Turkish Night

The Cave Restaurant

Cappadocia has been carving homes, churches and storerooms into its volcanic tuff for thousands of years, and the Turkish Night venues follow the same tradition. The restaurant is a large hall cut into the rock, with vaulted ceilings, niches lit by lanterns, kilims and low wooden tables arranged around a central stage, so every seat has a view of the performers.

The rock keeps the hall cool in summer and snug in winter, and the acoustics give the live drums and strings a rich, warm sound. Is a Turkish Night in Cappadocia worth it? For anyone who wants to see the country's music and costume traditions in one evening, it is a memorable experience, and the cave setting is something you only find here.

Folk Dances from Across Türkiye

The heart of the evening is a sequence of folk dances, each introducing a different region of the country. You may see the fast, shoulder-shaking horon of the Black Sea, the slow and proud zeybek of the Aegean, the line dances of eastern Anatolia called halay, and the acrobatic, leaping dances of the Caucasus. Each set comes with its own costumes, rhythms and instruments, from the kemençe fiddle to the davul drum and the zurna pipe.

Between the dances the musicians play traditional songs, and the presenter explains where each dance comes from. Towards the end, an oriental dance performer takes the stage with a lively solo, and then the floor opens and guests are invited to join a circle dance with the troupe. Everyone is welcome, whether you dance or simply clap along.

Dinner and Drinks

Dinner is served at your table as the show unfolds, typically beginning with a selection of cold and hot starters, followed by a main course and dessert. Dishes draw on traditional Anatolian family cooking, with plenty of vegetables, grilled meat, yoghurt and bread, and halal food is the norm in Türkiye.

Drinks are included with dinner throughout the evening, while premium imported drinks are not included and can be bought at the venue. If you have dietary requirements, such as vegetarian meals or allergies, tell us when you book and we will pass the request to the restaurant in advance. Children enjoy the food and music too, and the relaxed pace means nobody feels rushed.

Getting There: Venue and Hotel Transfers

The cave restaurant is in the Göreme area, close to the main villages where most travellers stay. In the default option you make your own way to the venue for the 20:30 start, which suits guests staying nearby or travelling with their own car or driver. If you prefer not to arrange anything, choose the option with hotel pickup and drop-off in Cappadocia, which collects you at around 20:00.

The best time to enjoy a Turkish Night in Cappadocia is after a full day of touring, when you are ready to sit back and be entertained. The show runs all year, and evenings in the region are cool even in summer, so bring a light layer for the walk to and from the venue.