Bakery₺₺sehitkamilMon-Sat 10:00-22:00; closed Sun
Dayının Yeri in Değirmiçem still lists billuriye, a crystalline Gaziantep pastry that has quietly dropped off almost every other dessert menu.
Why locals love it: One of the last Gaziantep counters still listing billuriye, and nothing sits pre-made on a tray waiting for customers.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Everything is made to order, so allow a wait if you arrive with a group.
Bakery₺₺sahinbeyDaily 06:00-19:00
Beyoğlu Katmercim stretches its katmer dough in front of the counter on Kozluca Caddesi, two streets from the famous Gaziantep names and their queues.
Why locals love it: A Kozluca Caddesi katmer counter working the dough in front of you, two streets from the famous names and a fraction of the queue.
Tip: Ask for a corner table so the katmer reaches you while the kaymak is still molten.
Turkish₺sahinbeyMon-Sat 06:00-19:00
Muhsinzade grills for the traders of the Külekçi lanes in Gaziantep from six in the morning, and shuts long before the evening kebab crowd arrives.
Why locals love it: A charcoal counter down the Külekçi bazaar lanes that opens at six for the traders and closes at seven, so the evening kebab crowd never finds it.
Tip: The owner will build the plate for you if you do not read Turkish.
Bakery₺₺sahinbey
İmamoğlu Baklava works out of one small room on Eski Saray Caddesi in Gaziantep, cutting thin trays for a neighbourhood trade rather than the tour buses.
Why locals love it: A tiny Eski Saray Caddesi shop cutting its trays thin and priced below the famous Gaziantep names, with no sign visitors would notice.
Tip: There is nowhere to sit. Buy a quarter kilo and eat it on the walk home.
Bakery₺₺sehitkamil
Ünsal Lokum ve Şekerleme is a Gaziantep confectioner's own trade counter on Altınoğlu Caddesi, selling the lokum and boiled sweets it makes itself.
Why locals love it: A confectioner's own trade counter on Altınoğlu Caddesi rather than a gift shop, selling the lokum and boiled sweets it manufactures itself.
Tip: Pistachio lokum survives the flight home better than baklava. Ask for a box, not a bag.
Wine bar₺₺₺sehitkamil
Akınal Gar Restaurant serves meze inside the working railway station building in Gaziantep, a licensed room hiding behind the platform doors.
Why locals love it: A licensed meze room inside the working TCDD station building, which almost no Gaziantep food guide bothers to list.
Tip: Ask for the platform side. Trains still pass the windows through the evening.