Bodrum Peninsula
With cheery orange and blue tables strung along the sand and looking to the ebbing waves, this friendly place is Torba's spot for a meal of mezes and…
Must-see restaurants in Turkey
İzmir & the North Aegean
This is the best place to sample the town's speciality of Manisa kebap (cylindrical köfte served on pide and topped with tomato sauce and yoghurt).
Eastern Mediterranean
There's a row of restaurants in the fish market between Silifke Caddesi and Atatürk Caddesi in the centre of town. Erden is thought to be the best of them.
The Bosphorus Suburbs
Seats on the outdoor terrace are hotly contested on sunny weekends at this İstanbul institution, where the all-day breakfasts are both cheap and tasty.
Turquoise Coast
On the far west side of the harbour, this large waterside restaurant has ample seating, moderate prices (a köfte is ₺35) and service is quite snappy.
Black Sea Coast
Sofra serves reliably good pide and kebaps but the main attraction is the historic stone building with its bare stone walls and heavy cast-iron lamps.
Antalya
This gorgeous garden cafe south of Hadrian's Gate is rammed all summer long with Antalya's bright young things. Great for coffee, snacks and flirting.
Turquoise Coast
On pedestrianised Müze Caddesi, 'Silk' Restaurant is great for a quick lunch of pide, lahmacun (Arabic-style pizza), kebap or grill.
Bodrum Peninsula
This seafood restaurant is as popular for its waterfront location with its incomparable views westward as its fresh fish dishes and mezes.
Turquoise Coast
Everywhere sells ice cream in Kaleköy, but locals swear this is the best. There's a lovely terrace to enjoy it on, with bay views.
Bodrum Town
Offers the best ice cream in town, with authentic flavours including walnut and coconut. Also serves good espresso coffee.
Eastern Mediterranean
This family-run pastry shop in the heart of Silifke is a great place to stock up on baklava, biscuits and other treats.
Van
Always bustling with local families in the evening, Mevlana offers a menu of good-value kebaps and lamb chop plates.
Eastern Mediterranean
On the main square in İskele just up from the pier, the family-run Olta is the fish restaurant of choice in Anamur.
Thrace & Marmara
For a sundowner with million-dollar views over the water, head to the terrace restaurant at the Yakamoz Motel.
Şanlıurfa
Death by pistachio baklava and pistachio sarması ('vine leaves').
The Bosphorus Suburbs
A popular spot for a quick bite in central Beşiktaş, this no-frills eatery specialises in mantı, Turkish-style dumplings in yoghurt sauce, including…
Beyoğlu
Students, expats and İstanbullus with a literary bent are regular fixtures at this cafe on the 1st floor of the Turkish-German Bookshop on İstiklal…
Bodrum Town
Bodrum's fish market (sometimes called manavlar for the fruit stands at the entrance to this small network of back alleys) offers a direct dining…
Black Sea Coast
This small rustic holiday centre is the best dining and sleeping spot between Yusufeli and Barhal, with a riverside cafe, restaurant and a pair of dining…
Sultanahmet
Making locals happy since 1864, this şekerlemeleri (sweets shop) sells lokum (Turkish Delight), milk puddings and spinach or cheese börek (filled pastry)…
Northeastern Anatolia
Climb the stairs behind the tourist office then push open the embossed copper door to find this lovely place for simple local dishes at excellent prices…
Far Northeast
The ground-floor entrance is just a bare room displaying the day's spread of pre-cooked lokanta staples (the double-stuffed aubergine is recommended). But…
Mardin
Turkish tourists are big fans of eating amid the refinery of this restored caravanserai. The menu has plenty of meaty options from aubergine kebap to saç…
Princes’ Islands
Overlooking Büyükada's longest beach, Teras is a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner (if coming for dinner arrive before sunset to take advantage…
Ürgüp
Long-time local favourite, right on the main square, this lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food) does four or five dishes daily. Stuffed courgettes,…
Black Sea Coast
This building, shaped like a boat that's been washed onto the beach, hosts a mini fish market downstairs and a seafood restaurant above. It's not the most…
Cappadocia
This friendly, super-clean lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food) dishes up solid versions of Turkish classics such as patlıcan kebap (cubed or minced…
Göreme
Peking was the first Chinese restaurant to open in Göreme and many have followed in its wake. It's still the most reliably good one though. Flavour-packed…
Pamukkale
This central bar-restaurant with a vine-covered terrace and big TV (for football matches, generally) is the best spot in town for a beer, but it also…
Beyoğlu
One of only two Turkish restaurants to feature on San Pellegrino's 'World's Best Restaurants' list, Mikla is fronted by local celebrity chef Mehmet Gürs…
Princes’ Islands
This simple place has benches and chairs on a terrace overlooking the sea and İstanbul. Dishes are simple but good – the köfte (meatballs) and böreğı …
The Bosphorus Suburbs
Occupying the conservatory and garden terrace of art nouveau villa Hıdiv Kasrı, this cafe is an excellent choice on a sunny day. A toasted sandwich and/or…
Istanbul
A barnlike place near the iskele, Kanaat has been serving up competent hazar yemek (ready-made food) since 1933. It is known for its wide range of…
Beyoğlu
Once a no-frills lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food), Güney has been spruced up and morphed into a bistro in recent years but has retained its loyal…
Istanbul
Unsigned and unassuming, this famous köftecisi first opened in 1947. It is known for its köfte (meatballs) and its işkembe çorbaşı (tripe soup). Look for…
Beyoğlu
Armenian specialities such as topik (a cold meze made with chickpeas, pistachios, onion, flour, currants, cumin and salt) make an appearance on the menu…
Northeastern Anatolia
Barbecued on an open fire, the cağ kebap (mutton grilled on a horizontal spit) is on a par with any in town, but it's the riverside terrace at the back…
Beyoğlu
A hipster vibe, mellow jazz soundtrack and vaguely Italian-style pizzas are the drawcards at this neighbourhood favourite. We're fans of the ambience and…
