Components of tourists’ palace cuisine dining experiences: the case of Ottoman-concept restaurants

Abstract

Purpose – In the field of tourism, numerous studies have been conducted on tourists’ food experiences. However, more studies are needed to comprehend tourists’ dining experience in unique cuisines. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to examine the components of tourists’ dining experiences related to palace cuisine foods. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, a qualitative approach was adopted to capture the components of tourists’ dining experiences. The online narratives of tourists (n 5 911) who had experienced Ottoman palace cuisine in Istanbul were obtained from an online travel platform (TripAdvisor) and analyzed using content analysis. Findings – Seven main components were revealed: perceived authenticity, perceived service quality, knowledge, a sense of royalty, food specialties and attributes, a memorable experience and a sense of awe. Practical implications – By identifying components of the palace cuisine dining experience and their relevant importance, the findings of this study can increase service providers’ knowledge and facilitate their jobs. To be able to meet the expectations of tourists experiencing the palace cuisine, service providers can improve their services by considering research results. Originality/value – Results revealed that obtained six dimensions were parallel with previous studies on food experience; however, this study uncovered a previously unexplored dimension named a sense of royalty. This can be shown as the unique contribution of this study to the tourist food experience literature.