The Bosphorus Suburbs
Big windows, warm brick accents, and colourful tiles make this cafe-bookstore a welcoming place to linger over a coffee and cake, a sandwich or salad, or…
Must-see restaurants in Turkey
Istanbul
One of the city's best-loved restaurants, this place near the Spice Bazaar is owned by Hamdi Arpacı, who started out as a street-food vendor in the 1960s…
Fethiye
This circle of fishmongers ringed by restaurants is Fethiye's most atmospheric eating experience: buy fresh fish (per kilo ₺18 to ₺55) or shellfish, take…
Istanbul
Those who enjoy investigating regional cuisines should head to this four-storey eatery in the Women's Bazaar near the Aqueduct of Valens. It specialises…
Göreme
Rafik and family have converted their family home on the edge of Güvercinlik Valley, surrounded by fairy chimneys, into one of the town's most scenic…
Kars
Bringing a rustic, country-kitchen vibe to a formerly bland shop space, Hanımeli specialises in home-style cooking influenced by the broader Caucasian…
Sakarya Caddesi Fish Restaurants
Bursa
In the former Jewish quarter, about a 10-minute walk from Ulu Cami, cobbled Sakarya Caddesi is a busy lane of fish restaurants. Crowds wander between the…
Cappadocia
Head down the stairs just before the Soğanlı ticket office to find this tranquil garden where Yılmaz Ablak and family dish up rustic meals under the apple…
Gaziantep
Gaziantep's smartest dining is within this caravanserai where suited waiters zip between the courtyard tables delivering trays laden with meze dishes of…
İnebolu
This unpretentious but highly recommended place fries up the day's catch from the family fishmonger's shop right across the lane. Meals are garnished with…
Istanbul
Indulge in some peerless people-watching while enjoying the kebaps and büryan (lamb slow-cooked in a pit oven) at this popular place in the Women's Bazaar…
Black Sea Coast
In a restored (well, rebuilt) traditionally styled house among several older buildings, Çınarbey is a favourite for barbecues and regional foods including…
Black Sea Coast
Above the lapping waves, dine on the catch of the day – typically small Black Sea fish like mezgit, lightly fried in corn 'breadcrumbs'. There's no…
Cappadocia
Contemporary Turkish dining in a gorgeous stone building. Smaller plates are the menu stars. Main courses are bland so avoid these to instead feast on…
Black Sea Coast
Pumping high-decebel music downstairs, but contrastingly sedate up top, Culina is the in spot for Giresun's upwardly mobile 20-somethings. Sip an espresso…
Kırım Tatar Kültür Çibörek Evi
Eskişehir
Çibörek (deep-fried turnovers filled with mincemeat) is the local version of the Crimean Tartar chebureki. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Crimean…
Göreme
This restaurant-bar is a relaxed and friendly evening hang-out. We love kicking back on the terrace's cushions, munching spring rolls and watching the…
Eskişehir
Most of Eskişehir's bar-restaurants churn out mediocre pizza, burgers and grilled meat plates by the bucket-load, but Dublin's versions of international…
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi Selim Usta
Sultanahmet
Not to be confused with the nearby Meşhur Sultanahmet Köftecisi, this no-frills place near the Sultanahmet tram stop is the most famous eatery in the Old…
Far Northeast
Dine with an amazing view at Atmosfer, a semicircle of glass fronted with two open terraces, all sharing a spectacular 180° panorama that encompasses the…
Gaziantep
As well as being renowned as Gaziantep's finest pastane (patisserie), Orkide serves up one of the city's most popular breakfasts (₺35) and is known for…
Bursa
With seating overlooking either the ravine or the street-front courtyard, Bursa's oldest cafe is still going strong and thrums with customers day and…
Southeastern Anatolia
This restaurant and campground is directly opposite the ferry departure point for Akdamar Island. The restaurant has a terrace with lake views and…
Antalya
Its street sign says 'Inönü Caddesi' and the canopy of umbrellas has given it the nickname 'Şemsiye Sokak' (Umbrella St). Locals, however, refer to this…
Bodrum Peninsula
Right on the beach promenade next to the small Yalı Mosque, this hugely popular place marked by breezy white-and-green decor lets you eat, drink and enjoy…
Cappadocia
Get a window table in the stone-cut dining room for views that stretch over to Göreme. For meze, order the spicier-than-usual acılı ezme (spicy tomato and…
Beyoğlu
Tables at this meyhane (tavern) are hot property on a Friday or Saturday night, when locals flock here to enjoy the tasty food and convivial atmosphere…
Cappadocia
The shady courtyard, with its comfy wicker seating, is a relaxed place to while away an afternoon, tucking into meze plates of spicy muhammara (dip of…
Central Anatolia
In a prime position for lunch on the route between Yazılıkaya and Hattuşa, this garden cafe dishes up gözleme (stuffed flatbreads), tost (toasted…
Bursa
Come here for lunch after exploring the Muradiye Complex across the road and dig into homemade Anatolian favourites of mantı (Turkish ravioli), mücver …
Şanlıurfa
Climb up the stairs of Şanlıurfa's cliff to reach this higgledy-piggledy restaurant overlooking Gölbaşı with a dining room carved into a rocky bluff and…
Kayseri
Rubbing up against the castle fortifications on one side and the domes of the 13th-century Sultan Hamamı on the other, this cafe with retractable roof is…
Amasya
Balık ekmek (fish sandwiches), köfte ekmek (meatball sandwiches) and gözleme (stuffed flatbreads) served up on a boat moored on the Yeşilırmak. Skip it…
Ankara
The see-and-be-seen crowd packs out the front terrace on sunny days, tucking into European-style mains of grilled steak with sage risotto and gorgonzola…
Kalkan
Affable Hüseyin and his family, who have been in the area for four centuries, have been running this scenically located seaside restaurant (4km south of…
Cappadocia
This grill restaurant is a long-time player on Avanos' kebap scene. There are cheaper lahmacun (Arabic-style pizza; ₺14) and pide (Turkish-style pizza;…
Black Sea Coast
If you are staying in Perşembe, just cross the footbridge from the town's hotel to find this unexpectedly professional restaurant. It's tucked behind a…
Beyoğlu
Cavit Saatcı's place is an old-style meyhane (tavern) that, like other old-timers on this street, has stood the test of time and retained a loyal local…
Far Northeast
Much the grandest restaurant on the lake, Kuzey Yıldızrı offers lake fish, seafood and various good meze dishes from a raised position the north shore,…
Van
Translating to 'Lunch' in Kurdish, this lokanta (eatery serving ready-made food) offers an ever-changing daily menu of homestyle Kurdish cooking. It's…
