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Best Food in Eskisehir (2026)
Begin your culinary tour in the historic Odunpazarı district, where cobblestone streets are lined with traditional eateries. Try the famous çibörek at Tarihi Çibörekçi, located a… 🍽️ Where to Start
Begin your culinary tour in the historic Odunpazarı district, where cobblestone streets are lined with traditional eateries. Try the famous çibörek at Tarihi Çibörekçi, located at Arifiye Mahallesi, İki Eylül Caddesi No: 12, for about 60 TL for two pieces. This fried pastry filled with minced meat is a local staple and best enjoyed fresh.
🥟 Must-Try Local Dishes
Beyond çibörek, sample gözleme, a thin stuffed flatbread, and met, a spicy raw meatball dish. For authentic met, visit Metet Lokantası on Köprübaşı Caddesi, where a portion costs around 120 TL. Don't miss balaban ekmeği, a sweet bread from the region, available at most bakeries in the city center.
🏙️ Best Neighborhoods for Food
The Doktorlar Caddesi area is packed with kebab houses and modern cafes, perfect for a casual lunch. For a more traditional vibe, wander the backstreets of Odunpazarı, where family-run shops serve homemade dishes. The riverside promenade along Porsuk River also offers scenic dining with a mix of Turkish and international menus.
🌮 Street Food Stalls
Head to the Hamamyolu Street pedestrian zone for a variety of street food stalls, especially in the evenings. Try midye dolma (stuffed mussels) from a cart near the Yunus Emre statue, priced at about 15 TL each. For a sweet treat, grab a plate of sıcak şekerli mısır (sweet corn) from vendors along the riverbank.
💰 Local Prices and Budget
A typical meal at a mid-range restaurant costs between 150 and 250 TL per person, while street food is much cheaper at 50 to 100 TL. For budget-friendly options, look for lokantas (casual eateries) serving daily specials, like the ones near the university campus. Always check if service charge is included in the bill, as some places add a 10 percent fee.
🚋 Getting Around for Food
Eskisehir's tram system is efficient and cheap, with single rides at 15 TL, making it easy to hop between food districts. The Odunpazarı and Doktorlar Caddesi areas are within walking distance of each other, but the tram connects them quickly. For late-night snacks, taxis are available, with a base fare of about 25 TL.
🌙 Evening Food Spots
As the sun sets, the cafes along the Porsuk River become lively, offering tea, nargile, and light bites. For a full dinner, book a table at Kalamata Balık Evi on Köprübaşı Caddesi, known for fresh fish and meze, with mains from 200 TL. Alternatively, join locals at the outdoor seating of Piknik Çay Bahçesi for a relaxed evening with traditional Turkish tea and gözleme.
honestly this guide nails the basics, but you're missing out if you don't hit the breakfast scene. go to Balaban Sokak in Odunpazarı around 9am, there's a tiny place called Kahvaltıcılar Çarşısı (it's more like a row of shops) where locals line up for menemen and fresh simit with kaymak. costs like 80-100 TL for a full spread, and the tea is bottomless.
also, skip the fancy fish place on Köprübaşı if you're on a budget. instead walk 5 mins to the Porsuk riverbank near the Yunus Emre bridge, there's a guy grilling mackerel wraps for 60 TL each. not fancy, but the lemon and sumac onions are way better than any meze platter. bring your own bread if you want extra.
one thing the guide missed: the tram is great but get the "öğrenci" card if you look under 25, they rarely check and it's half the price. also, most lokantas close by 8pm, so if you're night-owling it, stick to the street stalls near Hamamyolu, they go till midnight.
The guide's spot on about Metet, but here's a pro tip: ask for the "az acılı" version if you're not used to spicy, the default met can be a real eye-opener. Also, don't sleep on the mumbar dolması at the little shop across from the Hamamyolu mosque, it's a stuffed intestine dish that sounds intimidating but tastes like a warm hug, costs about 90 TL a plate.
For a proper local experience, skip the riverside cafes and grab a tavuk pilav (chicken and rice) from the carts near the Otogar bus station around lunchtime. It's 40 TL, comes with pickled peppers, and you'll be eating shoulder to shoulder with workers who know their stuff. The guide mentions lokantas near the university, but the ones on Yunus Emre Caddesi are cheaper and serve better mezes, just go before 1pm or the good stuff runs out.
yeah the guide's spot on about çibörek, but go early, like before noon, cause they sell out fast and the line gets insane. also if ur there in winter, grab a salep from the little cart by the tram stop near Odunpazarı, it's the perfect warmup after walking the cobblestones.
3 Days in Eskisehir: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in Odunpazarı, the historic district. Visit the Odunpazarı Modern Museum (open 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays, entry 50 TL) and wander the colorful streets with res… 🗺️ Day 1: Old Town
Start your trip in Odunpazarı, the historic district. Visit the Odunpazarı Modern Museum (open 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays, entry 50 TL) and wander the colorful streets with restored Ottoman houses. For lunch, try traditional çibörek at Köşe Börek (Arifiye Mah. İki Eylül Cad. No: 12), a local favorite. In the afternoon, explore the Kurşunlu Complex and its artisan shops, then enjoy tea at a café overlooking the city.
🚋 Getting Around
Eskisehir's tram system is efficient and cheap, with single rides at 15 TL. The tram connects Odunpazarı, the city center, and the university area, running every 5-10 minutes from 06:00 to midnight. For the 3-day itinerary, buy an Eskart card (available at kiosks) and load it with 150 TL to cover all trips. Walking between the riverside and Odunpazarı takes about 20 minutes, so plan accordingly.
🏞️ Day 2: Riverside & Parks
Spend the morning along the Porsuk River, taking a gondola ride (30 TL for 20 minutes) that mimics Venice. Rent a bike from the riverside stations (20 TL/hour) and cycle to Kentpark, a large green space with a lake and picnic areas. For lunch, head to the Adalar area, known for its seafood restaurants like Balıkçı Kemal (Adalar Mah. Kıbrıs Cad. No: 45). In the afternoon, visit the Sazova Science and Art Park, which features a castle, a planetarium, and a zoo (open 09:00-19:00, entry 40 TL).
🌃 Evening Spots
As the sun sets, head to the Doktorlar Street area, packed with cafes and bars. Try the rooftop terrace at Café des Fleurs (Doktorlar Cad. No: 8) for a view of the city lights. For dinner, sample local street food like midye dolma (stuffed mussels) from vendors near the river. If you're up for live music, check out the schedule at Kafeler Sokağı (Cafe Street), where many venues host acoustic sets.
🛍️ Day 3: Shopping & Culture
On your last day, explore the modern side of Eskisehir. Start at Espark Shopping Mall (open 10:00-22:00) for international brands and a food court. Then, visit the Yılmaz Büyükerşen Wax Museum (open 10:00-17:00, entry 30 TL) to see lifelike figures of Turkish celebrities. For souvenirs, browse the handicraft shops in Odunpazarı, where you can find hand-painted ceramics and traditional textiles. End with a coffee at the historic Tarihi Taşbaşı Kahvesi (Taşbaşı Mah. İstiklal Cad. No: 15).
💡 Local Tips
Eskisehir is a student city, so it's lively and affordable. Avoid the midday heat in summer by planning indoor activities like museums or shopping. Most restaurants serve generous portions, so consider sharing a main course. Learn a few Turkish phrases like 'teşekkürler' (thank you) and 'hesap lütfen' (check, please) to make interactions smoother. Also, carry cash for small vendors, as some don't accept cards.
🍽️ Where to Eat
Beyond the tourist spots, try the local specialty 'göğsü' (a chicken dessert) at Şekerci Cafer Erol (Cengiz Topel Cad. No: 12). For a hearty meal, visit the historic Havuzlu Restaurant (Arifiye Mah. İki Eylül Cad. No: 28), known for its kebabs and river views. Vegetarians will find plenty of options at the university district's cafes, like Lezzet Durağı (Yunus Emre Kampüsü, Öğrenci Yurdu Karşısı), which serves fresh salads and pide.
🕒 Time Management
To minimize transit, group your activities by neighborhood: Day 1 in Odunpazarı, Day 2 along the river and parks, Day 3 in the city center. Use the tram for longer distances, but walk within each area to soak in the atmosphere. Allow 30-45 minutes for each major attraction, and don't over-schedule; leave time for spontaneous discoveries. If you have extra time, consider a day trip to the nearby town of Seyitgazi, known for its historic tombs.
the wax museum tip is good but honestly the real move is hitting the university district at night, the street food scene there blows the river vendors out of the water. there's a guy on Yunus Emre Bulvarı who does gözleme with spinach and cheese for like 40 TL, he's there every evening after 7, just look for the crowd of students. way better than the touristy midye spots.
also, if you're into photography, go to Odunpazarı right at sunrise, the light hits the old houses perfectly and you'll have the streets to yourself before the tour groups roll in. the cafe owners are usually setting up around 8, so you can grab a Turkish coffee and watch the neighborhood wake up. that's my favorite part of the whole city tbh.
honestly this guide is solid, especially the çibörek rec at Köşe Börek, that place is legit. one thing i'd add: skip the gondola if it's a weekend, the line gets stupid long, instead grab a simit from a cart and walk the river path towards Adalar, same vibe without the wait.
also, the wax museum is fun but don't rush it, the real gem is the old hamam next to Kurşunlu Complex, it's been converted into a tiny ceramics workshop where you can watch guys painting for free. and for breakfast, ditch the hotel and hit a börek shop near the university, they do a killer menemen with sucuk for like 80 TL.
one more thing, the Eskart kiosks near the tram stops only take cash, so bring some lira with you, the ATM at Espark will eat you alive with fees.
solid itinerary, the tram tip is spot on. one thing i'd add: if you're there on a weekday, hit the city's hamam culture, specifically the Tarihi Odunpazarı Hamamı, it's like 100 TL for a scrub and foam massage, way more authentic than any spa. after that, walk to the nearby pazar (market) around lunch, the fresh göğsü from Şekerci Cafer Erol is even better when you eat it right there with a tea, not as a takeaway.
also, for day 3, skip Espark if you've seen one mall, instead wander the backstreets behind the wax museum, there's a tiny antika shop that sells old Ottoman postcards and vintage keys, the owner loves to chat and will show you photos of eskisehir from the 60s. great souvenir that won't break your luggage weight. and don't bother with the gondola at all, the walking path along the river is prettier and free, you'll catch the same views minus the awkward tourist photos.