Must-see restaurants in Türkiye

  • Primi Ballat

    Istanbul

    Primi Ballat has a casual cafe ambience but a serious focus on food. Breakfast is Turkish (and very good), but other meals are emphatically Italian…

  • Antiochia

    Beyoğlu

    Dishes from the southeastern city of Antakya (Hatay) are the speciality here. Cold and hot mezes are equally delicious (try the grilled cheese), pides and…

  • Mezze

    Eskişehir

    Aegean-style feasting in deep Anatolia. The shared plates and seafood here brings to mind lazy lunches along Turkey's western coastline. Choose your fish,…

  • Sardalye

    Çanakkale

    On the corner of the Aynalı Çarşı, this no-frills place named in honour of a plentiful local fish (sardalya means sardine) serves everything from…

  • Iki Sandal

    Bodrum Town

    One of the most creative restaurants in town, this place occupies a lovely old stone house and has a front terrace with harbour views. A lot of care has…

  • Pilita

    Black Sea Coast

    This delightful log-cabin restaurant cooks its truly local spread of mountain specialities to order, including kaydebak (using seven types of local greens…

  • Muhitt

    Çanakkale

    Make your way to the northern end of Çanakkale's waterfront kordon for this relaxed and stylish cafe offering excellent all-day breakfasts. Either select…

  • Tık Tık Kadın Emeği

    Ürgüp

    This local women's cooperative serves up true homespun village flavours with mantı (Turkish ravioli), içli köfte (ground lamb and onion with a bulgur…

  • Ayasoluk Restaurant

    Selçuk

    One of the best dining experiences in town, this hotel's rooftop restaurant has a panoramic view of the fortress and distant mountains, particularly…

  • Cin Bal Kebap Salonu

    Turquoise Coast

    Established in 1989, Cin Bal specialises in lamb tandir (clay oven) dishes and kebaps, with seating inside and in its grapevine-covered garden courtyard…

  • Pumpkin Cafe

    Göreme

    With its wooden balcony and snug stone-cut room decorated with whimsically carved-out pumpkins (what else), this cute-as-a-button restaurant is one of the…

  • Kervan Ocakbaşı

    Marmaris

    In a suburban location 1km inland from the beach, this is where locals direct you when you need a real meat feast. There's a pleasant street terrace where…

  • Asma Yapraǧı

    Alaçatı

    A meal at the ‘Vine Leaf’ is an essential experience for gastronomes. Seating is in an atmospheric courtyard between April and November, and inside…

  • Saki

    Dalyan

    Some of the best cooking in town, with a lovely river-facing terrace setting. There's no menu; choose from the glass cabinet of homemade mezes (₺16 to ₺60…

  • Culinarium

    Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas

    In new intimate premises a couple of blocks inland from the shore (though there are harbour views from the dining room), head here for a truly gourmet…

  • Karaköy Lokantası

    Beyoğlu

    Known for its gorgeous tiled interior, genial owner and bustling vibe, Karaköy Lokantası serves tasty and well-priced food to its loyal local clientele…

  • Neman Cafem

    Cappadocia

    You could easily blink and miss this tiny cafe as you're walking down the main road, but if you've picked up a mantı (Turkish ravioli) addiction on your…

  • Hünkâr Ocakbaşı

    Kaş

    Buzzing ocakbaşı (grill house) with a streetside terrace that serves a mighty fine range of meats. Classics like Adana kebap (₺32) have a wonderful…

  • CookLife

    Istanbul

    Some of the best coffee on the Golden Horn can be enjoyed at this photogenic place in the thick of Balat's fashionable cafe scene, as can well-executed…

  • Otantik Ocakbaşı

    Bodrum Town

    Terrific ocakbaşı (grill house), famed for its traditional kebabs (try an İskender or köfte), with reasonable rates and huge portions. Staff are super…

  • Oburus Momus

    Kaş

    Tucked away from the centre, this terrific vegetarian/vegan restaurant serves up fine international (Indian curries, falafel, pad thai, vegan desserts)…

  • Zeytinlik

    Kalkan

    This fine British-Turkish restaurant serves some of the most authentic, creative local dishes around; it states 'we don't do fusion food'. You'll find…

  • Lǎl Girit Mutfağı

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    Owner and chef Emine was taught to cook Girit (Cretan) dishes by her grandmother, and the results are simply inspired. Expect her to emerge from the…

  • Leban Teras

    Eastern Mediterranean

    The `Lebanese Terrace' offers a respite from Turkish and Syrian-inspire cuisines, though all three are very close cousins. Seating is in the main dining…

  • Biyer Kafe Dukkan

    Thrace & Marmara

    Welcome to Gökçeada's best homestyle cooking. There's no fixed menu, but you can guarantee everything will be delicious. The younger waitstaff often speak…

  • Borsam Taş Fırın

    Kadıköy

    The thin and crispy lahmacun (Arabic-style pizzas topped with minced meat, herbs and spices and served with a squeeze of lemon) that come out of the oven…

  • Narlıkuyu Balık Restaurant

    Eastern Mediterranean

    Spanning a lovely terrace on one arm of Narlıkuyu's little cove, this seafood restaurant is a delight. Seafood meals come complete with huge piles of…

  • West Cafe & Bistro

    Göcek

    The hub of the town, Göcek's most appealing hang-out has a contemporary-country feel with an olive-oil shop attached and a menu ranging from quesadillas…

  • Orfoz

    Bodrum Town

    Often cited as one of Turkey's best fish restaurants, this gem has views over Bodrum's eastern shore from its front terrace. Serves delectable seafood…

  • Bistrot 4

    Bodrum Peninsula

    This stylish hotel resto in the hills behind town offers a lovely setting for a memorable meal. The creative menu features mezes like smokey trout with…

  • Ney

    Marmaris

    Tucked away up some steps from the western end of the marina is this tiny but delightful restaurant in a 250-year-old Greek stone house with Bugül at the…

  • Mustafanın Kayfesi

    Thrace & Marmara

    Look for the free-standing bell tower of the Ayia Marina church to find this welcoming cafe, which is tucked into the adjacent garden. The village-style…

  • Paşa Kebab

    Fethiye

    Nearly always bustling, and with a menu that's something of a novella, Paşa does a fine line in Turkish staples. If you're hungry, try a mixed kebap (₺65)…

  • West Cafe & Bistro

    South Aegean

    A kilometre east of town on the road to Gökova, this peaceful, refined garden restaurant offers a wide choice of food, from Turkish staples to Mexican,…

  • Derin Balık Lokantası

    Black Sea Coast

    Derin finds the sweet spot between casual bustle and brasserie-style comfort, with wooden-panelled columns and leaded windows giving semi-classical twists…

  • Öz Asmaaltı

    Eastern Mediterranean

    This local favourite may look like just another Adana kebap-döner salonu, but the mains and meze are a cut above. This is an excellent place to try Adana…

  • Mozaik Bahce

    Fethiye

    Intimate backstreet restaurant that can be relied on for really authentic and beautifully crafted dishes from the southeastern city of Antakya (Hatay), so…

  • Buzz Beach Bar

    Ölüdeniz

    For elevated views over Mediterranean Turkey's best beach, head to the upper deck of this stylish place. Offers a wide menu, including falafel (₺35),…

  • Kazım Usta

    Kuşadası

    Kuşadası's top (and priciest) fish restaurant commands a prime harbourfront location and serves dishes ranging from octopus casserole to a wide choice of…

  • Yeşil Asma Yapraği

    Fethiye

    A traditional Turkish lokanta filled with business folk and tradesmen feasting on rich, home-style cooking: expects lots of meaty casseroles, spinach…

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