Must-see restaurants in Turkey

  • Safranbolu Sofrası

    Safranbolu

    This little place's cheerful, friendly service sets it apart. Tuck into freshly made etli yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves with meat) or try the Black…

  • Veli Usta Balık Pişiricisi

    İzmir

    In İzmir, three ingredients make for the perfect meal: balık (fish), roca (rocket) and rakı (aniseed brandy). This friendly terrace restaurant on the…

  • Cem Sultan Bedesteni

    Central Anatolia

    It's all about the kebap at this large restaurant, which makes its home within the arched interior of Kastamonu's old bedesten (covered market), one block…

  • Münire Sultan Sofrası

    Central Anatolia

    Tucked inside the Münire Medresesi complex, we like this place for its local specialities such as banduma (chicken and filo pastry drenched in butter and…

  • Köşem

    Göreme

    This wee canteen is Göreme's new favourite for cheap tasty lunches of dönerli sandviç (döner kebap sandwich), dürüm sandviç (the same but wrapped in…

  • Hasan Tefik

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    Standing out from most other Bozcaada restaurants with its wider range of interesting mezes, Hasan Tefik is definitely worth seeking out. Menu highlights…

  • Hanımeli Kapadokya Restaurant

    Cappadocia

    Set on the Karagöz family's rooftop, this friendly place rustles up hearty home-cooking feasts. Local mezes are followed by your choice of wholesome mains…

  • Arma Restaurant

    Antalya

    Housed in a former oil depot on the rocks overlooking the harbour, this upmarket balık evi (fish restaurant) specialises in mezes and seafood from sea…

  • Boboz

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    A good value alternative to Bozcaada's more expensive cafes and restaurants, Boboz specialises in tasty gourmet sandwiches. Seafood, meat and vegetarian…

  • Şifa Lokantası

    Konya

    Old-timer on the Konya scene, Şifa has had a rather smart makeover. As well as tasty pide (Turkish-style pizza) and typical kebaps, check out the menu for…

  • Çamlık Restaurant

    Western Anatolia

    The licensed restaurant at the Çamlık Motel is a local favourite for grilled lake fish enjoyed with views of the water. When the weather's fine, enjoy a…

  • Keyif Cafe

    Göreme

    The menu here is big on kiremit (clay-dish baked) and sote (sauté) dishes as well as testi kebapı (meat and vegetable stew slow-cooked in a sealed…

  • Sinop Sofrası

    Black Sea Coast

    This place is hard to beat for really genuine Sinop-style home cooking (manti, dolmas, local breakfasts), though the hushed, whitewashed interior fails to…

  • Cafe Şafak

    Göreme

    Fatma and son Ali serve good-value Turkish favourites of gözleme (stuffed flatbreads), menemen (scrambled eggs with peppers, tomatoes and sometimes cheese…

  • Imren Nostalji Cafe & Lokumları

    Safranbolu

    We've eaten a lot of börek (filled pastries) in our time but the su böreği (lasagne-like layered pastry laced with white cheese and parsley) we had here…

  • Emırgan Sutış

    Sultanahmet

    This branch of the popular local chain is a great place to enjoy the Sutış signature dish – bal kamak (honey and clotted cream), which is wonderful…

  • Şen Lokantası

    Eastern Mediterranean

    Heading north on Atatürk Caddesi, turn right into 62002 Sokak and then left into 62001 Sokak to find this relaxed neighbourhood lokanta (restaurant…

  • Hanım Eli

    Cappadocia

    This modest diner serves wholesome local dishes packed full of fresh, local flavour. This is home-style cooking executed brilliantly and without any…

  • Minta Bahçe

    Ayvalık

    Tucked away in the middle of Ayvalık's Pazar Yeri, the shaded garden at this family-owned lokanta is a good place for seasonal meze and prepared dishes…

  • Burç Ocakbaşı

    Istanbul

    The usta (grill master) at this simple place presides over a charcoal grill where choice cuts of meats are cooked to perfection. You can claim a stool, or…

  • Poyraz

    Lake District

    Eat on the waterfront, where fishers pull in their nets, or in the less atmospheric interior across the road. Poyraz offers seafood dishes of trout, perch…

  • Bergama Sofrası

    İzmir & the North Aegean

    One of a number of lokantas (eateries serving ready-made food) that can be found on the town's main drag, this friendly place next to the hamam has indoor…

  • Fes Cafe

    Istanbul

    After a morning spent trading repartee with the touts in the Grand Bazaar, you'll be in need of a respite. And where better than this Western-style cafe…

  • Çagin Caǧ Kebap Lokanta

    Erzurum

    Erzurum has dozens of places for caǧ kebap, but Çagin is a definite cut above the pack. Female friendly, there's smart, hexagonal-themed decor, an English…

  • Fırın Express

    Göreme

    Simply the best pide (Turkish-style pizza) in town is found in this local haunt. The cavernous wood oven fires up meat and vegetarian options and anything…

  • Star Restaurant & Pension

    Cappadocia

    Right beside the river, this friendly, family-run place has a wonderful shady terrace and is just the spot for lunch and chilling out with a beer after a…

  • Badem Cafe Bistro

    Western Anatolia

    A popular hangout with Afyon's younger set, Badem rustles up a mixed menu of international and Turkish favourites, from burgers to gözleme (stuffed…

  • Kadıneli

    Cappadocia

    Lunch on gözleme (stuffed flatbreads), yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves) and other staple Turkish dishes, served up at this good-value restaurant run by…

  • Çakır Balık Evi

    Black Sea Coast

    The open-fronted fishmonger downstairs is a good indication of the fresh fare you'll eat at this 1st-floor seafood restaurant. Just point to what you want…

  • Asmalı Canım Ciğerim

    Beyoğlu

    The name means 'my soul, my liver', and this small place behind the Ali Hoca Türbesi specialises in grilled liver served with herbs, ezme (spicy tomato…

  • Falcon

    Datça & Bozburun Peninsulas

    For fair prices and hearty food, the Falcon is perfect: a stone oven pumps out delicious pide (₺13 to ₺20) or opt for sizzling lamb and chicken dishes…

  • Deraliye

    Sultanahmet

    Offering a taste of the sumptuous dishes once served in the great Ottoman palaces, Deraliye offers diners the chance to order delights such as the goose…

  • Leyli Muse

    Mardin

    This friendly place packs in the atmosphere with a collection of old radios and gramophones inside and a friendly tail-wagging welcome from the restaurant…

  • Uğra Lokantası

    Southeastern Anatolia

    During the afternoon this basic canteen bustles with locals tucking into hearty lunches chosen from the six to eight options displayed in the bain-marie…

  • Matbah

    Sultanahmet

    One of a growing number of İstanbul restaurants specialising in so-called Ottoman palace cuisine, Matbah offers dishes that were devised centuries ago in…

  • Çınar Balık

    Western Anatolia

    Meze and fresh grilled fish on the seafront are the name of the game at this simple blue-and-white place owned by a super-friendly couple. Have the levrek…

  • Sefa Restaurant

    Sultanahmet

    Located between Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar, this clean and popular place offers hazır yemek (ready-made dishes) at reasonable prices. You can order…

  • Liman Balık Restaurant

    Thrace & Marmara

    Next to the water ('liman' means 'harbour'), this laid-back place is particularly pleasant on summer nights, when seats on the outdoor terrace are highly…

  • Han Çirağan Restaurant

    Ürgüp

    The menu here is a meander through Turkish favourites with a modern twist from tandır (clay oven) cooked lamb to the destroy-your-waistline-but-worth-it…

  • Plevne Restaurant

    Central Anatolia

    We've eaten a lot of pide (Turkish-style pizza) in our time and we'll stick our neck out to say Plevne dishes up some of the best in Turkey. Order the…

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