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Best Food in Ankara (2026)
Begin your culinary tour in the historic Ulus district, home to the famous Ankara Kalesi area. Try the iconic Ankara tava (a lamb and rice dish) at Zenger PaΕa KonaΔΔ±, located atβ¦ π₯ Where to Start
Begin your culinary tour in the historic Ulus district, home to the famous Ankara Kalesi area. Try the iconic Ankara tava (a lamb and rice dish) at Zenger PaΕa KonaΔΔ±, located at Ulus, HisarparkΔ± Cd. No: 1. Prices range from 150 to 250 TL per person.
π₯© Best Kebabs and Grills
For authentic Ankara-style kebabs, head to Kocatepe Δ°Ε Merkezi in KΔ±zΔ±lay. DΓΆnerci Εahin Usta at KΔ±zΔ±lay, Kocatepe Mahallesi, Kocatepe Δ°Ε Merkezi No: 1 serves legendary dΓΆner for around 120 TL. Another must-visit is Γankaya KΓΆftecisi at Γankaya, Cinnah Cd. No: 18, offering grilled meatballs for 90 TL.
π₯ Traditional Home Cooking
Experience authentic Turkish home cooking at Havuzlu Restaurant in HamamΓΆnΓΌ, at HamamΓΆnΓΌ, SarΔ±baΔ Sk. No: 14. Their menu changes daily but always features dishes like etli yaprak sarma (stuffed grape leaves with meat) for 180 TL. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
π₯ Street Food Favorites
Ankara's street food scene thrives around KΔ±zΔ±lay MeydanΔ±. Try simit from street vendors for 10 TL, or gΓΆzleme from stalls near the metro exit. For a quick bite, the midye dolma (stuffed mussels) at the KΔ±zΔ±lay fish market are a must, priced at 15 TL each.
π° Sweet Treats and Desserts
Indulge in traditional Turkish desserts at Δ°mren LokantasΔ± in KΔ±zΔ±lay, at KΔ±zΔ±lay, Karanfil Sk. No: 28. Their kΓΌnefe (shredded pastry with cheese) is a standout at 80 TL. For a modern twist, visit Mado in Tunali Hilmi Caddesi for dondurma (ice cream) starting at 50 TL.
β Coffee and Tea Culture
Ankara's coffee scene is vibrant, with specialty shops like Coffee Lab in Γankaya, at Γankaya, Cinnah Cd. No: 42. They serve single-origin Turkish coffee for 40 TL. For a traditional tea experience, visit the historic KΔ±zΔ±lay Tea Garden near GΓΌvenpark, where a glass of Γ§ay costs 10 TL.
π½οΈ Best Evening Spots
For a memorable dinner with a view, book a table at Kalenin Sesi in the Ankara Castle area, at Kale, GΓΆzcΓΌ Sk. No: 8. Their meze platter and rakΔ± pairing costs around 300 TL per person. Another great option is Trilye Restaurant in Γankaya, at Γankaya, Simon Bolivar Cd. No: 7, known for its seafood and elegant ambiance.
π° Local Prices and Tips
Dining in Ankara is generally affordable. A typical meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 150 to 250 TL per person, while street food items range from 10 to 50 TL. Tipping 10% is customary in sit-down restaurants. Most places accept credit cards, but keep cash for small stalls.
the guide is solid but it misses one of the best things in ankara, the kokoreΓ§ scene. after midnight near the kΔ±zΔ±lay metro exit there's a guy with a cart who does the best kokoreΓ§ i've had in the city, it's like 40 tl a portion and he loads it with oregano and chili flakes. also for a proper sit-down dinner i'd add that zenger paΕa is great but try their Γ§iΔ kΓΆfte starter too, it's handmade and better than most places in the city
if you're up early the bΓΆrek shop on selanik caddesi near the old ptt building does a killer peynirli bΓΆrek for 25 tl and it's fresh from the oven around 8am. way better than the chain places in the malls
nice write up! id add that the best place for a quick lunch near KΔ±zΔ±lay is actually the little dΓΆner spot tucked behind the Kocatepe Mosque, not the one in the guide. they do a wrap with extra sumac and pickled peppers for like 50 TL, and its always packed with locals around 1pm. also, for dessert, skip the Mado on Tunali and go to the small baklava shop on Karanfil Sokak instead, the one with the old guy in the apron. their fistikli baklava is freshly made and way cheaper, around 60 TL a portion.
one thing the guide doesnt mention is the breakfast scene. if you want a proper kahvalti, go to Εehit Cemalettin Caddesi near the university. there is a place called KahvaltΔ± Evi that does a full spread with honey, kaymak, olives, and menemen for 100 TL, and its open from 7am. way better than the touristy spots in HamamΓΆnΓΌ.
honestly the guide is right about havuzlu but they left out that the real move there is going on a weekday afternoon when its quieter. i sat in the courtyard last tuesday and had their etli yaprak sarma and it was the best home-cooked meal ive had in years, the lady running the place even came out to check if i wanted more rice. its a different vibe than the weekend rush
also for anyone reading this who likes fish, skip trilye and walk down to the balΔ±kΓ§Δ±lar Γ§arΕΔ±sΔ± near the old otogar. there is a tiny place called deniz yΔ±ldΔ±zΔ± that does a grilled levrek with salad and bread for like 120 tl, no view but the fish is fresh off the truck that morning. way more authentic than the fancy spots
Ankara on a Budget: Tips 2026
For budget stays, consider hostels like Deeps Hostel in KΔ±zΔ±lay (dorms from 200 TL/night) or pension-style guesthouses in Ulus. Booking a few weeks ahead on sites likeβ¦ π Affordable Accommodation
For budget stays, consider hostels like Deeps Hostel in KΔ±zΔ±lay (dorms from 200 TL/night) or pension-style guesthouses in Ulus. Booking a few weeks ahead on sites like Booking.com can save you up to 20%.
π½οΈ Eating on a Budget
Skip tourist spots and head to local esnaf lokantasΔ± (workers' restaurants) in Ulus or KΔ±zΔ±lay for a full meal under 150 TL. Try HacΔ± Arif Bey in Ulus for traditional Ankara dΓΆner at 120 TL. Street simit from vendors costs 15 TL.
π Getting Around Cheaply
Use the AnkaraKart for buses and metro; a single ride costs 13 TL. Buy a prepaid card at any metro station for 25 TL deposit. Walking is free and the best way to explore the compact city center.
π« Free and Cheap Attractions
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, is free and open daily 9am-5pm. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations costs 150 TL (free with Müzekart, which is 300 TL/year). Walk through Gençlik Parkı for free.
π° Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid taxis; instead, use the metro or dolmuΕ (shared minibus) for fixed routes. Buy produce at the weekly farmers' market in Γankaya on Sundays for half the supermarket price. Tap water is safe to drink.
ποΈ Cheap Cultural Experiences
Visit the Ethnography Museum (free on Fridays) or the State Art and Sculpture Museum (50 TL). Many museums offer free entry on certain days; check their websites before going.
π³ Free Outdoor Fun
Hike in the AtatΓΌrk Forest Farm and Zoo (free entry) or explore the historic Ankara Castle area with panoramic views. The Botanical Garden in Γankaya is open daily and perfect for a picnic.
ποΈ Budget Shopping
For souvenirs, head to the Ulus Market for copperware and spices at negotiable prices. Avoid shops near KΔ±zΔ±lay Square, which mark up prices for tourists. Local brands like LC Waikiki offer affordable clothing.
The guide is spot on about esnaf lokantasΔ±, but I'd add that the ones in the Maltepe neighborhood near the old TCDD train station are even cheaper and less crowded than Ulus. I grabbed a full porsiyon of kuru fasulye with rice and salad for 110 TL last week at a place called Lezzet DuraΔΔ±. Also, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is worth the full price if you're into history, but the free Friday entry at the Ethnography Museum is a better bet for a quick visit since it's smaller.
This is a solid guide, I've lived in Ankara for three years and can vouch for most of it. One thing that's missing is the neighborhood of Bahçelievler, especially around the 7. Cadde area. You can find excellent and cheap gâzleme or pide for under 100 TL at small shops there, and it's a nice walk from Kızılay. Also, for the AnkaraKart, you can top it up right from your phone using the official app now, which saves you hunting for a machine.
Nice breakdown, I've used most of these myself. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Ankara Castle area has a few tiny tea gardens tucked into the old stone houses where a glass of Γ§ay is 10 TL and the view over Ulus is free. I'd also say the simit from street vendors is usually freshest before 10am, when they're still warm from the bakery. For a cheap evening, the KΔ±zΔ±lay YΓΌksel pedestrian street has live music from buskers most nights and you can just sit on a bench and listen.