Restaurants in Turkey
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A
Amazon
With its classical music and stools around a bar, the brand-new Amazon looks more wine-bar than restaurant, but the İzmiri chef has a great reputation and serves good international dishes using fresh local ingredients. The set lunch is great value. The paintings hung on the walls are by young local artists and are for sale. Outside there are a few tables with distant views of the Artemis temple.
reviewed
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B
Hasankeyf Saklıkent Aile Kebap Lahmacun & Pide Salonu
Serious travelling or hiking requires serious nourishment and this buzzing eatery east of the main drag gets the thumbs up for its invigorating fare - the Saklıkent kebap, with a bit of everything, will assuage all hunger pangs. The décor is a bit kitsch (a mock cavern and walls adorned with cheesy frescoes) but after so many neon-lit establishments you may find it almost stylish.
reviewed
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C
Yağhane
Housed in an old olive mill built in 1894, this is an attractive and atmospheric place, with the walls hung with the works of local artists. The menu, which specialises in old Ottoman and Mediterranean dishes, is select and imaginative. Try the delicious regional speciality et çökertme - sliced beef with garlic yogurt, grated potatoes and butter. The wine list is also impressive.
reviewed
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D
Konak Konya Mutfağı
This excellent traditional restaurant is run by well-known food writer Nevin Halıcı, who puts her personal twist on Turkish classics. Grab an outside table to rub shoulders with vine-draped pillars and a fragrant rose garden. Aubergine affectionados shouldn't miss the sebzeli közleme (a grill of smoked aubergine and lamb) and sweet-tooths should definitely save room to try the unusual desserts.
reviewed
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E
Saf' Organic Bistro
Supremely stylish Saf's menu is creative and delicious in equal parts, with dishes such as mushroom ravioli with marinated beetroot, wild mushrooms, porcini cream and a balsamic fig compote featuring. There are five- and three-course tasting menus that match each course with a glass of organic wine, as well as a fabulous array of cocktails. All ingredients are organic and vegans are catered for.
reviewed
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F
Vogue
It seems as if Vogue has been around for almost as long as the Republic. In fact, this sophisticated bar-restaurant in an office block in Beşiktas opened just over a decade ago. It's a favourite haunt of the Nişantaşı powerbroker set, who love nothing more than enjoying a drink at the terrace bar before moving into the restaurant for dinner.
reviewed
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Asırlık Kanlıca Yoğurdu
Past the bridge, still on the Asian side, is the charming village of Kanlıca, famous for its rich and delicious yoghurt. You'll be offered some on the ferry and can sample it in the Asırlık Kanlıca Yoğurdu, a café on the shady waterfront village square. The small Gâzi İskender Paşa Camii in the square dates from 1560 and was designed by Sinan.
reviewed
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Gel-Gör Cağ Kebabı
This charismatic Erzurum favourite specialises in cağ kebap (mutton grilled on a horizontal spit) served with small plates of salad, onions and yoghurt. Eat the tender chunks with a fork, or do as the locals do and chomp from the skewer.
reviewed
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Lokal
This place is popular with locals, who monopolise its tables for long breakfasts and lingering coffees. In warmer weather, the front of the space opens to Tünel Sq and provides great people-watching opportunities; when it’s cooler, the velvet-upholstered armchairs are the perfect place to curl up with a coffee and a newspaper. On Friday and Saturday night it functions as a club.
reviewed
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Namlı
As well as being one of the best delicatessens in the city, Namlı stocks hard-to-find Asian ingredients, imported tea and other treats. Take away your choice from the impressive salad and meze selection, or grab one of the tables at the front and eat in. There's another branch on Harıcılar Caddesi next to the Spice Market in Eminönü.
reviewed
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J
Simorg Café
With its Orientalist interior (complete with carpets, old maps and portraits of sultans and their harems), this café makes a great place to recline and rest after a run around the bazaar. The 'coffee made in cup' is a speciality of the area as is the mantı (Turkish ravioli). There's live Turkish music on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 19:00 to 21:30.
reviewed
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Ece Aksoy
The cool jazz on the soundtrack suits the warm-toned casual interior of this modern meyhane in trendy Tepebaşı. The lady chef/host here is a true believer in the superiority of local and organic produce, and uses this to make her flavoursome dishes. This is food like Turkish mothers make – it pleases both the heart and the belly. Don’t miss the mezes – they’re sensational.
reviewed
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Caretta Caretta
Also designed by Nail Çakırhan, this place does delicious Turkish dishes (such as bonfile ve tavuk cığerli börek - beef fillet with chicken livers baked in puff pastry) at pleasing prices. With a number of tables on the riverbank and the wooden platform above the water, you have a fair chance of bagging one. It's a great place also for a beer.
reviewed
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Tamara Ocakbaşı
A meal here is dizzying, especially for carnivores. In the Hotel Tamara, the dining room eatery features 40 ocak – each table has its own grill. Mood lighting adds a touch of atmosphere in the evening. High-quality meat and fish dishes feature prominently, but the list of meze is equally impressive.
reviewed
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N
Niyazibey
Niyazibey specialises in perde pilavı, a dish that it describes as hen and rooster meat (symbolising the bride and groom) cooked with rice (for blessing) and almonds (for children) and encased in pastry sheets (symbolising the home). It also serves pides and kebaps. There’s another branch in Kadıköy – neither sell alcohol.
reviewed
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O
Tarlakusu Gurmeko
This artsy coffee house is very urbane for Ayvalik (the owners hail from İzmir) and the brew is top notch. Lounge on soft armchairs, browse the painting exhibits or purchase from the larder. Nibbles include cookies, brownies, soup, salads, cheese plates and börek (TL4.50).
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Brasserie La Brise
Hidden in a narrow street near the Pera Palace Hotel, La Brise leaves no Parisienne cliché unexplored, with Piaf on the sound system, mellow lighting in the dining room and a soupçon of attitude on the part of the waiters. The perfectly cooked fillet steak with Béarnaise or pepper sauce comes with wonderfully thick but crisp pommes frites.
reviewed
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Q
Zenger Paşa Konağı
Crammed with Ottoman ephemera, the Zenger Paşa at first looks like a deserted ethnographic museum, but climb up the rickety stairs and you'll find views of the city that are worth a visit alone. Wealthy Ankaralıs love the pide (Turkish-style pizza), meze and grills, still cooked in the original Ottoman oven. We adore lazily grazing on their fine mezes while gazing over the sweep of cityscape below.
reviewed
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Moonlight Restaurant
The waterfront Moonlight, in business since 1983, offers an extensive Turkish wine list and professional but unfussy service. The mostly seafood offerings are well presented and very fresh. The biggest drawcard is the romantic back terrace, which is regularly filled with happy couples.
reviewed
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Sağlam Restaurant
This Bergama favourite has moved out of town to the Opet garage by the otogar. Despite the proximity of the petrol pumps, it has a pleasant dining environment and an unlimited buffet. Beer, meze, pide and kebabs are also offered.
reviewed
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8 Istanbul
Heavy on atmosphere but light on attitude, 8 Istanbul caters for all budgets and tastes. The menu is a veritable United Nations, featuring Thai soups, Indian samosas, Chinese spring rolls, Mexican guacamole, Vietnamese salads, Austrian schnitzels and Turkish kebaps. All are competently executed and attractively presented. A DJ spins mood-driven tracks later in the night.
reviewed
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U
Riverside Restaurant
Considered Dalyan's best fish restaurant, the Riverside also boasts a gorgeous and breezy terrace where you can dine under mulberry trees while admiring the Lycian tombs and listening to the quack of ducks. The owner, an ex-head chef who still does his own cooking, offers exquisite seafood and fish accompanied by his own special sauces. The stuffed fish is a speciality.
reviewed
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Tranca
Jutting out into the bay, the family-run Tranca probably boasts about the best views of anywhere. Its specialities are tuzda balik (fish baked in salt) and testi kebabı (casserole served in a clay pot that's broken at your table), both cost around €25 to around €30 with a minimum of two people. Reserve a seafront table if you can.
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Avşar Büfe
Famous throughout Turkey is Ayvalık tost (Ayvalık 'toast') and this is the place to get it. Traditionally they're filled with sucuk (Turkish sausage), cheese, tomato, ketchup and mayonaise, but you can opt just for one or two ingredients if you prefer! Though not exactly haute cuisine, they're delicious if you're hungry enough.
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7 Mehmet Restaurant
Antalya's most famous eatery is a couple of kilometres west of the centre, and its spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas occupy a hill overlooking Konyaaltı Plajı and the city. The menu of grilled mains, fish and meze is unsurprising but of very high quality. Ask for a peek in the enormous kitchen.
reviewed