Ankara cuisine , at first glance, seems simple: dishes with plenty of meat, little sauce, and patiently cooked. But upon closer inspection, you realize it's a culinary heritage passed down from different regions of Anatolia to the capital of the Republic. In this guide, we've compiled regional dishes you absolutely must try when you visit Ankara, the traditional breakfast culture, the city's local wine heritage, and restaurants you can confidently visit in Çankaya.
1. Ankara's Signature Dish: Ankara Tava
Ankara tava is a main dish synonymous with the city's identity. Lamb meat, rice, lamb fat, and spices are cooked for a long time in an earthenware pot. It has a thin crust on top, tender meat inside, and rice that has absorbed the flavors. In traditional restaurants, it is served with ayran (yogurt drink) and cacık (cucumber yogurt dip).
The best places to taste Ankara tava are usually the long-established local eateries around Ulus and Kızılay. For dinner, modern restaurants in Çankaya and Gaziosmanpaşa offer a fresh take on the tava, presented with the chef's signature touch.
2. A Historic Tea Time: Beypazarı Dried Fruits
Coming from the Beypazarı district, located 100 kilometers from Ankara, Beypazarı kurusu , with its small, round, and firm texture, is one of the city's best-known snacks and appetizers. It's a must-have with a glass of linden tea or frothy Turkish coffee . You'll find Beypazarı kurusu offered as a complimentary treat in many hotels and boutique cafes outside of regular working hours.
If you'd like to try making Beypazarı dried fruit yourself: the boutique local product shops in the Hamamönü neighborhood sell the dried fruit in its original packaging. It's also a great option as a gift to take home.
3. Buffet Breakfast at the Rooftop Restaurant: An Ankara Classic
Breakfast culture holds a very special place in Ankara. Mornings starting with panoramic views at rooftop restaurants on the hillsides of the city elevate the hotel breakfast category from a mere "meal" to an "experience." Alpfine Hotel 's rooftop restaurant, located in the heart of Çankaya, offers a buffet breakfast every morning from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM in a spacious setting overlooking the Ankara skyline.
What a traditional Ankara breakfast should include:
- Village cheese, curd cheese, and aged kashar cheese.
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh various greens
- Honey, clotted cream, homemade jams (apricot, rosehip, rose)
- Hot menemen or kuymak (with Mihalıç cheese)
- Fresh pastries: poğaça, açma, simit
- Plenty of Turkish tea — small cups, freshly brewed.
4. Meatball and Kebab Culture
Meat dishes dominate Ankara's cuisine. However, alongside the street kebab culture, more urban and boutique meat restaurants have long maintained their presence in Çankaya and Gaziosmanpaşa.
Here are some kebab types you absolutely must try:
- Meatballs with pickled cucumbers — A classic combination from the north of the city, with plenty of pickles.
- Eggplant kebab — An Anatolian classic where meat and eggplant are cooked in perfect balance.
- Beyti Sarma — Ground meat inside a flatbread, served with yogurt and butter sauce.
- Lamb chops — Grilled with just salt and pepper, served with roasted peppers.
5. Ankara's Wine Heritage: Kalecik Karası
Few people know that Ankara is a wine-producing center. The Kalecik Karası grape, grown in the Kalecik district to the east of the city, forms the basis of one of Turkey's most elegant local wine varieties. A light-bodied red wine with cherry and blackberry aromas, it elegantly complements evening meals.
For dinner, you can find Kalecik Karası tasting menus at boutique wineries in Çankaya, or if you prefer, you can join vineyard tours in Kalecik. Simply ask the reception about vineyard tour arrangements when you make your hotel reservation.
6. Desserts: Simple but Filling
In Ankara cuisine, desserts are not fancy; but each one has a character of its own:
- Halva — Tahini halva and flour halva are annual rituals in Ankara.
- Höşmerim — A traditional dessert with low sugar content and fresh cheese.
- Pita bread with tahini — Perfect for breakfast or with tea in the evening.
- Pastries and cookies — at their best in the boutique bakeries of Hamamönü.
7. Types of Restaurants to Visit in Çankaya
Çankaya is the heart of Ankara's gastronomic landscape. Here you can easily find the following styles:
A classic Turkish restaurant: Traditional home-style cooking, in a nomadic, tradesmen's eatery atmosphere. A popular choice for those leaving work at lunchtime.
Meat restaurants: Menus mainly feature kebabs, meatballs, and grilled dishes. They are a popular choice for dinner.
Third-wave coffee houses: Modern cafes concentrated on Cinnah Street and Palestine Street, where coffee is taken seriously, and many offer vegan and gluten-free options.
Boutique wine and meze bars: Located on Bestekar Street and the side streets of Tunalı Hilmi. Ideal for late afternoon and evening.
Hotel restaurants: Rooftop restaurants offer unique experiences where panoramic views meet gastronomy. Alpfine's rooftop restaurant is one of the few excellent options in the center of Çankaya for both breakfast and dinner.
8. Practical Information
Dining hours: In Ankara, the classic lunch time is 12:30 – 14:00, and dinner is between 19:00 – 22:00. Most boutique restaurants in Çankaya are closed on Mondays; reservations are recommended.
Reservations: Popular restaurants fill up 2-3 days in advance, especially on weekends and during public event periods. Making a reservation through your hotel reception is the most practical option.
Vegetarian options: Although traditional Ankara cuisine is meat-heavy, vegetarian and vegan menus have become standard in the vast majority of modern restaurants.
Conclusion: To Know a City by Its Plate
If you truly want to get to know Ankara, besides exploring its museums and historical sites, make time for its cuisine. A dinner is perhaps the best way to understand the city's tranquil character. Don't forget that your accommodation is also part of this experience: Alpfine Hotel 's central location in Çankaya and its breakfast on the rooftop restaurant can be a natural starting point for your gastronomic journey.
Imagine a day that starts with a panoramic view of Ankara from our rooftop restaurant and ends in the evening at one of Çankaya's boutique restaurants. You can visit our page to make a reservation .
