Top 11 Restaurants in Turkey for Traditional Cuisine
Food Travel

Top 11 Restaurants in Turkey for Traditional Cuisine

The best restaurants in Turkey are in Istanbul, the country’s capital and largest city. Food lovers flock to the town from worldwide, particularly for its culinary delights.

So you can be sure you will find something to please your palate. That too, no matter what type of cuisine you are looking for. It also uses an abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices to create an unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are some great Istanbul restaurants to help you hunt for delicious local cuisine. Also, you’ll find unique dining experiences. No matter if you’re going out or with your family and friends!

Restaurants in Turkey

Whether you’re viewing from out of town or simply looking to try something new at home, these 11 top restaurant in Turkey offers some of the best cuisines around the globe. You’ll be hard-pressed to search for better value and quality elsewhere!

1. Neolokal, Istanbul

The best restaurants Turkey are often small, family-run businesses that have been around for decades. They don’t try to do very much; instead, they’re focused on a small number of dishes and making them well.

Case in point: Neolokal, which serves some of the favorite kebabs in Istanbul. Unlike many restaurants here, Neolokal is a no-frills restaurant with no gimmicks or quirks (that YOU can think of).

And while there are plenty of Istanbul restaurants all over town serving good kebabs, there’s something about Neolokal’s chicken-and-lamb kebab that hits it out of the park for me.

The meat is perfectly seasoned and grilled, but its uniqueness is tender and juicy. It almost melts in your mouth. You’ll also get a plate of freshly cooked vegetables on the side—usually green peppers, onions, tomatoes, eggplant—and rice pilaf.

This place may not be glamorous or super modern like other restaurants Turkey around town—it looks like a typical kebab joint—but you will find myself coming back again and again because their food tastes so good. Neolokal remains one of the top picks for the best Istanbul restaurants.

restaurants in Turkey

2. Maçakızı, Bodrum

Known for its fresh Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Maçakızı is a local favorite that attracts large crowds.

Don’t let its location or charming exterior fool you; once you try their delectable börek (Turkish pastry), it won’t be long before you return. In addition to fantastic food, Maçakızı is also known for giving back to its community.

A trip to Turkey isn’t complete without visiting this restaurant, one of Turkey’s most iconic restaurants. This award-winning restaurant serves an authentic Turkish dining experience emphasizing local ingredients and dishes. The best part of restaurants in Turkey is that their tasting menu allows you to sample several different items to experience their delicious offerings!

3. Orfoz Restaurant, Bodrum

If you’re going to spend some time on that peninsula, you might as well spend it with a view. That’s what happened when you ate at Orfoz restaurant in Turkey, perched on a cliff with views of sparkling water below and tiny houses overlooking it.

You’ll be making a trip from Bodrum, but there are plenty of resorts nearby (if you can swing staying there). Dinner for two will run about $120.

If you want to save money, eat lunch there; it’s just as good and half as expensive. The food is traditional Turkish fare, heavy on lamb, fish, and chicken.

There is no menu—the waiters know what everyone wants to eat, so they bring out whatever they have ready. Everything is delicious.

The service is excellent—your waiter knows his wine list by heart and will pair your meal perfectly with one of their many wines.

It’s not a simple place to get into if you don’t have reservations, but it’s worth every penny if you do get a table.

After dinner, enjoy a stroll along the promenade next door before heading back to your hotel. Check out some of these other romantic destinations for those traveling without children.

4. Metanet Lokantası, Gaziantep

Meta net is my favorite in a city known for its amazing kabobs. The food there is delicious and also looks stunning. Metanet has an elegant setting and incredible service that you can’t get enough of it. It’s one of the top and best restaurants in Turkey. Also, check out their chocolate cake! Heaven!

You like it very much that you want to take it home with you. But, unfortunately, you have to eat it there, or else you won’t be able to enjoy its heavenly taste.

You should try it if you’re ever in Gaziantep. The restaurants in Turkey serve traditional Turkish cuisine, including; pilaus (rice dishes), kebabs (meat cooked on a skewer), vegetable dishes, and desserts such as baklava.

The restaurant opened in 1972 after founder Mehmet Şahin had returned from working at his uncle’s restaurant abroad. He used his experience abroad as inspiration for his menu.

Which was high but straightforward quality: he wanted to make sure every dish was homemade using fresh ingredients every day, so he decided not to use any deep fryers or other equipment to lower standards.

kebabs

5. Mikla, Istanbul

Ranked as the best restaurant in turkey, Mikla takes luxury dining to another level. Set on a rooftop overlooking Istanbul’s historic peninsula, Mikla features floor-to-ceiling windows, white linens, and impeccable service.

With an international menu that brings together Italian, Japanese and Turkish flavors, diners will have an unforgettable experience at Mikla. The prix fixe menu includes six courses, and wine pairings are available.

For those who don’t want to commit to a whole meal but still want a taste of what’s on offer, reservations can be made for their lounge area or bar seating. While it may not be cheap, you get what you pay for at Mikla. No wonder it was voted the best restaurant in turkey!

Being featured on the Best restaurants in Turkey list is excellent publicity and a good way to encourage customers to try your place out. It would attract potential customers and increase revenue with the increased customer base.

6. Platoda Mola, Rize

Mola has been reviewed by nine people on Yelp so far, with two positive reviews. It also has a 4-star rating with 152 reviews on TripAdvisor out of 162 reviews.

In addition to having a friendly atmosphere, they also have excellent service. You can’t wait to go back! Restaurants in Turkey are located in Rize, about 15 km away from Trabzon.

It’s beneficial to take a bus or dolmus (shared taxi) to get there. According to Google Maps, you should allow 1 hour and 30 minutes for your journey if you’re going there by car.

Then you’ll need to drive along with Highway D4005 until you reach the city center alternatively if you don’t desire to waste time driving around aimlessly.

You are looking for parking spaces near Kızılay Square when your stomach starts grumbling for some tasty Turkish cuisine (which will inevitably happen). Then why not check out Anemon Hotel’s prices online beforehand?

7. Elia, Cappadocia

One of the most visited locations in Turkey is Fine dining. This restaurant serves traditional Anatolian dishes, international favorites, and fantastic local wines. Located in Cappadocia, it offers an authentic, immersive experience in an underground cave setting. A meal here is a bit pricier than others on its list, but you won’t be disappointed by its ambiance or fine cuisine.

If you can only eat at one restaurant while visiting Turkey, make it Elai. There are many things to see and do when visiting it, from seeing ancient ruins to touring some of Turkey’s best museums. But if you have just a day or two to spend here, don’t miss coming to this restaurant.

8. Kebapçı Halil Usta, Gaziantep

In a city known for its kebabs, Kebapçı Halil Usta stands out as one of Gaziantep’s top restaurants. Located right off Atatürk Park, it’s a prime choice for those who want to sit outdoors and people-watch while enjoying their meal.

The restaurant serves classic skewered meats with rice, flatbread, and salad. The chicken basted in pomegranate sauce is trendy among locals and tourists. Try some of their seasonal specialties—Users recommend sipping on a cold glass of salep (made from an orchid root) while trying out one of their wild boar kebabs! And don’t forget to end your meal with one of their famous desserts. Their yogurt and walnut pudding topped with cream is both simple yet filling.

The restaurants in Turkey also have an outdoor garden area to enjoy live music at night and belly dancers during lunchtime. If you happen to be viewing during Ramadan, you can even watch them make halva (Turkish Delight) by hand every evening after sunset. It may not be located directly in Old City, but it’s worth visiting if you have time before or after exploring other parts of Gaziantep!

9. Seki Restaurant, Cappadocia

The restaurant was featured in Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. That only should be enough to encourage you to visit it. In addition, though, Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most beautiful regions—perfect for day trips from Istanbul. On top of that, though, there are more reasons to stop by Seki Restaurant.

It has all sorts of unique treats like hazelnut liqueur-based ice cream and other desserts crafted with things like lamb truffle oil and raisins. The restaurant is in Göreme, a nearby village outside of Nevşehir’s city center. It’s located very close to Cave City as well!

10. Ferdi Baba Restaurant, Alaçatı

Located in Istanbul, Fatih Tutak is one of Turkey’s oldest restaurants. It’s been open since 1860 and has been operating under its current name since 1873.

It was initially established as a coffeehouse but has transitioned into an Ottoman restaurant that serves traditional Ottoman cuisine.

However, restaurants in Turkey Creek TN, also continue to serve their original coffee drink, Madhya is Yazid. Also, it’s not a surprise if you have to pay a premium for a meal here (and be sure to order off of their expansive wine list); they use quality ingredients and authentic recipes that have stood up over time—and you’ll get some incredible views while you eat.

Ferdi Baba Restaurant is worth visiting if you want to try something unique and historic. You can find them at Hocapaşahır Sokak No: 6/A, Fatih, 34122 İstanbul. They’re open daily from 8:30 am-11 pm.

11. Turk Fatih Tutak, Istanbul

Tutak is a restaurant that blends eastern and western cuisine to create delicious traditional dishes. At Tutak, you’ll experience fine dining without paying top dollar.

In Istanbul, Tutak has gained a reputation for its high-quality services and relaxed atmosphere. This restaurant is perfect for a romantic date or special occasion, so be sure to reserve your table ahead of time!

Turk Fatih Tutak, Istanbul Restaurant, İstanbul: If you’re looking for authentic Mediterranean food at a profitable price, look no further than this restaurant.

Located in İstanbul, Turk Fatih Tutak Restaurant serves up authentic homemade dishes with fresh ingredients and good portions. The restaurants in Turkey also offer vegetarian options like rice pilaf and falafel with rice, which are popular among customers!

This restaurant provides kebabs cooked over charcoal along with other traditional Turkish dishes. Turk Fatih Tutak Restaurant is famous for serving great food at reasonable prices.

The restaurant also provides catering services for parties and events, making it a great choice if you plan to host one soon! If you want to try out döner kebab but don’t want to spend more money doing so, the restaurant should be your first stop.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a delicious and exciting dining experience, there is no need to look any further than restaurants in Turkey! With a large variety of options to pick from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to enjoy your meals. Check out its blog for more information about the best restaurants in Turkey!

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