Kaş’s restaurant geography is simple: the harbour promenade (tourist pricing, views) versus the backstreets (local pricing, equivalent quality). The price differential is significant - 30–50% more on the waterfront for the same fish. Given that the views from the backstreet restaurant terraces are often comparable (especially hillside venues with roof terraces), the waterfront premium is worth paying only once, for a special occasion, rather than as the default.
For dishes to order, see food to try in Kaş.
Backstreet fish restaurants
The streets parallel to the main harbour promenade - particularly Uzun Çarşı Sokak and the streets climbing toward the theatre - have Kaş’s best value fish restaurants. These serve the same fresh Aegean fish as the waterfront at 30–40% less.
What to look for: Handwritten daily menu (changes with the catch); staff who can tell you what came in today; tables without printed menus showing 20+ year-round species (those use frozen fish).
Price: Full fish dinner for two (meze + fish + beer or rakı): ₺400–700.
Harbour promenade restaurants
The main harbour promenade restaurants - with sunset views toward Kastellorizo and the fishing boats in the foreground - are genuinely pleasant for an evening meal. The premium over backstreet restaurants is approximately 30–50% for equivalent food.
Best use: One special-occasion dinner per stay; the view at sunset with a rakı and cold meze is worth the premium once.
Price: Full fish dinner for two: ₺700–1,200.
Meze restaurants
Several small meze restaurants in the backstreets serve a large selection of cold and warm meze without necessarily having a fish main - best for groups who want to share, vegetarians/vegans (the cold meze selection is largely plant-based), and those who want to eat slowly.
Price: ₺200–400/person for a full meze spread without main.
Lokantas and local eating
Kaş has one or two lokantas serving the local market and working population - less visible than the tourist restaurants but worth finding for the most authentic and cheapest eating. Look for the glass-cabinet display of pre-cooked dishes, no English menu, and prices around ₺100–160 for a full meal.
Breakfast spots
Backstreet cafes: Several small cafes in the residential streets serve full Turkish breakfast spreads (₺80–150/person) from 7–10am. Better value than the harbour-facing breakfast cafes (₺150–250).
Bakeries (fırın): Fresh börek and simit from 7am. ₺30–60 for börek; ₺10–15 for simit.
Dive-debrief culture
A Kaş-specific dining pattern: divers returning from morning dives (typically 1–2pm) eating lunch at the restaurants near the diving operators’ bases. Several small restaurants near the diving centre district have developed a loyal diver clientele - good mezze, fresh fish, and a cold Efes after a morning underwater. Prices: ₺200–350/person for a lunch-sized meal.
What to avoid
The restaurants directly on the waterfront with picture menus and translated descriptions of dishes - these are consistently overpriced and in some cases serve pre-frozen fish despite the coastal location. The quality test: ask what fish is fresh today. If the server can’t answer, the fish isn’t.
Price comparison
| Type | Location | Price/person |
|---|---|---|
| Lokanta | Backstreets | ₺100–160 |
| Meze restaurant | Backstreets | ₺200–400 |
| Fish restaurant | Backstreets | ₺250–400 |
| Fish restaurant | Harbour promenade | ₺400–700 |
| Breakfast cafe | Backstreets | ₺80–150 |
For dining in the Kekova area, Üçağız village has several small restaurants serving fresh fish in an extraordinary setting (sarcophagi at the water’s edge): ₺200–400/person.
Named restaurants to look for
Bahçe Restaurant - One of Kaş’s most recommended backstreet restaurants; a garden setting on a side street above the harbour with a daily catch-focused menu and meze spread. The octopus (ahtapot) dishes and grilled sea bass are the draws. Approximately ₺450–700/person.
Smiley’s Restaurant - Established fish restaurant near the marina that has built a loyal following for consistent quality. Strong on the cold meze selection (fava bean purée, marinated anchovies, patlıcan salatası) before the fish. Full dinner for two approximately ₺800–1,400.
Bi Lokma - A casual lokanta-style restaurant used by locals and working divers; the blackboard menu changes daily. The best place for a filling lunch at honest prices. Approximately ₺150–250/person for a full meal.
Kaş Balık Pazarı area restaurants - The streets behind the small fish market (pazarı) have a cluster of fish restaurants that source directly from the boats. The daily offerings board shows what came in; quality here is as consistent as anywhere in town.
Mercan Restaurant - A well-regarded fish restaurant on a side street above the harbour; the daily catch is displayed at the entrance and staff can explain what is fresh. Known for its grilled levrek (sea bass) and the cold meze spread that precedes the fish - particularly the fava bean purée and marinated anchovies. More local clientele than the main waterfront strip; noticeably quieter on summer evenings. Approximately ₺350–550/person.
Efsane Restaurant - Rooftop terrace venue above the old town streets with views toward Kastellorizo and the outline of the Greek island across the water. Stronger on lamb and grilled meat dishes than fish; the fırın kebabı and döner-style lamb shoulder are the draws for those who want the full Turkish grill experience in a coastal setting. Good early-evening option for sunset drinks followed by a slow dinner. Approximately ₺400–650/person.
Thursday market (Pazar) - Not a restaurant but the best eating moment of the week in Kaş: the Thursday market above the town has produce stalls, olive oil, local honey, fresh-pressed pomegranate juice, and gözleme stalls. A morning spent eating from market stalls is the best food experience in the town.
Seasonal notes
Most backstreet restaurants in Kaş are open April–October only; the town shrinks significantly off-season. July and August see the highest density of visitors; booking evening tables from 19:00 onwards is advisable at the more popular venues.
For restaurant options in Kaş’s coastal neighbours, see best restaurants in Fethiye and best restaurants in Antalya.
Make the most of the food scene: Book a food tour of Kaş to sample the standout local spots with a guide who knows where residents actually eat. An eSIM for Turkey keeps you connected for navigating neighbourhoods and checking restaurant hours on the go.
Ready to book a bed? Search hotels in Kas on Booking.com.