolled pastry sheets generously filled with pistachios, offering an unforgettable taste with its crunchy texture. Carefully crafted by Gaziantep’s skilled artisans, baklava stands out with its exquisite flavor. Whether enjoyed fresh in Gaziantep or taken as a gift, it always receives great appreciation.
Pistachios
Grown in Gaziantep, pistachios are a world-renowned delicacy known for their unique aroma and vibrant green color. Especially used in desserts like baklava, katmer, grape molasses sweets, and ice cream, pistachios significantly enhance the quality of these dishes. With its distinct flavor, this ingredient is one of the most valuable gifts you can bring back from Gaziantep.
Dried Peppers and Eggplants for Stuffing
Dried bell peppers and eggplants, essential ingredients of Gaziantep cuisine, are prepared naturally by drying under the sun during summer months in the region. Commonly used in making stuffed dishes (dolma), these dried vegetables enrich dishes with their distinctive flavors and aromas. Due to their ability to be stored for a long time and ease of use, these dried vegetables serve as practical helpers in the kitchen.
Menengiç Coffee
Menengiç coffee, one of Gaziantep’s unique coffee varieties, is a special beverage made from the fruit of the menengiç (terebinth) tree instead of coffee beans. Known for its distinctive aroma and slightly nutty flavor, this coffee is traditionally prepared with milk. Menengiç coffee offers a healthy and distinct taste experience, famous for its unique aroma and subtle nutty flavor.
Zahter (a type of thyme) and Spices
Gaziantep cuisine is famous for its rich variety of spices, and these spices are among the most important elements that enhance the flavor of dishes. Zahter, a type of thyme grown in Gaziantep and its surroundings, is especially notable. These spices are used not only in cooking but also in many recipes, from pickles to salads, giving dishes their unique aroma.
Şire Desserts
Şire desserts, one of Gaziantep’s oldest dessert traditions, are healthy and energizing snacks made with grape molasses, walnuts, pistachios, and various dried fruits. Different varieties such as walnut sausage (orcik), fruit leather (pestil), and muska are popular. These sweets, recognized as some of the most delicious elements of Gaziantep cuisine, are among the healthiest treats and a significant part of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
Handcrafts & Souvenirs
Kutnu Fabric Products
Kutnu fabric, one of Gaziantep’s traditional weaving arts, is a type of shiny and patterned fabric produced by weaving silk and cotton threads on special looms. This fabric, used to create striking designs, has a captivating appearance due to its vibrant colors. Kutnu fabric, known for both its aesthetic and cultural value, is one of the popular gift options from Gaziantep.
Copperware Products
Copper craftsmanship, one of Gaziantep’s oldest artisanal traditions, includes a variety of handcrafted items such as coffee pots, pitchers, trays, coffee cups, and kitchen utensils. Carefully crafted by skilled artisans, these items showcase detailed workmanship. Copper products make ideal gifts for those wishing to keep traditional culinary culture alive, as they beautifully reflect Gaziantep’s artistic heritage. Unique handcrafted designs found in the Bakırcılar Bazaar embody the city’s rich cultural legacy.
Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Wooden Products
Mother-of-pearl inlay, one of Gaziantep’s masterful handicrafts, involves decorating wooden items with intricate mother-of-pearl designs, requiring exceptional skill and patience since Ottoman times. These inlaid wooden products are special items admired for their fine craftsmanship and elegant designs, suitable both as collectibles and decorative pieces. This traditional art form, unique to Gaziantep, remains among the city’s most precious souvenirs.
Handmade Carpets and Rugs
Gaziantep is also famous for its handmade rugs and carpets, which are usually designed with traditional motifs and vivid colors. Carpets produced in the region are known for their durability and high-quality wool threads, typically featuring traditional patterns and bright colors. These handmade products are ideal for those wishing to create an authentic atmosphere in home decor and are among the valuable gifts you can buy from Gaziantep.
Gastronomy Products & Local Flavors
Kahke (Antep Cookie)
Kahke, one of the traditional flavors of Gaziantep cuisine, is an aromatic cookie prepared with flour, sesame, mahaleb, and various spices. With its hard and crunchy texture, kahke can be stored for a long time and is enjoyed alongside tea or coffee as a snack. Kahke, especially flavored with ingredients such as black cumin, sesame, and cinnamon, appeals to different tastes with both sweet and savory varieties. Expertly baked in Gaziantep’s bakeries, this cookie is a traditional delicacy whose pleasant aroma can be felt throughout the city’s streets.
Antep Cheese
Antep cheese, one of the essential breakfast items in Gaziantep cuisine, is generally known for its salty and fatty characteristics and firm texture. This cheese, made from raw milk, is frequently used, especially in the city’s famous breakfasts and pastry preparations. Antep cheese, which can be preserved in salty water to maintain its durability for a long time, reveals its flavor both when consumed plain and when used in hot dishes. Also used in desserts like katmer, this cheese is one of the unique tastes of Gaziantep cuisine.
Katmer
Katmer, one of the most special desserts associated with Gaziantep, is a light dessert made from very thinly rolled dough filled with kaymak (clotted cream) and plenty of pistachios. Katmer, an essential favorite for dessert lovers with its thin, crispy texture and butter poured on top, is an energizing delicacy usually consumed during breakfast. Often served hot and tempting with its delicious aroma when fresh out of the oven, katmer is among the most popular desserts in Antep cuisine.
Pomegranate Molasses
Pomegranate molasses, which adds flavor to dishes and salads in Gaziantep cuisine, is a thick and sour sauce produced entirely naturally by boiling down pomegranate juice. Obtained by boiling natural sugar-containing pomegranates for a long time, this product gives dishes a unique taste, especially when used in dishes like kısır, çiğ köfte, salads, and sauces. Authentic pomegranate molasses can easily be distinguished from artificial versions due to its pure ingredients and dense consistency. Produced in Gaziantep’s fertile lands, pomegranate molasses also offers numerous health benefits.
Pepper Paste
Pepper paste, one of the most important ingredients in Gaziantep cuisine, is made by crushing sun-dried red peppers. Available in two varieties, sweet and spicy, this paste adds an intense aroma and rich flavor to dishes. Particularly used in meat dishes, soups, and sauces, pepper paste maintains its durability for a long time due to its natural production process. The secret behind Gaziantep’s spicy and flavorful dishes largely depends on the use of high-quality pepper paste.
Tarhana
Tarhana, one of Gaziantep’s unique culinary traditions, is prepared by drying a mixture of flour, yogurt, and spices, and is especially used in soups. This nutritious and probiotic-rich traditional flavor strengthens the immune system and also offers a different taste when consumed dry at breakfast. Antep tarhana, both satisfying and healthy, is an essential part of local cuisine.
Walnut Sausage (Orcik)
Walnut sausage is one of Gaziantep’s traditional şire desserts, consisting of a wonderful combination of grape molasses and walnuts. Walnuts, threaded onto thick strings, are coated with thickened grape molasses and dried, resulting in a healthy, natural snack. Containing no refined sugar, walnut sausage is a nutritious and energizing treat, traditionally consumed especially in winter. Orcik, an excellent alternative for those seeking to satisfy their sweet cravings naturally, is among the most beloved sweets of Gaziantep cuisine.
Pistachio Turkish Delight
One of the most special types of Turkish delight, pistachio Turkish delight is a traditional snack prepared with plenty of Gaziantep pistachios, offering an excellent flavor for dessert lovers. With its soft texture, mildly sweet aroma, and generous pistachio content, it is a perfect accompaniment to tea or coffee. Made from Gaziantep’s high-quality pistachios, this delight is among the most popular gift items preferred by both locals and tourists. Especially when packaged in vacuum-sealed packages, it remains fresh for a long time, making it a safe and wonderful dessert to bring back for your loved ones.
Artistic and Decorative Souvenirs
Handmade Mosaic Lamps
Handmade mosaic lamps, one of Gaziantep’s traditional arts, are colorful and aesthetic lighting products created by carefully assembling glass pieces. These handcrafted lamps are produced with inspiration from Ottoman and Seljuk motifs, adding a warm, authentic atmosphere to any environment. Mosaic lamps, presenting an impressive appearance especially when illuminated, are special products preferred both for decorative purposes and as gifts. Available in Gaziantep bazaars in various colors and patterns, these lamps are perfect collection pieces for those interested in handicrafts.
Handmade Kilims and Carpets
Antep-style needle lace (oya) and lacework products, meticulously crafted with Gaziantep’s delicate handcraftsmanship, are among the most elegant examples of traditional handicrafts. These handcrafted items, used in decorating scarves, tablecloths, shawls, and clothing, are typically made with fine cotton threads, requiring great patience and expertise. Especially preferred for dowries and special occasions, Antep needle laces are decorated with various motifs and colors, becoming items of high personal and artistic value. These handmade lace and needlework products are among authentic and elegant gift choices.
Cup Sets and Coffee Sets
Cup and coffee sets produced in Gaziantep using traditional copper craftsmanship enhance coffee enjoyment with their elegant designs. Copper-engraved coffee pots and cup sets, decorated with Ottoman and Seljuk motifs, are graceful products transforming Turkish coffee into a traditional ritual. Suitable both for daily use and decorative collections, these sets provide an excellent gift option, especially for coffee enthusiasts. Available in various designs in Gaziantep’s historical bazaars and artisan shops, these sets attract considerable interest as part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Wood-Carved and Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Frames
Wood-carved and mother-of-pearl inlaid frames, one of Gaziantep’s traditional handicrafts, are artistic works that require great mastery and delicate craftsmanship. Elegant motifs carved onto wood, combined with mother-of-pearl inlays, give these frames an authentic and sophisticated appearance. Usually used for decorative purposes, these frames elegantly display photographs and paintings. The art of mother-of-pearl inlay, which dates back to the Ottoman period, remains an important and valued traditional craft in Gaziantep. These unique frames are a perfect gift choice for those who appreciate art and handmade products.
Gifts Reflecting Gaziantep’s Culture
Local Clothing and Accessories
Local clothing and accessories reflecting Gaziantep’s deep-rooted cultural heritage are special items that preserve traditional Anatolian dress styles. Embroidered bindallı dresses, shalwars, and silk kutnu dresses for women, and aba coats and belted shalwars for men are among the most striking local garments. These outfits are generally used at weddings, special occasions, and folkloric events. Complementary traditional accessories such as fezzes, embroidered belts, and handmade jewelry give an authentic look to these garments. Products reflecting Gaziantep’s local clothing culture are excellent choices for collectors or for use on special occasions.
Headscarves and Scarves
Local garments and accessories reflecting Gaziantep’s rich cultural heritage are special items preserving traditional Anatolian clothing styles. Embroidered bindallı dresses, baggy trousers (şalvar), and silk kutnu fabric dresses for women are among the most remarkable regional clothing items. These outfits are typically worn during weddings, special events, and folkloric activities. Complementary accessories such as fezzes, embroidered belts, and handmade jewelry give these outfits an authentic look. These products, reflecting Gaziantep’s local clothing culture, are excellent choices for collections or special occasions.
Gaziantep Souvenir Magnets
Souvenir magnets, one of the most popular gifts for visitors to Gaziantep, are small but meaningful decorative items reflecting the city’s historical and cultural symbols. Featuring iconic places like Antep Castle, Bakırcılar Bazaar, Zeugma mosaics, and culinary themes, these magnets can be made from materials such as ceramics, wood, or metal. They make colorful and entertaining decorative pieces for kitchens and are ideal souvenirs from Gaziantep.
Other Recommendations
Traditional Gaziantep Soaps
Traditional soaps, among Gaziantep’s natural and handmade products, are produced entirely from natural ingredients and offer numerous benefits for skin health. Olive oil and laurel soaps are particularly known for their moisturizing and nourishing properties. Laurel soap contributes to hair and skin health due to its antibacterial qualities, while olive oil soap provides natural care for sensitive skin. Produced using traditional methods without chemical additives, these soaps have been preferred by Gaziantep locals for many years. They are excellent gift options for those who enjoy using natural products.
Gaziantep-Specific Tiles and Ceramics
Throughout its history, Gaziantep has been an important center for art and craftsmanship and has developed its own distinctive style in tile and ceramic art. Inspired by Ottoman and Seljuk periods, Gaziantep tiles stand out with vibrant colors such as blue, green, and red. The art of tile-making, used in handmade plates, vases, decorative items, and wall panels, features traditional motifs and is widely appreciated both for home decoration and as gifts. Ceramic products, with their durable and aesthetic designs, are special pieces commonly preferred for everyday use in kitchens.
Local Silver Jewelry
In Gaziantep, traditional silver craftsmanship is one of the arts that masters have shaped by hand for many years. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings, decorated with delicate filigree work, elegant carvings, and authentic patterns, are frequently found in Gaziantep’s silver markets. Jewelry inspired particularly by Ottoman and Seljuk motifs is preferred as accessories for both daily use and special occasions. These handmade silver pieces offer both high artistic value and a nostalgic gift alternative.