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Where to Eat in Ankara in 2026: Best Restaurants, Street Food, Cafes & Local Favorites
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Documenting places through food, neighborhoods, and daily life

Ankara does not shout about its food scene the way Istanbul does. It does not fling baklava at your face from every corner or dramatically pose beside the Bosphorus with a grilled fish sandwich. But give it a chance, and the capital quietly pulls out a table, fills it with kebab, döner, meze, pizza, sushi, vegan bowls, and old-school local dishes — then acts like this was all completely normal.

So, where to eat in Ankara? Pretty much everywhere, if we are being dangerously honest.

This is a city where you can start the day with crispy Ankara simit, grab charcoal-grilled döner for lunch, slip into a traditional esnaf lokantası for home-style stews, and end the night in a meyhane with seafood, meze, and one more plate you absolutely did not need but ordered anyway. Ankara also has a strong modern dining scene, with Italian restaurants, steakhouses, burger spots, sushi restaurants, vegan cafes, and stylish date-night venues scattered across neighborhoods like Çankaya, Kavaklıdere, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kızılay, and Ümitköy.

In this guide, we are digging into the best places to eat in Ankara — from casual street food legends to polished restaurants for special nights out. Come hungry. Ankara is not playing around.

Planning more Turkey food and city adventures? Read these next

Table of Contents

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Pizzerias

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Pizzerias

Ankara may not be the first city that jumps into your head when someone says “pizza pilgrimage,” but honestly? It should not be underestimated. From sourdough bases and Neapolitan-style crusts to wildly creative toppings that make purists clutch their pearls, the capital has a surprisingly serious pizza scene.

MOZZ.

MOZZ. is one of those Ankara pizzerias that makes you understand why people get emotional about dough. With its beautifully prepared crust, quality ingredients, and cozy atmosphere, it is a strong choice for a relaxed dinner, a date night, or one of those “we deserve proper pizza” evenings.

The crusts here are wide, chewy, and almost begging to be dipped into the restaurant’s excellent salads. The pizzas are creative without being chaotic, and the dessert menu deserves attention too. If you still have room, try the MOZZ.-style baklava or kadayıf pudding, because walking away before dessert would be suspicious behavior.

Double Zero Pizzeria

Double Zero Pizzeria takes its dough seriously, which is exactly what we want from a place claiming pizza greatness. Their sourdough bases are carefully prepared, topped with quality ingredients, and baked in a wood-fired oven for that blistered, smoky finish we all secretly judge pizza by.

With several branches across Ankara, Double Zero is easy to work into your plans whether you are meeting friends, feeding the family, or just following the scent of melted cheese like a deeply committed tourist. Alongside the pizzas, try the Insalata Caprese with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, or the crispy bruschetta varieties.

Pizza Sapore

Pizza Sapore is a boutique pizzeria in Çiğdem Mahallesi, and it has that small, intimate charm that makes dinner feel less like a meal and more like a discovery. In spring and summer, the garden becomes especially lovely, making it a sweet choice for a romantic dinner.

Yes, you may have to wait. No, this is not ideal when you are hungry. But the creative pizzas make the delay much easier to forgive. The Robespierre pizza, made with smoked meat, arugula, and parmesan, is one of the more distinctive pizza options in Ankara.

Studio Pizza

Studio Pizza is where we go when we want Ankara pizza with a proper Neapolitan accent. The pizzas and breads are made with sourdough and heirloom wheat flours, and the kitchen focuses on authenticity without making the whole thing feel stiff or overly precious.

The restaurant was founded by chef Murat Artukmaç, who trained at the Enzo Coccia Neapolitan Pizza School in Naples. That background shows in the menu: the pizzas feel carefully built, balanced, and deeply satisfying. For anyone serious about pizza in Ankara, this place belongs on the list.

Pizzeria Alla Torre

Set on the ground floor of Atakule Shopping Mall, Pizzeria Alla Torre is a polished choice for pizza with a side of Ankara views. The decor is stylish, the menu is broad, and the setting works nicely for both date nights and catch-ups with friends.

Beyond the pizzas, the restaurant has some lighter Italian-inspired dishes and desserts worth noticing. The lemon tiramisu and traditional minestrone soup are popular picks, especially if you want something beyond the classic pizza-and-go routine.

Unica Sourdough Pizza

Unica Sourdough Pizza is for the adventurous eater who looks at a standard menu and thinks, “Fine, but what else have you got?” Here, the pizzas go beyond the expected, with options like Musakka pizza made with Ayaş tomato sauce, oven-roasted eggplant, moussaka sauce, Obruk tulum cheese, and parsley.

Another standout is the Tatlı Acı pizza, cooked with spicy walnut sucuk mince, roasted bell peppers, muhammara, honey, and Obruk tulum cheese. The sourdough base is carefully prepared, the local ingredients bring character, and even the thyme-infused olive salad deserves a small round of applause.

Hollywood Pizza

Hollywood Pizza has been feeding Ankara’s pizza cravings since 1988, which means it has had plenty of time to become a local favorite. The pizzas are known for their thin crusts, generous toppings, and easygoing appeal.

This is a reliable choice for family meals, casual dinners, or those nights when nobody wants to argue over the menu. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is familiar, and the pizza does exactly what pizza should do: make everyone at the table slightly happier.

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Italian Restaurants

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Italian Restaurants

If pizza opened the door, Ankara’s Italian restaurants walk in wearing linen, carrying handmade pasta, and pretending not to be dramatic. From elegant view restaurants to garden locandas and trattoria-style favorites, the city has plenty of places for pasta, risotto, seafood, and proper Italian comfort food.

Luigi’s Ristorante Bar

Luigi’s Ristorante Bar is one of Ankara’s most polished Italian dining spots, combining city views with a sophisticated atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, the decor makes it clear that this is a place for romantic dinners, celebrations, and evenings when regular pasta simply will not do.

The menu includes handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, meat and fish dishes, desserts, and ice creams. Standout options include saffron risotto, slow-cooked beef osso buco with bone marrow brûlée, and Nidi di Rodine, prepared with pasta stuffed with beef shank.

La Gioia Cafe Brasserie

La Gioia Cafe Brasserie brings Italian and European flavors into an elegant setting designed for Beymen in Kavaklıdere. Since 2012, it has built a reputation for polished service, stylish surroundings, and dishes that feel suited to long lunches, special dinners, and “let’s dress nicely for once” evenings.

The seafood risotto with squid, salmon, and shrimp is a strong choice, while the four-cheese pizza is ideal for anyone leaning toward classic Italian comfort. With its refined atmosphere, La Gioia remains one of Ankara’s best Italian restaurants for celebrations and romantic dinners.

Mezzaluna

Mezzaluna brings a touch of Italian trattoria warmth to Ankara, with two branches and a menu that keeps Italian food lovers coming back. It has that easy, friendly atmosphere that works just as well for family meals as it does for date nights.

Signature dishes include saffron arancini, seafood pasta, and panna cotta. The menu is rich without feeling overwhelming, and the overall mood is relaxed, welcoming, and dependably Italian.

1 Arada Locanda

1 Arada Locanda feels like the kind of place you hope to stumble upon: peaceful, green, and quietly charming. Its garden setting gives the restaurant a relaxed character, making it one of Ankara’s lovelier spots for Italian-inspired dining.

Chef-owner Aylin Tokcan and her team prepare a menu shaped largely by Italian cuisine, with Neapolitan-style pizzas among the highlights. It works well for romantic dinners, but it is just as good for a lingering meal with friends.

Vento Italiano Ristorante

Vento Italiano Ristorante is a smart choice when you want Italian food in an elegant but comfortable setting. The menu covers handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and plenty of options that work for business lunches, friendly dinners, or relaxed celebrations.

Popular dishes include eggplant ravioli, parmesan chicken, mushroom bruschetta, and strawberry carpaccio. It is polished without feeling cold, which is exactly the balance we like in a good Italian restaurant.

Vicolo Italiano

Vicolo Italiano has quickly become a favorite among Ankara’s Italian food lovers. The appeal is simple: authentic flavors, a warm atmosphere, and a setting that feels right for both friendly dinners and low-key romantic evenings.

The decor is simple, the mood is welcoming, and the menu keeps the focus where it should be: on good Italian food. It is one of those places that proves a restaurant does not need theatrics when the food is doing its job.

Giotto

Giotto is an Italian restaurant with London roots, and in Ankara it has become a strong option for anyone craving a more refined Italian dining experience. The menu moves from mezes and stone-baked pizzas to fresh pastas and elegantly plated dishes.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, piano music from 7 PM adds a special touch, making the restaurant especially suitable for romantic dinners and celebrations. With an experienced kitchen team behind the menu, Giotto is a polished pick for Italian food in the capital.

Where to Eat in Ankara: The Best Fish Restaurants

Where to Eat in Ankara: The Best Fish Restaurants

Ankara may be landlocked, but that has not stopped it from building a surprisingly strong seafood scene. From elegant fish restaurants to meze-filled tavern-style tables, this city knows how to do fish properly.

Trilye Restaurant

Trilye Restaurant is one of Ankara’s most respected fish restaurants, known for perfectly cooked seafood, an elegant atmosphere, and an impressive list of awards. It is the kind of place you choose when you want fish to feel like an occasion.

The kitchen pays attention to using fish at the right catchable size and combines classic cooking methods with modern chef touches. Beyond the fish options, seafood pastry, stuffed calamari, and salmon with mozzarella are among the must-try dishes.

Kalbur Balık

Serving since 1990, Kalbur Balık is one of Ankara’s established seafood names. It is known for its modest, friendly atmosphere and a menu full of carefully prepared fish and mezes.

Reservations are a very good idea here, because getting a table can be difficult. Signature dishes include grilled eggplant with fish pastrami, stuffed sole, shrimp wrapped in kadayıf, and octopus fritters. Traditional flavors meet clever chef touches, and seafood lovers win.

Chef Bro’s

Chef Bro’s, founded by brothers Faruk and Mehmet Gezen, quickly became one of Ankara’s most talked-about fish restaurants thanks to its creative presentations and modern seafood dishes.

The kitchen serves fresh fish alongside well-prepared salads and appetizers, with halloumi-wrapped sea bass skewers and seafood pastries standing out on the menu. For seafood with a little flair, this is a strong pick.

Deli Yengeç

Deli Yengeç has been serving seafood since 2007 and stands out with fresh fish, stylish decor, and careful presentation. The atmosphere is modern but still friendly, which makes it a good choice for both casual dinners and special evenings.

Signature dishes include eggplant and shrimp casserole, grilled octopus, and sea bass steak. If you want seafood in Ankara with confident cooking and a polished setting, Deli Yengeç is worth considering.

Sur Balık

Sur Balık, already well known in Istanbul, brings its seafood experience to Ankara with a branch in Çankaya. The restaurant offers a rich fish menu, a wide selection of mezes, and a refined setting for a proper seafood meal.

The kitchen combines traditional Turkish seafood flavors with modern touches, carefully sourcing ingredients from the regions where they are best. It is a reliable choice for anyone looking for a polished fish restaurant in Ankara.

Yelken Balık

Yelken Balık, also known for its Bodrum branch, brings simple but memorable seafood flavors to Ankara. The menu focuses on fresh seafood prepared without unnecessary fuss, which is often exactly what a good fish meal needs.

The atmosphere is elegant but not overdone, and the menu has enough variety to suit different tastes. For a satisfying seafood dinner in Ankara, Yelken Balık is a dependable choice.

Kumsal Restaurant

Established in 1972, Kumsal Restaurant is one of Ankara’s nostalgic seafood addresses. With its friendly service, long history, and fresh fish dishes, it has earned a loyal place in the city’s dining scene.

The fried anchovies and anchovy fritters are among the menu favorites. If you like traditional seafood restaurants with a familiar, old-school character, Kumsal Restaurant is a lovely stop.

Ara Sıcak

Ara Sıcak is a favorite for meze and fish lovers who want a relaxed evening with friends in Ankara. The menu blends traditional flavors with creative touches, and the presentation makes the table feel instantly more festive.

Regulars praise dishes such as herb-infused anchovies with fresh Aegean herbs, shrimp wrapped in kadayıf, and crispy fish served in the shape of a bagel. It is a fun, flavorful choice when you want seafood without the stiff formal mood.

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Meat Restaurants

Where to Eat in Ankara: Best Meat Restaurants

Now we enter Ankara’s meat chapter, and yes, things get serious. Steak, lamb chops, dry-aged cuts, bone marrow soup, burgers hiding on steakhouse menus — this is where appetite stops being polite.

Ferfane Steakhouse

Ferfane Steakhouse is one of Ankara’s top choices for meat lovers, serving carefully selected cuts with plenty of confidence. The menu includes Dallas steak, lamb chops, smoked lamb shoulder, and dry-aged tenderloin.

The bone marrow soup is especially popular, and the burgers are also worth trying. If you are looking for high-quality meat in Ankara and want the meal to feel properly indulgent, Ferfane is a strong contender.

K’sap Izgara

K’sap Izgara has become a favorite for Ankara diners who take grilled meat seriously. The restaurant is especially known for its aged beef ribeye, while the cheese-stuffed meatballs have their own loyal following.

If you want something lighter, the steak salads offer a satisfying middle ground between fresh and meaty. With its friendly atmosphere and strong menu, K’sap Izgara is one of the best places in Ankara for a proper meat-focused meal.

Cezzar Steakhouse

Cezzar Steakhouse is one of Ankara’s essential stops for meat lovers, with a broad menu that covers everything from bone marrow soup and lokum burgers to lamb chops, küşleme, lamb neck, medallions, ribeye steak, meatballs, and hamburgers.

The restaurant has two branches and is known for a reliable, flavorful kitchen backed by experience in animal husbandry and agriculture. For dessert, the crispy katmer is a very good idea — and no, we are not pretending to be moderate here.

JW Steakhouse

Located inside JW Marriott Hotel Ankara, JW Steakhouse is one of the city’s more prestigious meat restaurants. The atmosphere is elegant, the service feels polished, and the menu is built for business dinners, celebrations, and special occasions.

Popular choices include Chateaubriand served with black pepper sauce and mashed potatoes, as well as the Tomahawk Rib Eye, which arrives with a suitably dramatic presentation.

Butcha Steakhouse

Butcha Steakhouse cooks its meats over wood fire and grill, which already gives it a head start. Located in Tepe Prime Shopping Mall, it offers a wide meat-focused menu with creative touches.

The restaurant is loved not only for its steaks, but also for its sausages, meatballs, and colorful appetizers. With its spacious decor and relaxed atmosphere, Butcha works well for a satisfying steakhouse meal in Ankara.

Where to Eat in Ankara: The Best Hamburgers

Where to Eat in Ankara: The Best Hamburger

Ankara’s burger scene is not here to whisper politely. We are talking brioche buns, homemade sauces, custom patties, smoky toppings, and enough cheese to make restraint feel like a boring life choice.

Piel Roja

Piel Roja combines juicy hamburger patties with homemade brioche bread, making it one of the must-try burger spots in Ankara. The menu includes bold options you will not find everywhere, including the Honey Wolf Burger with honey and the Black Dear Burger with venison.

If you like burgers with personality rather than another copy-paste cheeseburger, Piel Roja is worth adding to your Ankara food map.

Franco Burger

Franco Burger is a great choice for anyone who likes to control their burger destiny. The patties are prepared fresh daily and never frozen, and you can customize your burger with extras like halloumi, mozzarella, and even pineapple.

With 120g and 240g patty options, it is easy to match your appetite — whether you want a reasonable lunch or a burger that requires a quiet moment afterward.

That’s Burger

That’s Burger is a friendly spot in Gazi Mahallesi where choosing from the menu may become your main challenge. The burgers are flavorful, the buns are freshly baked, and the homemade mustards add extra personality.

The dessert menu is surprisingly strong too, with profiteroles being especially popular. Because apparently the correct ending to a burger meal is “and now, chocolate.” We support this.

Fess Burger

Fess Burger prepares its patties, bread, and special sauces in-house, which explains why it has earned such a strong place among Ankara burger fans. The menu leans creative, bold, and satisfying.

Highlights include the Hünkar Burger with roasted eggplant and the Relish Burger, flavored with a special sauce that takes hours to prepare. It is a must-try for anyone who thinks burgers should come with a little drama.

Big Baker

Big Baker is a popular name not only in Ankara but also in cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Diyarbakır. Its extensive menu makes it a practical choice when one person wants a burger, someone else wants pasta, and another person suddenly announces they are “just in the mood for pizza.”

Among the burger options, the Tenderloin Burger, Three Cheese Burger, and Spicy Albanian Burger are especially popular. For something more unusual, try the special burger made with mozzarella and cherries.

Burger Station

Burger Station is a favorite among Ankara burger lovers, packing big flavors into soft buns with patties made from 100% local beef. The menu is full of hearty options, especially if you like smoky, saucy, fully loaded burgers.

Top picks include the Smoked Burger with smoked meat, pickles, and barbecue sauce; the Turkish Burger with pastrami; and the Station Burger with smoked meat and mushrooms. Hot dog varieties are also worth trying if you want to wander slightly off the burger path.

The Best Street Food in Ankara

The Best Street Food in Ankara

Now we leave the white tablecloths behind and get to the good stuff: street food, local rituals, hot bread, charcoal, wraps, simit, kokoreç, and the sort of meals that make you wonder why anyone ever needed fine dining in the first place.

Dönerci Dursun Usta

When we talk about Ankara street food, charcoal-cooked Ankara döner deserves a proud little drumroll. Dönerci Dursun Usta is one of the city’s best-known spots, famous for preparing its döner entirely with lamb, without mixing in beef.

The döner is made without spices, relying on natural preparation and the flavor of the meat itself. The lamb meatballs are also popular, so this is one of those places where ordering “just one thing” may become unrealistic.

Özçelik Aspava

Aspava is not just a restaurant in Ankara — it is practically a whole food category. The name is commonly understood as a phrase meaning “May God grant health, money, and well-being, amen,” and Aspava restaurants can be found across the city, often serving around the clock.

The classic order is the Aspava wrap, made with onions, tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese. The SSK wrap is especially popular if you want the full experience. Özçelik Aspava is one of the best places in Ankara to try this local tradition.

Çiftlik Kokoreç

Kokoreç is one of Ankara’s most beloved street foods, and in the capital it is usually prepared simply with spices, without tomatoes or peppers. The result is bold, direct, and very Ankara.

Atatürk Forest Farm is one of the best places to find kokoreç in the city, with several spots serving it. Çiftlik Kokoreç is especially popular thanks to its flavor and loyal customers.

Ankara Simit

Simit is famous across Türkiye, but Ankara simit has its own character. The dough is made with yeast, coated in molasses, left to rest, and then baked over a wood fire for that signature crispness.

You can find simit almost everywhere in Ankara, but the Famous Ankara Simit Shop is one of the recommended places to try it. Simple? Yes. Essential? Also yes.

Gobit

Gobit is a street food unique to Ankara, made as a filling sandwich with thinly sliced eggs, fresh onions, chili flakes, and black pepper tucked between special bread. It is especially common in industrial areas and among street vendors.

It is practical, satisfying, and deeply local — exactly the kind of food that reminds you a city’s real flavor is often found far from polished menus.

Kırık Oklava

Kırık Oklava is known for its sauced gözleme and homemade flavors. This family-run business has regulars from across the city who come for the handmade dough, quality ingredients, and friendly atmosphere.

Besides gözleme, the filling wrap options are also popular. If you like casual places that feel warm, local, and properly satisfying, Kırık Oklava is a strong street food stop.

The Best Local Restaurants in Ankara

The Best Local Restaurants in Ankara

For traditional Turkish food, Ankara’s local restaurants are where things get wonderfully comforting. Think daily stews, rice, soups, lamb dishes, wood-fired ovens, and counters full of dishes that make choosing almost impossible.

Boğaziçi Restaurant

Serving since 1956, Boğaziçi Restaurant is one of Ankara’s oldest and most established local eateries. It is a classic stop for traditional Turkish cuisine and a favorite among locals.

The menu includes Ankara tava, lamb shank with almond and saffron rice, Elbasan tava, paper kebab, Çamlıdere dried beans, and lamb stew with vegetables. With around 65 different dishes served daily, this is a proper feast disguised as lunch.

Çankaya Restaurant

Çankaya Restaurant is one of those traditional eateries that keeps the comfort-food flame alive. The menu focuses on classic Anatolian and Ottoman-inspired dishes, with vegetable meals, meat dishes, rice, soups, and traditional desserts.

With experienced chefs and a commitment to familiar flavors, this is a good address for anyone wanting a classic Turkish dining experience in Ankara.

Sofram Restaurant

Sofram Restaurant is a popular local eatery for anyone who wants proper traditional flavors in Ankara. The menu usually features around 30 different stews each day, which is both wonderful and slightly dangerous if you arrive hungry.

Ankara tava, Albanian liver, pastrami and bean stew, and shepherd’s roast are among the highlights. The restaurant also offers burgers and pide, while kadayıf-wrapped custard rolls and quince dessert are strong choices for dessert.

Bolu Akın Restaurant

Serving since 1958, Bolu Akın Restaurant is one of Ankara’s oldest traditional restaurants. Its dishes are cooked in copper pots over a historic wood-fired oven, giving the food a deeply nostalgic character.

The lamb shank and stew are longtime favorites, while pumpkin dessert and baked rice pudding are essential if you have room after the main event. The second branch, opened in 2013, helped bring these classic flavors to even more diners.

Site 2 Restaurant

Site 2 Restaurant is one of the first names that comes to mind for charcoal-grilled meat döner, Elbasan tava, and shepherd’s stew in Ankara. The restaurant serves different dishes each day, with wood-fired options playing a major role.

It is especially busy at lunchtime, so arriving early is wise. Its Keçiören branch is also popular among food lovers looking for reliable traditional flavors.

Historic Çiçek Restaurant

Open since 1949, Historic Çiçek Restaurant is one of Ankara’s classic traditional eateries. It brings together Anatolian and Ottoman flavors in a wide menu that includes vegetable dishes, meat dishes, rice, soups, desserts, and olive oil-based appetizers.

For many years, it has been one of the first places people think of when talking about traditional Ankara restaurants. It is a strong representative of the city’s old-school dining culture.

The Best Asian Restaurants in Ankara

The Best Asian Restaurants in Ankara

Need a break from kebab, steak, and meze? Ankara’s Asian restaurants step in with noodles, dumplings, sushi, wok dishes, and Asian fusion menus that give the city’s dining scene a wider passport.

Great Wall Restaurant

Great Wall Restaurant is one of Ankara’s long-standing addresses for Far Eastern cuisine. The menu includes crispy Chinese spring rolls, fried or steamed dumplings, beef dishes with mixed vegetables or mushrooms, rice, noodles, seafood, and sushi.

With two branches in the city, it is a practical and reliable choice for Chinese cuisine lovers in Ankara.

City Wok

Since opening in 2016, City Wok has become one of Ankara’s best Asian fusion restaurants. The menu brings together Chinese, Japanese, and Indian flavors with a modern approach.

Notable dishes include beef with eggplant in garlic sauce, spicy chicken balls, Cantonese-style duck, shrimp rice, creative sushi rolls, and satisfying noodle dishes. It is a good choice when one cuisine simply is not enough.

Quick China

Quick China has been one of Ankara’s best-known Far Eastern restaurants since 1995. With branches throughout the city, it offers Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dishes in a fast but still polished format.

It gets especially busy in the evenings, so reservations are recommended. Combo menus are ideal if you want to try several flavors without committing to one dish like it is a lifelong contract.

Chinabloom

Chinabloom is a Pan-Asian restaurant serving Chinese, Japanese, and Thai-inspired flavors with a modern touch. The menu is adapted to Turkish tastes while still keeping plenty of Far Eastern character.

Popular dishes include Peking duck salad, Mongolian-style chicken, beef with mixed vegetables, and sweet and sour chicken. The presentations are elegant, the flavors are balanced, and the setting works well for a relaxed but stylish meal.

Chinese Wood’n Wok

Chinese Wood’n Wok is a boutique Far Eastern restaurant known for its friendly atmosphere and generous portions. It is a good choice when you want something comforting, flavorful, and not overly formal.

The famous 3 Delicious Noodles are a menu highlight, prepared with bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, soy sprouts, green onions, broccoli, shrimp, chicken, and beef. Basically, a whole little festival in noodle form.

Kaizen Chefs

Kaizen Chefs prepares dishes in an open kitchen, which adds a little theater to the meal without going full dinner-show. The restaurant has quickly built a loyal following thanks to its rich menu and authentic flavors.

Standout dishes include Mongolian chicken, chicken with asparagus and corn soup, and beef-filled Chinese dumplings. It is a solid choice for both lunch and dinner.

Best Sushi Restaurants in Ankara

Best Sushi Restaurants in Ankara

For a city better known for döner and kebab, Ankara does surprisingly well on sushi. From hotel restaurants to relaxed local spots and delivery-friendly names, there are plenty of places to get your roll fix.

Maromi by Divan

Located inside Divan Hotel in Çankaya, Maromi by Divan offers a stylish take on Japanese cuisine. The menu focuses on high-quality ingredients and elegant presentations, with plenty of sushi and sashimi options.

Must-try dishes include Spicy Miso Soup, Fried Sushi, Spicy Tuna Roll, Boston Roll, Mixed Sashimi Platter, and green tea ice cream.

Chef Izakaya

Chef Izakaya quickly became a favorite among sushi lovers in Ankara. The restaurant does not limit itself to Japanese cuisine, also offering selected main courses and appetizers from Thai and Chinese kitchens.

Kinboshi Roll, Geisha Roll, and Canada Roll are among the standout sushi choices. With its modern atmosphere and creative menu, Chef Izakaya is a strong address for sushi and Asian cuisine in Ankara.

Sushi House

Sushi House is one of Ankara’s popular sushi restaurants, offering a wide variety of rolls in a friendly atmosphere. It is a good pick when you want sushi that feels easy, familiar, and satisfying.

The Salmon Roll is especially popular, made with salmon tempura, avocado, Philadelphia cheese, cornflakes, and sweet chili sauce. The Vegas Roll, topped with eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, Philadelphia cheese, tobiko, and unagi sauce, is another favorite.

SushiCo

SushiCo is a familiar name for sushi lovers in Ankara, with three branches across the city. The menu includes Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dishes, making it a convenient option for groups with mixed tastes.

Alongside sushi, the Poke & Bowl menu has become increasingly popular. It is a reliable choice when you want a broad Asian menu and easy branch access.

Sushi Meet

Opened in 2022, Sushi Meet is a modern restaurant that adapts Far Eastern flavors to Turkish tastes. The menu is broad, fresh, and especially popular for sushi and wok dishes.

The eight-piece Special Rolls and Combo menus are ideal if you want to try several flavors at once. With its friendly atmosphere, Sushi Meet has quickly become a favorite among Ankara sushi fans.

The Best Kebab Restaurants in Ankara

The Best Kebab Restaurants in Ankara

Kebab in Ankara is not a side quest. It is a full chapter. From family-run classics to Gaziantep-style favorites and tandoor specialists, the city has plenty of places where grilled meat gets the respect it deserves.

Kebap 49

Kebap 49 is run by the fourth generation of the Özbeyoğlu family and is one of Ankara’s oldest kebab restaurants. With branches on Tunalı Hilmi and Necatibey Streets, it remains a classic stop for the city’s kebab lovers.

Adana kebab and Iskender kebab are highlights, but the cream-topped bread pudding is what turns the meal into a proper Ankara memory.

Düveroğlu Kebap

Opened in 1963, Düveroğlu Kebap is one of Ankara’s strongest representatives of Gaziantep cuisine. It is a beloved address for kebab, lahmacun, and proper baklava.

Beyti kebab, lamb skewers, and lahmacun are standout dishes, but leaving without freshly baked baklava would be a small tragedy. Düveroğlu has maintained its quality for decades and remains a true Ankara kebab classic.

Günaydın Kebap

Günaydın began as a small butcher shop in Istanbul and has grown into a well-known restaurant brand with branches in several cities. In Ankara, it remains a favorite for quality kebab and meat dishes.

The restaurant pays attention to every stage, from meat selection to cooking. Its kebabs are popular, the mezes are generous, and the katmer is a perfect sweet ending.

Müslüm Kebap

Müslüm Kebap is one of Ankara’s beloved kebab restaurants, known for traditional flavors and satisfying portions. The menu includes çiğ köfte, Adana kebab, lamb skewers, içli köfte, appetizers, and a lentil soup that is worth ordering as a starter.

With quality presentation and a menu full of classics, Müslüm Kebap is a dependable address for anyone craving kebab in Ankara.

Öz Urfalı Kebap

Öz Urfalı Kebap is one of Ankara’s popular kebab restaurants, offering a broad menu of Adana kebab, Ali Nazik, Beyti, poppy seed kebab, döner, lamb chops, sac kavurma, chicken wings, külbastı, wraps, and pide.

The rich meze selection completes the meal, making this a strong option for anyone who wants variety rather than a one-dish dinner.

Konyalı Kebap

Konyalı Kebap is a long-established family business specializing in lamb tandoor. The menu is beautifully focused: this is not a place trying to do everything, and that is exactly the point.

The lamb is cooked in large pots over a wood fire until tender and deeply flavorful. Afterward, do not skip the pumpkin dessert. Consider it the soft landing after all that glorious tandoor.

Çukurağa Sofrası

Çukurağa Sofrası is a long-time favorite in Ankara’s kebab scene. The restaurant serves kebabs made with quality meats and special spices, along with a generous selection of mezes and fresh salads.

It is a good choice for a classic, satisfying kebab meal with enough variety to keep the table busy and happy.

Best Vegan Restaurants in Ankara

Best Vegan Restaurants in Ankara

Vegan food in Ankara has moved far beyond sad salads and apologetic side dishes. The city now has creative plant-based kitchens serving everything from falafel and bowls to vegan fast food, desserts, burgers, dumplings, and Turkish comfort classics.

inPut Healthy Foods

inPut Healthy Foods is one of Ankara’s best vegan-friendly restaurants, offering colorful, balanced plates for vegans and anyone trying to eat a little more thoughtfully.

Popular dishes include baked falafel, Thai Vegetable Rice with basmati rice and vegetables, and Sweet Potato Rice Noodles with walnuts, dill, parsley, jalapeño, and sour cream. For dessert, the plant-based, gluten-free, refined sugar-free Caramel-Almond Croquant Ice Cream Stick is a signature treat.

Junk Vegan

Junk Vegan is one of Ankara’s most creative vegan restaurants, serving fully plant-based versions of comfort foods. The menu includes vegan mac and cheese, burgers, dumplings, wraps, Iskender kebab, schnitzel, and steak.

Founded by two vegan friends who love cooking and eating, the restaurant also has breakfast options. It is one of the best places in Ankara for vegan fast food that feels fun, filling, and unapologetically satisfying.

Gabo Kitchen

Gabo Kitchen serves vegan interpretations of traditional Turkish dishes, making it one of Ankara’s most interesting plant-based restaurants. The menu includes vegan Swedish meatballs, women’s-style meatballs, kuymak, vegetable dishes, desserts, and popular vegan dumplings inspired by Lebanese cuisine.

Breakfast is served until 3 PM, and the restaurant also has a small market selling vegan products. It is a strong choice for anyone looking for variety and creativity in Ankara’s vegan scene.

Veganarsist Kızılay

Veganarsist started with the idea that everyone should be able to eat vegan food, and vegans should be able to enjoy plant-based versions of familiar non-vegan dishes. After opening branches in Istanbul and Izmir, the brand now has a presence in Ankara.

The Kızılay location operates as a closed kitchen for takeaway and delivery. The menu includes 100% vegan versions of wet burgers, Adana wraps, women’s thigh meatballs, and islim kebab.

Terradan Vegan Pub & Kitchen

Terradan Vegan Pub & Kitchen is one of Ankara’s most beloved vegan restaurants, offering a rich menu of tofu salad with roasted seeds, gluten-free spinach quiche, tofu menemen, peanut butter cookies, lasagna, burgers, and colorful salads.

The brownie is especially popular among chocolate lovers. With healthy, creative, and satisfying dishes, Terradan is one of the standout vegan kitchens in the city.

Kaktüs Smoothies & More

Kaktüs Smoothies & More is a popular stop for anyone looking for a healthy meal or light snack in Ankara. The concept focuses on nature, healthy living, fresh ingredients, and colorful bowls.

The smoothie bowls are especially popular, along with fresh smoothies and vegetable-forward options. With its vegan-friendly menu, this is a bright little stop for a lighter meal in the city.

The Best Taverns in Ankara

The Best Taverns in Ankara

Ankara’s meyhanes are where dinner stretches, plates multiply, conversation gets louder, and nobody remembers who ordered the extra meze — but everyone is grateful. From nostalgic taverns to modern meyhane concepts, the city has plenty of places for long, delicious evenings.

Afitap Meyhane

Afitap Meyhane offers a creative interpretation of Ankara’s meyhane culture, with a menu full of original flavors. Dishes such as seafood gözleme, four-cheese eggplant, smoked mussels, and simit filled with roasted meat make it stand out from more traditional taverns.

The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, with soft music and a relaxed mood. For dessert, the crispy pumpkin dessert with walnuts and ice cream is highly praised.

Salaş Meyhane

Salaş Meyhane has a friendly, home-like atmosphere that makes it especially good for relaxed evenings with friends. The menu includes classic mezes as well as dishes that offal lovers will appreciate.

Albanian liver, brain salad, grilled tongue, and tripe in butter are among the standout options. This is one for diners who like their meyhane experience hearty, warm, and very local.

Çalıkuşu Meyhanesi

Serving since 1964, Çalıkuşu Meyhanesi is one of the oldest establishments on Taşkın Street, an area known for taverns. It serves morning soup, lunch, and evening meals, so it is not locked into one dining mood.

The venue has front and back gardens, plus an independent terrace upstairs. Seasonal mezes keep the menu interesting, while Bonito in a Clay Pot and Steamed Salmon with Cheese are among its signature dishes.

Beste Meyhane

Beste Meyhane is a warm, unpretentious meeting point that welcomes guests of all ages. With nostalgic music in the background and a comforting menu on the table, it offers a classic meyhane experience without unnecessary fuss.

Popular dishes include Albanian liver, buttered shrimp casserole, zucchini fritters, and brain salad. It is a lovely choice for anyone wanting to experience Ankara’s tavern culture in a relaxed setting.

Zarif Meyhane

Zarif Meyhane is a family-run tavern known for its generous meze selection. The atmosphere is simple but refined, making it a pleasant choice for a relaxed evening in Ankara.

The paçanga böreği is especially popular and generously filled, which is exactly how it should be. Come here for classic meyhane flavors in an easygoing setting.

Kavala Meyhanesi

Kavala Meyhanesi is a strong choice for seafood lovers who want meze, fish, and a fresh blue-and-white atmosphere. The decor gives the space a breezy feeling, even though we are very much still in Ankara.

Bonito with vegetables and fish baked in salt are among the restaurant’s signature dishes. It is a good spot for a long seafood-focused evening with friends.

Kalender Zebra

Kalender Zebra calls itself a modern tavern, and that is a pretty accurate description. It is one of Ankara’s newer-generation meyhane options, combining food, music, and a lively atmosphere.

The fixed menu makes it especially suitable for celebrations and group gatherings. Fresh mezes, carefully prepared main courses, and live music help turn dinner into a full evening out.

Manolis Meyhane

Manolis Meyhane stands out with elegant decor, careful presentation, and a menu full of seafood and meze favorites. The atmosphere is charming, making it a good choice for a special meyhane evening.

The menu includes sea bass with basil, roasted eggplant with red peppers, lakerda, marinated sea bass, crispy shrimp in kadayıf, Cretan spread, artichokes, and fresh fish. Weekends can be busy, so making a reservation is a smart move.

Bonus: Alma Table

Alma Table is one of Ankara’s most special addresses for a romantic dinner. With its carefully designed atmosphere, candlelit tables, elegant glassware, and sophisticated menu, it is built for intimate evenings and celebrations.

The menu includes creative dishes such as fried sun-dried peppers, ricotta panna cotta, cheese mousse, and herb potato pancakes. The cocktails are also a major part of the experience, giving the restaurant a polished, memorable feel.

FAQs: Where to Eat in Ankara

What food is Ankara famous for?

Ankara is especially known for Ankara döner, Ankara simit, Aspava wraps, kokoreç, tandoor lamb, kebabs, and traditional esnaf lokantası dishes like Ankara tava. Basically, this is not the city where we come to “just have a light salad.” Ankara likes its food hearty, warm, and proudly local.

Where should I eat in Ankara for local food?

For proper local food in Ankara, look for traditional esnaf lokantası-style restaurants, kebab restaurants, and döner spots. Places serving Ankara tava, lamb shank, stews, wood-fired dishes, and charcoal-grilled döner are usually a good bet. Ulus, Kızılay, Çankaya, and older central neighborhoods are especially useful areas for finding classic local meals.

What is the best area for restaurants in Ankara?

Çankaya is one of the best areas for restaurants in Ankara because it has everything from stylish Italian restaurants and seafood spots to meyhanes, steakhouses, cafes, sushi restaurants, and vegan places. Kavaklıdere, Gaziosmanpaşa, Tunalı Hilmi, Kızılay, Ümitköy, and Çayyolu are also great areas if you want plenty of dining options without wandering around like a lost fork.

Where can I eat street food in Ankara?

For street food in Ankara, try charcoal-grilled döner, Ankara simit, kokoreç, Aspava wraps, gobit sandwiches, and gözleme. Kızılay, Ulus, Çankaya, and areas around Atatürk Forest Farm are good places to start, depending on what you are craving. If you smell grilled meat, hot bread, or something dangerously buttery, we are probably heading in the right direction.

Is Ankara good for fine dining?

Yes, Ankara has several excellent fine dining and special occasion restaurants, especially around Çankaya, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kavaklıdere, Atakule, and hotel dining spots. You will find elegant Italian restaurants, steakhouses, seafood restaurants, cocktail-focused venues, and romantic dinner spots with polished service and stylish interiors.

Where can I go for a romantic dinner in Ankara?

For a romantic dinner in Ankara, look around Çankaya, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kavaklıdere, Atakule, and İncek. Italian restaurants, view restaurants, seafood spots, modern meyhanes, and candlelit fine dining venues are all good choices. If the table has soft lighting, good wine, and dessert worth sharing — or not sharing, no judgment — we are on the right track.

Does Ankara have good vegan restaurants?

Yes, Ankara has a growing vegan food scene. You can find fully vegan restaurants, plant-based fast food, smoothie bowls, falafel plates, vegan desserts, vegan Turkish comfort food, and healthy cafes. Areas like Çankaya, Kızılay, Bahçelievler, and Kavaklıdere are especially useful for vegan and vegetarian-friendly dining.

Is Ankara good for seafood even though it is not by the sea?

Surprisingly, yes. Ankara has many respected fish restaurants and meyhanes serving fresh fish, seafood mezes, calamari, shrimp, octopus, and classic Turkish seafood dishes. Çankaya and Gaziosmanpaşa are particularly strong areas for fish restaurants. Landlocked? Yes. Seafood deprived? Absolutely not.

What should I eat in Ankara for breakfast?

For breakfast in Ankara, start with Ankara simit, cheese, olives, eggs, fresh bread, pastries, menemen, and Turkish tea. You can also find modern cafes serving vegan breakfasts, smoothie bowls, and international-style brunches. But if this is your first morning in the city, grab a crispy Ankara simit first. It is practically the edible handshake.

Is food expensive in Ankara?

Ankara has options for almost every budget. Street food, local eateries, döner shops, simit bakeries, and esnaf lokantası restaurants are usually more affordable, while fine dining restaurants, steakhouses, hotel restaurants, and stylish seafood spots cost more. The good news? You can eat very well in Ankara without turning every meal into a financial thriller.

Do I need reservations for restaurants in Ankara?

For popular restaurants in Ankara, especially seafood restaurants, fine dining venues, steakhouses, meyhanes, and romantic dinner spots, reservations are a smart idea. On weekends and evenings, the best places can fill quickly. For casual street food and local eateries, you usually do not need to book ahead.

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