The Best Restaurants and Eateries in Ankara: Places Popular with Locals

I think Ankara is unfairly treated when it comes to food. IstanbulIt's often dismissed as a city of civil servants or kebab shops, but there's one thing everyone living in the capital knows: this city has a rich restaurant culture. TurkeyIt is one of the most established neighborhoods in Ankara. The reason lies in its history; with the Republic, craftsmen from all over Anatolia set up their workshops here, and its clientele has always remained the same: civil servants, tradesmen, students – a city where people have to eat out every day and don't mince words. Such a customer base doesn't allow mediocrity to survive. In this article, I will describe, neighborhood by neighborhood, the establishments that have passed through that ruthless selection process over the years for those who find themselves in Ankara.

Çayyolu

Ata Restaurant

Located on the westward-facing Çayyolu side of the city, Ata Restaurant, run by my friend Osman Kartaler, is one of the most talked-about places in recent years. Moreover, it's in the premium price segment; these two things don't usually go together, but here they do, because the cuisine is exceptional. Adana The kebab is the restaurant's signature dish; thanks to its open kitchen setup, you can watch the meat being grilled from your table. In the evenings, it's a place with a strong identity for celebrations and hospitality, with long tables set up accompanied by live music; being open from 11:00 AM to midnight allows for flexible plans. There's no takeaway service; this kitchen is designed to be enjoyed on-site. Its distance from the city center is the only drawback, but it's undoubtedly the top choice for those staying in the Çayyolu and Ümitköy areas. You'll receive a nice treat with a referral from Gezimaris or Serdar Taş.

Nation

Ulus, the old heart of Ankara, is the area where some of the city's most established restaurants are still operating. Nestled between the Bank Street and historic office buildings, you'll find establishments with faded signs but kitchens that remain vibrant and thriving.

Bosphorus Restaurant

Bosphorus on Sailors Street, Ankara It's considered a monument to traditional tradesman's eateries; a kitchen well over half a century old and still serving hundreds of dishes a day with over three thousand different dishes. From lamb stew to stuffed grape leaves, the day's specials are displayed in the glass case; you point to them, and the dish is brought to you in minutes. Opening at 7 am also includes tripe and soup. The closing ritual here is well-known: quince dessert with clotted cream. Let me tell you about the parking problem upfront; a car is a burden in Ulus, so take a minibus or metro.

Bosphorus Restaurant

Uludağ Kebab House

Uludağ, located on the same street, has been Ankara's Iskender kebab temple since the 1950s. Their signature dish is the fillet Iskender; the butter is poured right before your eyes, sizzling as it goes, a sound that is practically a bell ringing for their regulars. The cuisine, which never compromises on meat quality, reflects this quality in its prices; it's not the place for those looking for cheap Iskender. With its family-style seating and waiters who have been there for generations, it's a living example of old-fashioned restaurant hospitality. Queues are common at lunchtime, so either go early or after 14.00 PM.

Hamamonu

Hamamönü, with its restored Ottoman houses, is a must-see during Ankara tours. Despite its touristy appearance, it's full of small shops that have managed to maintain a balance between price and taste.

Hamamönü Kebab House

This family-run business is my first stop for the food leg of my Hamamönü trip. Their lahmacun (Turkish pizza) is thin and generously filled, their kebabs are carefully prepared, and the service is fast. It's also commendable that they haven't inflated prices like typical tourist areas. It's perfect for those looking for a quick and satisfying meal during a break in their sightseeing.

Hamamönü Meatball Restaurant

A few doors down, the meatball restaurant stands out with another surprise: baked rice pudding in a clay pot. Having a modest meal of meatballs in bread and chicken wraps, and finishing with that rice pudding, is the sweet treat of the Hamamönü ritual. The balcony tables overlook the restored street; note that it's closed on Sundays. It's also possible to visit both places, having lunch at the meatball restaurant and dessert across the street; the neighborhood is small, and distances are within walking distance.

Red Crescent

The back streets of Kızılay are lined with local eateries that cater to Türkiye's busiest lunchtime traffic. The competition here is fierce, and any establishment that survives is doing something right.

Thessaloniki Tradesmen's Restaurant

Thessaloniki This small restaurant on the street has an almost flawless rating on a neighborhood scale, and the reason is in its dishes: a small variety, freshly cooked meals, and a cuisine that never deviates from home cooking. It's packed with civil servants and tradespeople at lunchtime, so going early is the best guarantee. Closed on Sundays. The quickest answer to the question of where to eat in Kızılay.

Emin Anatolian Restaurant

Opening its doors at 7 am, Emin is one of the places that keeps the soup tradition alive in Kızılay. From lentil soup to tripe soup, large pots are simmering all day long, and stews are a staple of the lunch menu. It's particularly praised for its cleanliness in reviews, and despite its central location, the prices are reasonable for a local eatery. It's also a haven for those who arrive in Ankara on an early flight and want to start their day with soup.

Tunalı and Kavaklıdere

Kebab 49

Serving the loyal crowds of Tunalı Hilmi for decades, Kebap 49 is the best-known representative of the Southeastern Anatolian kebab tradition in Ankara. Over five thousand reviews are proof of its dedicated following. Besides its kebabs, it's also famous for its pide (Turkish flatbread) and künefe (Turkish dessert), and its tea service is generous, Ankara style. Parking on the street is almost impossible; use public transport. The Sıhhiye branch also maintains the same cuisine.

Eyup

Trilye

Operating one of Türkiye's best seafood restaurants in a city hundreds of kilometers from the sea is an ambitious undertaking, and Trilye has been upholding that ambition for over twenty years. Fresh fish arrives by plane daily, and the menu features only seasonal produce; its octopus and sea bass are signature dishes of the city. Prices are high-end, reservations are essential, but if there's something to celebrate in Ankara, this is the place to set the table. This restaurant is the benchmark for seafood in the capital.

Bahçelievler

Our Aspava Bahçelievler

When talking about the culinary establishments that make Ankara what it is, you can't skip Aspava. With its rice topped with döner kebab, butter, unlimited tea, salad, and dessert, Aspava isn't just a place, it's a system, and dozens of branches bearing the same name operate independently throughout the city. Şimşek Aspava in Bahçelievler is one of the best-known representatives of this culture; it offers a classic experience with its tea served in a samovar and its generous offerings. A side note: Aspava's ratings vary considerably from branch to branch, and a friendly debate continues among Ankarans about the legend's current state. My advice is to focus your expectations not on a gourmet feast, but on the abundance of offerings; you go to Aspava not for the plates, but to experience that display of generosity.

Ankara Tava Section

Master Tavacı Recep

Ankara tava, a dish named after the city – lamb cooked in a rice dish – finds its most magnificent form at Tavacı Recep Usta. With nearly six thousand reviews, this established establishment continues the tradition of lamb shoulder and tava in its spacious hall overlooking the valley. Prices are in the upper range; it's a place for special occasions and large family meals, but it's the right address for those who want to truly experience Ankara tava. Open from 7 am, it also opens its doors to those who want to start their day with soup and return to tava later in the day.

Restaurant Culture in Ankara: What You Need to Know

Ankara's mealtime is like working hours: In local eateries, the best dishes run out between 12:00 and 13:30; after 14:00, whatever's left is what you get. Orders are placed by showing the food in glass display cases; don't hesitate, it's customary to ask them to open the lid and take a look. Tea is part of the complimentary treat, not the bill, in most restaurants; tea is brought after the meal without being asked. Driving around the Ulus, Kızılay, and Tunalı triangle is a hassle; Ankaray and the metro offer stops within walking distance of almost all the places in this guide. Also, be aware of the price range: there are significant price differences between a local eatery and a kebab shop, and between a kebab shop and a high-end restaurant; read the list according to your budget. One final note for those coming from outside the city: If you are entering or leaving Ankara by road from the Sivas direction, consider your rest stop strategy along the way. query As we explained in our guide, if you combine the recommendations there with this list, the entire trip becomes a meal plan.

The secret to Ankara's cuisine isn't in new trends, but in the stalls that have been serving the same dish with the same care for fifty years. From the quince dessert of the Bosphorus to the sizzling butter of Uludağ, from the daily stew of Thessaloniki to the hospitality of Aspava, this city's table doesn't put on a show; it satisfies your hunger and keeps its promise. Do as I did when browsing the list: choose a restaurant in each neighborhood, and leave the rest to the streets of that neighborhood. You can't finish exploring Ankara's restaurant map in a single day, and there's no need to rush; this city has never let anyone leave hungry after sitting at its table.