first timer

[Baggy]

Hello there - we are going to Kalkan for the first time next month and as well as poring over the websites looking at lovely pictures I''d love to get a real feel of the place from the people who know it best!
What''s it like, where are good restaurants/cafes/bars and just as importantly what should we avoid like the plague . . . some general pointers would be great - thanks!


Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=3508.0

[Enjoy Kalkan]

Hi Baggy,

Welcome to EnjoyKalkan, glad you found us 

[Lougie]

That''s a tough one as everyone is different & has different tastes, there are plenty of places to suite everyone.

I prefer the traditional Turkish restaurants so would recommend Bezigan Kitchen (on the round about as you come into town), ISO''s restaurant (down side street by Moonlight bar), Oz Adana (side street next to Tesko supermarket), they are just my favorites & there are plenty more, my other two favorites which I would say are a little bit more international are IBO''s terrace restaurant & the Olive Garden.

Best bars for me is the Moonlight bar & the Pasha bar, my favortie cafe is the Merkez, good food & not bad prices.

I can''t really say which ones to avoid as I don''t know what your tastes are & I don''t want to upset anyone, everyone has their favorites 

[Enjoy Kalkan]

I like Merkez also - seems somewhat under-rated but fantastic value and great location 

[Tyros]

We love Merkez bar for lunchtime people watching - if you know what I mean.  Our first lunch will be at Merkez and our first evening meal will be at the Kosk almost opposite Merkez Bar; first restaurant we went to in Kalkan so have to see Richard.
Cheers
Graham

[Reygirl]

For great Turkish atmosphere try Cafe del Mar - and the window seats or table at the edge of the terrace are both great for people watching.

[Baggy]

Thanks for those suggestions - we like to go to less touristy bars and restaurants to get a proper feel of the place. We chose Kalkan as it looked like there were places to go and things to do without that whole big resort thing going on. A bit of people watching, a beer or two as the sun goes down, a nice meal in a relaxed restaurant, a stroll along the harbour - that sort of thing. Am I in the right place?

[Babs]

that sounds about right!

[Lougie]

I did reply to your post Baggy but it seems to have disappeared so I''ll just say you are definitely in the right place, you will love Kalkan.

It is quite a big village now but still has a Turkish feel to eat, there are places that I would personally avoid but only because it is perhaps too "English" for me whilst in Kalkan but you only have to look at the menus outside before you decide to go in or not.

Hope you have a great time, only three more weeks & counting till I am back!

[Baggy]

Great - sounds like we made the right choice then!
I don''t like to prejudge places until I get there but it is nice to have somewhere which offers some warts and all advice like this forum. I''ll settle down and have a proper look at the weekend - we''re flying out in three weeks so it''s not long now . . .