Thrace & Marmara
The most popular of various köfte (meatball) restaurants overlooking the waterfront, Özcanlar has been serving up a limited range of soups, meat dishes…
Must-see restaurants in Turkey
Amasya
Keyif is always busy with locals scoffing breakfast spreads before noon and pide (Turkish-style pizza) and kebap plates through the afternoon and evening…
South Aegean
Enjoy breakfast or any other local Turkish speciality such as mantı (Turkish ravioli) at this popular traditional village restaurant set in an old orchard…
Safranbolu
Squirrelled away down a little alleyway, this place rustles up rustic, wholesome cooking from simple plates of gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) to local…
Trabzon
Creating a loveable old-cottage feel, this welcoming cafe-restaurant is a great place to sample a daily changing menu of wholesome and hearty local dishes…
Bodrum Peninsula
This Indian-owned restaurant is everything to everyone, serving up pizza, pasta and the house speciality, chicken parmigiana, with as much aplomb as it…
Black Sea Coast
Unremarkable but handily located, this relaxed, archetypal neighbourhood kebapçı also serves lahmacun (Middle-Eastern pizza).
İzmir & the North Aegean
Ice cream and the seaside go together like Fred and Ginger or Posh and Becks, and this is the best place in Foça to order a cone. Nazmi Usta is an…
Beyoğlu
Chef Gençay Üçok is known for his mezes, which are the main act at this intimate restaurant opposite the Pera Palace Hotel. Consider opting for the eight…
Eastern Mediterranean
This especially toothsome fast-food joint seems to be permanently heaving. It is the place to try traditional beef tantuni (chopped meat sautéed with…
Istanbul
Finding this worker's pideçisi (Turkish pizza parlour) is an adventure in itself, as it's hidden in the steep narrow lanes behind the Büyük Valide Han…
Ölüdeniz
One of Ölüdeniz' more authentic eateries, 'Pearl' Restaurant serves Turkish classics, ev yemekleri (home cooking), international dishes and daily specials…
Fethiye
Opposite the marina, this little slice of foodie paradise has some of the best cakes (from ₺12) and pastries in town. It also has superb coffee and juices…
Fethiye
Meğri Restaurant (not to be confused with nearby Meğri Lokantasi) offers a more varied menu than many competitors, including plenty for veggies. Try the…
Beyoğlu
Located in Karaköy's Fransız Geçidi (French Gate), a small arcade linking busy Mumhane Caddesi with the port, this cafe pays close attention to the…
Central Anatolia
A cut above the rest of Sivas' pastanes (patisseries), Yarışoğlu dishes up delicious potato-and-cheese böreks (filled pastries) as well as some seriously…
Bodrum Peninsula
This hotel's beachfront bar-restaurant serves a range of dishes, including köfte, seafood and local speciality çökertme (meat fried with thin french fries…
Marmaris
Bustling, non-touristy lokanta ideal for authentic, fine-value gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) as well as ready-made prepared etli yemek (meat dishes) and…
Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas
Founded in 1979, this harbourside eatery called the 'Little House' serves Mediterranean and seafood dishes like ahtapot güveç (octopus casserole). Also…
South Aegean
Overlooking the temple, this friendly modern cafe offers a simple snack menu of sandwiches, salads and cakes. It also has an espresso machine for that…
Cappadocia
On Niğde's bustling pedestrian strip (one block down from the Atatürk statue), this lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food) dishes up huge plates of pide…
Eastern Mediterranean
A branch of a smart national chain, with plenty of plate glass and waiters in shirt sleeves, this excellent cafe and pastane (patisserie) has a curb-side…
Selçuk
Welcoming, atmospheric little restaurant where you can feast in a covered patio or tiny street terrace on mezes like stuffed peppers, then graduate to…
Ayvalık
This eccentrically decorated and very popular cafe in the old town offers a nostalgic jazz soundtrack, extensive dessert menu (cakes, soufflés, tiramisu),…
Antalya
On a hot summer night, streetside tables at this (mainly) seafood restaurant on the main drag are the perfect location for a memorable meal with marine…
Cappadocia
Across the road from Selime's Ihlara Valley trailhead, this large riverside restaurant with friendly staff dishes up plenty of köfte (meatballs), fresh…
İzmir
Making authentic kumru sandwiches with aged kaşar cheese from Kars, sausage from Urfa and local tomato paste, this is one of the most popular fast-food…
Edirne
Appropriately located near the fish fountain just off Saraçlar Caddesi, this tiny eatery next to the city's busiest fishmonger cooks up fresh catch of the…
Sultanahmet
In spring, the perfume from hyacinths blooming in Gülhane Park wafts over the outdoor tables of this garden cafe, which is built into the park's historic…
Gaziantep
A local favourite for kebaps, grilled chicken and lahmacun (Arabic-style pizza). Don't be fooled by the unremarkable entrance, as there's a dining area at…
Kaş
Cheap and cheerful seafood place renowned for balık ekmek (₺60), the simple fish sandwich that is a staple in coastal Turkey. There are also hearty bowls…
Bodrum Peninsula
Local favourite Garo's is pricey, but popular for its mezes. The owner-chef serves seafood like dağ kekikli kalamar izgara (mountain thyme grilled…
Turquoise Coast
On the main drag, 200m inland from the beach, 'Oleander' serves international dishes, seafood and Turkish classics from meze to şiş kebaps (roast skewered…
Eastern Mediterranean
Just one block back from the beach, this popular family place (no booze) turns out top-notch mezes and generous grills – order the beyti kebap (minced…
Side
Ocakbaşı overlooks a spotlit 2nd-century Roman bath so it's wildly popular for a meal. The tour group babble can get a bit too much in high season; try…
South Aegean
On the north side of the temple compound, Kamacı serves kebaps, köfte, fresh fish and better-value mezes. Try the perfectly cooked grilled sea bass. Don't…
Kars
This friendly, unassuming establishment offers delicious home-style local dishes, fresh daily soups (such as sorrel, lentil or a cool yoghurt-and-herbs…
İzmir
This long-established fish restaurant on the kordon is attached to the İzmir Palas hotel and is widely acknowledged as one of the best eateries in the…
Kuşadası
This kebap booth just up from Bar St caters with great aplomb to (mostly) well-mannered Turks and (often) drunken foreign louts, especially when the clubs…
Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas
Set in an old stone house on the seafront, Aurora is serious about mezes and seafood. Some 50 mezes are produced every day, along with a multitude of fish…
