Restaurants in Turkey
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A
Çardaklı Köşk
This old house has been so restored it feels almost new. Food is only so-so – the real wow is the regular live music and the view over Gölbaşı from the upstairs terrace.
reviewed
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B
Kadıoğlu Şehzade Sofrası
It's all traditional Ottoman-style seating at this converted mansion restaurant. The huge, steaming hot pide, çorba, grills and zerde (saffron dessert) are all recommended. The rooms are tacky but pretty large and service is swift.
reviewed
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C
Dört Mevsim Et Lokantası
Famous as far afield as Ankara and İstanbul, this award-winning lokanta serves excellent food at reasonable prices. From the open ocakbaşı (grill), try the delicious chargrilled-melted cheese, stuffed aubergine kebab or köfte with chilli (the house specialities).
reviewed
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Büyükada Kültür Evi
Occupying a villa dating from 1878, this garden cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in its terraced garden. Service can be desultory and the food's not up to much, but it's an undeniably pretty setting and a great spot for a morning glass of tea or a late-afternoon beer.
reviewed
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Tarihi Karaköy Grifin
The original Tarihi Karaköy restaurant is only open for lunch, but the same owners have opened an evening venue, the Tarihi Karaköy Grifin, which has great views over the Golden Horn. It must be said, though, that this part of town is badly lit and can be a little bit scary at night.
reviewed
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Havuzlu Köşk Et Lokantası
For an enchanted evening, direct your designated driver straight to this attractive licensed restaurant, where you can dine at tables set around an upstairs pool or in a pleasant garden. The menu runs the gamut of Turkish standards: kebaps, köfte (meatballs), salads etc.
reviewed
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Körfez Restaurant
Famous for its sea bass baked in salt, Körfez is the perfect place for a special meal in İstanbul. To make it even more special, organise for the restaurant's own motor launch to pick you up from Rumeli Hisarı across the strait and drop you back after your meal. Book ahead.
reviewed
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D
Deniz Restaurant
This old favourite on the kordon trades a little on its reputation – and it's far from good value – but the mezes like octopus in oregano and baked sardines are worth the snobby service. The house speciality is tuzda balık (fish baked in a block of salt that's broken at your table; suitable for three or four people).
reviewed
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E
Belgin's Kitchen
A 150-year-old former olive oil–pressing workshop, Belgin's serves traditional Turkish food at very palatable prices. The speciality is mantı (TL16) and çiğ börek (börek stuffed with spicy ground beef and fried). Despite the preponderance of faux Ottoman artefacts, the roof terrace is very pleasant.
reviewed
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F
Hatipoğlu Pastaneleri
With a great selection of traditional Turkish puds, pastries and cakes, this friendly patisserie makes a terrific breakfast or tea stop. Try the Ayvalık speciality, lok (sponge oozing honey; TL3) and go on, add a scoop of dondurma (ice cream).
reviewed
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G
Fasıl Ocakbaşı
This place is housed in an unsightly concrete building, at a major intersection. Never mind, the interior is much more elegant, with parquet floors, dark wood furniture, earthy tones and large windows. The menu covers enough territory to please most palates but results can be patchy.
reviewed
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H
Old House Restaurant & Bar
With tables set in little courtyard amid grapefruit and pomegranate trees, and decorated with lanterns, bird cages and wicker chairs, this is a pretty, cool and intimate place that does tasty Turkish dishes. Try the appetising speciality 'Old House Kebap' served sizzling on a platter
reviewed
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I
Komşu
Powerbrokers, professionals and cashed-up local residents fill the indoor dining space and pleasant terrace of this well-regarded kebap restaurant on most nights of the week. The meat is top quality – try the meltingly tender küşleme kebap, which is made with lamb fillet.
reviewed
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J
Gaziantep Sofrası Restaurant
For something a little more adventurous than the standard grills and seafood, this is one of central Alanya's best options. Traditional food from Gaziantep is on offer; try the patlican kebap (fried eggplants) or the beyti sarma (spicy meatballs and flat bread).
reviewed
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K
Sütiş
The Bosphorus branch of this popular chain has an expansive and extremely comfortable terrace overlooking the water. It's known for serving all-day breakfasts and milk-based puddings – we recommend the simit with honey and kaymak (clotted cream). Watching the valet parking ritual on weekends is hilarious.
reviewed
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L
Veli Usta Balık Pişiricisi
This relaxed, quality seafood restaurant outstrips the strip thanks to the maroon-sweater-clad staff, and dishes like fresh, good value dil şiş (grilled sole). The crowd is abundant and friendly.
reviewed
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M
İmren Lokumları
Overlooking the main square in Çarşı, this flagship sweet shop has a sprawling 1st-floor café complete with fountain and mannequins showing off Ottoman-style costumes. Try the safranlı zerde, a gelatinous dessert flavoured with saffron.
reviewed
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N
Şanso-Panso Restaurant
This low-key eatery on the main square is a great spot to have a beer and people-watch. Given Avanos' pottery trade, it's hardly surprising that the speciality is güveç (beef stew with potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, paprika and cumin, baked in a clay pot).
reviewed
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O
Köfte Neşe
At the other end of the bazaar, this place claims İzmir's 'best-köfte-in-town' crown. Try also the piyas (white beans and onion in olive oil and lemon juice) - an Aegean speciality. Later, have a coffee at one of the pretty cafés nearby.
reviewed
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P
Helvetia Lokanta
This tiny lokanta is popular with locals (particularly of the vegetarian and vegan variety), who pop in here for inexpensive soups, salads and stews that are cooked fresh each day. No alcohol, and cash only.
reviewed
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Q
Berk Balık Restaurant
A lively seafood spot, Berk Balık is refreshingly untouristy, which has kept prices down. Young locals liven up the bright upstairs terrace. An imposter shop with a similar name has opened nearby, so look for the orginal.
reviewed
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R
Antep Ocakbaşı
This eatery is up some stairs in an unremarkable block. The stomach-groaning menu features all the usual suspects, including mezes, pide, grills and kebaps. The crowd ranges from chattering families to giggling students and crusty old men, giving the place a nice buzz.
reviewed
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Papalina Restaurant
For a table on the seafront without paying a premium, head for the cheerful and popular Papalina on Alibey Island, with its chequered tablecloths and lovely position right next to the fishing boats. Try the papalina balik, a fish speciality of Ayvalık.
reviewed
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S
Doyum
Ample breakfasts (TL7) and a good salad selection complement the tasty kebaps here.
reviewed
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T
Boyacızâde Konağı
Entered via a cluttered courtyard, this wonderfully converted mansion-restaurant offers great views, typical Ottoman-stalgic decor and good fish dishes. Fasıl (Turkish classical) music provides the entertainment.
reviewed