Eastern Mediterranean
Our favourite new place to eat in Adana is this stylish bistro just north of Atatürk Parkı in the well-heeled Kurtuluș district. In addition to the…
Must-see restaurants in Turkey
Eastern Mediterranean
The kind of fish restaurant you hope for when visiting the Med, the 'Mermaid' does superfresh fish, simply and with real generosity of spirit. Housed in a…
İzmir & the North Aegean
We love everything about this extremely chic eatery behind Taş Kahve at the liman (harbour). Owned by the Kürsat olive-oil mill, it offers a delicious…
Beyoğlu
Banu Tiryakioğlu's laid-back foodie oasis in the heart of Çukurcuma has one of the most devoted customer bases in the city. Tables are on the leafy…
Antalya
For authentic local food at cheap prices, Can Can (jan jan) certainly has lots of can (soul) with street tables and locals buying güveç (stews) well into…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Bosphorus Suburbs
Named after a species of freshwater whitefish, this large and often boisterous restaurant has been serving excellent seafood to locals since the 1960s and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Kaş
Tucked away from the centre, this terrific vegetarian/vegan restaurant serves up fine international (Indian curries, falafel, pad thai, vegan desserts)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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,…
