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This very popular bakery in hip Alsancak serves up probably the broadest selection you’ll find of boyoz, a round flaky pastry with Sephardic roots that’s these days almost unique to İzmir. Get yours savory or sweet, or perhaps with a hard-boiled egg on the side in traditional style. Go early for the best selection.
Kıbrıs Şehitleri Cad. 120, Izmir, Izmir, 35220, Turkey
Known For
- Sweet boyoz filled with tahini
- Savory boyoz filled with mixed Aegean herbs
- Savory boyoz filled with eggplant
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This charming outdoor café and restaurant is just a five-minute walk from the Priene ruins and features a shaded, leafy atmosphere with gazebos and picnic tables. The menu consists of classic Turkish staples and the speciality is gözleme: savory crepes stuffed with either potato, spinach, or cheese.
Kahramanlar Caddesi, Güllübahçe, Aydin, Turkey
Known For
- Charming outdoor setting
- Gözleme (savory crepes)
- Grilled meatballs and kebabs
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Hearty traditional Turkish soups, stews, and meat and vegetable dishes are arrayed buffet-style at this cheery lokanta, which is always bustling at lunchtime. At the top of Alaçatı village near the minibus stop, it offers a reasonably priced and reliable alternative to the increasingly expensive fare found farther into town.
Uğur Mumcu Cad. 22, Alaçati, Izmir, Turkey
Known For
- Meatballs with pureed potato
- Mücver (zucchini fritters) with homemade yogurt
- Lamb and golden thistle stew
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Not far from the clock tower at the entrance of Kemeraltı, this small local favorite has served traditional İskender kebabı (and only İskender kebabı) from the city of Bursa since 1981. The spit-roasted meat is sliced thin and topped with melted butter and tomato sauce. A glass of homemade ayran (salted yogurt drink) is the traditional accompaniment to the meal. Alcohol is not served. Come for lunch or a very early dinner, as they're only open until the meat runs out, usually around 6:30 pm.
Milli Kütüphane Cad. 6/B, Izmir, Izmir, 35250, Turkey
Known For
- Ayran (a salted yogurt drink) to accompany the kebabs
- No alcohol
- Closes early (by 6:30 or sometimes sooner)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner
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Stopping here for pide (Turkish-style pizza or calzones, piled with a variety of ingredients that can include cheese, spinach, meat, or egg) is a highlight of a trip to Ilıca and a great choice for a quick lunch, or even breakfast, though on the pricey side compared to similar fare elsewhere. The menu also includes kebabs, soup, pizza, and traditional Turkish desserts.
5152 Sok. 27, Ilica, Izmir, 35930, Turkey
Known For
- Kıymalı (mincemeat) pide
- Good breakfast stop
- Open 24 hours in peak season
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Simple, hearty dishes are what’s on offer at this casual restaurant in the middle of Turgutreis’s bazaar. Choose from traditional Turkish favorites or get an omelet at any time of the day.
Plaj 2 Sok. 15, Turgutreis, Mugla, 48960, Turkey
Known For
- Mantı (Turkish-style ravioli in garlicky yogurt sauce)
- çiğ börek (deep-fried savory pastry)
- Gözleme (Turkish-style savory crepes)
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The specialty of the house at this simple eatery on the boardwalk in Türkbükü is large, rather greasy portions of çiğ böreği, a Crimean dish brought to Turkey that consists of flat, fried pastry stuffed with ground beef, onion, and spices. One of the few unpretentious (and relatively inexpensive) places left on the Türkbükü shoreline, this place has a beach-hut vibe, its own little patch of sand, and a family clientele.
Liman Cad. 77, Göltürkbükü, Mugla, 48400, Turkey
Known For
- Baked or fried mantı (tiny Turkish "ravioli," stuffed with minced meat)
- Gözleme (Turkish savory crepes with various fillings)
- Turkish breakfast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr., Credit cards accepted
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Köfte (Turkish-style meatballs) are the mainstay of this popular, no-frills eatery, and you can enjoy them as a sandwich or with a side of piyaz (navy bean salad, with or without onions), homemade bread, and ayran (salted yogurt drink). The only other dish on the menu is çöp şiş, small pieces of skewered grilled lamb. No alcohol served.
Merkez Çarşı İçi, Yalikavak, Mugla, 48400, Turkey
Known For
- Good köfte
- Simple menu
- Casual vibe
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Turkish grilled meatballs and home-style cuisine, served at just a few tables in a no-frills setting, have been a hit for more than half a century. Accompany any dish you order with homemade plain yogurt. Alcohol is not served.
Yeni Çarşı 2. Sok. 11, Bodrum, Mugla, 48400, Turkey
Known For
- Busy lunch crowd
- Delicious meatballs
- Stewed okra
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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Ilıca is known for kumru—Turkish-style panini prepared with special sesame-seed rolls and stuffed with salami, sucuk (beef spicy sausage), cheese, tomatoes, and pickles—and this place serves the best in town. Pair your sandwich with a glass of ayran, a refreshing yogurt drink. There are multiple locations in Ilıca and branches of this popular local chain in Alaçatı and Çeşme as well. It's open 24 hours.
5066 Sok. 2, Ilica, Izmir, 25700, Turkey
232-723–2392-Ilıca waterfront branch
Known For
- They also do a good Turkish breakfast
- There are multiple locations
- The place for kumru
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Since 1945, the Rumeli bakery has been the place in Çeşme for treats like sakızlı dondurma (thick, chewy Turkish-style mastic ice cream) in flavors such as karadut (black mulberry) and tarçın (cinnamon), as well as jams, sweet mastic paste, and other traditional goodies. It's on the main shopping street, not far from Ayios Haralambos church.
İnkilap Cad. 46/A, Çesme, Izmir, 35930, Turkey
Known For
- Sakızlı muhallebi (mastic-flavored pudding)
- Balbadem (honey and almond) ice cream
- Mastic cookies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch or dinner
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Simple but delicious home-cooked dishes are served on a secluded patio at this friendly little restaurant just off Şirince's bustling main street. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and a cozy dining room with a fireplace for winter meals.
4 Sok. 2, Sirince, Izmir, Turkey
Known For
- Mantı (Turkish "ravioli" with garlicky yogurt)
- Kiremitte köfte (meatballs baked in tomato sauce)
- Assorted börek (savory pastries)
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Blissfully lacking the touts trying to lure tourists into the restaurants around Cengiz Topel Caddesi, this tiny, friendly pide shop is conveniently located near the Selçuk Museum. In addition to the crisp, tasty pide offerings, there is also a selection of güveç (casserole) dishes on the menu.
Uğur Mumcu Sevgi Yolu 12/A, Selçuk, Izmir, Turkey
Known For
- Vegetarian-friendly pide toppings such as spinach and mushrooms
- Lahmacun (flatbread with spicy minced meat topping)
- Tahini-topped pide for dessert
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Attached to a pansiyon of the same name near the entrance to town, this casual restaurant offers an assortment of grilled meats and home-cooked dishes as well as meze and gözleme (Turkish-style crepes). Meals are served in a pleasantly tree-shaded, plant-filled courtyard decorated with hanging lamps, some made out of dried gourds.
Şirince Köyü İç Yölü, Sirince, Izmir, 35920, Turkey
Known For
- Saç kavurma (finely chopped meat and vegetables sautéed on an iron plate)
- Kuru fasulye (white bean stew)
- Köy kahvaltısı (village breakfast)
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This popular bakery on Bodrum's main pedestrian shopping street is know for classic puddings, cheesecakes, pastries, and luxurious fruit-and-cream parfaits. There's also an outlet on Neyzen Tevfik Caddesi across from the marina.
Cumhuriyet Cad. 13, Bodrum, Mugla, 48400, Turkey
Known For
- Fig pudding
- Turkish breakfast
- Savory pastries are a good to-go lunch
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This no-frills spot is a good place to grab a quick bite en route to the travertines and it attracts more of a Turkish clientele than at most Pamukkale eateries. Wind chimes, strands of dried peppers, and a couple of chatty pet birds liven up the simple patio seating.
Atatürk Cad., Pamukkale, Denizli, 20280, Turkey
Known For
- Assorted pide (Turkish flatbread)
- Pirzola (lamb chops)
- Grilled chicken
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On a hot, hectic day in the Kemeraltı bazaar, you’ll be happy to stumble on this little şerbet stall that’s been selling ice-cold and very delicious fruit juices and nectars since 1971. They sell jars of their own fruit jams, too.
Kestelli Cad. 2, Konak, Izmir, 35220, Turkey
Known For
- Black mulberry juice
- Blueberry juice
- Red currant juice
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On a small side street in Kuşadası's main bazaar area, "My Nest/Home" truly lives up to its name, offering the kind of food you'd find in a Turkish home. It's open only at lunch, and items can sell out quickly, so get there early to enjoy daily specials such as meatballs in sour sauce, baked chicken with rice, or bamya (okra) in a tomato-olive oil sauce. Alcohol is not served.
7 Eylül Sok. 4/A, Kusadasi, Aydin, 09435, Turkey
Known For
- Soups and stews
- Vegetarian dishes
- Lunch-only
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner