Çeşme
Çeşme’s first restaurant, which opened back in 1953, is set in a bamboo-roofed atrium with a fountain and plants. It's popular with local shoppers and…
Must-see restaurants in Turkey
Bodrum Peninsula
This ocakbaşı (grill house) overlooks the central roundabout. It serves a mix of international and Turkish dishes, including dürüm kebaps, pide and…
Sultanahmet
The food here is relatively cheap, the glasses of wine are generous, and the Efes is cold – all can be accompanied by some people-watching at the pavement…
Kalkan
Always-buzzing Merkez makes superb pastries and cakes, including a gorgeous chocolate baklava and coconut-and-almond macaroons. More substantial fare…
Adıyaman
This restaurant, just around the corner from Adıyaman Museum, serves up solid Turkish kebap staples with good salad and meze sides.
Bodrum Peninsula
Elegant marina restaurant that draws a metropolitan Turkish and yachtie crowd for its mezes and seafood. However load your wallet accordingly for the…
Safranbolu
This place dishes up good soups and plenty of local dishes, but portions are on the small side compared to other restaurants in town and service can be a…
Side
The Emir almost leans on the ruins of the Roman baths where Cleopatra is said to have dallied. The open kitchen produces a large menu of mezes, grills,…
Western Anatolia
This smart kebapçı (kebap eatery) with bow-tied waiters serves all the standard kebaps plus a sucuk döner (spit-roasted spicy veal sausage) option.
Sultanahmet
A branch of a well-known local chain, this şekerlemeleri sells lokum (Turkish Delight), baklava, milk puddings and börek (filled pastry).
Göcek
With a lovely shady terrace and beachside seating, this local favourite serves a great selection of meze with some unusual options, including delicious…
İzmir & the North Aegean
Highly recommended by locals, this seafood restaurant enjoys a prominent position on the quay just opposite the sanctuary of Cybele. The mezes are…
Kaş
Family-run restaurant with well-priced pide, pizza, beer and pop music, 'Plane Trees' has a pleasant courtyard garden tucked away off the street. Try a…
Bodrum Peninsula
On the main beachfront boardwalk near Yalı Camii, Gebora is a straightforward old standby for fresh fish, a selection of more than 20 mezes and home-grown…
Southeastern Anatolia
Atop Tatvan's shopping complex, slap in the centre of town, this restaurant with expansive views of Lake Van has a menu of pides (Turkish-style pizzas)…
Black Sea Coast
Genial, English-speaking owner Erol ushers diners into Antep's split-level avocado-green dining rooms for kebaps and pide. It's a reliable, family…
Side
With a beachfront terrace perfect for a tranquil meal, head here for Turkish meat classics and regular seafood specials. Kick off with a few mezes and a…
İzmir & the North Aegean
This lokanta is a great lunch choice. Make your choice of meat, vegetable and rice dishes from the bain-marie (the friendly Mesut and Fatoş will help).
Kadıköy
To sample one of the market’s greatest treats, stop at this honey shop and ask for a serve of yoghurt with a generous swirl of honey from the comb on top.
Trabzon
The freshest lokma ('mouthfuls') of deep-fried pastry in syrup are piled up behind the window of this buzzing outlet on the main shopping street.
Selçuk
Long-running family-run eatery on Selçuk's 'restaurant row' serving good grills and seafood dishes on a street terrace. There are excellent mezes too.
Van
A typically Turkish selection of pide (Turkish-style pizza) and grilled meat mains. Food is well presented and of high quality, with service to match.
Dalyan
A garden restaurant popular locally for its pizza and pide (Turkish-style pizza), with all the classic toppings on offer. Oher dishes are not as good.
Kalkan
A good spot for a Turkish or Western breakfast, this charming little cafe/patisserie also dishes up sweet and savoury delectables, including baklava.
Istanbul
Stop at this neighbourhood bakery cafe for a quick lunch of meat or cheese börek (filled pastry), followed by a cake or Turkish dessert.
Bodrum Peninsula
Commanding pride of place at the start of the restaurant parade along Gümüşlük Yalısı, Siesta serves fish and meat dishes in ample portions.
İzmir & the North Aegean
One of the more dependable local restaurants on the main street, the ‘Ivy’ has a heavy rotation of ready-made stews, soups and rice dishes.
Western Anatolia
This snack bar alongside the stone walls of the Kuçuk Hamam serves gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) and börek (filled pastry).
Kuşadası
Close to the balık halı (fish market); they'll cook the fish of your choice well here. Also offers good chicken kebabs and salads.
İzmir
This Alsancak branch of the national chain serves tasty soups, pides, kebaps and lahmacun (Turkish-style ‘pizza’). No alcohol.
Ayvalık
Established in 1903, this bakery in the Macaron quarter of the Old Town has hardly changed over the century. Sells bread and sweet treats.
Cappadocia
This popular lunch pit stop for Soğanlı day tours rustles up a decent gözleme (stuffed flatbread) and simple casserole dishes.
Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas
Datça's oldest and most reliable seafood joint on the marina, Emek serves good grilled catches and köfte with views of Symi.
Fethiye
Fethiye's enormous market takes place on Tuesday along the canal between Atatürk Caddesi and Pürşabey Caddesi, next to the stadium.
Gaziantep Ulaşlıoğlu Baklavaları
Fethiye
Fethiye's best baklava can be accompanied by a tub of dondurma (ice cream), although, sadly, you must seek çay elsewhere.
Fethiye
This snack bar–style eatery on a quiet lane serves pide with all the classic toppings and lahmacun (Arabic-style pizza).
Turquoise Coast
Above the market, Kordon has an attractive, breezy terrace overlooking the harbour, and fresh fish – try the grilled sea bass.
Southeastern Anatolia
One of numerous restaurants lining Eski Halfeti's waterfront, Siyah Gül dishes up fresh fish meals and typical kebap plates.
Anatolia Valley Restaurant & Camping
Cappadocia
Efficient service and plenty of river-platform seating mean Anatolia is packed most summer lunchtimes. Campsites are ₺15.
İzmir
This institution is serious about the sweet stuff. Decadent delights include fruit-topped cheesecakes and creamy gateaux.
